Comments on: What’s going on with the Saab 9-3? http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html Saab 9-1, 9-3, 9-4x, 9-5, 9-7x News Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:34:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: albert http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40413 albert Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:43:20 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40413 @woodz: I understand that Astra I (or J, anyway 9th generation Kadett/Astra after WWII) will be built on the basis of Delta II. I remember a chief development at Opel that said explicitely that he didn't want Astra H on Delta because of the packaging disadvantages. Especially boot space would be far less. Of course I do mind what parts bin they use. Do you think GM will make a Delta parts bin with parts strong enough for a blown V6? Do you really believe there will be a V6 Delta?? Remember why the 54°V6 was built? Right, the packaging problem. There is no V6 Delta at this moment and I don't believe there will be, becaus all the other versions will suffer. I still hold on to mr. Forster's words that the new 9-3 is going to be built on Epsilon II, but with more expensive parts than Insignia c.s. I.e. a four link front suspension instead of aMc Pherson. @woodz: I understand that Astra I (or J, anyway 9th generation Kadett/Astra after WWII) will be built on the basis of Delta II.
I remember a chief development at Opel that said explicitely that he didn’t want Astra H on Delta because of the packaging disadvantages.
Especially boot space would be far less.

Of course I do mind what parts bin they use. Do you think GM will make a Delta parts bin with parts strong enough for a blown V6?
Do you really believe there will be a V6 Delta??
Remember why the 54°V6 was built? Right, the packaging problem. There is no V6 Delta at this moment and I don’t believe there will be, becaus all the other versions will suffer.

I still hold on to mr. Forster’s words that the new 9-3 is going to be built on Epsilon II, but with more expensive parts than Insignia c.s.
I.e. a four link front suspension instead of aMc Pherson.

]]> By: tenner http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40405 tenner Sun, 09 Mar 2008 11:52:28 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40405 9-3 needs to get a little bigger! dont change this one to much. its successful the way it is, so dont change it. 9-5 needs to get bigger, and bring a new one soon. 9-1 make one. PLEASE MAKE A 9-3 COUPE IN THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!!!! do not try downsizing cars and still competing with bmw/audi. cheers 9-3 needs to get a little bigger!
dont change this one to much. its successful the way it is, so dont change it.
9-5 needs to get bigger, and bring a new one soon.
9-1 make one.

PLEASE MAKE A 9-3 COUPE IN THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!!!!

do not try downsizing cars and still competing with bmw/audi.

cheers

]]> By: Markac http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40199 Markac Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:09:52 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40199 If GM has to 'slow' a couple of brands a fraction to let Saab catch up with it's 9-1, then so be it. It hasn't done anyone any good having Saab trailing in the background. I'm only saying give Saab a 6 month lead with the Delta II platform before cheaper cars are built on it. It would look terrible if Saab got the platform after even Daewoo has started using it! If GM has to ‘slow’ a couple of brands a fraction to let Saab catch up with it’s 9-1, then so be it.
It hasn’t done anyone any good having Saab trailing in the background. I’m only saying give Saab a 6 month lead with the Delta II platform before cheaper cars are built on it. It would look terrible if Saab got the platform after even Daewoo has started using it!

]]> By: WooDz http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40194 WooDz Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:17:27 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40194 Markac, Absolutely right about products running from the top tier down. If that means Saab gets a product after Cadillac then so be it. The problem is still money and OPEL hane the funds to bring products to market quicker. I could get annoyed about that but that's the facts. Should GM starve it's other products while it brings Saab for example up to speed? I agree with what you have written and it follows a comment i made a few days ago under the heading 'More Lutz on Saab'. What I find most interesting about the above article is why GM/Saab have considered this, what the reason behind it is? Markac, Absolutely right about products running from the top tier down. If that means Saab gets a product after Cadillac then so be it. The problem is still money and OPEL hane the funds to bring products to market quicker. I could get annoyed about that but that’s the facts. Should GM starve it’s other products while it brings Saab for example up to speed?

I agree with what you have written and it follows a comment i made a few days ago under the heading ‘More Lutz on Saab’.

What I find most interesting about the above article is why GM/Saab have considered this, what the reason behind it is?

]]> By: Markac http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40192 Markac Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:35:10 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40192 WooDz: I agree with your comments. For a change though, I would like Saab to be first to use the Delta II platform with the 9-1. This would only help other GM brands. If Opel. Vauxhall, Saturn and Holden release their Astras shortly after a Saab 9-1, they can all claim some prestige by saying that their cars are based on a premium Saab platform. The next 9-3 can then grow out of the 9-1 on a stretched Delta II platform, hopefully built at Trollhattan? It would be good if the next 9-3 could have a larger range of boydystyles including hatches. I have never been against Saab making notchbacks, but since the release of the 99 Combi Coupe, hatches have proved to be the most popular and abandoning the hatch has proven costly for Saab. I think a 9-1 has the potential to become the most popular Saab outside of the US. It may be difficult to market in America initially, but over time it's importance will grow there also, but currently the climate in the US is not ideal for it. This explains GM's hesitance, but I say establish it in other markets first and work the US when there's a proven product. The 9-1 could likely double Saabs sales in Europe, UK, Asia and Australia/New Zealand. WooDz: I agree with your comments. For a change though, I would like Saab to be first to use the Delta II platform with the 9-1. This would only help other GM brands. If Opel. Vauxhall, Saturn and Holden release their Astras shortly after a Saab 9-1, they can all claim some prestige by saying that their cars are based on a premium Saab platform.

The next 9-3 can then grow out of the 9-1 on a stretched Delta II platform, hopefully built at Trollhattan? It would be good if the next 9-3 could have a larger range of boydystyles including hatches. I have never been against Saab making notchbacks, but since the release of the 99 Combi Coupe, hatches have proved to be the most popular and abandoning the hatch has proven costly for Saab.

I think a 9-1 has the potential to become the most popular Saab outside of the US. It may be difficult to market in America initially, but over time it’s importance will grow there also, but currently the climate in the US is not ideal for it. This explains GM’s hesitance, but I say establish it in other markets first and work the US when there’s a proven product. The 9-1 could likely double Saabs sales in Europe, UK, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.

]]> By: Michael http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40184 Michael Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:01:27 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40184 ...I still do not understand, why the GM 900 got smaller than the good old 900CC. Still, the current 93SS is bigger than the BMW 300 series. BMW is rather sized like a VW Jetta or Corolla. As metioned the 4,30m of the new concept car are confusing, but most of the new small compact cars in size of VW Golf and Toyota Corolla/Auris are in this territory. Just as a remainder, VW Polo, Vauxhall Corsar and Fiat Pinto are around 4m long. The new concept car as a three box design would be as long as BMW's 300s. Earlier scetches about the new concept car showed a completly different design. Looking smaller indeed. Thus, are we misslead? Anyway, you can only buy what Saab is showing in its showrooms. There is no three door hatchback as far as I remember. But Saab needs exactly such a car to catch the attention of younger male dirvers. At least the old 900 could do the job (less the GM 900). …I still do not understand, why the GM 900 got smaller than the good old 900CC. Still, the current 93SS is bigger than the BMW 300 series. BMW is rather sized like a VW Jetta or Corolla.
As metioned the 4,30m of the new concept car are confusing, but most of the new small compact cars in size of VW Golf and Toyota Corolla/Auris are in this territory. Just as a remainder, VW Polo, Vauxhall Corsar and Fiat Pinto are around 4m long.

The new concept car as a three box design would be as long as BMW’s 300s.

Earlier scetches about the new concept car showed a completly different design. Looking smaller indeed.

Thus, are we misslead?

Anyway, you can only buy what Saab is showing in its showrooms. There is no three door hatchback as far as I remember. But Saab needs exactly such a car to catch the attention of younger male dirvers. At least the old 900 could do the job (less the GM 900).

]]> By: Frank A http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40183 Frank A Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:35:36 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40183 I think the exchange rate is the issue here. My guess is EP2 is a fairly expensive proposition. If the 9-3 can be built on Delta 2 and made about the same size of the current car that would leave room for the 9-1. The 9-3 would be a sedan, conv, wagon, while the 9-1 is the 2 door hatch. I actually like this idea as it will allow the 9-3 to have a reasonable price. One of the things I like about my 9-3 is the size and weight. The car is fairly light (in 2.0T form) for it's size. The next 9-3 could use a 1.8T as the entry level engine world wide. I think the exchange rate is the issue here. My guess is EP2 is a fairly expensive proposition. If the 9-3 can be built on Delta 2 and made about the same size of the current car that would leave room for the 9-1. The 9-3 would be a sedan, conv, wagon, while the 9-1 is the 2 door hatch. I actually like this idea as it will allow the 9-3 to have a reasonable price. One of the things I like about my 9-3 is the size and weight. The car is fairly light (in 2.0T form) for it’s size. The next 9-3 could use a 1.8T as the entry level engine world wide.

]]> By: Anders B, Uppsala, Sweden http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40179 Anders B, Uppsala, Sweden Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:21:59 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40179 Today, 9-3 is 4,65m long and wheelbase 267,5cm 9-5 is almost 4,85 and wb 270,3 cm. The c-segment is growing so here is my opinion: 9-1: 4,3-40m/wb2,60; 9-3: 4,6-7/wb2,70; 9-5: 4,9-5,0/wb2,80 or even longer. It doesn't matter which platform the car will be built on, the main thing is what components it will consists of. Light-weight materials such as magnesium/aluminium, double whishbone suspension in front and perhaps in the rear too. Haldex 4 as option and here we go! Today, 9-3 is 4,65m long and wheelbase 267,5cm
9-5 is almost 4,85 and wb 270,3 cm. The c-segment is growing so here is my opinion: 9-1: 4,3-40m/wb2,60; 9-3: 4,6-7/wb2,70; 9-5: 4,9-5,0/wb2,80 or even longer. It doesn’t matter which platform the car will be built on, the main thing is what components it will consists of. Light-weight materials such as magnesium/aluminium, double whishbone suspension in front and perhaps in the rear too. Haldex 4 as option and here we go!

]]> By: WooDz http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40161 WooDz Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:35:06 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40161 If you think you're buying a smaller 9-3 then you've missed the point, plus it's not Astra it's Delta. Even if the NG9-3 moves onto an extended Delta platform it will still be larger than the Current 9-3. As in a previous comment about Future Saab's using more GM parts. Saab is GM and all parts belong to GM. With Toyota, Citroen, Peugeot and Mitsubishi developing new products together to create the right synergies, Saab will never be in a position to develop a model with all components unique to the brand alone. Moving a product onto a new and ultimately technologically advanced architecture is a far better use of resources, and credit should go to the person who was thinking 'out of the box' instead of blindingly going down the route; of what will be an outdated Epsilon platform when it's time to change. If you think you’re buying a smaller 9-3 then you’ve missed the point, plus it’s not Astra it’s Delta. Even if the NG9-3 moves onto an extended Delta platform it will still be larger than the Current 9-3. As in a previous comment about Future Saab’s using more GM parts. Saab is GM and all parts belong to GM. With Toyota, Citroen, Peugeot and Mitsubishi developing new products together to create the right synergies, Saab will never be in a position to develop a model with all components unique to the brand alone.
Moving a product onto a new and ultimately technologically advanced architecture is a far better use of resources, and credit should go to the person who was thinking ‘out of the box’ instead of blindingly going down the route; of what will be an outdated Epsilon platform when it’s time to change.

]]> By: albert http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40151 albert Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:06:30 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/whats-going-on-with-the-saab-9-3.html#comment-40151 If anyone at GM thinks I am going to buy a smaller 9-3 and above that, a 9-3 based on the Astra parts bin, well think again. I will not buy it. I consider the current 9-3 as about right in size, although the next one should have some 4 extra cm's of kneeroom in the back. If anyone at GM thinks I am going to buy a smaller 9-3 and above that, a 9-3 based on the Astra parts bin, well think again. I will not buy it.
I consider the current 9-3 as about right in size, although the next one should have some 4 extra cm’s of kneeroom in the back.

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