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With a life-saving infusion of Chinese cash on deck, Saab's ready to return to its beloved, idiosyncratic self. These pictures, nicked from a fundraising presentation earlier this year, give some outline to its brighter future. More »
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Swedish carmaker Saab will be the first major manufacturer to bring an Android-powered infotainment system — called iQon— to market next year. And unlike closed systems in other vehicles, Saab's turning over 500 inputs from vehicle sensors to third-party developers. More »
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Saab's teaser site for the upcoming Geneva Motor Show includes pitches for a refreshed 9-3, the European debuts of the new GM-based 9-4x, the 9-5 wagon and something simply tagged "Concept Car" that looks vaguely like a Saab should look. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5760861&view=rss&microfeed=true Development for the next generation Saab 9-3 is under way and early chassis test mules with few modifications have been spotted on the roads of Southern Europe ahead of an expected 2012 launch. [WorldCarFans] More »
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GM let the cat out of the bag late last night. The bag is the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The cat? The 2010 Saab 9-3X; a new crossover based on the 9-3 SportCombi. More »
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Buried in this morning's GM sales figures was a blurb initially overlooked but important by itself — the 2010 Saab 9-3X and 2010 Saab 9-5 will launch this year, at least in Europe. More »
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All you haters who think GM's showing up with nothing at next week's LA Auto Show — get ready to eat your words. The boys and girls from Trollhattan will celebrate 25 years of quirky Swedish open air driving with the Saab 9-3 2.0T Special Edition Convertible. The new Saab convertible, pays homage to the first Saab convertible, which debuted at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show. If it looks familiar, maybe it's because this "special edition" is quite similar to the Saab 9-3 Convertible Yellow Edition revealed earlier this year. In fact, both sport the same 2.0-liter turbo, 17-inch five-spoke wheels and Turbo X-inspired aero enhancements. The biggest difference between this new edition and the yellow special seems to be this Saab's only champagne-colored. If this is your cup of tea champagne, they can be had in January for $46,725 (plus destination). Press release below the jump. Oh, and about that whole "eat your words" thing — we were kidding. More »
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What appears to be a lightly camouflaged Opel Insignia is most likely a development mule for the next-generation Saab 9-3 — despite Vince Burlapp's speculation that it's a 9-5. The previous 9-3 was built on the Vectra's Epsilon platform; Insignia is replacing Vectra, which makes the Saab variant here a 9-3. What we can't see in these photos is whether this mule is carrying Turbo X XWD running gear, but it makes sense for the Saab line to take advantage of available cross-wheel drive throughout the next generation of vehicles. What also remains to be seen is where GM will take the styling direction for the Swedish brand, which is desperately in need of differentiation in a crowded and competitive sport-luxury car market. UPDATE: Auto Motor & Sport, the original source of the photos, claims the car actually appears to have a 9-5 interior. More »
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We knew it was on the way, but the Cross-Wheel-Drive system which debuted on the 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X has been made available across the rest of the 9-3 lineup for 2009. The Haldex-sourced system provides on-demand all-wheel drive which can be shifted to the wheel with the greatest grip on the fly. XWD equipped cars start at $34,870 for a 9-3 2.0T XWD Sport Sedan to a starting price on the 9-3 Aero V6T XWD SportCombi of $43,165. Also of note: The Saab 9-5, which is short for this world thanks to a new model on the way, gets a couple of new colors and some new wheels. Full details and the pricing after the jump. More »
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The folks over at Trollhattan Saab have dug up some images of another new Swedish surprise, the Saab 9-3X lifted from a presentation also showing off the 2010 Saab 9-4X. We're told to expect this new Saab 9-3X to debut at the Paris Motor Show later this year. More below. More »
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Starting with the 2009 model year, Saab will no longer allow GM employees to purchase the 9-3 at a discount, citing current exchange rates that make the 7% price cut economically unsound. Saab sold about 23,000 9-3s last year, and the company claims approximately 1,500 of those were employee sales — though we think the total may be significantly higher based on the popularity of the 9-3 in Metro Detroit. If the numbers are accurate, the change would likely mean at least a 6% drop in future 9-3 sales. The bigger question is whether GM will stop at the 9-3 or begin slashing employee purchase discounts on all imported models. Vehicles that could be affected after the jump. More »
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Opel's release of the Vectra-replacing 2009 Opel Insignia is bringing with it speculation on other GM products built atop the Vectra's Epsilon platform, including the Saab 9-3. Which is where we think the impetus for the above potential p-shop, appearing on the Vince Burlapp Car Page just below those Mazda3 renders from earlier, may have come from. The 9-3's been built on the same Epsilon platform as the Vectra since 2003 and is getting seriously long in the tooth, even in the admittedly capable 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X form. So, we're really hoping the Aeronaut wannabes from Trollhättan get a chance to build the 2010 Saab 9-3 on something new. Especially because the Swedes have been holding things down so well on the concept front as of late, we're expecting big things from the new 9-3's styling, if not its mechanicals. More »
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Apparently the angry brand born from jets has a little bit of a secret — when it comes to pretty, happy and sunny colors, Saabophiles everywhere see the color yellow as some kind of a "code word." No, it's not like a foot-tapping-in-a-stall kind of thing — and we're pretty sure it's not a "P***y Magnet" kind of thing. No, apparently they just think "extra sunny" when they see it. That's what we're told anyway in the new release from the General's little Swedish meatball of a brand. While we're not sure what that means, we do know is the first-ever yellow version of the Saab 900 Convertible issued in 1991, as well as well-kept copies of the '97 version, both enjoy collector car status with meatballophiles. And now there's another little, yellow and different pill for the lovers-of-
Scandinavia to lust after — the all-new 2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible Yellow Edition. This new and angry wasp of a Saab's based on the 2.0T version of the 9-3 drop-top. In addition to the Lynx Yellow paint, this special edition of the 9-3 also gets some "Aero-look items" like 17-inch, five spoke alloy wheels and a subtle hint of a rear spoiler. We're expecting to see more of the new bumblebee later today, but check out the exclusive pic up top and some classic jet-birthed action in the gallery below. Of course you can always hit the jump for the full press release from the General. More »
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Saab has just announced that the 2008 Turbo X — the new range-topping version of their 9-3 sedan — will start at $54,995 — just shy of 55,000 loonies. Do the math and that's $53,898 in real money, $11,388 (USD) more than the car will start at south of the Windsor-Detroit line. Yet vehicle sales in Canada remain strong, despite continuing price disparities and in contrast to US sales, which are on the decline. More »
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The folks at Trollhättan are not content to let their counterparts at Audi, BMW, Volvo &mdash pretty much every European luxury counterpart &mdash dominate the upscale small car market. Thus we hear they'll be introducing a concept version of the 9-1 entry level vehicle at London that will be "sporty enough to fit the Saab character" with the "functionality to attract younger buyers." Whatever that means. More »
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Another Saab up on the Jalopnik DotW? Look at it this way, Saab's sales woes are your purchase gains. This week we're intrigued by a $4,000 rebate on the 9-3 SportCombi (among other models). Granted, GM's tenure as steward of the company birthed by aircraft engineers hasn't been the most fecund period in its history. And while things have been looking up for the 9-3, sales numbers haven't budged. The car's still hampered by cliff-face depreciation and GM's front-drive Epsilon platform, which puts it out of the running among RWD-only enthusiasts. But the poky base four — in the previously cryptic "Arc" and "Linear" models — is long gone, replaced in 2006 with a 2.0-liter turbo four producing 210 hp. The 2.8-liter V6 in the Aero model gets 250. Sure the transmission offerings are one cog light, and power numbers... More »
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While not ourselves gay, we're proud to support our man-loving brothers and women-loving sisters in making whatever choices they feel most comfortable making. That includes cars — like the latest fabulous list of most-researched vehicles on Gaywheels.com. Apparently the Toyota Yaris continues to take the top spot, with the Saab 9-3, both the sedan and the drop-top took second place. We'll let you see the full super list right after the jump. More »
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If you happened to be near Trollhattan last weekend, you'd have seen the new Saab 9-3 convertible in all its newly sculpted glory. Glory may be too strong a word, but the slightly rehabbed entry Saab did get a more stylish face and what Saab's marketing as "trifuel" engine choices for Europe that include gasoline diesel, or ethanol-ready powerplants. The 2.8-liter aluminum V6, the company says, was purpose-built for the line's all-turbo application. Sadly, the convertible doesn't get Saab/Haldex's new XWD system that actively manages the front-rear torque split. Saab fans, discuss. We're going out for a cup of salmon. – Mike Spinelli More »
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The General's favorite Swedes are approaching go time for their de-topped version of the new 9-3. But some joker with a digicam has apparently uncovered a proto-production model in country. The most noticeable difference is of course that new face, lifted wholesale from the company's Aero X concept, first shown at the 2006 Geneva auto show. And judging from the, er, aero kit, it's likely the Aero trim level. Natch. [Thanks to Dennis for the tip.] – Mike Spinelli More »
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More shots of the new Saab 9-3 have arrived on the i-spot on occasion of the new car's official reveal. As mentioned last week, the newly nipped and tucked mask — lifted from the Aero X concept — could be the least-significant change to GM's neglected Swede, what with that new Haldex AWD system with e-diff and turbo V6 upgrades said to be on the way. More officialities, after the jump. – Mike Spinelli More »
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The true Scandinavian black metal fans over at SaabScene got themselves a couple of leaked images of the soon to be refreshed 9-3. That doesn't really interest us too much, as it brings a FWD-knife to the 3-series led RWD-gunfight. Though we do remember Mr. Dan Neil telling us that the 9-3 is one of his favorite cars. So what do we know? However, what does excite us is what the elite experts at Motor Authority are saying; the new 9-3 will get a Haldex AWD system and a 300 hp turbo V6. Saab, we didn't know you had it in you. Plus, now that the Volvo Rs are no more, hoons will still have a Swedish-ish option. And yes, you can get the good stuff in the SportCombi. Go hot wagons, go! – Jonny Lieberman More »
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Apparently, all that design language introduced with the Aero-X concept at last year's Geneva show will start to rub off on the Saab 9-3 for its next iteration. The new face is the major difference between this test prototype and the current model. It's just in time for the GM brand's 60th anniversary. As Winding Road points out the overhang is shorter than that of the 9-5, whose pronounced front makes the top-line model look too kludgy. Spies say LED taillamps will be an option. We'll see it in time for the 2008 model year. – Mike Spinelli More »
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J-vlar! The Trollhattan Saab bunch went all pear-shaped over our post yesterday in which we cued up their soothsaying on a prospective reskinning and AWD addition in the next 9-3. They say we spent too many words harping on a connection between the 2002 9-3x concept, and apparently too few genuflecting to their prophetic Sabbishness. But shrill cries of the wronged aside, we've got a question. With Saab appearing to wither on GM's vine of brands, what would it take to get it back to a place of reverance among those who should give a shit? After all, we have fond memories of being shuttled between frozen ponds for ad-hoc hockey matches, in the back seat of a 900 Turbo. There was that sound, that pull, and that feeling of protection, no matter how many Irish coffees our yuppie fathers had downed in the interim. We put it to you. – Mike Spinelli More »
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The boys at Trolhattan Saab say they have a line on Saab's next 9-3. According to the T-Hats, the Saab 9-3 will get a major facelift and an all-wheel-drive option for 2008, though will remain on GM's global midsize (Epsilon) platform. Design elements from the company's 2002 9-3x Concept (pictured) could see their way into the new niner, which they say will be unveiled in June 2007 in Sweden. According to Edmunds Inside Line, however, GM says a new 9-3 isn't on the docket until 2010. Still, an updated 9-3 can't come soon enough for Saab; but will it be enough to save it? – Mike Spinelli More »
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We just got the press release from the company selling off the sons and daughters of jets — and Saab's '07 US lineup has a starting price of $26,915 with a top out at $43,120. Although it may seem it's a few grand higher than the 2006 pricing entry point of $23,710 — it's really about the same, because that was including the 9-2 model, which as the release notes, was discontinued cause the General sold off its share of Fuji Heavy Industries. Sorry kiddies, that means a touch less brand-engineering this year. Despite that bad good news, we've got the full pricing deets below the jump. More »
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At the Stockholm motor show today, Saab took the wraps off its BioPower Hybrid concept, a 9-3 convertible powered by a turbocharged, flexfuel-capable gas-electric hyrbrid-drive drivetrain/UNIVAC computer/Flux Capacitor/Maytag dryer. The BioPower powertrain uses electric motors to provide a kind of hyperspace torque-boost of up to a devilish 666Nm (491 lbs.-ft.); that's when the electric motors fire up to drive the rear wheels, making the cabrio de-facto all-wheel drive. (More after the jump.) More »
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As went Cadillac, so will go Saab, at least according to Saab's general manager (who's apparently less inclined than we to attempt an awkward tense shift). Just as Cadillac's Evoq concept set the architectural pick for the brand's next wave of cars, the Aero-X concept Saab showed in Geneva will inform its next-generation models. And Saab badly needs that kind of mojo, considering it only sold around 38,000 cars in the US last year. The first to see some Aero-Xness will likely be the 2008 Saab 9-3, according to AutoWeek. More »
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Saab announced today it was unveiling a special-edition 9-3, the 20 Years Edition Convertible, to celebrate — yep, you guessed it — the score of years elapsed since Saab launched its soft-top model in 1986. Saab will produce a mere 400 of the 20 Years edition, which as MPH points out, is basically a decked-out Aero model with snappy Electric Blue Metallic paint. Buyers should be prepared to bring along a spare Brinks truck — honoring those 20 years will cost $44,615 (including destination). More »
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