Comments on: Saab 9-5 and 9-3 future model news http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.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: Markac http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.html#comment-43550 Markac Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:04:39 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=5994#comment-43550 With the amount of modifications and updates applied to the MY2008 9-3, it reminded me of when the OG9-3 was released and how many upgrades it had over the NG900. I feel the upraded 9-3 will have to last at least as long as the OG9-3, so 2012 seems about right? Seems like those strong rumours about the next 9-3 using an extended Delta II platform have some truth to them? It would be nice to keep the 9-3 in Trollhattan. Sadly I feel the other Saaab that could use the new Delta II platform, the 9-1, may never see the light of day. I think GM's plans for Saab all hinge on the new 9-5. I'm guessing we'll all know what they are by the end of next year? With the amount of modifications and updates applied to the MY2008 9-3, it reminded me of when the OG9-3 was released and how many upgrades it had over the NG900. I feel the upraded 9-3 will have to last at least as long as the OG9-3, so 2012 seems about right?

Seems like those strong rumours about the next 9-3 using an extended Delta II platform have some truth to them? It would be nice to keep the 9-3 in Trollhattan. Sadly I feel the other Saaab that could use the new Delta II platform, the 9-1, may never see the light of day.

I think GM’s plans for Saab all hinge on the new 9-5. I’m guessing we’ll all know what they are by the end of next year?

]]> By: ck1x http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.html#comment-43540 ck1x Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:53:18 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=5994#comment-43540 I thought that it was stated the 9-5 would be on an extended version of the epII and the 9-3 would be an epII model as is the Opel Insignia. maybe they are looking from a marketing standpoint. Saab really doesn't have the budget to market 2 new products let alone 4 in a 3 year time span. Even Cady has been given only 1 new product with some considerable time between the next new Cady. But if it's done properly that's all you need sometimes. The CTS is a breath of fresh air to Cadillac and hopefully the new Saab line-up can do some of the same!! I thought that it was stated the 9-5 would be on an extended version of the epII and the 9-3 would be an epII model as is the Opel Insignia. maybe they are looking from a marketing standpoint. Saab really doesn’t have the budget to market 2 new products let alone 4 in a 3 year time span. Even Cady has been given only 1 new product with some considerable time between the next new Cady. But if it’s done properly that’s all you need sometimes. The CTS is a breath of fresh air to Cadillac and hopefully the new Saab line-up can do some of the same!!

]]> By: NineTwoX http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.html#comment-43535 NineTwoX Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:08:07 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=5994#comment-43535 Both vehicles shown appear to be on the smaller side. If the next gen 9-5 is to share the same platform, then it may just be as small. I really didn't envision a small 9-5. I do find the Opel quite attractive though. Both vehicles shown appear to be on the smaller side. If the next gen 9-5 is to share the same platform, then it may just be as small. I really didn’t envision a small 9-5. I do find the Opel quite attractive though.

]]> By: eggsngrits http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.html#comment-43531 eggsngrits Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:42:26 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=5994#comment-43531 I agree with many above, that Opel looks great. I would re-work the front, maybe a little less grille and a slightly lower profile. Russelheim, Trollhattan, it's all good. The Swedes are the heart-felt favorite, but if it meant that the cars would debut a year earlier build them in Morocco for crying out loud. Just get on with it! I agree with many above, that Opel looks great. I would re-work the front, maybe a little less grille and a slightly lower profile.

Russelheim, Trollhattan, it’s all good. The Swedes are the heart-felt favorite, but if it meant that the cars would debut a year earlier build them in Morocco for crying out loud. Just get on with it!

]]> By: JordanZ http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.html#comment-43524 JordanZ Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:01:10 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=5994#comment-43524 What the farg is the point of a generic car with a Saab body on it? This has nothing to do with Saab. I want to buy a Saab, not an "Epsilon II" with a Saab-ish body welded on. A Saab, to me, is an inline 4 cylinder engine designed in Sweden by Saab engineers - preferably Turbo-Charged. What the farg is the point of a generic car with a Saab body on it? This has nothing to do with Saab. I want to buy a Saab, not an “Epsilon II” with a Saab-ish body welded on.

A Saab, to me, is an inline 4 cylinder engine designed in Sweden by Saab engineers – preferably Turbo-Charged.

]]> By: loki http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.html#comment-43514 loki Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:43:58 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=5994#comment-43514 Albert: Good points with regard to the chassis quality issues with regard to building a 93 on an extended Delta. Fundamentally Saab would need the 93 to exude quality if they were to build it to the same footprint of the current model, otherwise known as 'downsizing'. Can this be done on a Delta platform? I have no idea. But there is a ball to be caught here by Saab, with regards to vehicle lightness/efficiency, which chimes with their environmental credentials nicely. Mazda have already got the 2 & 6, both of which are lighter than their predecessors, and have received plaudits from the motoring press for it. It is reasonable to assume that in 3-6yrs in the euro zone at least, the likes of the Monde, Insignia & the A4 will be regarded as slow, and unwieldy unless a suitably powerful engine is inside, which makes them uneconomic & unwieldy. Joe Blogs who likes a fairly sporty drive, does quite a few miles, would like the ability to burn off your bloated repmobiles etc but wants to get at least 35-40mpg from a turbo petrol 4cyl or 60mpg from a diesel, would consider Saab as a viable alternative even if he hasn’t go enough room for a coffin & pallbearers inside. This then brings me to where my argument falls down. The next Astra @ Trollhatten is the basis for the ‘potential’ 91. Following the design path that OPEL are on with the Insignia, looks like this ones gonna be a bloater, which would make the 91 a bloater and if the 93 is not on an Epi2 platform its more than likely going to be a rebadged 91 with a boot. That doesn’t bear thinking about tbh. Albert:
Good points with regard to the chassis quality issues with regard to building a 93 on an extended Delta.

Fundamentally Saab would need the 93 to exude quality if they were to build it to the same footprint of the current model, otherwise known as ‘downsizing’. Can this be done on a Delta platform?
I have no idea.

But there is a ball to be caught here by Saab, with regards to vehicle lightness/efficiency, which chimes with their environmental credentials nicely. Mazda have already got the 2 & 6, both of which are lighter than their predecessors, and have received plaudits from the motoring press for it.
It is reasonable to assume that in 3-6yrs in the euro zone at least, the likes of the Monde, Insignia & the A4 will be regarded as slow, and unwieldy unless a suitably powerful engine is inside, which makes them uneconomic & unwieldy. Joe Blogs who likes a fairly sporty drive, does quite a few miles, would like the ability to burn off your bloated repmobiles etc but wants to get at least 35-40mpg from a turbo petrol 4cyl or 60mpg from a diesel, would consider Saab as a viable alternative even if he hasn’t go enough room for a coffin & pallbearers inside.

This then brings me to where my argument falls down. The next Astra @ Trollhatten is the basis for the ‘potential’ 91. Following the design path that OPEL are on with the Insignia, looks like this ones gonna be a bloater, which would make the 91 a bloater and if the 93 is not on an Epi2 platform its more than likely going to be a rebadged 91 with a boot. That doesn’t bear thinking about tbh.

]]> By: No.9 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.html#comment-43513 No.9 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:07:47 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=5994#comment-43513 Saab is already threading in dead waters in Canada. Fortunately for Saab Saturn dealers, Saturn's version of the Insignia (Aura) will help them get over the loss. On the other hand, I think the Invicta concept is one ugly car, which hasn't been the case with GM concepts in recent years. Saab is already threading in dead waters in Canada. Fortunately for Saab Saturn dealers, Saturn’s version of the Insignia (Aura) will help them get over the loss.
On the other hand, I think the Invicta concept is one ugly car, which hasn’t been the case with GM concepts in recent years.

]]> By: albert http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.html#comment-43508 albert Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:02:09 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=5994#comment-43508 The question is not that an epsilon II based 9-3 would be just as big as an Insignia, Mondeo or something like that. We are told that variations in size are possible. But one of the complaints made by people not buying a 9-3 is the small size. A Golf or Astra has the same interior size as the current 9-3. That's where the 9-1 should be. The coming 9-3 should have some 4 cm more legroom in the back than it has now, plus a little bit of extra front legroom. IMO there is no need for a wider body. The new 9-5 should grow way more to get back on the playing field with MB E-Class, Audi A6 etc. Time frame: I can understand that Saab will have problems introducing 4 new cars in 2 years time. I don't think it will happen, but I rather see the 9-1 postponed than the 9-3. 10 years production run is too long. The development costs for the XWD are coming back via Opel (it will be available in the Insignia) so that's no problem. Building the new 9-3 on delta is in my view complete nonsens. as Riku points out, the next lexus IS will not be based on the Corolla! And the next Volvo S60 (if it comes) will not be based on the Ford Focus. When Saab builds the 9-3 on Delta and Opel builds the Insignia on Epsilon II, what situation do you get? The higher priced vehicle is on the simpler platform. Is that the way a "premium" producer should think? To me it is quite clear, I will not buy a 9-3 on delta.period. I do like the new Audi A4 (turbo 1.8 or 2.0 liter, just big enough, 10% better fuel economy) or the MB C-Class (also charged engines, just roomy enough). The question is not that an epsilon II based 9-3 would be just as big as an Insignia, Mondeo or something like that. We are told that variations in size are possible. But one of the complaints made by people not buying a 9-3 is the small size. A Golf or Astra has the same interior size as the current 9-3. That’s where the 9-1 should be. The coming 9-3 should have some 4 cm more legroom in the back than it has now, plus a little bit of extra front legroom. IMO there is no need for a wider body.
The new 9-5 should grow way more to get back on the playing field with MB E-Class, Audi A6 etc.
Time frame: I can understand that Saab will have problems introducing 4 new cars in 2 years time. I don’t think it will happen, but I rather see the 9-1 postponed than the 9-3. 10 years production run is too long. The development costs for the XWD are coming back via Opel (it will be available in the Insignia) so that’s no problem.
Building the new 9-3 on delta is in my view complete nonsens. as Riku points out, the next lexus IS will not be based on the Corolla! And the next Volvo S60 (if it comes) will not be based on the Ford Focus.
When Saab builds the 9-3 on Delta and Opel builds the Insignia on Epsilon II, what situation do you get? The higher priced vehicle is on the simpler platform. Is that the way a “premium” producer should think?
To me it is quite clear, I will not buy a 9-3 on delta.period. I do like the new Audi A4 (turbo 1.8 or 2.0 liter, just big enough, 10% better fuel economy) or the MB C-Class (also charged engines, just roomy enough).

]]> By: riku1100s http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.html#comment-43501 riku1100s Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:46:17 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=5994#comment-43501 Joe Meek, I think you made a point there. Anyone, would you think the next Lexus IS built on a Corolla platform ? Neither do I. Joe Meek, I think you made a point there.

Anyone, would you think the next Lexus IS built on a Corolla platform ? Neither do I.

]]> By: Joe Meek http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/04/saab-9-5-and-9-3-future-model-news.html#comment-43489 Joe Meek Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:28:57 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=5994#comment-43489 With the sliding USD$, I bet Saab is examining Mexico and the U.S. for the next-gen 9-3 production. With the sliding USD$, I bet Saab is examining Mexico and the U.S. for the next-gen 9-3 production.

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