Saab Fashionista Hybrid, the MAYA Path

The fact that one of the iconic Swedish automotive brands is engaged in the battle of and for its existence is no secret anymore. Void of power, Saab sees itself circled by nameless investors, gathering by the dozen like vultures over a dead corpse, but finds that none of them has the guts to glide down and take a seat at the Saab feast.

Stuck on the barricades with no muse to inspire its designers, the Swedish manufacturer should take notes from Mayeul Walser, a French car design student, who came up with the idea of drawing up a new concept for Saab.

Even if the designer went for the somewhat unfortunate name Fashionista for his concept (you will see why below), we must admit the hybrid vehicle proposed to the Swedish has a certain appeal. The four seater is intended for the up-market segment, designed to fit the platform of GM's Chevrolet Volt. The two have identical dimensions - 4,450 mm in lenght, 1,800 mm in width and 1,250 mm in height.

As you can see in the photos, access into the car is provided through one of a kind two part doors, with one part moving upwards and the other moving out and then back.

According to diseno-art.com, the Fashionista draws its inspiration from both the technological field (futuristic technology) and from Chanel's fashion collection. The main principle behind the concept is Raymond Loewy's MAYA idea (Most Advanced Yet Acceptable).

Simply put, the Saab Fashionista looks out of this world, yet stays within the accepted norms of today's society. Whether Saab will go for the project or not it's unclear at this point, as they cannot even say what their fate will be. But someone might beat them to the punch.