Saab Aero X conks out en route to London
The British press is having a little fun at the expense of the Saab Aero X concept car. The jet-canopied, ethanol-fueled beauty was being driven to London for its stint at the British Motor Show when it stopped to refuel in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
When it came time to continue on its way, the Saab was afflicted with a gremlin that we've all faced before: a dead battery. Scotland's Daily Record reported that the crippled concept was push-started, while London's tabloid Sun newspaper wrote that it was jump-started and then trailered for the remainder of the trip.
Both papers go out of their way to mention that the Aero X is a million-dollar car, as if that somehow makes a dead battery a remarkable event. Please. The Sun also reports -- incorrectly, it should be noted -- that this marked the first time that the Aero X had been seen outside the confines of an auto show.
A Saab rep told both papers that the car's canopy had been opened and closed several times that day, causing the excessive battery drain. Rest assured that come showtime, the Aero X will be sitting at the Saab stand at ExCeL, looking as gorgeous as ever. One look at it, and you'll forget all about this silly battery kerfuffle.
[Sources: The Sun & The Daily Record]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg "2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dr. Woo 3:58PM (7/13/2006)
Typical British media sensationalism.
Reply
Noah 4:19PM (7/13/2006)
Great now all they need to do is green light the thing for production....
I imagine they could fit it with a larger battery, after all who wants this to happen while their out shoppping on 5th getting in and out to buy 32 pairs of shoes.
--Noah
Reply
dakota 4:20PM (7/13/2006)
There is a key word that they actually missed. Driven. You could call that car more like a "prototype" not a concpet, since the majority of the concepts can't be driven on public roads. Sorta like the Chrysler ME Four Twelve that was track ready at the time of showing.
Reply
Howard Kerr 5:09PM (7/13/2006)
The car was reportedly "push started" by a Scottish newspaper. Right. Even if it had a manual transmission, this car or ANY modern fuel injected car is pretty much impossible to push start. Why? there has to be more than sufficient power to energize the fuel system BEFORE it will start.
Minor point, I agree, but it shows how much reporters for most newspapers know when it comes to cars.
I guess those 16 jet aircraft engineers, didn't equip this car with a voltmeter, otherwise it might have told them it wasn't a good idea to turn off the engine.
Reply
Jon Lind 5:16PM (7/13/2006)
The Brits are complaining about electrical problems in a car? A bit of the pot calling the kettle black, if you ask me.
Reply
Tom Design 6:27PM (7/13/2006)
Wait a minute? "Autoblog"gers are missing a chance to blame something on GM? 5 writers defending a SAAB is a record here.
Reply
B 6:37PM (7/13/2006)
GM sucks!
How's that Tom Design? ;o)
Reply
emor9t 6:49PM (7/13/2006)
Holy Crap! Tom your right!
and yes, the Brits complaining about electronics is the pot calling the kettle black.
Reply
Tiago do Vale 6:49PM (7/13/2006)
And that comment was very usefull, Tom Design... :s
Reply
David 6:55PM (7/13/2006)
to #5:
Generally when a battery 'dies' there is enough juice to power the fuel pump and lots of other things, just not enough juice to turn the starter motor and crank the motor. So it's still a very valid thing on modern cars.
Reply
Rick 7:11PM (7/13/2006)
Forget that I cant wait for this to be unveiled in london this month:
http://www.sybarites.org/2006/04/16/caparo-t1-supercar/
Reply
Tom Design 7:19PM (7/13/2006)
Awe, thanks B. I feel anti-GM home again. 8~)
Reply
Bob Schindler 8:39PM (7/13/2006)
Way back then(1952 or thereabouts) the GM La Sabre was the advanced show car. GM displayed it at Watkins Glen and during an evening display driving it through town the driver stalled the engine. All the sports car enthuaists were around it making mostly unkind remarks The driver, apparently flustered, had trouble restarting the vehicle and when it finally fired apparently floored the accelerator. The engine screamed and came to a stop with a shudder The whoele car seemed to die. It was pushed back to the local Chevy dealer and peering through the windows saw the mechanics labor over it all night. The following day it did drive the Race circuit but slowly and sedately.
Reply
bkrell 9:06PM (7/13/2006)
The aero-x is still a concept. Big deal. It's a technology showcase. I imagine it takes a lot of juice to power that canopy. It won't make it into production in that form so who cares? I'll make sure they keep the battery charged at the Saab Owner's Convention next month. lol!
Reply
Dr. Drive 11:07PM (7/13/2006)
Renault/Nissan, save us Saabers!
Reply
BoZs13 8:27AM (7/14/2006)
I'll trade in my SAAB 900 SE Turbovert in for that Aero X anyday, I don't care about the batter cronking out...that can be fixed.
Reply
tim 8:59AM (7/14/2006)
I saw it at Goodwood and they had to go up the hill with the canopy ajar because it wouldn't close. It also drove past me at about 5mph making some very unpleasant graunching noises.
Reply
Corey W. 11:56AM (7/14/2006)
Hell!!...A wheel could fall off and it wouldn't matter, some of you are forgetting the definition of a "concept" car.
Reply
Dr. Drive 10:39PM (7/14/2006)
Everyone picks on SAAB because they expect better! Question, can GM deliver? History and current says, no!
Reply
Derrick 1:09AM (7/15/2006)
Heck, I don't care if it even has a motor, a battery, or a fuel pump. That car is going to look good as a wallpaper on my laptop. Kudos Saab.
Reply