Crossway Saab

 Atlanta - Saab Automobile USA continues its successful "Born From Jets" campaign with new advertising that features its redesigned flagship, the 2006 Saab 9-5 Sedan. The new ads represent the reaffirmation and continuation of Saab's aircraft-inspired marketing strategy.

Saab's latest television commercial, called "Head-to-Head," shows a face-off between the 9-5 and a Saab Gripen jet fighter aircraft. The spot opens on the Gripen as it begins to roll down a runway. Cut to the 9-5 as it accelerates toward the jet from the opposite direction. A voiceover reads, "The aerodynamic principles that keep a Saab jet in the air help the Saab 9-5 remain firmly on the ground." Just as the jet is about to meet the car, it lifts off the runway and the 9-5 speeds under the aircraft. The ad concludes with the voiceover, "When you used to build jets, you don't just build another car."

For 2006, the 9-5 undergoes a thorough refresh that includes bolder exterior design, updated interior materials, horsepower increased to 260 hp, chassis enhancements and new instrumentation and "infotainment" systems. The Linear, Arc and Aero models have been merged into a single model - the 2.3T - in 4-door Sedan and 5-door SportCombi body styles.

The "Born from Jets" campaign, which was created by Lowe New York, kicked off in fall 2005. Featuring the 9-7X, Saab's first-ever SUV, the new 9-3 SportCombi five-door and a new 250-hp turbo V-6 engine in all 9-3 Aero models, it supports the most aggressive product expansion in Saab's nearly 60-year history as an automaker. "Born from Jets" was called "one of automotive history's greatest marketing taglines" by Advertising Age magazine.

Saab Automobile USA General Manager Jay Spenchian said Saab has genuine performance credentials, but that not enough people are aware of this premium European brand. On top of that, Saab must set itself apart from other car makers that claim "performance" as their brand promise. Spenchian said by reaching into Saab's history, his team arrived at a solution that addresses both issues.

"Jets are inherently cool - they represent speed, control, safety, quality and reliability. Saab is the only car company that can claim such a heritage. Nobody else can say 'what our founding engineers knew about thrust and power inspired us to build a more exciting vehicle' or 'what they knew about keeping pilots alive inspired us to build a safer vehicle.' This is unique to Saab and it really resonates with potential customers."

Indeed, according to Saab research:

• The "Born From jets" ads are well recognized and very strongly linked back to Saab
• The ads clearly stand out from other automotive ads. They excel at communicating something different and unique about the Saab brand
• The ads help communicate advanced technology, performance and quality of Saab vehicles
• In doing so, the ads make the vehicles more appealing to customers and increase their interest in obtaining more information about Saab.

" 'The Born from Jets' strategy is working," said Mark Wnek, chairman and chief creative officer of Lowe New York. "The value of connecting Saab to its aircraft heritage is real. As Saab continues to introduce new products like the 9-5, the campaign will continue to appeal to consumers on both emotional and rational levels."

"Head-to-Head" will air during the Olympics on NBC, MSNBC and USA. The campaign also includes print, online components and direct mail for the 9-5. Print advertising will run in upscale publications including Esquire, Vogue, Details, Car&Driver, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. The online components include internet banners and website updates.

Lowe Worldwide was founded in London in 1981, with a handful of people and the ambition to build a top global agency through producing effective, high quality creative advertising. Today, the group has earned an enviable reputation for building powerful brands for an outstanding roster of global clients, which includes Unilever, Electrolux, Johnson & Johnson and Nestle. The agency has positioned itself as the "next generation growth network" and capitalizes on the strength of individual "lighthouses," empowering them to be the expert or leader in their market. www.loweworldwide.com.

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and distributor of Saab 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For more information, please visit www.saabusa.com.

New York, NY - Fifty years ago, Swedish carmaker Saab jumped into the world's biggest car market by introducing its unusual three-cylinder, two-stroke, front-wheel-drive automobile to the American public at the 1956 New York Auto Show.

This week, at the same auto show, Saab is celebrating its 50th anniversary in the U.S. by showing its most radical concept car ever, the Saab Aero-X, as well as its full line of production cars. Saab is currently engaged in the launch of its most extensive product program ever, having doubled its vehicle portfolio in the past two years.

The Saab display in New York show also includes a visual homage to its first five decades in the United States, featuring an original Sonett Super Sport roadster in a period setting that mimics the Saab stand at the 1956 New York Show.

"Building on our aircraft-inspired heritage, Saab will continue to deliver a distinctive interpretation of a premium European vehicle," said Jay Spenchian, Saab Automobile USA general manager. "Then as now, Saab is all about progressive design and driver-focused performance. At the same time, we'll remain practical and safe. It's no surprise that we attract the kind of well-educated, entrepreneurial and young-minded customers that we do - mostly people who are not satisfied with the typical automobile."

The history of Saab as a carmaker is as unique as its products. In fact, the first Saab car wasn't built by a carmaker at all. It was built in 1947 by a team of 16 aeronautical designers and engineers who were also designing planes for the Swedish air force through Svenska Aeroplan AB - the Swedish Aircraft Company - also known as Saab.

The first aerodynamic Saab 92 prototype automobile was unveiled was ready for production in 1950. As the product of an aircraft company based in a country that extends far into the Arctic Circle, Saabs were engineered with an unconventional design philosophy. A distinctively streamlined body, performance with efficiency and unusually robust body construction for occupant safety were some of the initial design parameters that have endured to the latest models.

Saab's first major evolution was the 1956 Saab 93, equipped with a 33-hp, three-cylinder, two-stroke engine. The new Saab made its U.S. debut at the New York Auto Show. Ralph Millet, who was the American buying agent for Saab aircraft parts, was persuaded to expand his business to include importing Saab cars. "On the first day of the New York Auto Show, I was an expert on spare parts for aircraft," Millet said. "By the final day, I was in the car business with Saab."

Millet founded Saab Motors, Inc. in 1956 in New York City. The company exploited the Saab's 93's front-wheel drive, excellent handling on snow and ice, its powerful heating and robust construction to concentrate on sales in the U.S. Northeast. Priceless publicity and great interest in the new Swedish import was generated when three Saabs entered and finished the three-day, 1,500-mile Great American Mountain Rally over snow-covered roads in 1956, with one Saab the overall winner.

For a half a century, Saab has combined engineering know-how, unique Scandinavian design, an unyielding commitment to real-life safety and a philosophy of finding the best, creative solutions to technical challenges. Saab introduced turbocharging to mass production in the late 1970's, using otherwise wasted exhaust gases to provide compressed air to the engine, boosting power and torque while still providing small-engine fuel economy.

At a time when convertible cars had all but disappeared, Saab launched its topless 900, which became an icon to the Swedish brand. Saab has a long list of world-first technical innovations, such as headlight wipers/washers, side-impact door beams, impact-absorbing and self-repairing bumpers, seat heaters, cabin air filters, CFC-free air conditioning, ventilated seats, active head restraints and more.

General Motors purchased half of Saab Automobile AB in 1990, and the remaining half in 2000. Saab has benefited greatly from leveraging GM's manufacturing and marketing resources, while GM has tapped into Saab's expertise in the areas of vehicle safety, emissions, turbocharging and advanced manufacturing. As recently as fall, 2005, GM has established a new regional R&D office at Saab's headquarters in Trollhättan, Sweden.

Since becoming a wholly owned GM brand, Saab has initiated the most aggressive product development program in its history, introducing several ground-breaking concept cars and significant production vehicles. Today's Saab line-up consists of four vehicle lines, the broadest portfolio ever.

The Saab 9-2X, introduced in 2004, is a premium compact five-door, the first-ever all-wheel-drive Saab model. The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and iconic 9-3 Convertible expands for 2006 with a new five-door wagon, the 9-3 SportCombi. The 9-3 Aero models feature an all-new 250-hp Turbo V6. The flagship Saab 9-5, available as a sedan or wagon, received a major update for 2006, with new front-end styling and more than 1,000 other revisions. Long desired by Saab dealers and customers, an SUV is now in the portfolio as the 9-7X. Competing in the fast-growing mid-luxury SUV market segment, the Saab 9-7X boasts all-wheel-drive, a towing capacity of up to 6,500 lbs., and an impressive list of standard features.

For today's and tomorrow's models, Saab will remain true to the essence of its time-honored characteristics - design, performance, functionality and safety - while expanding its presence in the marketplace. "We need to grow our product portfolio into the 'right' segments," emphasizes Spenchian, as he describes Saab's strategy for the coming years. "Beyond maximizing our product development investment and ability to conquest market share, this also means that we preserve and distill Saab's brand essence. In that respect, the Saab Aero X concept car gives us a clear picture of exciting things to come."

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and distributor of Saab 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5 cars and the 9-7X SUV for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden.

Detroit, Mich. - Sweden is leading Europe in encouraging the growth of bioethanol as an eco-friendly renewable fuel. It is part of the Swedish government's strategy to free the country of dependency on oil by 2020.

At the same time, Saab is struggling to keep pace with customer demand for its new 9-5 BioPower model in Sweden as thousands of drivers switch from gasoline to enjoy the environmental and performance benefits of bioethanol, a renewable and sustainable fuel.

More than 5,500 cars have been ordered since sales began in Sweden in July last year and the Saab 9-5 BioPower is now established as the country's top selling environmentally-friendly vehicle (ELV), outselling all its competitors put together.

Ethanol history
There is nothing new about using bioethanol as a fuel. The first Model T Fords were designed to run on it and it has been used as an emergency back-up during times of war. However, once the world's reserves of cheap oil began to flow freely, alcohol-based fuels - whether bioethanol or methanol - quickly became a curiosity, confined almost exclusively for use in high-powered, competition engines.

Now, as the world begins to come to terms with the environmental fall-out of industrialisation and the prospect of diminishing oil supplies, bioethanol - a renewable and potentially carbon-neutral fuel - is back on the agenda. And in Sweden that means it is available at filling station pumps.

The Swedish government has already taken the decision to begin the process of switching road transport away from oil and Prime Minister Goran Persson has targeted 2020 as the year when the country can contemplate ending its dependency on fossil fuels altogether. The wide-scale production and use of bioethanol as a substitute will be one of its main weapons in helping the country to 'kick the oil habit'.

Distribution
There are two driving forces behind the adoption of a renewable and sustainable fuel such as bioethanol: the environmental need to combat climate change from the so-called 'greenhouse' effect and the strategic need to overcome dependency on oil, a finite resource for which global demand will exceed supply. As a nation, Sweden has a long tradition of environmental care and it is hardly surprising that it is one of the first countries in the industrialized world to begin to seriously address such issues.

Emissions of fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) from road transportation are widely recognized as a one reason for the 'greenhouse' effect and all its associated problems. In Sweden, for example, it is estimated that close to 40 per cent of all CO2 emissions are due to transport.

The first filling station with an E85 (85% bioethanol/15% gasoline) pump was established in 1995 but development was slow in view of the very small number of 'flex-fuel' cars on the road at that time. Steady expansion began in 2002 and last year (2005) the number of filling stations with E85 pumps doubled to more than 300, or about 10% of the national network.

This sudden growth has been further stimulated by the sales success of the Saab 9-5 BioPower. The government has also announced that by 2008, 25 per cent of the country's filling stations will be offering renewable fuels.

Production
There is currently only small scale, commercial production of bioethanol from wheat and barley in one region of Sweden, so most of the bioethanol required is imported from Brazil, the world's biggest bioethanol supplier. Nearly all Brazil's domestic road transport needs are met by bioethanol, which is produced locally from sugar cane, without any subsidy, at a lower cost than the world market price of gasoline.

The other main commercial producer of bioethanol is the United States, where it is produced in the mid-west region from corn and blended with gasoline to produce E10 (10 per cent bioethanol) fuel. As world oil prices continue to rise, US output has more than doubled in the last four years.

In Europe, Spain is currently the largest producer of bioethanol, supplying relatively small quantities from grain for use as an additive to gasoline. There are also small production facilities in France, using by-products from wine making, with plants also planned in Holland, Italy, Ireland, Germany and Portugal.

However, the most efficient feedstock for producing bioethanol is neither corn nor sugar, but 'bio-mass', in the form of straw, organic waste or wood clippings and forestry residue. Here bioethanol is produced from cellulose, instead of starch, and yields are higher as well as less energy intensive.

Sweden has a vast forestry resource and an industrial process for producing bioethanol from wood and forestry waste is being developed for large-scale commercial application at ETEK's (Etanolteknik AB) R&D pilot plant at Önsköldsvik. Seven more plants are planned in Sweden for the coming years.

To remove fossil CO2 completely from the environmental loop, emissions during the commercial production of bioethanol must also be minimized and modern processes are already moving towards a zero emission status. Success in achieving this will depend on the type of bio-mass raw material and production processes that are used. The ETEK plant is targeting, from a life cycle perspective, zero fossil emissions by utilising hydro-electric power.

In a comprehensive 2004 study, the International Energy Agency, an OECD organization, estimates there is enough global resource of bio-mass for biofuels such as bioethanol to meet two thirds of the world's current transport energy needs. And in the United States, research by General Motors indicates that 66-107 billion gallons of bioethanol could be produced annually from bio-mass, including dedicated energy crops such as switch grass, willows, poplars and sorghum. This would be sufficient to support a national E60/70 gasoline blend or directly replace about half the current 140 billion gallons of gasoline consumed annually in the United States.

Sweden leads Europe
The EU's latest directive on energy taxation, effective from 1 January 2004, calls on member states to apply reduced taxation or a complete exemption for bio-fuels in pure or low blends. It follows a parallel directive requiring member states to introduce measures that will ensure bio-fuels account for an increasing proportion of total energy consumption in the transport sector, reaching 5.75 per cent by the end of 2010.

In Sweden, E85 already accounts for 2.5 per cent of fuel for road transport, by far the highest proportion in any European market. Supportive government measures include favorable taxation for E85, tax incentives and free parking for users of flex-fuel cars, a requirement for government agencies to source at least 50 per cent of car fleets as eco-friendly vehicles and the introduction of city buses running on pure bioethanol.

"The Swedish government and its agencies are to be congratulated in rising to the challenge of meeting our future energy needs," says Saab Automobile's Managing Director, Jan Âke Jonsson. "Much work has already been done and Sweden is in a strong position to lead and inspire the European development of bioethanol as a near to mid-term energy solution."

Detroit, Mich. - Saab Automobile AB and its Swedish advertising agency Valentin & Byhr emerged as the clear winners at the International Automotive Advertising Awards (IAAA) event in Detroit in early May. Saab submitted ten entries, resulting in six gold, one silver and two bronze awards.

Competing against approximately 3,500 entries from the world's leading automotive advertising agencies, Saab Automobile and Valentin & Byhr were the most successful with the brochures and imagery they submitted. IAAA is one of the automotive industry's largest and most respected advertising awards competition and one of the most important in the USA.

"The Saab success shows that the jury appreciated the high creative level that is maintained throughout the work. As far as I know, nobody has ever won so many awards - six gold and awards in nine of ten classes they chose to compete in", says Grace Fox, General Manager, IAAA.

Saab Automobile and Valentin & Byhr have worked together for many years, but have never before submitted entries to the IAAA, who usually announce the winners in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

"As with all Saab global communication, we strive to maintain an expression and content that is relevant for our customers and stands out from other automotive brands. When it comes to our brochures and imagery, we have received a lot of praise throughout the years in all 50 markets around the world where the material is used. The IAAA awards are further proof that we have a very successful brochure concept," says Mârten Wahlstedt, Global Marketing Communications Manager, Saab Automobile AB.

Valentin & Byhr, based in Gothenburg, Sweden is one of Scandinavia's largest advertising agencies. The agency has an expressed strategy of focusing on companies based in the western part of Sweden.

"To get this confirmation together with Saab Automobile, one of the largest and most public companies in the western part Sweden, is of course fantastic and in line with the agency's ambitions. Receiving this many gold awards amongst such tough competition feels really good," says Magnus Valentin, CEO, Valentin & Byhr.

Saab Automobile and Valentin & Byhr won gold in the following categories:

• Passenger Cars/ Sub-Subcompact/ Catalog: Saab 9-3 Convertible MY06
• Passenger Cars / Sub-Subcompact / Catalog: Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan MY05
• Passenger Cars / Sub-Subcompact / Catalog: Saab 9-3 SportCombi MY06
• Passenger Cars / Sub-Subcompact / Catalog: Saab 9-3 SportSedan MY06
• Passenger Cars / Intermediate / Large / Catalog: Saab 9-5 MY06
• Brand / Full Line / Catalogue: Saab Safety Catalog
• Brand / Full Line / Catalogue: Saab Aero Catalog (Silver)
• Creative Arts - Photography: Saab 9-3 (Bronze)
• Creative Arts - Photography: Saab Nozzle (Bronze)

Representatives from Saab Automobile and Valentin & Byhr will receive the awards at an annual banquet and awards ceremony in Detroit later in the year.

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and distributor of Saab 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5 cars and the 9-7X SUV for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For more information, please visit www.saabusa.com.

• New look main fascia and instrument displays
• Improved driver communication
• New infotainment systems
• Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with rotary controls standard across range
• Bose audio and XM radio standard in Aero 2.8 V6 Sport Sedan
• Six-speed manual gearbox now also for 210 bhp turbo engine

The view from the driver's seat is the main focus of a host of enhancements to the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible ranges for Model Year 2007.

The main fascia, instrument displays and controls are given a cleaner and sharper look, while also improving driver interaction and communication. The result, both visually and in use, is a cockpit-inspired driving environment that retains a distinctive Saab feel.

The sporty performance of the base 210 bhp turbo engine is also brought into sharper focus by the standard fitment of a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission.

Design Focus
The main instrument panel, including new infotainment systems, is now framed by a matte chrome line, with the same finish given to all key controls, which are now rotary in function. In overall visual effect, the new cockpit is a modern interpretation of the look of the classic, first generation Saab 900 main fascia. The move to rotary controls also reflects a design theme found in the Saab 9-5, which was thoroughly refreshed for 2006.

As part of the strategy to improve driver interaction, the interior design team has also focused on rationalizing the number of separate information displays and single-use buttons. As a result, all key driver information is now presented in the main instrument cluster, eliminating the need for the previous high level supplementary display on top of the main fascia. This centralizes driver information and warning messages to a single zone, in the lower portion of the speedometer, improving communication as well as the aesthetics of the cockpit design.

For the same reason, the 'Profiler' facility, offering driver pre-sets for a wide range of functions is now operated via steering wheel buttons, instead of a push/select fascia knob, with on-screen prompts and selections shown in the main instrument display. Automatic climate control modes, the clock/alarm, speed scale illumination and, where fitted, the anti-theft alarm, parking assistance, rain sensitive wipers and heated seats can all be tailored in this way.

The main instrument dials and Saab-signature air vent controls are now also finished in matte chrome trim. The instrument graphics are given a sharper, clearer look, while another Saab-typical feature, green instrument illumination, is retained

All occupants benefit from dual- zone automatic climate control (ACC), which is now fitted as standard throughout the range. The simplified display panel features rotary controls and fewer buttons.

The rest of the interior is unchanged across the range, except for the addition of a matching trim insert on the glove box lid.

Infotainment improvements
A choice of three 'infotainment' systems is offered, each of which includes a CD player compatible with MP3 music discs. Also fitted as standard is an auxiliary audio input.

The standard 'Saab Infotainment' system includes an RDS radio and single-slot CD player, 'Saab Infotainment CD Changer' adds an in-dash 6-disc facility and 'Saab Infotainment Plus' includes a GPS satellite navigation system with a larger, 6.5 inch color touch-screen and voice control. In addition to a 'bird's eye view' map selection, direction arrows from the high position display are now shown on the touch-screen.

The enhanced audio range includes a new tailor-made Bose sound system, offered exclusively in the Sport Sedan. With two rear woofers and twin amplifiers, its performance is optimized for the acoustics of the sedan cabin, giving an impressive, expanded 'concert hall' sound reproduction. This system is identified by Bose branding embossed on the outer front speaker grilles.

Externally, the Model Year 2007 Sport Sedan and SportCombi range is distinguished by the introduction of a new dark gray 'Titan' metallic paint finish. A very pure 'Arctic White' solid color and a 'Smoke Beige' metallic finish are added to the Convertible palette. 'Electric Blue', which was introduced in 2006 for the Aero V6 Anniversary Edition, is now available throughout the Convertible range.

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and distributor of Saab 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5 cars and the 9-7X SUV for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For more information, visit www.saabusa.com.

Detroit, Mich., - The Saab Club of North America has announced that the 24th annual Saab Owners' Convention will be held August 24-27, 2006 in Lake George, New York. The host hotel will be the Roaring Brook Resort and Conference Center, located just Southwest of the village of Lake George. This all-inclusive family resort is situated in the world-famous Adirondack region. Go to www.saabconvention.org for more information and registration.

While vintage Saab fans may know Lake George for the ice racing activities during the winter months, Lake George has been named one of the eight top places in the nation for fun, affordable family vacations by SmartMoney Magazine. The event will again have something for everyone. In addition to Lake George, the area also lends itself to several fun side trips in the area including Ausible Canyon, Lake Placid and Fort Ticonderoga.

The 2006 Saab Owner's Convention Committee will be chaired by Marc Fails. Beyond the events around the Concourse and People's Award, notable activities scheduled for the convention include the ever popular autocross event and the dynamometer.

Local clubs supporting the Saab Club of North America in the hosting of this event include the New York Saab Owners Club, Central Pennsylvania Saab Club, Washington DC Saab Club and New England Saab Association as well as the Vintage Saab Club of North America.

Saab Automobile USA will again support the event by bringing a selection of the Saab heritage collection, plus some of its newest products. Jay Spenchian, Saab Automobile USA General Manager, is scheduled to deliver his keynote speech 'State of Saab 2006'.

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and distributor of Saab 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5 cars and the 9-7X SUV for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For more information, please visit www.saabusa.com.

Detroit, Mich. - The ethanol-powered Saab 9-5 2.0t BioPower has been honored with Popular Science magazine's "Best of What's New" award, an annual ranking of 100 breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap in their categories.

The Saab 9-5 2.0t BioPower will be featured in the December issue of Popular Science, the most widely read issue of the year. The vehicle also will be on display at the Popular Science "Best of What's New" winners exhibition in Grand Central Terminal in New York City Nov. 8-10.

"We're pleased and honored to be named one of Popular Sciences' 'Best of What's New,'" said Jan-Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile managing director. "Near term, ethanol provides an effective first step to our energy challenges. It's a bridge that can lead us from fossil fuels toward new, sustainable technologies that are still under development."

Saab leads the premium vehicle segment in offering an ethanol-fueled vehicle, an eco-friendly renewable energy source. The Saab 9-5 2.0t BioPower combines the benefits of 'going green' with sporty performance, offering more horsepower than its gasoline equivalent, and the ability to run on ethanol-based fuel or gasoline in any proportion.

The vehicle is now on sale in Sweden, and Saab USA plans to debut a 300 horsepower concept version of the 9-5 BioPower at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show and the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In addition, Saab eventually plans to debut BioPower models in its 9-3 Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible ranges.

Running on E85, a blend of ethanol and gasoline, the Saab 9-5 2.0t BioPower engine delivers 180 bhp and 280 Nm of torque, compared to 150 bhp and 240 Nm when using gasoline, a significant 20 percent increase in maximum power and 16 percent more torque. This gives even sportier performance. The zero to 100 kph (63 mph) dash can be accomplished in 8.5 seconds and 80-120 kph (50-75 mph) in fifth gear in 12.6 seconds, compared to 9.8 and 14.9 seconds when running only on gasoline.

Ethanol fuel is produced commercially from agricultural crops or forest residues. Unlike gasoline, its consumption does not raise atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), the 'greenhouse' gas that contributes to global warming. This is because emissions during driving are balanced by the amount of CO2 that is removed from the atmosphere when crops for conversion are grown.

"'Best of What's New' is the ultimate Popular Science accolade, representing a year's worth of work evaluating thousands of products," said Mark Jannot, editor of Popular Science. "These awards honor innovations that not only influence the way we live today, but that change the way we think about the future."

"Best of What's New" awards are presented to 100 new products and technologies in 12 categories: Auto Tech, Aviation & Space, Cars, Computing, Engineering, Gadgets, General Innovation, Home Entertainment, Home Tech, Personal Health, Photography and Recreation.

About Popular Science
Founded in 1872, Popular Science is the world's largest science and technology magazine; with a circulation of 1.45 million and 6.5 million monthly readers. Each month, Popular Science reports on the intersection of science and everyday life, with an eye toward what's new and why it matters. Popular Science is published by Time4 Media, a subsidiary of Time Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.

About Saab
Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab USA is the importer and distributor of Saab 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For more information, please visit www.saabusa.com.

Detroit, Mich. - The Saab Aero X concept car, which made its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show press days on February 28, has been named "Best of Show" by the editors of AutoWeek Magazine. Highly regarded by automotive enthusiasts throughout North America, AutoWeek is published by Detroit-based Crain Communications and is a sister magazine to Automotive News.

"We are extremely pleased by this important recognition from the expert editors of AutoWeek," said Jay Spenchian, Saab Automobile USA general manager. "The way the Aero X was welcomed by the world's press and the public in Geneva has exceeded our most optimistic expectations. No other product in Saab's nearly 60-year history as an auto manufacturer has generated such massive and positive response as the Aero X. If anything, it demonstrates that the Saab brand has tremendous potential for further development in the future."

The Aero X concept, which will make its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show press days on April 12, harnesses the power of Saab's aviation and Scandinavian roots to make a unique statement in performance car design. Conceived as a study to explore future design directions, its innovative features preview the development of an enhanced design language that will inspire future Saab products.

As one would expect from Saab, this dynamic two-seat sport coupe breaks with automotive design convention both outside and inside.

First, there are no doors?or windshield pillars. That's because the Saab Aero X adopts a cockpit canopy, just as you would see on a jet aircraft. It offers the Aero X pilot full 180 degree vision, and also facilitates entry and exit from its low-slung cabin.

Thrust for the all-wheel-drive Saab Aero X also comes from a powerplant with a difference. The 400 bhp, twin-turbo, BioPower V6 engine is fueled entirely by ethanol, a sustainable energy source that is kinder to the environment by cutting fossil CO2 emissions. The "green power" of this advanced engine gives new meaning to the phrase "performance with responsibility."

Inside, the Saab Aero X's cockpit also adds a new dimension to clean Scandinavian interior design by completely eliminating conventional dials and buttons. Instead, Saab has applied techniques derived from Swedish glass and precision instrument making, displaying data on glass-like acrylic "clear zones" in graphic 3-D images.

All exterior and interior lighting is by LED (light-emitting diode), which has given the design team new freedom to exploit the compact packaging benefits of a technology that will be featured increasingly in future Saab products.

With weight-saving carbon fiber bodywork, a lightweight powertrain, electronically controlled suspension and all-wheel drive, the Saab Aero X is an exciting driver's car that promises a level of performance to match its looks. Computer simulations anticipate zero to 60mph/100 kph in just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph/250 kph (limited).

Despite being so tightly driver-focused, the Aero X still offers surprising practicality, again, a quality one expects to find in all Saab designs. That dramatically sculpted tail conceals a useful twin storage facility, with a conventional hatch opening and sliding drawer underneath.

"This study shows how the strength of the Saab brand heritage can inspire bold, innovative design," says Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, GM Design Europe. "As we move forward with new Saab products, we will remain focused on carefully cultivating this brand equity in the context of Scandinavian design values."

"This concept shows the exciting possibilities that are open to us as we evolve a more progressive design language for the brand," says Jan Âke Jonsson, Saab Automobile's Managing Director. "Our designers, engineers and marketers in Sweden are ideally placed to nurture and communicate the unique DNA of the Saab brand. Their work will ensure that future product proposals express core qualities, such as progressive design, sporty performance and emotional functionality, in a way that is specific to Saab."

The Saab Aero X is the latest in a series of concepts from Saab, each accentuating different brand qualities. These include the "four-dimensional" 9X (IAA Frankfurt 2001), the 9-3X Cross-over Coupe (Detroit 2002) and the 9-3 Sport Hatch (IAA Frankfurt 2003).

Saab Aero X Background

From Aircraft to Automobiles

Saab's aviation roots go back almost 70 years to 1937, when Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Swedish Aircraft Company Limited) was founded in the town of Trollhättan, 45 miles/70 km north of Gothenburg, where Saab cars are still built today on the site of the original aircraft factory.

The company supplied military aircraft to the Swedish Air Force and began diversifying into civil aviation in 1944 and the automotive business in 1947, when its first car, the Saab 92, was unveiled (Saab 91 was a light aircraft used for pilot training). The 92's streamlined, teardrop-shaped bodywork was clearly the work of aircraft engineers and radical for a small production car of the time, as was the use of wind tunnel testing during its design.

The adoption of front-wheel drive for sure-footed handling, excellent roadholding and efficient space utilization was also unconventional for the time -- more than a decade before the layout was to become popular in the rest of the auto industry.

Another innovative design from Saab's newly-created car division was the Sonett 1, a lightweight sports car for competition use, unveiled exactly 50 years ago this year. Its "monocoque" chassis was made from aviation-specification aluminum panels, instead of the usual arrangement of steel beams and tubes. Although common in aircraft construction, Saab was using this design six years before it was introduced to Grand Prix racing.

Today, more than 4 million cars and 4,000 aircraft later, Saab is one name and two companies. The car business, Saab Automobile AB, is now wholly owned by General Motors, the world's largest auto maker, and the Saab Group is a global leader in the application of advanced technologies, specializing in aerospace and defense systems.

Over the years, Saab cars have continued to incorporate aircraft-inspired design features, from wrap-around windshields and cockpit-like ergonomics to green instrument illumination and need-to-know information displays. And the innovative spirit of those early aircraft engineers, including their pioneering attention to safety, continues to be reflected in Saab's unconventional approach to car design.

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and distributor of Saab 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5 cars and the 9-7X SUV for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden.

Pontiac, Mich. - Two of General Motors newest, high-performance overhead cam engines ? the 2.0-liter Ecotec Supercharged and 2.8-liter V6 Turbo ? have been named among the industry's 10 best engines of 2006 by the editors at Ward's Communications.

Both engines are variants from two of GM's most popular global, modular engine families, designed, engineered, and produced around the world. They also share a similar attribute, which Ward's noted as an important development occurring in the industry today: forced induction.

"Turbocharging and supercharging allow us to develop big-displacement-like engine performance, while maintaining the efficiency benefits from a small displacement engine," said Sam Winegarden, GM Powertrain executive director of engine engineering. "We're pleased that the editors at Ward's recognize our expertise in developing these efficient, high-performance engines."

Supercharged Ecotec
"GM makes serious inroads into the affordable performance market with its thrilling 2L supercharged DOHC I-4 used in the Cobalt SS performance coupe," said Bill Visnic, Ward's senior technical editor. "Thanks to supercharging and intelligent design, GM engineers squeeze more than 100 hp per liter from their 4-cyl. dynamo, while achieving an impressive 23/29 EPA city/highway fuel economy rating."

The Ecotec 2.0L supercharged is a variant of GM's global Ecotec family, which features an aluminum block, inline four-cylinder, dual overhead cam, four-valve-per-cylinder engine design. At the heart of the Ecotec supercharged is an Eaton M62 helical roots-type supercharger. Maximum supercharger boost pressure is 12 pounds, and the system includes an air-to-water intercooler to increase intake-charge density, which in turn enhances power and reduces a supercharged engine?s propensity to "knock" at high boost levels.

The Ecotec supercharged also received upgraded components in critical stress areas, thanks to experience in the tortuous crucible of the National Hot Rod Association's Championship Drag Racing series ? where the Ecotec has developed a "bullet-proof" reputation as a formidable powerplant for front-wheel drive dragsters.

Available in either the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged or the Saturn ION Red Line, the Ecotec SC slams out a formidable 205 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 200 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm.

It is built exclusively at GM Powertrain's Kaiserslautern, Germany, engine plant.

2.8L V6 Turbo
"A sophisticated mid-displacement V-6 and turbocharging are a remarkably effective combination," says Visnic. "GM and Saab have created an impressive performance-car engine with high specific output and the thrill of turbocharging."

The 2.8L V6 Turbo is the newest addition to GM's contemporary global V-6 engine family. All engines in the global V-6 family share traits that include a 60-degree lightweight aluminum cylinder block with iron cylinder sleeves, an aluminum structural oil pan and aluminum cylinder heads, dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The 2.8L V-6 Turbo builds on those strengths with components and technology developed with Saab specifically for the turbo system, variable valve timing, and a variable fuel pressure system to ensure smooth idle and driving characteristics.

The 2.8 turbo system features a unique, twin-scroll turbocharger. It has an integral bypass valve and is fed by two exhaust ducts ? one from each cylinder bank. Separating the exhaust gas pulses with two compressor zones improves gas flow and reduces energy loss. The turbo system's charge cooler promotes performance by reducing the temperature of inlet air.

Delivering 250 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from 2000 ? 4800 rpm, the 2.8 V6 Turbo is standard globally in all 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero models, which includes the Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible. It is also featured in Europe in the Opel Vectra and Cadillac BLS.

The 2.8L V-6 Turbo is built at Holden's Port Melbourne, Australia global V-6 engine facility.

Ward's Communications publishes Ward's AutoWorld and Ward's Engine and Vehicle Technology Update. The criteria for the 10 Best Engines competition includes a range of customer drivability factors such as horsepower, torque, technical relevance to the vehicle, and low levels of noise, vibration and harshness. Now in its twelfth year, Ward's 10 Best Engines was created as a way to recognize superior performance and showcase the critical importance of powertrain technology and excellence in engine engineering.

GM Powertrain is a global producer of engines, transmissions, castings and components for GM vehicles and other automotive, marine, and industrial OEMs. Headquartered in Pontiac, GM Powertrain has operating and coordinating responsibility for GM's powertrain manufacturing plants and engineering centers in North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Detroit, Mich. - The Saab Aero X concept car, which made its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show press days on February 28, has been named "Best of Show" by the editors of AutoWeek Magazine. Highly regarded by automotive enthusiasts throughout North America, AutoWeek is published by Detroit-based Crain Communications and is a sister magazine to Automotive News.

"We are extremely pleased by this important recognition from the expert editors of AutoWeek," said Jay Spenchian, Saab Automobile USA general manager. "The way the Aero X was welcomed by the world's press and the public in Geneva has exceeded our most optimistic expectations. No other product in Saab's nearly 60-year history as an auto manufacturer has generated such massive and positive response as the Aero X. If anything, it demonstrates that the Saab brand has tremendous potential for further development in the future."

The Aero X concept, which will make its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show press days on April 12, harnesses the power of Saab's aviation and Scandinavian roots to make a unique statement in performance car design. Conceived as a study to explore future design directions, its innovative features preview the development of an enhanced design language that will inspire future Saab products.

As one would expect from Saab, this dynamic two-seat sport coupe breaks with automotive design convention both outside and inside.

First, there are no doors?or windshield pillars. That's because the Saab Aero X adopts a cockpit canopy, just as you would see on a jet aircraft. It offers the Aero X pilot full 180 degree vision, and also facilitates entry and exit from its low-slung cabin.

Thrust for the all-wheel-drive Saab Aero X also comes from a powerplant with a difference. The 400 bhp, twin-turbo, BioPower V6 engine is fueled entirely by ethanol, a sustainable energy source that is kinder to the environment by cutting fossil CO2 emissions. The "green power" of this advanced engine gives new meaning to the phrase "performance with responsibility."

Inside, the Saab Aero X's cockpit also adds a new dimension to clean Scandinavian interior design by completely eliminating conventional dials and buttons. Instead, Saab has applied techniques derived from Swedish glass and precision instrument making, displaying data on glass-like acrylic "clear zones" in graphic 3-D images.

All exterior and interior lighting is by LED (light-emitting diode), which has given the design team new freedom to exploit the compact packaging benefits of a technology that will be featured increasingly in future Saab products.

With weight-saving carbon fiber bodywork, a lightweight powertrain, electronically controlled suspension and all-wheel drive, the Saab Aero X is an exciting driver's car that promises a level of performance to match its looks. Computer simulations anticipate zero to 60mph/100 kph in just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph/250 kph (limited).

Despite being so tightly driver-focused, the Aero X still offers surprising practicality, again, a quality one expects to find in all Saab designs. That dramatically sculpted tail conceals a useful twin storage facility, with a conventional hatch opening and sliding drawer underneath.

"This study shows how the strength of the Saab brand heritage can inspire bold, innovative design," says Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, GM Design Europe. "As we move forward with new Saab products, we will remain focused on carefully cultivating this brand equity in the context of Scandinavian design values."

"This concept shows the exciting possibilities that are open to us as we evolve a more progressive design language for the brand," says Jan Âke Jonsson, Saab Automobile's Managing Director. "Our designers, engineers and marketers in Sweden are ideally placed to nurture and communicate the unique DNA of the Saab brand. Their work will ensure that future product proposals express core qualities, such as progressive design, sporty performance and emotional functionality, in a way that is specific to Saab."

The Saab Aero X is the latest in a series of concepts from Saab, each accentuating different brand qualities. These include the "four-dimensional" 9X (IAA Frankfurt 2001), the 9-3X Cross-over Coupe (Detroit 2002) and the 9-3 Sport Hatch (IAA Frankfurt 2003).

Saab Aero X Background

From Aircraft to Automobiles

Saab's aviation roots go back almost 70 years to 1937, when Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Swedish Aircraft Company Limited) was founded in the town of Trollhättan, 45 miles/70 km north of Gothenburg, where Saab cars are still built today on the site of the original aircraft factory.

The company supplied military aircraft to the Swedish Air Force and began diversifying into civil aviation in 1944 and the automotive business in 1947, when its first car, the Saab 92, was unveiled (Saab 91 was a light aircraft used for pilot training). The 92's streamlined, teardrop-shaped bodywork was clearly the work of aircraft engineers and radical for a small production car of the time, as was the use of wind tunnel testing during its design.

The adoption of front-wheel drive for sure-footed handling, excellent roadholding and efficient space utilization was also unconventional for the time -- more than a decade before the layout was to become popular in the rest of the auto industry.

Another innovative design from Saab's newly-created car division was the Sonett 1, a lightweight sports car for competition use, unveiled exactly 50 years ago this year. Its "monocoque" chassis was made from aviation-specification aluminum panels, instead of the usual arrangement of steel beams and tubes. Although common in aircraft construction, Saab was using this design six years before it was introduced to Grand Prix racing.

Today, more than 4 million cars and 4,000 aircraft later, Saab is one name and two companies. The car business, Saab Automobile AB, is now wholly owned by General Motors, the world's largest auto maker, and the Saab Group is a global leader in the application of advanced technologies, specializing in aerospace and defense systems.

Over the years, Saab cars have continued to incorporate aircraft-inspired design features, from wrap-around windshields and cockpit-like ergonomics to green instrument illumination and need-to-know information displays. And the innovative spirit of those early aircraft engineers, including their pioneering attention to safety, continues to be reflected in Saab's unconventional approach to car design.

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and distributor of Saab 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5 cars and the 9-7X SUV for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden.

 The Saab 9-3 Sedan has earned the 2007 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick Award in the midsize car category. This is the third consecutive year that the 9-3 Sedan has driven away from this competition with top honors. For 2006 the 9-3 earned the Top Safety Pick - Gold Award and received a Double Best Pick crash test rating for 2005. The 2007 Saab 9-3 Sedan was awarded the designation amid toughening criteria.

Detroit, MI - The Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries. Winning vehicles must earn good ratings in all of the three of the previously described tests and, new for 2007, vehicles must also offer electronic stability control. Adrian Lund, IIHS president admits that with the added criteria it is tougher to win, however it was added with the overall goal to encourage more vehicle safety improvements.

"This is the Saab 9-3's second year running to receive the IIHS Top Safety Pick award," said Adrian Lund, president of the IIHS. "Considering the criteria are tougher this year than last, the 9-3's accomplishment is impressive."

IIHS is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers. The Institute's research focuses on countermeasures aimed at all three factors in motor vehicle crashes (human, vehicular, and environmental) and on interventions that can occur before, during, and after crashes to reduce losses.

Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For the 2007 model year, Saab markets seven engines/transmissions that perform at an EPA-rated 30 mpg on the highway. Saab also offers vehicle warranty coverage for five-years or up to 100,000 miles. Visit www.saabusa.com for more information.