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We've already brought you the news on Saab's PhoeniX concept that's built on the underpinnings of the next 9-3 series and is on display at the Geneva Motor Show, but the Swedes have just released a video with the firm's new Design Director Jason Castriota giving us a tour of the 2+2 coupe.

In the video after the break, Castriota explains the PhoeniX's bespoke design features and its significance for the future of Saab product design starting off with the next generation of the 9-3 which is scheduled for release in 2012.

The highlight of Saab's booth at the Geneva show is undoubtedly the PhoeniX concept car that previews design features and technologies that will be used by future Saab models. Based on the platform that will underpin the next-generation Saab 9-3, the PhoeniX was penned under the supervision of the firm's new design boss, Jason Castriota. According to Saab, it introduces an "aeromotional” design, which the company describes as the "the visual evocation of the aerodynamic design principles".

The sports coupe features dramatic details such as the rear-lateral winglets reminding of Saab's aeronautical roots and the jet canopy-inspired glasshouse. The front includes a new interpretation of the brand's signature three-port grille which is likely to be seen on future models, as well as the muscular hood.

When Saab first revealed its plans to debut a new concept model at the Geneva Salon a couple of weeks ago, the Swedish company did not release any details whatsoever about the study. And while Saab is still keeping its cards close to its chest, we managed to find out that the study is called the Phoenix and that it's a sports car concept equipped with a turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. The Phoenix is the work of Saab's new design boss of former Bertone fame, Jason Castriota, and its main purpose is to preview the brand's next styling direction.

The rapidly approaching Geneva Motor Show is turning out to be a birthing room for Saab as the Swedish company is planning to launch two world premieres including the 9-5 SportCombi along with the unveiling of the modestly updated 9-3 Griffin range and the limited production 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition.

First teased on the Swedish firm's website last week, Saab today confirmed that one of the world premieres will be a never-before seen concept model conceived by a team under new design director, Jason Castriota, who is best known for his work at Pininfarina and for a short stint at Bertone where he penned the Corvette-based Mantide.

A little over a year ago, Saab's future was very much in doubt. GM was looking for a buyer for the Swedish brand and even contemplated closing down the Trollhattan plant. On the other hand, investors weren't exactly anxious to put their money on what they thought was a sinking ship. But, on the 23rd of February 2010, Saab's fate took a surprising turn for the better as GM sold the company to Spyker Cars, saving thousands of jobs and decades of tradition.

To celebrate the first anniversary from the sale, Saab will throw a massive party on February 23, 2011, turning its factory in Trollhattan into an entertainment arena. All 3,800 employees will have the day off and will be joined by dealers, suppliers, VIPs and media in celebrating Saab's rebirth as an independent carmaker.

For Saab, 2011 will be a crucial year, one that could make or break the company’s success. In a statement made in January, Chairman Victor Mullen said he's confident that the automaker will be able to pick up momentum and achieve the projected sales volume of 80,000 units. But for that the Swedes need new models and it seems that they’ll deliver.

According to a press invitation sent out today, aside from the already confirmed and teased 2011 9-5 Sportcombi, Saab's Geneva Motor Show stand will host the premiere of a brand new concept model and either facelifted or special edition versions of the 9-3 range.

Earlier this year, Swedish automaker Saab was saved from the scrapheap by Spyker and a loan from the European Investment Bank. In spite of this, nothing much has changed. The stylish new 9-5 has gone on sale overseas, with the 9-4X crossover following in Q2 2011. And the aging 9-3 trundles on, blissfully unaware that anything has happened.

Korean design student Youngho Jong is looking towards Saab’s future with his 2025 Advanced Warning System Vehicle concept: a rakish, four-door saloon with coupe-like styling. And no headroom, by the looks of it, but that’s a forgivable oversight. More interesting to us, however, is how he used his knowledge of nature and human psychology to come up with a vehicle that isn’t just smart, it’s downright sinister.

Courtesy of SaabsUnited, the people who provided pics of the nice but ill-proportioned 9-5 Coupe rendering (see here) we recently showed you, here is a look at a second possible 9-5 variant. It's a computer generated image for a large, 4-seater convertible that could compete with the Audi A5 Cabrio in the future world of what-ifs.

This month's Paris International Motor Show will host the world premiere of Saab's first ever EV, the 9-3 ePower. Based on the SportWagon variant of the current 9-3, the prototype model will lead to a test fleet of 70 vehicles that will participate in field trials in Sweden early next year.