Design is X-cellent; Car firm teams up with ski specialists

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Dec 14, 2007

Byline: By STEVE HUGHES

SAAB'S sporty concept car is claimed to be the inspiration behind a new pair of snow skis that bear its name.

Renowned ski specialists Salomon has introduced its Aero X range of snow sliders that are said to share similar aerodynamics to Saab's Aero X concept car.

Salomon design guru, Benoit Saint Venant, said: "This collaboration is testament to the fact Saab and Salomon complement each other perfectly and understand each other's independent-minded target audiences.

"Both brands are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year and represent cutting-edge design when it comes to sporty activity-related products."

The Aero X skis are the first to feature what the company calls hybrid technology. Like car axles, the front and back of the skis perform different functions.

The front half of the ski is designed to enable the skier to maximise the turn and to continue to gain power through it, allowing the skier to choose and control the radius of their turn.

The two companies first embarked on joint initiatives in 2001, with the Aero X ski being the latest collaboration and further projects in the pipeline for the outdoor sports sector.

The Aero X skis cost pounds 500, while the Aero X car is priceless because at this stage it is a concept.

CAPTION(S):

SPORTY DESIGN - Saab's Aero X concept car now shares its name with a range of snow sliders by Salomon; CUTTING EDGE - the Aero X looks futuristic