More of this stuff later. I have to dash off now to buy a wedding present (yeah, a wedding on new year’s eve). I couldn’t resist publishing just one of these now though. That’s our local SCCA Tas chairman, Drew, sitting in his c900. We took the black beast and my Viggen out for a photo shoot the other day. Plenty more where this came from, but I’ll get to those in due to time.
Photo by Stu, the lens genius. Click to enlarge….
This is great. The groovy music, some great commentaries, film clips, photos and histories. Seems to me this campaign is becoming more established as it goes along. Well done.
Go check it out and kill some time at Born From Jets.
I received my photo of the new 20th Anniversary 9-3 Convertible yesterday. One of the conditions attached to receiving it was that I honour the embargo and not publish it until January 2nd.
So be it.
But if you’d like to see the car and the new colour (one for the ladies, methinks) and you’re in a real rush, then head on over to Etienne’s site in Belgium, where he seems to have received an advance copy of the brochure or some such.
The seats look very nice.
Sometimes Autoblog can get it wrong:
A concept version of the 9-5 with a 310hp flex-fuel biodiesel will be shown at the North American International Auto Show, Michigan, in January.
Ah, no. That’s Biopower, the engine that runs e85, the ethanol blended fuel.
Then again, sometimes Autoblog prove themselves to be a wonderfully useful little bunch, especially when they produce articles such as this one, which indicates a whole boatload of research that’s about to be funded to look into the future capability for e85 manufacture and distribution for both the commercial sector, and……….wait for it……….it’s the kicker………..The US Military!
It seems they don’t ever want to be squeezed by the short and curlies in terms of regular fuel supplies for the military machine, and an e85 manufacturing and distribution system is one way they can secure their mobility and continuity.
So what does all this mean for us? A greater chance of the e85 Biopower Saab range being made available as an alternative fuel option for sale in the US.
Naysayers, speak to the hand. It runs on regular too, OK?
The car is only a few months old and the first award has rolled in. Add this to the Gold Award received by the 9-3 range from the IIHS and the top-10 engine award from Wards Autos and one could say it’s been quite a month for the 9-3. As one wise commenter noted earlier this month – "Stick THAT in your pipe and smoke it, Car & Driver!!" (or words to that effect)
This news release has just come in from Saab USA:
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San Diego, CA – Based on feedback from automotive journalists and elite and recreational athletes from across the United States, the Saab 9-3 SportCombi received the ‘2006 Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year’ award in the best value, on-road category at the San Diego International Auto Show today.
Presented by Active.com and Gen-A Network, creators of the Active Lifestyle Vehicles program (www.ActiveLifestyleVehicle.com), the award is designed to connect active consumers with auto manufacturers to create the ultimate vehicle for active lifestyles.
“Millions of active consumers visit Active.com to tap into the services and resources that will make participation easier and enhance their active lifestyles. These same consumers have similar needs in their personal vehicles,” explained Jim Woodman, senior vice president at Active.com.
The Active Lifestyle Vehicles program showcases the industry’s top vehicles for active lifestyle consumers. This year, San Diego athletes and a team of the nation’s leading automotive journalists test drove 16 finalists chosen from a field of 32 entries submitted by 14 auto manufacturers. Models were evaluated based on handling, cargo space and special active lifestyle features, including roof racks, bike transport and towing capability.
“The 9-3 SportCombi is a unique vehicle, designed and built in Sweden”, said Nina Russin, head of the automotive journalists jury and an accomplished marathon runner. “Longtime Saab aficionados will appreciate its peppy performance, user-friendly interior and Scandinavian design. Newcomers will love the SportCombi for its fun ride, class-leading safety and cargo-friendly interior – all for a price within the limits of many new car buyers.”
“We are extremely pleased with the Active Lifestyle Vehicle Award for the 9-3 SportCombi,” said Jay Spenchian, Saab USA general manager. “It is the third distinction that we have received for the 9-3 in a short timeframe. Earlier this month, the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan was the only luxury car honored with the ‘Gold Award’ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In addition, the editorial staff of Ward’s Communications voted the new 2.8 V6 Turbo V6 in the 9-3 Aero one of their ’10 Best Engines’ for 2006.
The 9-3 SportCombi is an important extension of the 9-3 range, which also includes the Sport Sedan and Convertible. Its 5-door body style pays tribute to highly regarded Saab hatchbacks of the past, in particular the Saab 99 Turbo ‘Combi Coupe.’
In addition to Saab’s signature styling cues like the rising beltline and hockey stick-shaped D-pillar, the 9-3 SportCombi features dramatic rear quarter styling and an integrated spoiler atop its steeply raked tailgate. It features a twin load floor cargo deck and 72 cu. ft. of cargo space with the rear seats folded.
“The SportCombi enhances the 9-3 range with Saab trademark versatility and fresh styling that provides a distinct alternative to conventional 5-door designs,” Spenchian said. “It plays a very important role in Saab’s strategy for worldwide growth.”
The 9-3 2.0T SportCombi, with standard 210 hp has a base MSRP of $27,620. The Aero model with the award-winning 250-hp Turbo V6 starts at $33,620. Both prices include delivery charges. The 9-3 SportCombi’s base price is approximately $3,000 less than that of the Audi A4 2.0T Avant, a prime competitor.
About Active.com
Active.com (www.Active.com), a service of San Diego, Calif.-based The Active Network, Inc. and a leading online destination for active lifestyles, provides one of the Web’s most comprehensive resources to find, learn about and register online for participatory events and activities. Active consumers can search the site’s online database and find events in more than 100 sports, in cities nationwide, throughout the year. Participants can also access exercise, nutrition and health information to help maintain fitness goals. Other Active.com services include ActiveAdvantage, a customized membership benefits program for active lifestyles; and effective, interactive online training programs to track training progress online. For more information, visit www.Active.com.
This seems like fairly small potatoes, but it’s worth taking note of if you’re affected.
There was a recall in November 2004, which involved MY 2001 and MY 2002 9-3′s built at the Uusikaupunki plant in Finland. The recall was due to some plastic fuel line retaining tabs that may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. The potential danger was that the fuel lines would eventually loosen from the fuel pump and leak, posing a potential fire hazard.
Since this recall was carried out, there’s also been a small number of complaints from owners from the same generation of 9-3′s that were built at the Trollhattan plant. So, the recall is being recalled to investigate whether it was wide enough.
The full story is here.
Howdy all,
Hope you’re enjoying your holiday season.
Things are some ways from getting back to normal here at Trollhattan, but these snippets were worth a posting.
First up, it seems the Saab 9-5 Biopower is kicking goals for Saab in Sweden. Saab originally forecasted about 5,500 sales through to the end of 2006. Well, get out the Liquid Paper, Sven, and chalk that particular number up to 2005!
Saab Sweden have taken orders for over 5,000 Biopowers this year and expect to deliver close to 4,000 of them by year-end. The forecast for 2006 is now around 9,000 vehicles.
The same report, first noticed in a publication called Easier.com, also mentions a fully drivable hybrid model that should begin testing in the Swedish spring of 2006. I’m not overly excited about this as it seems to be a GM thing more than a Saab specific thing, but it’s interesting nonetheless:
And the 9-5 BioPower is not the only eco-friendly initiative from Saab. In addition to offering a maintenance-free particulate filter on new turbo diesel 9-5 models, development work on an advanced hybrid continues within the GM cooperation. A driveable prototype is planned for the spring, including solutions that in one way or another may appear in a Saab or other GM products within the next few years.
"Because Saab is part of a huge global company, we have access to resources and competences that make us second to none," Bengt Nilemo adds.
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Some of you may have read my recent post (Talladega III), wishing for a re-run of the Talladega marathons from 1986 and 1996. Given that it’s another 10 years on (i.e. 2006), the time seems right. I mentioned the notion of exhibiting a 9-5 Biopower to Saab USA and the contact there thought it to be a very interesting prospect. He also mentioned that the Talladega run has been discussed, so here’s hoping.
A recent bit of news that should make the event even more attractive to Saab is the announcement that the Talladega track in Alabama is to be repaved this year.
Why would this be news? Well, the track’s used a lot for NASCAR racing and other things and it hasn’t been repaved since 1979. That’s 7 Olympics, umpteen space shuttle missions, 13 Ashes series’ and 2 Beatles ago. Yeah, it’s a long time.
SaabUSA, please get busy on this. It’d be a great PR campaign once again, a great opportunity to show off the new generation of Saab vehicles.
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Just a reminder: that electric blue 9-3 Convertible, the Anniversary model, is only a week away now.
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Another reminder of the premium we pay for Saabs down here in Australia. Saab are expanding it’s market presence in Korea, releasing 3 new models to the marketplace with prices that are competitive with the upper eschelon of Hyundai vehicles.
*scratches head.
GM Korea said it would appeal to Koreans by adding vehicles worth 40-50 million won to its sales items. Many of the premium sedans and sport utility vehicles of Korean carmakers, including Hyundai Motor, are priced at 30-50 million won.
The so-called Saab manias began contacting nationwide branches of GM Korea by the news that the new sedan, Saab 9-5, will be go on sale during the first half of 2006.
Go, you Saab Manias!! More power to ya!
A Merry Christmas to you all!! Thanks to those that left some kind words in the post below. It’s lunchtime here on Christmas Day and all is quiet. The kids had breakfast here – crepes and berries – and have gone to their Dad’s for lunch before returning here for dinner (mmmmmm…turkey).
The Swade present list is short but O, so sweet:
1 x new pair of Ugg Boots (my old ones were 16 years old)
1 x Radiohead DVD – Live at the Astoria, London (yes!)
And the ultimate guy gift – a Triton workcentre!!!
Please feel free to leave your presents of note in comments. I hope the fat bloke in the red suit has been suitably accommodating.
Have a wonderful Christmas period and Trollhattan will be back to normal posting again soon.