"BOSTON — Saab is going full-speed ahead with development of an all-new subcompact car based on the achingly rakish
9-X BioHybrid concept unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show this spring. A 2010-ish production version, likely called 9-1, will compete with the likes of BMW's
Mini and
1 Series, not to mention the
Volvo C30 and
Audi A3. But a senior U.S. executive tells Inside Line one point of contention is how many doors the 9-1 should have.
...the appeal of the Audi A3 and 1 Series, both pretty fine cars to drive, has been severely limited by its high prices. Saab wants to avoid these pitfalls with the 9-1.
'I don't think anybody's nailed it yet,' he [Roger McCormack, Saab Automobile USA's marketing director] said of the current models in the premium compact segment. McCormack said the challenge is to find the right balance of size, fuel economy, price — and body style."
The whole article:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=126467
9-X BioHybrid:
