An electrical sedan prototype developed by failed Saab savior NEVS has surfaced within the wake of the corporate’s shutdown.

NEVS purchased the stays of Saab after the Swedish automaker went bankrupt in 2011. It as soon as deliberate to launch a sequence of 4 electrical automobiles for China, all constructed on the Phoenix platform that was going to underpin the next-generation Saab 9-3, plus an electrical model of the prevailing 9-3 utilizing that mannequin’s legacy Normal Motors platform. The latter, together with a mannequin based mostly on the outdated Saab 9-3X, was proven in 2017.

The automotive simply revealed, a prototype referred to as the Emily GT, got here a bit later and hadn’t beforehand been mentioned publicly. Improvement began in 2019 and was accomplished—to a prototype degree—in solely 10 months.

NEVS Emily GT prototype – Photograph credit score: Protean

NEVS began documenting that growth course of in 2020 for the advantage of mother or father firm Evergrande, whose govt could not journey to Sweden to see the automotive in individual due to pandemic restrictions. This was accomplished in live performance with advertising firm Plint, which has now launched among the content material that was produced. First noticed by the Swedish version of Auto Motor & Sport journal, the supplies present a glimpse of the Saab-inspired EV which may have been.

The Emily GT wasn’t initially supposed for manufacturing. It was constructed as a demonstrator for in-wheel electrical motor expertise from Protean, a British firm acquired by NEVS in 2019. Protean launched manufacturing of in-wheel motors again in 2013, and China’s Dongfeng lately claimed the world’s first manufacturing passenger vehicles with them.

No specs have been launched by NEVS, however the Emily GT used 4 motors thought to supply 120 hp every, for 480 hp whole. It was additionally reportedly designed for a battery pack as massive as 175 kwh, 

NEVS Emily GT prototype – Photograph credit score: Plint/Protean

Mass-produced in-wheel motors have been mentioned for a while, due to the packaging benefits of shifting a motor out to the wheel hub. However in-wheel motors additionally face points like elevated unsprung weight, which might have an effect on trip high quality and dealing with. The Lordstown Endurance pickup truck and solar-assisted Lightyear 0 sedan each used them, however manufacturing of each automobiles has stalled. That leaves Aptera, which plans to make use of them in its upcoming three-wheeled autocycle.

Among the many supplies launched is a video that includes Koenigsegg CEO Christian von Koenigsegg testing an Emily GT. NEVS acquired a 20% stake in Swedish supercar builder Koenigsegg in 2019, and the 2 corporations deliberate to kind a three way partnership that was by no means totally detailed.

Undertaking growth was led by Peter Dahl, who began his profession at Saab in 1994 and joined NEVS after Saab’s chapter. Former Saab designer Simon Padien was additionally concerned within the undertaking. He was a part of the staff that labored on the final Saab 9-5, which could clarify why the Emily GT vaguely resembles the 9-5, that includes the same boxy profile. 

Improvement of the Emily GT halted in 2021 when Evergrande bumped into monetary bother, working up money owed of greater than $300 billion, linked primarily to its actual property enterprise in China. With funding drying up, NEVS was already looking for a purchaser at the moment. It introduced earlier this month that it was shutting down, and the mental property rights for the Emily GT are rumored to be up on the market.

The times for the undertaking to come back again collectively could also be numbered, or already previous, as Polestar is planning to make use of the previous Saab growth middle for Polestar 5 growth, in line with Automotive Information. The 5 is because of be constructed on an 800-volt structure, with two motors for a mixed 884 hp. Will the ghost of Saab lastly be laid to relaxation?