Swade, RedJ and Golfhunter all in the same room with Victor Muller. In Switzerland. Jealousy knows no bounds. Hoist one for me, gents. I’m headed to Green Bay, Wisconsin today, which could actually be the antithesis of Geneva. For me it is, anyway.
For the rest of us, we rely on the word of others to describe what they see at events like this one. Here are a few of the people writing about the Saab PhoeniX as unveiled today:
– From Car and Driver: I love this new phrase coined in the C&D write-up: “Saabnitive Dissonance”. This heading seems to describe the departures from the Saab norm; they point out that Jason Castriota’s roots at Ferrari signal a departure from history and that the design is not your typical Saab.
On the flip side, they, too, note the Pontiac-ish tail lights.
– From TopGear: “Think of this Saab as the T-1000 of concept cars, only with less duplicitous pointy-metal-finger death and more economy. ”
– From Car Magazine: “[Jason Castriota] 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.”
Car Magazine also calls the PhoeniX “one of the few genuine surprises of the Geneva show”.
– From AutoExpress: “The future is looking bright for Saab. In the boldest statement yet of its new-found confidence, the Swedish giant took the wraps off this stunning sports car concept at the Geneva Motor Show”
– From TopSpeed: ” Back in 2006 Saab impressed the world with the launch of the Aero-X, a concept considered a piece of art back then. But now, five years later Saab wants to amaze us once again. And they did with the launch at the Geneva Motor Show of the new Phoenix, a concept car that previews the design language of next generation of Saab cars. You have to admit, if the future Saab models will look anything like this, then the company will really raise from its own ashes, like the Phoenix bird did.”
– From the New York Times: “‘We did it to show we could, to show that we are here to stay,’ said Victor Muller, Saab’s chief executive, in an interview.”
– From Motor Authority: “clean, muscular shape” and “a 2+2 cabin that blends simplicity with technology”
– From Kilometer Magazine: “The Phoenix is simply stunning, and we expect that while a sport coupe might not be Saab’s first priority, the face, some of the surfacing, and hopefully the dot-matrix taillights will make it to future production models. While looking thoroughly modern, the PhoeniX also looks very Saab and it even evokes the Sonett with its short, stubby rear end. New design languages always need a buzzword and the one for this new look is ‘Aeromotional.'”
– From NetCarShow: A very no-nonsense, workman-like description. Almost like they just copied the press kit or something. ;-). Worthy of mention because of the fantastic gallery of Saab PhoeniX photos posted on the page.
– From Jalopnik: They invite you to “check out the hot, sexy Swedish action of the exterior”.
Finally, from Swedish Radio, an excellent series of photographs from the Saab Phoenix unveiling are located here.
