1) They replaced the sedan/combi doors with already existing BLS sedan/combi doors … there aren’t any BLS ‘vert doors & the ‘vert is a different body/platform … I think the math is simple; they chose to keep the doors they had rather than make new “BLS-style” ones to match the other models. In fact, to take the line of reasoning further, I seriously doubt the designers chose to mimic the BLS doors; but that’s what they had to work with at no additional cost

2) Didn’t know they were shot down …

3) In the most upright of seating positions (not the seat bottom raised all the way) there is scant clearance between my head and the trim around the sunroof and I’m only 5′ 10″

4) I agree OnStar isn’t a better “solution” … I simply meant that the argument posted up there that Bluetooth was a “safety” feature was fallacious

1. the SS and SC are scheduled to be replaced in 2-3 years too, why did GM see fit to replace the doors on those, but not the ‘vert?

2. XM and Sirius were talking about merging, but were declined approval to do so by the FTC as it would constitute a monopoly on satellite radio. The technology is still different. I’m sure if there was mention of Sirius it was a mistake as XM is GM’s satellite radio provider of choice.

3. Who is so tall that they can’t fit into a SAAB? The very tall Scandinavians seem to fit just fine. Maybe they should do some testing in The Netherlands (the tallest people on average in the world). I have this vision of Grape Ape with his head sticking through the sunroof on a SAAB.

4. Agree that it’s the act of speaking on the cell phone rather than the physical manipulation of a handset that is most distracting. However, people will do it whether it’s safe or not and OnStar encourages it just as much as Bluetooth would.

Go to the Countdown article above and look at the comments… ( don’t feel like repeting) and then look at the press release and see for yourself…….

1) The ‘verts aren’t retaining just the old door handles; they are retaining the old doors … the SS & SC aren’t getting BLS handles; they are getting BLS doors which already exist sans molding. Saab/GM isn’t going to spend the money for new doors on the ‘verts when they will be replaced in 2-3 years.

2) There is no choice between XM and Sirius … the two are in the process of merging

3) Taller drivers need the extra headroom that ~not~ having a sunroof affords them. A standard sunroof would mostly preclude anyone over a certain height from even considering the car.

4) Talking on your cell phone while driving is never “safe”, even with hands-free solutions, as it provides an unneeded distraction from the act of driving

I even came to terms with not having Navi in exchange for Bluetooth over the weekend when I took my father’s 9-3 vert down the shore (w/o navi). Then I read this – that OnStar is standard which means that there won’t be factory installed Bluetooth – what crap is that?

Bluetooth to me is an important safety feature, and Saab can’t put it in these cars that are supposed to be safe? They can slam into a moose, but forget about talking on your cellphone. What a joke.

I can get a Nissan Sentra for $15K with Bluetooth, but not in the $35+K “luxury” Saab?

Absurd.

As for LEDs etc, look at the Aero-x microsite within saabglobal website and you’ll see clearly the halo headlight and LED eyebrow that we now see on the refreshed 9-3. Bring it on!

I was never a fan of the rim because with the wrong brake pads or not enough care, they had a habit of getting very dirty and making the 9-3 look bad. I’m hoping they go with a different rim style.

A few thoughts based on what we have seen on how saab will be branded in the future.

Clamshell hood, wrap around lights and frosted tail lights will all be standard characteristics of saabs. Its starting to look sharp

Also noticed that saab did not mention safety as the core brand caracteristics.

Edmunds have a good coment as well..

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=120768