Saab Phoenix concept (2011)

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Saab Phoenix concept (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

01 March 2011 11:01

Saab issued one of the few genuine surprises of the Geneva show: the Phoenix concept car, designed to show the newly independent brand's stylistic future.

Named after the Phoenix platform underpinning many of the company's future products including next year's new 9-3, the concept car is a dramatic coupe. It's the first car designed by Jason Castriota, the new design chief.

He called the new language 'Aeromotional'. But we see plenty of hallmarks of Castriota's work at Bertone, mashed up with references to Saab's past.

Saab Phoenix: a three-door coupe

This is not an additional Saab to aspire to - the Phoenix is very much a directional concept car. Saab has its hands quite full enough getting the 9-5 and 9-3 models into production and, if they're lucky, a 9-1 or 9-2 supermini.

Saab references liquid metal forms and the jet canopy DLO glasshouse, suggesting how future production Saabs could look. The company claims the Phoenix concept car has a drag coefficient of just 0.25.

Being a madcap concept car, there are naturally some zany doors. In this instance, butterfly doors rise up and give access to a 2+2 cabin.