Djup Strupe and the future Saab time line
UPDATED below
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Djup Strupe (that’s Swedish for “Deep Throat”, the name for our secret Saab insider) has been in touch recently and provided me with the following Saab future model news.
I should mention that this comes direct from one of Saab’s major markets. Whilst timing may differ for other markets, seeing this is one of Saab’s top 6 markets, it shouldn’t differ too much for most.
There’s good news and there’s bad news. I’ll give my thoughts on which is which afterwards.
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December 2008: We’ll get to see initial info and photos for the new Saab 9-5 sedan
February 2009: Motorshow appearance for 9-5 sedan
September 2009: 9-5 Sedan on the road
February 2010: Launch for the Saab 9-4x
September 2010: Saab 9-5 wagon and 9-3x launch
2011: Saab 9-3, written to me as being a facelift
2012: Saab 9-1 launch
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The good news is that there’s news of all four cars in the proposed Saab model range there. The 9-1 right through to the 9-5 with the 9-4x and 9-3x there as well. Whether the 9-1 is actually definite or not at this point is anyone’s guess, but it looks like it’s definitely in the plans and with a date like that being circulated around Djup Strupe it means a decision might be imminent.
The bad news could be a calendar-year 2010 launch for the Saab 9-4x (a little later than expected), or a late 2010 launch for the Saab 9-3x (what could possibly take so long??), or maybe the 2011 Saab 9-3 being described as a facelift.
However you consider the news, it looks like Saab nuts are going to have to exhibit considerable patience for some time to come.
My tip: buy a cheap fun car to throw around in the meantime.
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UPDATE:
I’ve received another Djup Strupe email (different DS) indicating that project 540 was earmarked for 2011, meaning that the 9-3 due that year will be the all-new model rather than the ‘facelift’ noted above.
I used the word facelift as that’s how it was communicated to me, however the meaning may have been lost in translation.
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A recent communication with Saab indicated that they were looking to the XWD 9-3 SportCombi to cross any gap between the 9-7x’s demise and the release of the 9-4x. I’d imagine the correspondent was referring to the 9-3x, which would make sense in that particular market (the US) and this would infer that the 9-3x would be seen some time in 2009.
Regarding the 9-3x info from Djup Strupe, above, it’s fair to draw the conclusion that the info doesn’t come from the US market and therefore, that the 9-3x might be released there first and in other markets at a later time depending on the demand they anticipate.
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As you say Swade, a mixed bag. Unfortunately the car that I’m waiting on (95 wagon) is YEARS away. ……..
And the 91 - FOUR years after concept? It won’t even be relevant anymore.
lets hope reality turns out to be a little rosier.
Meanwhile the global Cadillac/Hummer farce continues…….
Again the Wagon one year later? It’s the wagon that sells in Europe!
And also weird about the 9-4X. What have happened? 16 more months before the launch? It has been out testing in the public for a while already and the design seems finalized.
Is there a big change regarding the engines for 9-4X and 9-3(X)? Hybrid all over? Is that why the 9-3 is up for yet a facelift? (A needed one, IMHO… The more I see it, the less I like it…)
Ah well, at least some 9-5 photos to drool over before Christmas…
The 9-3 will need more than a facelift by 2011. Perhaps Dame Edna will ride again?
If the 9-1 isn’t to arrive until 2012, I’m sure it’ll bear little resemblence to the 9-XBH or
vert concepts. In fact I think those concepts slot somewhere in between the 9-1 and the
next 9-3. Perhaps a little closer to the 9-3?
As I’ve said before, I predict the 9-3 crossover will have quite a short life. Probably 2 to
3 years at best?
If there are any good news here, it must be that the 9-1 hasn’t been shelved yet. But if Saab hasn’t made a platform decision there (or even are planning a platform of their own) I have my doubts whether it will ever happen.
Otherwise there are only ‘bad’ news (delayed launches), the worst being that the backbone of Saab, the 9-3, is expected to survive with another facelift only (for how long, 2013 ?)
Sorry to write this, I don’t have much faith left for Saabs survival.
I don’t see how the 9-4X can take until 2010 to launch when they’ve already had prototypes driving around for months? When is the Cadillac version launching?
Its all very strange too me and almost so i don’t think its correct…
First like has been pointed out the 9-4 is being tested right now. Would be strange if it had 18 months before the sales started (possibly the sales could start later in sweden if they want to start launcing it in NA + shipping takes time).
The 9-5. I would say that sounds reasonable. Usually the wagon comes 6-12 months after. Djup strupe probably just missed it.
Think this is along the lines of what JAJ have said as well….
Re 9-3X. It makes sence to wait if you want to keep the model fresh longer to hold the face lift a lilttle bit. Also, with the current market situation i doubt now is the time to launch a new car. Especially if you are planning to sell it for 5 more years.
CJ
9-3x will incorporate future facelifts? Or it will be based on current 9-3 and look older from the start?
According to the newspaper over here (www.telegraaf.nl) a Saab spokesman announced today that the 9-3X will be shown in Detroit (and according to my dealer it wil be sold directly after that) and also that both the 9-4X and the 9-5 will be shown in Geneva 2009. In Europe they will start selling the 9-5 from the end of 2009 and the 9-4X from 2010, whilst in the USA it will be the 9-4X first and the 9-5 later.
Albert, that’s the sort of timeline I’d have expected for the 9-3x, but the info I’ve presented here is reproduced as I’ve received it and the source is impeccable.
Fingers crossed. Any sooner-rather-than-later scenarios would be most welcome.
if 9-3x appear earlier, my previous question has no sense :). I was refering at the scenario when 9-3x appears in september 2010 and 9-3 facelift early 2011
No doubt. This would nail Saab’s coffin for real. No way dealers will survive that long. Here’s hoping Albert’s source is better.
I’m gonna go take a cold shower …….
I honestly don’t see any good in this timeline. The 9-4x needs to be on the streets February of 09. The 9-5 needs to be shown Jan. 09 and hit the streets the following summer, with the wagon. The 9-3x should of been launched, yesterday. And we need a production version of the 9-1 shown in Fall of 09.
I don’t believe the part of the 2011 9-3 facelift. According to GMI’s insiders the Malibu refresh was the last investment into the Epsilon platform. I hope thats really the new car, and even that is late in the game. Needs to be a 2010 brand new 9-3.
Swade,
Albert have a point. Do you have info on what market the timeline you got is for? It is somewhat more reasonable that the 9-4X start in the US with Europe a year later.
My other hope is that this is a fake timeline to narrow down on a suspected leak inside Saab.
Swade, yup, I’m taking aht advice and got me a ‘cheap’ Chrysler 300C wagon for the next 12 months until I had hoped the 9-4x would reach my showroom……….now it seems there will still be no new models in my showroom, barring the 9-5 which might be expensive upin arrival (let’s hope so, for to discount from the off will give all the wrong messages).
And another facelift for the 903 (it is going to out Edna the 905 by that stage), the 9-3 facelift is already beginninbg to look tired against tight new faces lie the A4 and C. GM, THIS is your bread-and-butter model range, look after it and get the 9-3 replacement on fasttrack. The 9-1 can wait, the 9-3 cannot!!!
By the time they figure out what they want to do, they will not be able to do, what they thought they wanted to do, so they won’t do………they have great concepts and NOTHING absolutely NOTHING ever gets from there to the market…..go figure …oh yeah its GM
This had better be fake, especially with the talk of waiting for 2012 for a “facelifted” 9-3 along with the whole 9-3X in 2010+ thing. Albert’s timeline makes much more sense and I’m also hoping that it’s much closer to the truth. If this djup strupe timeline is true then that will pretty much guarantee the death of Saab as a brand in the next 5 years.
Unfortunately I also heard the rumour that the 9-3 will first get another facelift for the last 2 or 3 years of its career before being replaced by a new model (just like the 9-5). Instead of 2011, I heard 2010 as the year of the final facelift and the new model being presented in 2012.
I also heard that a decision with regard to the design and form of the new 9-3 has been maid shortly after the decision on the production plant and the platform (resp. trollhattan and delta II).
The current 9-x concepts can be considered as concepts for the next gen 9-3 instead of concepts for the 9-1 (because of the downsizing of the future 9-3 to opel/vauxhall astra size (= delta II platform) and the future 9-1 to opel/vauxhall corsa size).
That would mean a 9-3 facelift in 2010 (together with the launch of the 9-3x ?) and a new model 9-3 in 2012. The 9-1 then being launched in 2013 or so.
Imagine the info of Djup strupe being correct and taking into account the speed with which saab launches its models, that would mean that the next gen 9-3 would go on sale in 2015 or so. And the current model already dates from 2002 …
The next generation 9-3 being on the market any later than 2012 will simply kill saab.
none of this makes any sense to me, why would the 9-5 come out a year before the 9-4x, yet its the 9-4x which we’ve seen all the pictures of.
the 9-3x is miles away so I don’t really understand the logic of that, it seems to be going further and further backwards in time as we speak.
9-1 not so bad as 2012 will be the year I finish at university so a first new car when i’m in employment maybe on the cards :), still its a bit later than I would have hoped it to be.
The regeneration of the Saab brand seems to take longer than a Warship turning round in the Panama Canal.
Also my Dad’s got the current 9-5 estate/wagon/combi and loves it, and didn’t even consider the saloon (too small) or the 9-3 SportWagon (The back was too cramped to be confortable)
Does this tell you something Saab???
I hate to doubt this information, but some of it just doesn’t “jive” as many in comments have pointed-out. I’m sure the Djup Strupe Swade’s using is reliable, but perhaps s/he doesn’t have complete info.
A few thoughts:
When the 9-4X concept debuted at the 2008 Detroit International Auto Show in January the production version was said to be “eighteen months” away, putting that right around July 2009. Later we heard it was delayed until late 2009, to be sold as a MY2010 (which makes more sense than releasing it as a MY2009.5, IMHO). Now it’s February 2010? What, to be sold as a MY2010.5? As others have pointed-out the testing versions we’ve seen look pretty darned close to production ready in September 2008. Why would this vehicle take another 15 months to go into production? If you think the SUV/CUV fad is on a downturn now…
The 9-5 is described as a sedan. While I don’t have reason to doubt that I was kind of hoping that there would be a hatchback variant as well.
Why would the 9-5 wagon version (and the description of it as a “wagon”, rather than a “combi” or “estate” would lead me to believe that this Djup Strupe hails from the U.S. or Canada - probably Canada due to the description of the source being from one of Saab’s “top-6″ markets) come-out a year after the sedan? I mean, we saw the combi version of the 9-3 come out years after the sedan, but that was only because Saab blew all their development money on the sedan version. We’ve traditionally seen the convertible released a year after the hard-top, but the wagon? Doesn’t make sense to me. As someone else pointed-out here in comments the wagon is a best-seller in Europe (especially in the very important Swedish Domestic Market, where the 9-5 has been a top-seller, the only place in the world where this occurs).
The 9-3X will be released in late 2010 as a MY2011? It’s ready NOW and has been for several years. What needs to be done to make a 9-3 into a 9-3X is minimal. The following year will see a “refresh” of the 9-3 (which will by then be the SECOND refresh of the Epsilon-based 9-3 and the model will be nine years old. By then it’ll be in need of a rePLACEMENT, not a reFRESH)? Does that mean that the 9-3X will have the new face before the sedan and combi do? Why would they sell the 9-3X for a year with the “old” face only to refresh it the following year? Maybe they’re delaying until they can fit TTiD in it or something? Why does it take that long if the sedan and combi already have TTiD available in Europe? Maybe they’re putting a hybrid in it? There’s no reason they can’t sell a non-hybrid version until the hybrid’s ready.
Would this info indicate that we’re looking at a 2014 date for the next-gen 9-3 (why would they sell a facelifted car for only a year or two unless they plan to extend the replacement out a couple more years?)? That is brand suicide. The 93/96/99/900/9-3 have been Saab’s “volume sellers” (it’s funny to write that considering the low volume Saab moves, but you get my point) for their entire history. The bread and butter of the brand. Are they REALLY planning to wait 12 years before replacing it?
Lastly, I find it hard to believe we’d see a 9-1 as early as 2012, as far as we know this car hasn’t even been “green-lighted” yet. Plus, what would they be using as a basis, the 9-X BioHybrid? I find that hard to believe as no automaker (especially Saab) would be able to make that car at a profit. It just can’t be done. Unless it’s a really watered-down version with a regular internal combustion engine and a body that roughly approximates the 9-X BioHybrid concept. Even still, 2012 is only four years away which is really short considering how long it takes Saab to develop a car.
Typicall GM Saab.
Too little too late.
More over, how come that the 9-1 - for which they still don’t have a platform nor a plant - will be launched before the next gen 9-3 (which will be build on the delta II platform in trollhattan) ?
This all seems a bit unlogic to me.
Except when the first “small” car of saab to be launched, described by Djup strupe as the 9-1,would be the 9-2 hatchback (in 2012, think 9-x concept) and this car would also be based on the delta II-platform.
The sedan version of this car (the next gen 9-3, think chevrolet cruze) could then arrive a bit later.
The 9-3x should have come out this Fall. There is no reason for it not too.
S-O-S. Shame on Saab.
Woha!
This sounds like someone have pushed the “panic-button”. Could GM have told SAAB: “You are given 1 release in the next 12 month, other plans are on hold during the crises, take a pic”.
If this is the case, the 9-5 is a good choice, because nothing can keep the selling volume up anymore.
The 9-3 can live another year or two on the TTiD and the facelift. But then…?
We need to understand that SAAB can’t develop completely new models in the same speed as the manufacturer actually making money, but by providing us the special saab feeling and handling and practicallity and….Then its fine by me that a model lives for 8-9 years with improvment along the way.
At the same time this new timeline is very bad. By doing all those concepts SAAB give there ideas away before actually providing all the fantastic saab stuff to the people. And that IS bad. The promise of giving SAAB a rivalisation just doesn’t seems to be happening. And tomorrow it can be to late. And GM will loose more money and not being able to get it back.
If they would let SAAB keep working towards the erlier timeline they might even give SAAB an opportunity “be at the party in the right time” for once. They could actually providing brand new models like 9-1 and 9-3 (volume models)and a facelifted 9-4x just when the world economic is going up again. And the 9-5 will only be 2-4 years old when people start buying cars again.
I´m seriously doubting this “Djup strupe”. The 9-3X in 2010? Common.. That´s just cr*p.
I just took another look at Swade’s story and come to the conclusion that not all of it can be wrong.
But I still believe the message in the “Telegraaf” is more to the point. They mention that it comes from an official saab source. For the ones that can read Dutch: http://www.telegraaf.nl/autotelegraaf/2130083/__Saab_brengt_9-4X_en_9-5_tegelijkertijd__.html
I get the impression that this Djup Strupe has heard the bell chiming but does know where the clapper hangs (that’s the way we say it in the Netherlands, when someone thinks he knows how things go, but doesn’t really know what he is talking about).
The presented timeline for the 9-4X and the 9-5 can be true however, when you consider the fact that the 9-5 will be sold in Europe first and later in the USA, wheras the 9-4X will start in the USA first and at least half a year later in Europe. So actually there are two timelines.
The only part of it that makes no sense to me is the 9-3x being delayed for so long. Essentally this is a 9-3 SportCombi with XWD. They’re already making those in the form of the Turbo X Combis, so it shouldn’t be hard to add a few bits and jack it up.
But remember, this is information received in one particular market. It may well be that a 9-3x might begin selling in other markets sooner. CTM, I do know the exact market that this info is for, but for reasons you allude to in your comment, I don’t want to narrow it down any further.
With regard to the 9-5 wagon being delayed a year, the exact same thing happened with the original 9-5. Sedan one year and wagon a year later. With the 9-3 it took a few years.
I thought the 9-1 would be introduced after the introduction of the new generation 9-3?! Is it really just a facelift of the old 9-3?
If Saab is already so technology-rich and cash poor, let’s hope there’s a moratorium on concept cars until all of their promised models get released? Why not surprise us with something we can buy instead of stuff we can’t?
This timeline makes sense for a smaller market. But the U.S. will see both the 9-4X and the all-new 9-5 next year, from what I have been told.
I honestly doubt they will do yet another facelift on the 9-3, in 2011 ontop of that. No shot, unless someone at GME/Saab has gone completely mad.
They all know the current 9-3 can barely survive a couple of more years, it is already behind on its current competiors and some of them just launched all-new vehicles (Audi A4, Mercedes C-class).
The only part that makes no sense is why the 9-3X would be delayed until 2010. The only sensible answer would be so it does not compete with the 9-4X in its launch year. And that would be a dumb decision.
I think these 2009 Griffen editions (Sweden, Germany, Canada so far known) mean the 2010 9-5 will be available pretty well everywhere, some time in 2009. If photos will be out in late 2008, then the smart thing would be to sell out the Dame Ednas (I am delighted with mine) and get a head start on 2010 registrations with a May or June 2009 release of the 2010 model. This also gives new model buyers a little extra time on the first year depreciation without having to cut the price as much. Didn’t we read recently that procution on the 9-5’s cast iron block was soon ending?
If the new SAABs are really entry-premium vehicles and seen as that, not cheap-in-two-years street racers, there is no harm having a long production run with substantial updates. These need to be cars people aspire to, not buy with the first Macjob, except for maybe an 8-year-old model or older, or an entry model with wow factor and offered with modest HP that runs up against the MINI.
B
The more I think about it, the more I think Djup Strupe was on a serious binge. The Telegraaf article makes a lot of more sense, and is in line with what we have heard in the last while.
Saab dealers (and affectionados) knew the walk in the desert would be long, but they can only travel (survive) so far without reaching an oasis. Which doesn’t mean the Telegraaf version will bring redemption. As most of us have been saying from the very start, the 9-4x couldn’t come at a worst time and the big and expensive 9-5, even if it’s stunning, will not sell in big numbers, specially with the credit crunch. Furthermore, according to the Times of London, the Insignia, on which the 9-5 will be based, weighs a hefty 3,300 pounds, some ten percent more than the Vectra it replaces. It «also uses more fuel, pumps out more CO2, has slower acceleration and a lower top speed». So much for progress!
Oh dear SAAB.. I fear too little too late.
The 9-5 is the only model I may be interested in but I am not waiting 2 years for an estate that should have been replaced years ago.
Despite rumours emanating for the past years, if they are preparing to show pictures at the end of this year, trickle a preview early next year with a partial model role out on 12 months time, the models will probably be out of date before we even get to see them.
If SAAB wish to be considered in the market they need to “extract their digits”. With the fast moving taxation and green policies here in the UK I fear the 9-5 will not be financially competitive when it ever gets here.
The launch of the 9-3X, if there is to be one, will ofcourse be in 2009. GM may make strange decisions at times, but they would not launch a 9-3X the year before it´s own demise.
Volvo sell a huge amount of their XC70 so why wouldn´t Saab be interested in taking a piece of that pie?
The 9-4X and 9-3X are two totaly different vehicles and have two different buyers, so they would not canibalize on eachother.
Wasn´t the 9-4X said to debut in Europe in 2009 and in the US in spring 2010? Hopefully that´s not true and the vehicle will debut worldwide at the same time.. Or will that be to heavy for the Mexican plant? Or might it be that the Caddy and Saab 9-4X will overlap eachother?
It looks like GM got used to the strategy of three face lifts. Why not? It seems to work. And the designer has three chances to get it right. Look it Audi! At the same time as SAAB had three 95 face lifts, Audi launched three or four “new” models. But do not ask me which is which. And all three share the same unreliable VW-TDI diesel engine technology. SAAB however kept the design but changed this unrelaible 3l diesel engine from OPEL against a less accident-sensitive 2l diesel engine from FIAT.
There is another problem. It´s the all new HONDA INSIGHT. This car is my personal legitimate SAAB 900-successor. Is this one of the “cheap” cars Wane mentioned above to play with?
The only thing I wonder is why the 9-3X is not on dealer lots RIGHT NOW?
You might remember that Saab’s timing was incredibly poor last year when they weren’t able to get the Turbo-X or 9-3 Aero w/ XWD well into the northern hemisphere spring. People need an AWD car in fall for the coming winter, not spring. It’s the same thing here. Why is the 9-3X not available right now in fall to take advantage of winter sales?
It feels like Saab is going to finally get the 9-3X out right around the time they lose exclusive rights to Haldex’s 4th-Gen system.
Timing is everything and as of late Saab has missed the mark consistently.
Jeez, I wish I could edit my comments. I guess I should read them before I post them. Stupidstupidstupid! Anyway, that last comment came-off sounding incoherent. I think you got the gist of what I was trying to say though.
Change that sentence to “You might remember that Saab’s timing was incredibly poor last year when they weren’t able to get the Turbo-X or 9-3 Aero w/ XWD onto dealer lots until well into the northern hemisphere spring.”
And Michael, I’m guessing Swade was referring to an older Saab when suggesting to buy a cheap car to hold you over.
I thought that I could wait untill SAAB was wise enough to introduce the 9-3X anytime now… I am going to order a Subaru Outback now… (Will keep my ‘88 900 convertible though…)
Edwin. Why not order a 9-3 SC with XWD ?
Sure will beat the hell out of an Outback. Specially on long hauls.
Swade, you are not being quoted by Motoring Authority.
Saab sales in the US for 2009 will most likely not top 15000 units. NO leasing, NO 9-7X, a 14 year old 9-5 and a 9-3 that is priced about $6000 over where it needs to be to compete in the economic enviroment that exists in the market. If the “fat lady” isn’t singing she’s standing at the microphone ready to go. I remember not that long ago when Saab sales in the US topped 40,000. There is no where for the exclusive Saab dealers to turn, as in the future there will also be very few used Saabs available to sell. No leasing…no off lease used Saabs. It was just a matter of time that GM ruined the used Saab sales too. They tanked the new and now they will invariably tank the used too……SAD Maybe Tata will buy Saab and save Saab, whilst GM continues to ruin GM, and their sacred Pig Cadillac.
What a long-span time line …
Basically wait and see.
Indeed trowing around some other old cars might help, killing the time.
But that includes a danger for my Saab-devotion.
And once again a time line where nothing that really exciting is included.
9-1 perhaps.
I might get seduced by some other brands.
Not very smart from GM/Saab.
But what about a MiTo i.e. right now ? Or a Brera, as the 8C is not reachable within my means ?
Or some Japanese stuff like a hardcore S2000, Subaru, MX5, RX8 or a softy 2nd hand SC430 ?
Or what about some French savoir-vivre C6 or even German adequacy ?
Not very smart from GM/Saab, but I guess it is all they can do.
Or maybe it is about time looking for that Vintage Saab…
Just started reading the comments above.
Michael is right, this new Honda Insight concept could be the real 900 successor. It has certainly potential.
2007 Honda CR-Z Concept & 2008 Honda OSM Concept as small sporty concepts are not bad either.
And the actually redone Accord Tourer production car with is sharp angles is not bad at all.
Saab certainly can’t permit itself that long-time saab devoted owners start looking at the other brands, due to a lack of innovation.
I did exactly what Edwin seems to be considering. I already ordered Outback. I was REALLY waiting for 9-3X. I know that most of you may think I´m totally stupid -> I will replace my almost brand new 9-3SC TTiD with Outback Diesel. Theres several reasons why I´m doing this. But I´m really disappointed how they handled/cancelled (?) the 9-3X. Or diesel XWD.
Edwin. Why not order a 9-3 SC with XWD ?
Sure will beat the hell out of an Outback. Specially on long hauls.
I wouldn´t be so sure. There´s actually many details that OB does better than 9-3. And vice versa. I had OB diesel for a few days and I must say I was really impressed. Handling, the boxer diesel engine, if not the best - at least VERY good AWD with LSD at no extra, how overall capable it really is. What Saab does definitely better is drivers comfort, AC,ergonomics, seats and so on. It all really comes down to what one needs and what he/she likes.
But to me the biggest surprise was the handling. How is it possible that a car with 200mm road clearance feels more agile, sharp and has less body roll than Saab 9-3 w/ standard suspension?
I had to drive them back to back same roads few times to really get over it. Saab´s handling is a bit numb. Like many reviewers have been telling me…
Considering the price and what you get with Outback (especially diesel), nothing comes even near. No other car at the moment. Closest rival in the same price league/options is Skoda Octavia Scout and it simply doesn´t have a change.
(Will keep my ‘88 900 convertible though…)
Yes. I will keep my 1991 900 T16S!
Hello No.9!
I am sorry but I live in the woods here in Sweden and really need the groundclearence…
As I said; Would the 9-3X be on the market now… Ah, you know!
I had the rare opportunity to drive a normal aspirated convertible for a month. It made me forgot every Saab-turbo I dreamed about and have driven before. It could seat 4 - more or less. It had a low drag coëfficincy. The seats are among the best in industry, well at front. The design is absolutely modern, clean & timeless. Even functional. The ride is fabulous - certainly all had to do with the engine fitted close to the tractioned wheels … (that is where every comparision with any Saab stops).
I did myself have a great share in global warming too. Just like the atmospehere got hotter, the asfalt warmed up every time the gaspedal was ticked.
To be short, I was smitten and when the month was over and time has come to give it back, I was very sad, it took a long time to adapt again in my Saab.
Ohoh.
The damned thing isn’t playing in the same class & budget range as any 9-3 or 9-5 and certainly does’t fit in the future downsizing trend!
It looked like I ‘ve fallen in love with something not Saabish at all. Rather the complete opposite.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/563737248tjZGpC
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563739202QPgiJy
But politically correct or not, it has a market and if GM/Saab ever dares to bring out an Aero-X, a correct comparison could be made …
(Oh yes, the manufacturers, aren’t they one of the financially most stabile and profitable in the whole motor industry ? Maybe it is about time GM could learn from their strategies).
@ van god los.
Are you a Monza fan ?
The band that is, not the racing circuit and certainly not the car.
Gripen - we hear you, and that’s what I’d like to know. Why ISN’T the 9-3x out now?
Swade, any chance of finding out the reasons? I’m afraid Saab is losing out another chance for winter sales.
Joemama, if I thought I could get a straight answer for that one, I’d ask it.
Remember, this is info for one particular market and may not apply to your particular market. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 9-3x in the US sooner than what’s stated here.
if 9-4 don’t come before 2010 at this time all suv will be banned due to finacial and eneergy risis !!!!
viva saab !!! alreday 2-3 year to late hihihihihihahaha