1985 Saab EV-1 with funny windows

[Rod.]

The article says this was an in-house design exercise by Saab, with the only comment in the text about the windows calling them "toll-booth window lifts". It was based on the 900 Turbo. This was from 1984, so around the time of the Delorean.

[Sean486]

Pretty cool. Front end is kind of ugly.

[bwb3]

Front end, typical Saab design, the rest an eerily pre-SVX design exercise. Good find Rod.
Gene

[Sean486]

The shape reminds me of this Saab, the Sonnet:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_szY6czURhx...llpaper_03.jpg

[jetboy]

The Wikipedia pictures is even more:



Cockpit like glass-to-glass canopy, integrated lipspoiler, distinctly wedge shaped and aerodynamic wheels..... Wikipedia credits "The design was made by Björn Envall".

Same Envall worked alongside Giugiaro on Saab 9000 which was released in 1984. Given the time aspect, one could imagine Envall moving directly from the 9000 onto the EV-1 project, strongly influenced by one of the world's top car stylists.

When studying the picture, you can suddenly see the heritage of the Merak and Bora. Benefits and drawbacks of split windows were acutely known to Envall based on Giugiaro's experience with DMC-12. What Envall does very well with the EV-1 is providing rounded lines that are not really seen as "popular" until many years later (the organic rounding of the 90s). Envall then progresses to fine car styling later on, eventually working with / mentoring Bård Eker who in turn goes on to design the Koenigsegg.

[Conn SVX]

They are way too small. Imagine getting a bag through it at the drive through. Do they flip or roll down ?
I loved the Sonnet .until I drove it.....