Could Koenigsegg's purchase of Saab bring electric Quant concept to production?
NLV Quant by Koenigsegg - Click above for high-res image gallery
Now that Koenigsegg's purchase of ailing fellow Swedish automaker Saab is all but officially official, our attention naturally turns to the the current product lines and possible future vehicles from the two automakers. At least a few people are wondering out loud if there's a possibility that Koenigsegg's involvement with Saab could bring the gorgeous Aero X concept car from 2006 to life, but at least some of us are a bit more interested in reports that Koenigsegg's Quant from this year's Geneva Motor Show may see production via the use of some of Saab's leftover production capabilities.
Powered by an electric motor at each wheel for a total of 512 hp and 527 lb-ft of turqoe, the Koenigsegg Quant concept featured a new kind of battery that is supposedly capable of providing a range of over 300 miles after a short 15-20 minutes charge. Futher, a set of solar panels on the Quant's exterior can reportedly keep accessories running without draining the main battery. If there's any truth to the rumors, we could see the Quant hit production in low volumes within the next few years.
Gallery: NLV Quant by Koenigsegg
[Source: Green Car Advisor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tomac 1:47PM (6/17/2009)
The bigger question is can the purchase render Saab a relevant automaker again? Saab has far more potential than GM made of it, and I for one would like to see it produce cars worth purchasing again. I like the quirky-cool Saabs of old, and Koenigsegg itself is just quirky-cool enough to make the most the brand.
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DayShifter 3:25PM (6/17/2009)
We've gone back and forth about this before, as much as I like Saab, they already had problems before GM stepped in. If they couldn't be relevant before, what's going to change now.
I guess on the Aero X piece, all that stuff is decided in the deal that was made. Was it everything including concept designs/vehicles?? or just the brand name??. I can't recall what Sabb had in the US for manufacturing and assembly, but again, those details are in the deal, which none of us have... ;-)
Autblogist! 2:00PM (6/17/2009)
I pray to god this thing doesn't come to life. I shouldn't have come to mind.
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Redline 2:03PM (6/17/2009)
They can use that "new kind of battery" to create a Saab EV.
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f1tifoso 3:34AM (6/20/2009)
New kind is just the new Panasonic Lithium Ion they reported on recently - super resistant to shorts (good for crashes!), 10x faster charging, and better storage with little memory cycle compared to the current ones -
Saab should have both cars - the AeroX to show off 100% ethanol and this car could go the battery route
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JZeke 3:58PM (6/17/2009)
I'm not sure what sort of EV expertise Koenigsegg has access to, but it would be nice to see some EV Saabs in the next few years. A Quant model might make an interesting down-scaled Koenigsegg-branded vehicle, but the solar technology mentioned in the concept press-release isnt commercially available yet - its a skin-covering PV, not the usual fixed panels.
Fans of the Aero-X could see that car come to life however, if the past rumors about a front-engined CCX sibling have any merit.
There might be more value working with Gordan Murray on a low-cost Saab city car though, than chasing high-tech dreams.
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TigerMil 6:05PM (6/17/2009)
It would take quite a few KW-Hr to give the car 300mi range with that 512 hp. And loading those KW-H into the car in 15-20 minutes, well, the calculation of the power draw at X volts and (many) amps is left to the student.
Even the Chevy Volt at much less range takes a long time to recharge...I don't see battery technology moving quick enough to make the Quant possible as stated.
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Quan 2:42AM (6/18/2009)
Let's hope not. I love Koenigsegg but that thing is hideous.
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