Comments on: Rumourmill: Trying to make sense of it all…..

By: Eduard

Eduard — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:05:23 +0000

I am so sorry to be so pessimistic, but if you take a look at the last 10-15 years of Saab and specially the last 6 years, with the cancellation of all models and projects of saab after the 9-3ss, that gives a pessimistic view and idea of what GM is doing with Saab and how many bad decissions it made. 9-2x, V6 diesel in the 9-5, the 9-6x, cancellation of the 9-5 and premium platform. And how is unable to enter in new segments…..

But also, since GM it seems that finally reorganized all its operations with a global vision, Saab is integrated in that organization, there are bad things, but also many good opportunities for Saab to take advantage and leadership in GM engineering and organization, and for this reason I feel that in few years we are going to see very good products from Saab and good news, but also some bad news that will give an idea that Saab is loosing its “swedishness” and exclusiveness”, but I hope that GM will take care about it and be able to recover the Saab brand image.

That feeling, everytime when Saab is ready to anounce a new product or important news, few days or hours before the announcement, connected to internet hours and hours, awaiting any possible info, pic or something that gives light to the issue…….thats something I would like to feel again.

greetings

By: BioPowPow

BioPowPow — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 01:34:22 +0000

The 9-3 175hk will be a biopower edition..

By: WooDz

WooDz — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:50:53 +0000

Ok, I only think it should be fair as to explain what I was showing on a very rough Aero-X style 9-3.

1. Obviously the new grill
2. I made the lower air-intakes less pronounced, however; retained the outlines of the original concept to create a distinct cut between the lower and upper sections of the car.
3. The side strips have been removed to give a cleaner scandinavian look and so draws your attention to the grill.
4. The Wing Mirrors give a deep contrast to the rest of the car and offers something different the the normal Colour-Matched mirrors we see so often today.
5. The wrap-around windscreen.
Alot of manufacturers seem to be copying Micheal Mauer’s 9x concept with Matt-Black A-pillars. My Idea is a One-piece screen surrounding the A-pillars, disguising them behind smoke-edged glass.

The picture took me about an hour. It’s intention is to get the mind working and smooth out the rough working.

BTW. if you’re interested you can get you thoughts around a 9-3 SportCross

http://www.sennelagercars.com/images/saab/concepts/9-3CUV.jpg

FYI. I’m a sales manager, not a car designer. (for our sakes, Thank GOD)

By: Olav

Olav — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 02:05:17 +0000

Based on the facts about how well the Aero-X was received all over the world off course SAAB’s designers must take that feedback into account when they start to roll out new or reskinned cars. Regarding the photoshoped 9-3 above I liked it alot and I really hope future SAABs will follow the Aero-X design language. Who wants SAAB to be another “classy-look” BMW, Audi, Lexus or Merc? The carworld is overflooded with that kind of cars. SAAB has always been different, and I don’t think future SAABs should follow in other carmakers footprint when it comes to design. SAAB should still focus on different cars with innovative solutions combined with a premium quality standard. I think the carworld expect SAAB to still be somewhat different.

By: Richo

Richo — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 22:09:02 +0000

I think it would look HOT next to the Viggen in my yet to be built double garage!

Gimme gimme gimme!!!!!

By: Swade

Swade — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:51:26 +0000

Zippy, take a pill please.

It’s just a photoshop by a reader here, posted to give some visual flavour to all the words. No need to sack the designers just yet.

By: zippy

zippy — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:38:16 +0000

My god that photoshop of the reskinned 9-3 is hideous! Cars in this class are meant to look classy, as do the Audi A4, BMW 3 and Lexus IS but this thing has about as much class as a Lada.

I have said ot before and I will say it again “GET NEW DESIGNERS” as the current designers are ruining the brand image. Witness that disaster called the 9-5!

By: Ted Y

Ted Y — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 18:02:55 +0000

Eduard, You’ve got me thinking it’s hopeless–I’m going out to the barn and shoot myself–LOL!
Actually, GM killing the 9-3X really bugs me a lot. They said they would build it and didn’t. Saab could have been the leader in the field. Oh well, eggsngrits makes some good points (regretfully).
Gotta go, got to get back to my wine and cheese dinner, I’m feeling better already…

By: eggsngrits

eggsngrits — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:34:30 +0000

9-3 re-skin — great!

9-5 delay — disappointment!

Eduard: GM will figure out the logistics — they are still the largest auto company in the world for crying out loud! The 9-4x in North America makes perfect sense — Mexico, US, Canada with NAFTA it makes no difference theoretically. The 9-4x is a car that’s aimed specifically at our market, so why not make it here?

By: RPG

RPG — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 15:16:58 +0000

The sales manager at my local dealer (US) recently told me that AWD was going to be added to the 9-3 line up for ’08. He wouldn’t comment on a reskin.