General Motors and Chrysler may be going through merger hell right now – but that doesn’t stop Saab (GM is their partial owner) from pumping out some amazing design concepts for your viewing pleasure. Saab recently showed off their official 9X Air concept pictures to the public, along with a press release detailing some of the more exciting features and specifications.

From the Saab Press Release:

Designer Anthony Lo and his team have achieved this execution while still offering the four season, four seater practicality pioneered by Saab when its first convertible concept was premiered at the Frankfurt Show exactly 25 years ago.

Designed in parallel with the Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept, the 9-X Air shares its distinctive frontal styling, together with its highly efficient powertrain. The small, 1.4-liter Saab BioPower engine combines a series of steps for more responsible performance: engine rightsizing, turbocharging, the use of biofuels and hybrid technology.

Running on E85 fuel (85% bioethanol/ 15% gasoline), the engine delivers a sporty 200 hp (147 kW), giving zero to 100 kph acceleration in 8.1 seconds and projected CO2 tailpipe emissions of just 107 g/km over the combined cycle. Compared to gasoline, the overall environmental impact on a source-to-wheel basis of using E85 is even more beneficial.

Check out the latest photos of Saab’s 9X Air concept – a convertible coupe with hybrid powertrain and room for two passengers in the back. 9X Air is trying to shoot for a 40-plus miles per gallon fan club – with the help of lithium-ion batteries to power up the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine and E85 flex-fuel there should be no trouble achieving this rating. Whether or not this turbo-hybrid powertrain makes it into the 9X has yet to be seen, but with all the pumped-up hybrid competition coming soon (Chevy Volt, Cruze, Honda Insight, to name but a few) Saab will have to turn out all the tricks in order to grab attention at your local dealership.