Comments on: Saab Future Model Timeline

By: dreamit

dreamit — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:57:38 +0000

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 ?

By: Ben W

Ben W — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:09:55 +0000

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…

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:14:36 +0000

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!!!!

By: Markac

Markac — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:41:12 +0000

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.

By: Ken H

Ken H — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:08:54 +0000

With a 9-1, Saab will be pitching against cars like the just official little Alfa Romeo. It is called Mi.To
http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=17210

By: progolf

progolf — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:32:14 +0000

Saabster, I’m in Scandinavia, beginning with an N.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:43:37 +0000

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.

By: Saabster

Saabster — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:54:50 +0000

progolf,

what market are you in?

By: Gordon Lindeen

Gordon Lindeen — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:26:16 +0000

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.

By: progolf

progolf — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:32:18 +0000

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”.