Saab Future Model Timeline

What can we expect from Saab in the future?

Here’s the best guesses based on news reports and a little insider information.

LAST UPDATE: May 22nd, 2008

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Saab 9-1:

Saab showed the 9-X BioHybrid Concept in Geneva in March 2008. The GM Executives gathered there used some very cautious language when speaking about a production version of the car. Bob Lutz said that if it’s produced, it wil be called a 9-1, so that’s the name we’ll go with here.

Saab 9-XThe thing to remember is that as of that showing in Geneva, the hadn’t been signed off for production to the best of our knowledge. The word, post-Geneva, is that the car was so well received that it’s likely to be signed off soon.

If so, it can be built in Trollhattan as the plant there will be gearing up to produce vehicle on the next generation Delta platform once the 9-5 ships out to Russelsheim in 2009. Importantly, though, there’s three other GM plants around the world that can produce on this platform, so there’s some flexibility in terms of managing manufacturing to produce cars in markets that’ll take best avantage of currency fluctuations.

A production version of the 9-X BioHybrid Concept will most likely feature more market-friendly and cost-effective items like mirrors (instead of reversing cameras), 16 or 17 inch wheels, a C-pillar that allows for rearward vision, some extra height and a producable interior. The new Delta platform is also being built with a hybrid drivetrain in mind right from the outset.

The most important thing is that Saab will have to envision what this market will be producing in around three years from now – and nail it!

As yet, there’s no reliable word on when this car could make it to market. Various publications have opined anywhere between 2010 and 2012. My best guess is to take an average and say 2011, though everyone knows they need it before then.

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Saab 9-3:

The Saab 9-3 received a major refresh for the 2008 model year, with more than 2,100 changes to the vehicle, the addition of the TTiD engine and the XWD drivetrain.

Later in 2008, Saab are expected to release a XWD SportCombi that’s raised several inches and features some more rugged cladding. Think Audi Allroad style. This will be the Anti-SUV offering all the space most people need, but is likely to be largely ignored by many markets as markets are like that.

The US market can also expect to see XWD become available in the 2.0T model in the third quarter of 2008. The trickle down of XWD in other markets is as yet unknown, but there’s already been interest in the TTiD model in Europe.

UPDATE, MAY 2008.

The next generation of the Saab 9-3 is reported to be built on the upcoming Delta architecture. This is a smaller architecture than the Epsilon II architecture that the car was originally planned for, but should still allow for adequate space.

It’s believed that this decision has been taken to better differentiate between the Saab 9-3 and the Saab 9-5, as well as to have Saab’s volume seller retain a good efficiency rating.

This decision also means that the 9-3 can be built in the Trollhattan plan, in Sweden, though it’s production there is not confirmed.

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Saab 9-4x

If 2008 is the year for Saab concept cars, 2009 will be the year for new Saab production cars. One of these will be the Saab 9-4x.

Saab 9-4xFirst shown in Detroit in January 2008 as a four-cylinder BioPower model, the Saab 9-4x will be a five-seater SUV featuring a range of engines. The interior on the concept car was quite new and looked very close to production ready. If so, it may give us the first glimpse into a real life adaptation of the Aero-X interior for Saab and a preview of what the interior in the next Saab 9-5 might look like.

Early thoughts had the Saab 9-4x appearing before the 9-5, however recent chatter seems to indicate a release for the 9-4x late in 2009 as a 2010 model.

A production version of the Saab 9-4x was caught in testing in April 2008. Accompanying reports suggested that the Cadillac BRX would commence production in May 2009 with the Saab 9-4x to commence shortly thereafter, in the Fall of 2009.

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Saab 9-5:

UPDATE: May 2008

Models of the 9-5 sedan and estate weree shown to a GM gathering in Europe this week. the car was stated to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show, early in 2009.

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UPDATE (Mar 08) – Jan Ake Jonsson stated in an interview at the New York Auto Show that the Saab 9-5 would be replaced with a new model in 2009. This is the first confirmation by someone inside Saab.

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The current Saab 9-5 was propped up by Biopower sales in Sweden and is selling very few units elsewhere. Saab must have read the writing on the wall some time ago, knowing that a Biopower 9-3 was coming, and the indications to me have been that this new 9-5 has been full-steam-ahead ever since.

Dealers were shown lifesize models of this car in Sweden back from around July 2007 and all were drooling over it. It’s now expected to show in early 2009.

The outgoing model will get a special edition package later in 2008 to see out its time as yet another long-serving Saab model.

20 thoughts on “Saab Future Model Timeline”

  2. Swade: I hope you’re right with your predictions on the 9-1 and it arrives sooner rather than later. Outside of the US, it’s importance is greater than any other model. In the US, it’s importance will grow too.

    Looks like current 9-5 production might end late this year? Wouldn’t be hard to create a stockpile with demand being what it is.

  3. Swade, you said:

    “As mentioned, I’m expecting it to show in Europe in late 2009 and they won’t want to leave too long a lag time between the showing and production, so I’d expect a release in the first half of 2009.”

    Did you mean 2010 for the latter date?

    Oops. I meant 2008 for the former date. Now fixed – SW

  5. Did you not mean 2008 for the showing of the 9-5 with sales starting spring/summer of 09? – Indeed. Fixed now – SW

    Re the 9-1. Its widely anticipated that it will be built on the new astra platform. Any iteas when the new astra will arrive? – No idea – SW

  6. Lets just hope they get these out on the market soon. That 9-4x looks better and better each time I see it. I will purchase one and it should sell well in the US.
    Saab needs better marketing here in the US. Terrible commercials here but nice ones in europe….I dont get it.

  8. @cj – a new Astra should arrive in late 2009 [my2010] – may be they are even ruhing the model a bit for the big competitor, the VW Golf VI is about to be launched and sold as a 2009 model already this year! This could mean, that if GM signs off the 9-1 the delta II will be already built with the new Astra…

  9. Consider the SAAB time line from a GM point of view. Therefore I would like to see Opel (and other applicable GM brands) model introduction as a shadow or parallel to your excellent time line. Monitoring press about Opel tells us for example about the Insignia launch (ready to market November 2008, first to be shown at London Motor Show in July) ) and this will be the earliest date the new 9-5 will appear from any production. Just an extra comment here while mentioning the Insignia: The 9-X BH headlights system, just revealed in Geneva, will be part of the Insignia. (see also http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/03/opel-releases-new-insignia-teaser-shots.html)
    What else from the 9-1 BH goodies will appear in other brands than SAAB first?
    From the GM perspective SAAB is a tiny piece of gold in their portfolio. But the real money needed to pay costs comes from the volume production of cars. Conclusion: SAAB gets the show news, Opel (e o) make the money. SAAB is an important GM marketing tool which pays off very well.

  11. Chat with SAAB dealer recently:
    Q: When can I buy a SAAB with XWD and diesel engine.
    A: August 2009 (as 2010 model).
    Q: Which car?
    A: Both new 9-5 and 9-4X. They will have the new 2.9L diesel.
    Q: What about the Allroad version of the 9-3?
    A: We should have had it in August this year (as 2009 model), but it has been put back to next “winter”, like January 2009. But, it won’t come with diesel and XWD! 2.8V6 and a BioPower version to begin with. We have asked for a diesel for this market, but have not been promised one yet.
    “Buy” is probably like “we will take your order in august 09, but delivery will be 6 months later”.

  12. Thanks for the list. I asked for it and I love it. I have a simple comment on the 9-7X. I expect it to remain in production until this generation of the Chevrolet Traiblazer and GMC Yukon are replaced. The reason is that the big tough truck-based V-8 9-7X is not really competitive here with the lighter I-4 9-4X. They are also produced on completely different lines in different countries. So there is no reason to connect their fates. As long as there are Chevrolet Trailblazers and GMC Envoys coming off the line, it costs very little to add a few 9-7X’s to the mix. The question is whether the 9-7X will survive the Chevy/GMC model freshening rumored for this fall (model year 2009) or will the freshening be too extreme. Another question is whether there is a hybrid system coming soon. At present, the multi-displacement V-8 gets the same gas mileage as the V-6. A hybrid system could fix that. GMC already has a hybrid system on the full-size SUVs. These mid-size SUV’s are the logical next step.

  14. I think the new 9-5 is the most important car for the Saab lineup right now, if it’s as eyecatching as it’s supposed to be it will bring some much-needed attention to the brand.

    I’m a bit bummed that the 9-3X is taking so long to come to fruition though, that car would have done a great job at giving Saab a sportier crossover (and an awesome RDX/EX35 fighter to boot) to hold buyers over until the 9-4x’s start hitting the dealerships.

    I know people buy the 9-7x, but I can only imagine that many potential buyers have left Saabs for sportier, more crossover-like alternatives like the XC70, XC90, and MDX. Given how the XC70′s and Outback H6 3.0′s sell around here, the 9-3X has the real potential to become the bestselling 9-3 model, just like how the Outback and XC70s handily outsell the regular Legacies, S60s and V70s.

  17. Ken H: The Alfa Mi looks good, but I’m guessing it’s same size as a Fiat Punto? From info on the new Astra and Delta II platform, I’d say the Saab will be at least 30 cm longer? That’s even a bit larger than an Alfa 147.

  18. Im still pleading with GM to give SAAB a full line of vehicles to compete in the markets.
    9-1 Small
    9-3 Midsize
    9-5 Large
    9-4X Mid Crossover
    9-6X Large Crossover

    And for goodness sakes….Bring us the Aero X!!!!

  19. You’re not wrong Chris, it’s been about 6 months since I last concerned myself with the Saab world and sadly not a lot has changed. Concept cars are nice and all, but production cars actually make money, progress the brand and generally make the world a better place.

    Now I’m under no false notions of how time consuming and expensive car development is, but Bob Lutz, if you’re reading, for f**k’s sake, just make the damn things. You have a really lovely car there, and people want to buy it. If that’s not enough of a business case for you, may I suggest another profession? I have money waiting for such a car.

    Make a basic Linear, an upspec Arc/Vector, an XWD Aero and a plugin hybrid, and you’ll kill. There is a sizable pent up demand for a good AWD euro hot hatch. Same for a funky hybrid hatchback. Beat Volvo and the C30 to the market with both. You’ll sell lots, make some money for a change and then we’ll be able to fix up the rest of the range…

  20. GM recently annouced that the Chevrolet Volt will be launched by 2010.
    Opel announced two models based on this platform by 2012 in europe (flextreme and a compact).

    What about Saab ?