Comments

• TheGriffin37 said:
  

  I hope the 9-1 comes out. I would be the first to put down a deposit for it. A 4cylinder turbo 2.0L manual. with the same look as the concept 9x bio-hybrid. I love the entire outer design of it from the face to the rear end. It has perfect flowing lines, just stunning!! I have always owed older Saabs and never thought of buying a new Saab, but I would buy the 9-1 right off the show room floor…=)

  -July 24th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
• Kroum said:
  

  The Corsa is a pretty hot looking car, IMO. A properly executed Saab 9-1 with a decidedly sporty character will add new customers to Saab period. Not only in the U.S., but in Europe and Asia, too.

  Swade, I’m afraid you’re not exactly the target demographic for this car, mate. Suffice to say, by the time it’s on the market I won’t quite, really sadly epitomize the target group either. C’est la vie!

  You may remember a few months back there were reports the General is considering a properly executed MINI fighter, and Saab was mentioned as the most appropriate brand. Here’s hoping the 9-1 will get the right R&D and marketing budgets in the quest to challenge the British offering from Munich.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
• Trent said:
  

  I’m 6 foot 4 and I have a Mini Cooper S Cabrio as well as the SAAB, and I have no problems with space in the front. It actually has more space then the SAAB, but no one can sit behind me as my seat touches the rear seat. The reason why the Mini is so good in sales is because, of 3 things,

  the retro look - Everyone likes the old mini style and find it fun. Saab does not have this connection with the wider automotive buyers, perfect example is the Fiat 500, which basicialy is not selling in Aus because we did not get the original and people don’t make that connection.

  The Package - its performance and handling is brilliant, this is the main reason why we got the car as it really does have a fun go-cart feel, which is actentuated by the convertible and now it has fuel consumption on its side. This sets it apart from the Bettle and makes it a decent car in its own right.

  The third is the BMW factor, these cars are sold in BMW dealerships and you feel when you walk in there that you are buying a BMW, although now they are moving them appart, it still has that strong BMW conection and borrows most of its reputation from it. It would not be anywhere near as popular if the Mini was sold from a Rover dealership, which it was originaly intended.

  These three make it difficult for any other car maker to produce a car to compete against the mini, and while if they produced a 9-1 vert, I would be there in a flash, Saab would have difficulty marketing it against the Mini to the motoring public.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
• Wulf said:
  

  Volvo only sold 2,090 C30s (out of 74,877 total) in 2007 in the USA. Saab sold 32,711 vehicles in 2007 and a lot less in 2008. They may have a chance with an Astra-sized 9-1, definitely not with a Corsa-size hatchback. If I would have a say in this, sell the 9-4X for North-America and the 9-1 in Europe.

  I think with the proliference of Civics and Corollas there, that that’s already starting to happen in the small car market.

  They don’t even sell a hatchback version of the Corolla and Civic in the USA. Hmmmm, I wonder why..

  -July 24th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
• 2-don said:
  

  But they do sell a Mazda Speed Hatchback and that thing is selling! I think it has a lot more to do with how it is designed. I really want a 9-1 (if they make it) but I’m not sure I would want to have to squeeze into it. I was really hoping for something close to the concept as far as size. Is the Corsa about the same size as the Fit? If so, that isn’t too bad but I think I’ll stick with the 9-3 if that is the case.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
• Kevin said:
  

  I think this thing will be an automatic hit in the US, so long as it’s executed at least ‘adequately’, reasonably soon. The closest thing we have to a 9-1 is the aforementioned Mini and Honda Fit, and both are selling faster than they can keep up with. It seems likely that premium small cars will be the next SUV — anything decent will sell.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
• Wulf said:
  

  Correction: I didn’t count the number of Volvo XC70 sold in the US in 2007: 31,336.

  So 2,090 C30s out of a total of 106.213. SaabUSA will be lucky if they can sell 600 9-1s over here. That’s 50 per month so not even 1 per dealer.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
• swade (Author) said:
  

  Wulf, I hadn’t realised the Corolla and Civic were sedan/wagon only (is there a wagon). Forgive my ignorance. That’s rather astounding, then, as the hatch in the smaller car is more practical and much better looking than the sedan (IMHO).

  Others, I wouldn’t look to the 9-1 having much more than a 1.4l or 1.6l turbo. It’d be nice to have a 2.0l as well, but I think that’s unlikely for this car.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
• James said:
  

  even if it is the greatest thing since sliced bread, it will never sell here because Saab dealers in the US are about as rare as an intelligent republican and they are usually stuck onto another brand, diluting that experience. For instance, for a while our local Saab slinger (David O’Neal Saab in Raleigh NC, USA) was also slinging Suzuki. Less than idea.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
• Wulf said:
  

  Wulf, I hadn’t realised the Corolla and Civic were sedan/wagon only (is there a wagon).

  Are you kidding? Wagon is almost as dirty of a word as a hatchback in the US. Coupes (2-door with a trunk) do sell here so if Saab would make a 9-1 Coupe (or a retro 900 3-door), they would have a much better chance.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
• Kroum said:
  

  Swade, the 2.0 turbo is a must for a top-of-the-line modification of the 9-1. It will eat the MINI S’ lunch and Saab has vast expertise producing two-litre turbos. I am confident the Swedes can make a 2.0 turbo as efficient as MINI’s 1.6 turbo. Keep in mind performance and fuel economy are a hit in North America these days.

  Wulf, on the subject of hatchbacks, I would have to disagree with you. I see a lot of hatches on the streets of Toronto, as well as the regular trips I make to the U.S. 2-don is correct in his observation that it has a lot to do with how it is designed. I see Subaru Imprezas, Audi A3s, Mazada 3s and VW Golfs everywhere. They’re all hatchbacks.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
• Brendan said:
  

  Well my current car (RenaultSport Clio) is about the same size as the Corsa.

  Length - 3812
  Width - 1940
  Height - 1414
  Wheelbase - 2485
  Track (fr) - 1430
  Track (r) - 1408
  Curb Weight - 1090

  The RSC (RenaultSport Clio) has 172bhp/200Nm from it’s 2.0L Naturally Aspirated engine. Handling is insanely good and it does the 0 to 100 kph dash in under 7 seconds.

  If Saab make a Corsa sized 9-1 I’ll be putting my deposit down to buy one (provided it’s not 10+ years away).

  -July 24th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
• Wulf said:
  

  On a side note, BMW USA sold 42,045 Mini’s in 2007 SaabUSA total sales number (9-2, 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7): 32,711.

  Swade, I think a man of your stature would find a 9-5 very comfortable. Forget about the 9-1 and 9-3. I recall one of your videos driving a 9-5 where you mentioned something like “The 9-5 feels like a Swedish men’s club. There is leather and timber everywhere!” Or something like that. I think about that quite often when I step into my 9-5. Little cars suck..

  -July 24th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
• Brendan said:
  

  Trent: “These three make it difficult for any other car maker to produce a car to compete against the mini, and while if they produced a 9-1 vert, I would be there in a flash, Saab would have difficulty marketing it against the Mini to the motoring public.”

  The Mini is an easy car to compete against, especially in Australia. I actually cross shopped the Mini with the Clio. What Renault were offering for $35,000rrp the equivalent Mini was $45,000rrp and to exceed the Clio you had to go to a JCW’s Mini. I met a guy who paid $77,000 on the road for a Cooper S JCW.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
• swade (Author) said:
  

  Little cars are fun, Wulf, provided they’re the right little cars. I need to keep my stature growth to a minimum. A stature reversal is in order, actually. And that video would be the one in the sidebar right now, eh?

  Brendan’s Cleo (sorry mate, couldn’t resist) does move pretty well and we should all be very happy if Saab managed something just as zippy as a sporting specific model.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
• Jeff said:
  

  Swade - The Alfa Furiosa (SCREW MiTo) is underpinned by SCCS, which is sort of like Gamma 1.5. Unfortunately, Gamma II is being developed by Daewoo, but that’s another story. My point is, you can have a sporty, nimble car on Gamma (the 9-1 would definitely use SCCS and not Gamma [if it doesn't use Gamma II]).

  Agreed - Furiosa would have been a much better name. - SW

  Kroum - VW and Subaru get away with hatchbacks because everyone knows VW for its hatchbacks, and Weirdaru can get away with anything. The same goes for Mazda.

  Audi, on the other hand…I rarely see A3s, personally.

  A lot of it comes down to the fact that VWs and Subies and Mazdas are still considered “cheap” cars. No one wants an expensive hatchback, except us Saab people.

  Wulf - Wagon is definately dirtier than hatchback here. Wagons have been completely replaced by crossovers. I mean, look at the Toyota Venza, it’s just a Camry wagon, but no one at Toyota would ever admit that. And the CR-V is just a Civic wagon, and so on and so forth.

  At this point, I don’t even care what platform it uses, as long as it goes on sale here at some point before Armageddon. Also, it had better have decent interior materials and get awesome gas mileage or it’s going nowhere.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
• Trent said:
  

  Brenden,

  I still stand by my quote, the proof is in the sales, You are correct, and I agree with you, there are better cars out there for the money, but are they selling? The mini far outsells the Clio in Oz, and if I recall correctly Renaults are not even sold in the US. But I was refering to the image factor, and that is why these car are selling.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
• Markac said:
  

  Swade: The previous model Barina was a Corsa. Now we just get a crappy re-badged Daewoo (Chevrolet) Kalos in Oz. The new model Astra will be marginally bigger than the current one and a 9-1 based on that would be fine for me ( I’m about 6ft 2ins). I’m not sure about a Corsa based 9-1. I think the next Corsa is due MY2011 and will also be a fraction larger, so I guess MY2012 will be the 9-1’s release. Unless they can match the Mini in space utilization and design innovation, I’m probably no longer a 9-1 candidate and that’s a pity.

  I don’t think the Corsa has been sold in any guise in the US and I think launching a 9-1 that sized will prove problematic unless GM can pull a huge rabbit out of the hat like BMW did with the Mini. Personally I don’t think it can. An Astra sized 9-1 and a larger 9-3 both built on variations of the Delta II platform is the best option and could utilize Trollhattan’s full capacity building Saabs. Surely that is a desirable thing?

  If you liked the 9-X BH, perhaps think again because a Corsa based 9-1 in MY2012 will bear little resemblance to that concept. The smaller car’s a different ball game.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
• Ryan M said:
  

  Hey Swade, if you’re a larger type that’s fine. My family are smaller type. My mom is driving around a little car right now that is a piece of crap. Not really, but it’s quite old. She was driving a boat of an Oldsmobile before, and when she got rid of that, she switched to my sister’s old Nissan Sentra.

  The car is great for her in terms of size, but it doesn’t offer nearly the refinement of her Oldsmobile, and that is the case with most of these smaller cars.

  As it is, I am going to try and find her a good Infiniti G20 to replace the Sentra with. The Infiniti is just a gussied up Sentra, but it’s got the same tiny size and tiny fuel consumption of a smaller car.

  Also, that Sentra is a little enjoyable to drive just because it’s so small and light and therefore somewhat inherently nimble.

  Almost every day as I’m driving to work in my quite-large 9000 I think about how much I like my power, heated, leather, memory seats…the automatic climate control, the sunroof, and all these premium features that you just don’t generally find on a smaller car.

  Anyway, what I am getting at is that I think a well executed compact car would be a brilliant thing for the commuter-executives. Many of them I am sure would consider a smaller car if it offered the levels of refinement that larger cars do, but the features and comfort they want only come in the larger cars, which they can afford, and the gas too, so it’s the larger cars the go with.

  Furthermore, car companies make almost no profit on the compact cars. These are the cars they, well up until now anyway, have sold almost at a loss, so they could meet CAFE standards and laugh all they way to to the bank with SUV sales. A premium and well executed small car is a chance for them to make a lot higher profits in this segment.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
• Markac said:
  

  Whither goest Saab?
  
  It’s good to know the 9-1 will now ‘probably’ be produced. It’s just a damn pity
  that we’ll have to wait until MY2012 whatever platform it’s manufactured on.
  It’s the car Saab really needs now more than any other model.

  What do we get in the meantime:

  An SUV replacement that will quite likely be released at the worst possible time
  for SUVs, and a crossover variant of an ‘aging’ wagon.

  Not too promising is it?

  About the only really good thing that Saab has on the horizon is the new 9-5. And that car needs to be spectacular.

  The only problem is, the new 9-5 was concieved at a time when the next 9-3 was expected to grow a few inches and now that isn’t the case. In fact the next 9-3 will most likely be slightly shorter. What has compounded the problem is that the current 9-5 was considered to be too close in size to 9-3, so in effect, the new 9-5 has been given a double jump in size and however spectacular the car proves to be, that may be it’s undoing. Many people consider a car that’s 5 metres, just a bit too long. If GM’s new sizing policy was implemented earlier, the 9-5 would’ve ended up being only slightly longer than the Opel Insignia. I’m sure GM has some regrets now, because a 9-5 hatch and wagon just marginally bigger than the Insignia would be just the ticket.

  Saab has a difficult road to 2012.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
• ctm said:
  

  I think a read the other day that the MY 2008 of the Mini is sold out. Smaller cars are hot in Europe, and Europe is a big enough market for a manufacturer to survive. But if Saab do it right, they will sell in the US as well (the same way the Mini is selling over there). And frankly, lot’s of people only need a smaller car.

  We want Saab to grow, and we (at least most of us, me think) don’t want them to grow buy building SUVs or vans. That means that the have to build cars that are smaller than the 9-3/9-5, otherwise it’s the same old story again: different model lineups competing for the same customers.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
• WooDz said:
  

  Bob Lutz has already said that the next generation Corsa would be offered as a Saturn in the US. They want the car but it will be far to expensive to import so they will built it in the states instead.
  This is certainly more in line will what I feel is GM’s Global production plan. Most manufacturers have plants throughout the globe. However; they will still ship vehicles halfway around the world to reach their final destination. I believe GM’s solution is the offer a broad spectrum of vehicles form a small selection of platforms. This will mean that once products fall in-line with the new global architectures then we could see Cadillac’s built in Australia, Malibu’s built in Germany and Saab’s built in America.
  They will be produced for that market territory and will avoid a lot of transportation and import duty costs. Carl-Peter Forster mentioned on the GME blog ‘Driving Conversations’ that a product must have a business case for at lease 50,000 units. Translate that for the US market and what could be expected from one production plant is the Chevrolet Beat, Saturn Corsa and the Saab 9-1.
  Trollhättan could produce the Saab 9-3, OPEL Astra, the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt for Scandinavian Countries.

  On whether I like the idea of a Gamma 9-1 or what will become GM’s Sub-Compact architecture, I think it is good news. If we are to compare direct comparisons then we see a relation to Audi. 9-1 to A1, 9-3 to A3. Does this mean there could be a potential 9-4 or a larger 9-7 and what about a 9-6 coupe? However; to remain focused on a sub-compact 9-1 in terms of size the current Corsa isn’t that small for passengers. The luggage capacity area is a cavern compared to the Mini but generally on par with other small cars like the VW Polo and Toyota Yaris. The handling is a different ball game and most reports by auto magazines have a high opinion on the Corsa. They particularly like the VXR/OPC version with it’s 192hp 1.6T engine.

  Is the 9-1 for me? If I can get my Cannonadale Bike in the back I would be happy to buy. However I ideally like the idea of an e-flex vehicle. Most reports talk of e-flex to be built on GM’s compact platform so the big question is can GM get e-flex to work on a sub-compact architecture within 3 years?

  -July 24th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
• Tompa said:
  

  No need to try selling a 9-1 in the US. The European market alone may hold the sales numbers they are looking for. There is a huge market for small cars here. The 9-1 would be a rival to likes of the Alfa MiTo and Mini . A subcompact with buyers with a larger pocketbook looking for something special. Special looks, drive etc.. The only thing that worries me is.. Will Saab be able to fit XWD on a small car like that? That would place it as something extra extra extraordinary in the segment.

  /Tom

  -July 24th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
• lance said:
  

  Swade

  Put aside your size worries!

  The new -current Corsa is huge inside -has proper seats - really very good for a small car - seats, a nice deep dashboard so you are not up close and personal with the windscreeen or the crash, and a Saab ‘top hat’ style roof line.

  I have been telling Saab sicne GM launcegd the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa in europe to reskin it as a Saab.

  Its is probably the best small car on the market here in Euro land and is only hampered in the UK by the Vauxhall badge issue.

  Trust me, you could fit in this car adn love driving it -its a point a shoot job in SXi and VX trim.

  Opel GM have a real hit with the Corsa- until Insignia- their best car so far - if only they knew it.

  Oh and check out the arse on the Insignia hatchback- very stylish……

  Lance

  -July 24th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
• Bengt P said:
  

  Interesting comparison

  Corsa Length/Width/Height/Wheelbase 3999/1944/1488/2511
  Alfa 33 Length/Width/Wheelbase 4.075/1.614/1.350/2.475

  -July 24th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
• Markac said:
  

  Bengt P: I think that Alfa width doesn’t include the mirrors. The old C900 width not counting mirrors is 1690mm. Mirrors shouldn’t really be counted anyway. I think the correct width for the Corsa is about 1705mm.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
• swade (Author) said:
  

  You know, Bengt, after I wrote this piece this morning, I got into my Alfa at lunchtime and thought to myself “I bet someone’s going to bring up the Alfa size comparison”

  As a defence, I love the Alfa for what I use it for: short trips and track stuff. Having driven it 3 hours to get it home when I bought it, I wouldn’t like a car it’s size to do stuff like that. But if the 9-1 is as big inside as what Lance says the Corsa is, then maybe it’d be a non-issue.

  Let’s say that for me, then, the jury’s out until I see one.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
• Adrian said:
  

  Yep, you get the Fiat Punto in Aus. That’s also on the Gamma platform, same as the Corsa.

  The current Corsa D “feels” (in terms of visible presence, at least) _considerably_ bigger than the Corsa C - damn near the size of previous Astras.

  Of course, if the 9-1 is Corsa-based, and the 9-3 remains Vectra/Insignia-based, what will Saab fill the gap with? An Astra-based 9-2 (non-X)?

  -July 24th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
• Adrian said:
  

  Ah - ignore that last bit, I’ve just read the “Next 9-3 will be Astra-based” other article from today…

  -July 24th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
• napahlm said:
  

  where on a trip to denmark yesterday with the family in our 03 9-3. five adults is a bit thight in the nine-tree, and now when they are gonna build it on the delta-arichtecture it will probably be a lot smaller.
  got me thinking about saab’s four seater - four season convertible, will that be possible making a 4seater on the new smaller 9-3? yes, it would be possible to design and make the car a fourseater but can you used them? I have driven MY05 convertible and while in not that tall (178cm) I have rahter long legs, so I push the seat back a bit. people my size wont fit behind me because their knees will hit the back of the drivers seat. not to comfortable for longer rides.

  I know the astra comes as a four seat convertible as well, but i havent looked any closer on it since i cant help myself stareing at the saabs in the showroom. maybe someone else where able to divert their eyes to have a look at the backseat i the astra, is it usable?
  if not, then maybe saab should consider to move the convertible up to the 9-5! that would be one big convertible! with four proper seats usable for even the longest rides.

  about the 9-1. I bet everyone here already given a two-seat convertible based on the gamma-9-1 some thought. fit it with xwd and a 1.6T new generation BioPower, kicking out 230+something horses, as the top of the line. nice!

  -July 24th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
• riku1100s said:
  

  Hah, the next Fiat Punto is going to share platform with BMW Mini. How about that !

  Adrian, you almost asked the right question: Which Saab is going to fill the gap (there will be) between ‘2012′ 9-3 and ‘2010′ 9-5. Seems to me GM thinks that car will be Opel Insignia (by leaving a gap in Saab model lineup and making Insignia more premium (at least that’s wat they say)).

  -July 24th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
• Adrian said:
  

  “Hah, the next Fiat Punto is going to share platform with BMW Mini. How about that !”

  My head hurts!

  First, Fiat are in bed with Peugeot-Citroen, (and still are over the vans/people carriers)
  Then, Fiat are in bed with GM (and still are, over the diesels)
  Then, Fiat are in bed with Suzuki (Sedici and SX - same car, different badges)
  Now, Fiat are in bed with Ford (500 is the next Ka)
  Tomorrow, Fiat are in bed with BMW - who are also in bed with Peugeot-Citroen (joint engine development with the current Mini), who are also in bed with Ford (joint engine development for diesels)

  If anybody ever tried to draw up a “family tree” of who was in bed with whom, I think you’d be needing a lot more than three dimensions…

  Those Italians! - SW

  -July 24th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
• j said:
  

  The wild popularity of the VW & Mazda hatches
  makes me think the compact 9-1 will have a chance
  here in the states. Pricing is key, as i’m sure
  more people would be driving the Volvo C30 and
  Audi A3 if they could afford ‘em.

  The 9-1 won’t me on my shopping list, as my
  wife calls small cars like the newer VW GTI (the model
  that’s missing it’s back bumper) “cute“. Dudes
  don’t drive “cute” cars.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
• Adrian said:
  

  J - The Corsa’s a size below the Golf, Mazda 3, C30, A3 - they’re all Astra competitors.

  Even then, you guys stateside don’t get the “typical” engine ranges seen in that size car - IIRC, you only get the Golf with a 2.something five-pot?

  Whilst the Corsa is available with a 1.6 turbo in VXR form, they’re typically 1.0 three-pots or 1.3 diesels. Think Honda Fit/Jazz size, but less “upright”.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
• No.9 said:
  

  New to the US, the Saturn Astra (5 and 3 door hatch) has been selling at the measly rate of 700 units a month since it’s introduction. Remember, this is the car that outsold VW’s Golf in Europe. I think this pretty much tells us the next Astra based 9-3 will not be a hatchback… As for a Corsa based 9-1, I don’t think we will ever see one. With all the juggling going on for years, GM is bound to drop Saab’s ball sooner or later.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
• Markac said:
  

  Just because the next 9-3 uses the same Delta II platform as the next Astra don’t presume it will be the same size, because it won’t be. It’ll be about 4.6 metres long and 20 to 30 centimetres longer than the Astra, such is the adaptability of Delta II. So it will be a class bigger than Astra/A3/Golf/BMW 1 series etc., but nowhere near as long as the new A4. Maybe that’s a good thing as it is perhaps a niche that needs to be filled? Anyway a Delta II 9-1 could still be significantly smaller than the 9-3, but it seems that route won’t be taken.

  The next 9-3 should be produced in more than just a plain 4 door sedan and wagon to succeed. Remember the C900 came in 2 door and 4 door sedans, 3 and 5 door hatches and convertibles, so the new car needs to at least match that, possibly substituting the 2 door sedan for a wagon.
  The US can have the boring 4 door sedan if that’s all they want, but give the rest of us in other countries the opportunity to buy the hatches. I’m sure they’ll far outsell the sedan in Europe, the UK and Australia. I seem to remember that the C900 hatch sold better than the sedan even in the US, so maybe things will swing that way again? Reading through the comments on Trollhattan Saab, I see I’m far from alone in wanting to see hatchback variants on the next 9-3.

  The hatchback like the turbo, wasn’t developed by Saab, but it did make it one of it’s trademarks. That’s something that seems to have been forgotten. Anyway if the next 9-3 doesn’t come in a hatch, sadly I will walk away from the brand. I’m sure I won’t be alone?

  -July 24th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
• Bernard said:
  

  No. 9,

  There are many reasons why the Astra isn’t selling all that well, but the hatch isn’t the main one.
  The car just isn’t competitively priced in the US, and Saturn needs to rebuild their brand image after years of selling junk.
  Some friends of mine almost bought an Astra last month, but in the end they went for a Suzuki SX4. Not only is the Suzuki thousands cheaper (which is a huge deal in this market segment), it is also good looking and has …. cupholders!
  Reading the usual forums, it seems like GM loses out on more sales due to the cupholder issue than anything else. What an own-goal.

  Other hatches do quite well: the Golf, Matrix, Fit, Prius, Mazda5 and Mini come to mind (never mind every SUV/CUV). Any of these models outsells the entire Saab range in the US.

  As someone else has mentioned, the Mini is already sold-out for the year in the US. I think that Saab could be in the same position if they offered a car that is visually stunning, handles well, goes like stink, and is reasonably economical. People do want small cars, they just don’t want “econoboxes.”

  -July 24th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
• Gordon said:
  

  The Volvo C30 is not selling well in the US because it doesn’t deliver on what its style promises. If you look at the tiny cars that sell well in the US (Mini, Mazda 3, Focus, Scion xB, Golf, Audi A3 and TT, (I don’t know about the Fit and Yaris)) they all feel nimble, agile, and fun. SAAB is definitely in the business of nimble and fun. The C30 from what I have read feels like a big Volvo (with mediocre gas mileage).

  I have not driven a C30, but I have driven an S40, an XC90 (track only) and I used to have an S60R. From what I have read, the C30 has the same signature Volvo feel. That works great for an XC or a basic S60 AWD, but take a look at the C30 and then imagine jumping inside and it feels like driving an XC70, then the gas mileage is no better than bigger cars for the same price. You have to be very dedicated to style to buy it. I would guess that the S40s and V50s aren’t selling too well either.

  So in case you haven’t tried one, the S60R (now discontinued) looks great on paper and has high performance numbers on the track: 300HP Porsche designed I-5, Haldex AWD, giant 18″ wheels, crisp 6 speed stickshift with a giant knob, 3-mode suspension with “advanced”, gorgeous leather interior. In real life, the steering is numb, the turning circle is much bigger than a Suburban, the clutch has no feel and the ride adjusts from numb and hard (comfort) to numb and harsh (advanced). The XC90 actually has a very similar driver feel and while higher does not feel bigger. We traded it in and my 9-5 Linear with 185HP is much more comfortable and more fun to drive. Even my 9-3 S was more fun and more comfortable. Volvo could survive even this by selling mostly XC’s but the poor reliability and bad dealer experience is killing them.

  -July 24th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
• WooDz said:
  

  Remember that the main drawback with the C30 is that it only seats 4.
  This is a big mistake on Volvo’s part and a lot of reasons why Volvo Salesman tell me that although customers really like the car Seating is a big issue for them.

  -July 25th, 2008 at 12:16 am
• Alexandre said:
  

  One thing that Mini has over the any other challengers right now is resale value.

  In the US at least they simply DO NOT depreciate. A quick glance at ebay shows that a 2002 Mini Cooper goes for around $15k ($16-20k new): 75% of new. Hop on over to Saab for the same year and you can get a 9-5 wagon or a 9-3 se conv for about $11k ($25-40k new): 25-44% of new. Even if you could find a Mini for $10k, that would still be 50%, beating the Saabs once again.

  Taking on Mini is a huge task. They have all their bases covered: Style, Quality, Performance/Fun, Value. The fact that you can personalize the crap out of them doesn’t help any would-be competitors either.

  This is not to say that it’s impossible. If anyone has the cache to do it (besides Fiat and the new 500), I would hope that it would be Saab.

  On the styling front, they certainly have the cool rally history and the styling heritage. The question would be if they emphasize this and go for a retro vibe (neo-99, 96, or 93?), basically copying Mini and Fiat or go the Volvo route with modern styling. It’s a fine line.

  The Volvo has reviews that are almost universal in the opinion that it’s a styling exercise more than a worthwhile car. Even as a styling exercise though it’s more interesting than distinctive. I also don’t see people going ga-ga over it in any big sales way either. The 9-xBH concept seems to be in this same stylistic vein. Although it is cool, it’s a bit too cool in that it doesn’t get my blood pumping like the Mini or the 99 or even the Alfa MiTo and Mazda 3.

  I’d hate to see them go through with building it and having it flop like the Volvo has. Since the resale value thing is about as clear cut as figuring out how your credit rating is computed, the styling, performance, and quality would have to be top-notch. That’s how the Mazda got to where it is. The racer-boys respect the hell out of it and even the regular version still looks great. They’ll have to unleash the designers in a big way and let the engineers go nuts. And for crying out loud, DON’T let the interior be a mish-mosh of GM parts-bin pieces. It may make economic sense but if you’re going after Mini it won’t fly.

  Final Thought: Build it RIGHT and they will come. If not, don’t bother.

  -July 25th, 2008 at 2:17 am
• Markac said:
  

  Looks like the 9-X BH will join the 9-3X and the 9X concepts at the Saab Museum as ideas that never made it into production? I get the feeling we won’t see a concept car the Gamma II based 9-1. Instead it will be like the new 9-5, we won’t get to see a car until a pre-production prototype is displayed at a Motor Show. I’d like it if the 9-1 got retro and looked like a classic 93, but with a hatch. The only trouble is, I think that Saab can only make one retro model and that should be the next 9-3. Most people seem to want the next 9-3 to be classic 900 in style and function and I must say I go along with those wishes entirely.

  -July 25th, 2008 at 10:23 am
• joemama said:
  

  Why does everyone looooooovvvvveeeee hatchbacks so much? I have one, and a sedan, and I don’t see why people need to knock one versus the other.

  -July 25th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
• Markac said:
  

  joemama: When you have a choice it’s good, when you don’t a choice it’s not so good. Nowadays we don’t get a choice and that’s the gripe. Saab please bring back the choice!

  -July 25th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
• Jeff said:
  

  joemama: Some of us need to cart around 4 people and a drum kit in one car. Try that in your sedan. I know I can’t do it anymore with my midsize car, but I could with my compact Saab.

  -July 25th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
• Tompa said:
  

  Don´t change the design of the 9-1 a bit campared to the 9-X and that would sell like crazy. It´sporty yet practical and the design sets it apart from the competition.. Just like the Mini. If the place of business has enything to do with how well it sells (Mini/BMW) then sell it at a Caddy dealer exclusivly in the US….???? 1,6T 200hp hybrid with plug in features…

  Somebody mentioned the C30.. The C30 does not sell due to price/design/practicality… Look at that tailgate.. It´s totaly wrong in every aspect. The milage is crap for it´s size, the tailgate is minimal (Can´t get a golfbag in there) etc etc etc… If Volvo would have based the C30 on the Fiesta platform, used a fourcylinder turbo engine 1,6 tops, made the tailgate a tad larger etc etc they would have had sold tons more. And thats where Saab have their chance to get ahead of Volvo.. So build the 9-1!!!

  -July 25th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
• Tompa said:
  

  Anything…

  -July 25th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
• Adrian said:
  

  “If Volvo would have based the C30 on the Fiesta platform, used a fourcylinder turbo engine 1,6 tops”

  Again - blame your local importers, not the manufacturers for the engine range you see in your local dealers.

  Over here, the C30’s available with 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 4-pot and 2.4, 2.5T 5-pot petrols and 1.6, 2.0 4-pot and 2.4 5-pot diesels.

  -July 25th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
• joemama said:
  

  The C30 was doomed from the start because of it’s price. People expect to pay around $20k for them, MAYBE $25k with all the goodies.

  Maybe Saab will learn from Volvo’s mistake.

  -July 25th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
• Adrian said:
  

  “The C30 was doomed from the start because of it’s price.”

  Looks like another local importer issue. The 1.6 C30 is priced bang in line with equivalent Minis and 1.6 A3s, and a BIG chunk below equivalent 116 3-dr hatchs here.

  C’mon, folks - let’s separate national marketing issues from actual _design_ and _production_ issues. Not to do so is lazy parochialism. If the US importer doesn’t agree with you as to what’ll sell locally, so doesn’t bring ‘em in, that’s one thing. If it’s just not BUILT, that’s another entirely.

  -July 25th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
• Joe said:
  

  I actually do own a Corsa 5 door version and it’s not that small. I consider myself being a pretty big guy as i am sure Swade will agree I fit very nicely in it with quite a bit of room left to spare on the front and at the back. And i have to say that the Corsa OPC version is astoundingly powerful with a 1,6ltr turbo engine on a car that small. I guess the only thing that would make it better was if it was a SAAB in comes Saab 9-1

  -July 25th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
• No.9 said:
  

  
  Joe, I’m not surprised at all. We North Americans tend to forget how Europeans have mastered the art of designing small cars as opposed to shrinking big cars, as we do on this side of the pond. The first time I sat in a Renault Twingo over ten years ago, I was flabbergasted by the amount of interior space as opposed to the exterior dimensions. Isn’t what the original Mini was all about? I would love to see a back to basics Saab 9-1 on the Gamma architecture.
  As for my comments on the Astra based 9-3, I suppose if they put enough cup holders, which is not the case with current Saabs, no matter how clever the single cup holder might be, I guess they could risk a hatchback in the US or as usual, deprive the North american market of the most interesting models. Relatively speaking, I believe the Saturn Astra is doing much better in Canada than in the US, which is not surprising. The Rabbit, the the Golf and now back to the Rabbit and the Golf, have always been hot sellers, specially here in Québec. I know for a fact that a lot of people left Toyota when they discontinued the Tercel Hatch.

  -July 25th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
• WooDz said:
  

  It seems that the compact estate is on the rise and I wonder how log it will be before others join the band wagon? Both the Peugeot 207 and Renault Clio are offered in estate form but out of the two I prefer the 207SW. These are limited in load capacity but they function very well for the purpose they are intended. A lot of people already own small cars, usually it’s the first car you end up driving after pass your test in Europe. Sub-compacts are nippy, easy to park, good on fuel and cheap to insure but a couple of years down the line you need something with a bit more versatility but moving up to a far more expensive compact vehicle used to be the only option. the 9-X BH by design has that wagon look about it. for Saab to offer a competitor to the Audi A1 with a touch more loading space then it could be a winning ticket. Has GM thought about this? I’m sure they have except the A1 is due for launch next year and in typical fashion the Saab version will not be ready until a few years later.

  -July 26th, 2008 at 8:13 am
• Markac said:
  

  When you look ahead at Saab’s line up for 2012, there seems to be some huge gaps between the models. I’m just speculating, but I think a Gamma II based 9-1 will come in about 4.1 metres, the new 9-3 will be around 4.6 metres and the 9-5 will be over 5 metres in length. People used to complain that Saab’s models were too close together in size, in 2012 exactly the opposite may be true?

  -July 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am
• Me said:
  

  Let us compare Volvo and Saab,

  Who knows that the Volvos C30 S40 and V50 are based on the same (Ford focus) platform ??

  With SAAB the same thing seems to be going to happen. The 9-1 and all the 9-3 family will be based on the Delta II platform.
  If we look at the Epsilon II platform with the Insignia (4.8 met) and the 9-5 (5 met), the “Delta” 9-3 can still be 4.6 meters long.

  I’ll keep hoping.

  -July 28th, 2008 at 6:51 am
• PT said:
  

  So, does this point towards the next gen Saabs being:

  91 = Clio/1 series/C30/A3/Mini/
  93 = Megane/3 series/S40-V50/Focus/A4
  95 = 5 Series/?A6/Laguna/S60-V70/Mondeo
  94X = X3/XC60/Freelander/Q5

  ??????

  Or have I mixed up my Lagunas with my 3 series and misunderstood my Focii……

  -July 28th, 2008 at 9:57 am
• Adrian said:
  

  I think you’ve promoted the Renault & Ford range up a size notch.

  Clio = Fiesta = Corsa
  Megane = Focus = Astra = A3 = 1-series = V40/S50 = A/B-class
  Laguna = Mondeo = Insignia = A4 = 3-series = X-type = C-class = (current) 9-3ss
  (gap where Vel Satis used to be) = (gap) = A6 = 5-series = XF = E-class = 9-5

  -July 28th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
• progolf said:
  

  I need to replace my old (96 model) 9-3 2,3L aut (no turbo). I also have a 2002 9-5 2,0t wagon (with BSR tuning (224 hp) ), so what I need is a smaller “number 2″ car. A car that I can use around town, to and from work (3 kilometers, yes, I know, I should use my bike!), when I go golfing, drive (there you go again, bike!) to our soccer ground for training etc.. SAAB has note to offer (I regard the 9-3 too large, too thirsty and a bit dated. So the 9-1 would fit the bill. Small, fun, good milage, less CO2 etc. What do I choose? Well, the Mini Clubman, of course, with Pegeout’s 1,6l diesel (not the best and most modern diesel, but it doesn’t matter when the rest of the “package is sooooo goooood). So many options available that you feel that none has a similar car. Fun to drive, good looking, not much space, but 90% of the time I’m alone in the car (and I have the 9-5 when I need to transport people and stuff) so it doesn’t matter. I would have chosen the Cooper, but my budget didn’t hold. This is what the new 9-1 should be “like”. SAAB should not copy the Mini’s looks or anything, just the “concept” and bring us a SAAB destinct vehicle. Check out the Mini on http://www.mini.com and configurate your own! Mine is black metallic with silver roof and stripes (front and back), Chili equipment + some extras and those beautiful brown leather seats (reminds me of SAAB’s color scheme in the seventies). Remember the smiling guy SAAB used as a symbol when they introduced the new 9-3? Well, that’s how you REALLY feel everytime you drive the Mini!

  -July 29th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
• Brendan said:
  

  I have been pondering this retro idea for a little while. All the modern recreations of the older classics have kept the same name, eg Mini, Beetle, 500, etc. Unfortunately I don’t think any of the 9x names (92, 93, 95, 96, 99) could be reused with the current line-up. As good as a modern 96 would be what would it be called? Because 96 would be too confusing.

  I can only think of two ways of making a modern classic.

  1. Recreate a Sonett. With three different Sonetts made it would be easy to make a modern version of at least one of them. Only problem is that it was originally sold in only Sweden and the USA. So not that well known to non Saab fans outside of Sweden and the USA.

  2. Make a Saab Monte Carlo (no model number). Recreate a modern version of the Monte Carlo and sell it without a specific model number (e.g. 96). Or maybe a recreation of the original 1973-1974 EMS. Make it a Naturally Aspirated sporty 2 door coupe that has Electronic Fuel Injection, Manual Transmission and it is has to be Special (Electronic Manual Special).

  -July 29th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
• Adrian said:
  

  “Make it a Naturally Aspirated sporty 2 door coupe that has Electronic Fuel Injection, Manual Transmission and it is has to be Special (Electronic Manual Special).”

  Nah, it’s perfectly OK to play about with the nomenclature to fit “retro”…

  Rover’s 75 played on the P4 75 - except that was just a reference to one specific engine in the range, which went from 60 to 105.
  Mini’s Clubman - well, the original Clubman was the square fronted version of the saloon. The countryman or tourer was the estate, but they didn’t get the rights to that…
  Fiat’s 500 - the new one’s a 1400…

  -July 29th, 2008 at 6:48 pm

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