In regards to China, Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson, told reporters on the sidelines of the Los Angeles Auto Show: "Until we launch the new 9-3 at the end of 2012, it will be just a couple of thousand units (annually), all based on imports. As we lead up to this, we have to make a decision if and when we are going to introduce local manufacturing in China."
Under the agreement, BMW will supply Saab with 4-cylinder 1.6 liter turbocharged petrol engines, which will incorporate the Bavarian automaker's fuel-saving and emissions -cutting stop-start and regenerative braking tech. Saab said the engines will be adapted to meet the firm's specific requirements.
"We look forward to integrating this technology into our next-generation vehicles in a true Saab way," said Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson.
"Spyker Cars N.V. ("the Group"), a holding company that owns subsidiaries which produce and sell premium automobiles under the Saab and Spyker brands, has noted recent press speculation about the possible supply relationship with BMW. The Group confirms that talks are ongoing and will give further details once a final agreement has been reached."
Some say, there's still some hope left for the once innovative and quirky Swedish brand as during the wind-down procedure, a savior might come forward and express interest in Saab as a whole or a part of the company.
There's even talk about a second life in China as GM could sell more Saab assets to BAIC or another domestic maker.
In any case, one of the first questions that arose after GM's decision, which, let's not forget, will leave several thousands of workers without a job, is what's going to happen with the production-ready 2010 9-5 sedan and the almost-ready 9-4x crossover?
Bear in mind that the premium sedan is based on GM's Epsilon 2 platform, also used on the Buick LaCrosse and Opel Insignia / 2011 Buick Regal, while the 9-4x shares its underpinnings with the new Cadillac SRX.
Officially, General Motors has not said what it will do with these two cars nor with the current 9-3s.
In what concerns the two new models, we can think of several options that GM may have including killing them off entirely, rebadging the cars under a different name and even selling the rights / assets to another automaker - although, common sense says that the last option is probably the least likely to happen for obvious competitive reasons.
So, here's the question we would like to ask you, our readers: What do you think General Motors should do with the new SAAB 9-5 sedan and 9-4x Crossover?
PS: The photoshoped 2010 SAAB 9-5 sedan with the Buick snout was made just to prettify the article
2010 SAAB 9-5 SEDAN
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SAAB 9-4X BIOPOWER CONCEPT
Doing what it knows best lately, Saab launched another special edition series, this time for the 9-3 range in the UK. And yes, the 'Turbo Edition' is nothing more than a new trim level that is available on both the sedan and SportWagon variants of the 9-3 with the 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and the three variants of the 1.9-liter diesel (120, 150 and 180HP).The new 9-3 Turbo Edition models are equipped with standard 17-inch alloy wheels, leather interior, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, 9-speaker 150w audio system with MP3 compatibility and cruise control. Prices start from £19,995 for the Saloon and £21,071.60 for the SportWagon.
Engine | Price | |
Saloon | SportWagon | |
1.8t | £19,995 | £21,076.60 |
1.9TID (120PS) | £20,495 | £21,571.60 |
1.9TID (150PS) | £20,995 | £22,076.60 |
1.9TID (180PS) | £22,495 | £23,576.60 |
Following its world premiere last month at the Geneva Auto Show, Saab's new 9-3X crossover will be introduced for the time to the public in North America at the New York International Auto Show on April 9. Essentially a 9-3 Sport Wagon garnished with black plastic moldings and aluminum skid trays for an off-roadish look, the 9-3X will hit U.S. dealerships during the fourth quarter of the year.In the States, it will be offered exclusively with a 2.0-liter gasoline turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 210 horsepower combined with Saab's Cross Wheel Drive (XWD) system. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox and a six-speed automatic transmission. Prices will be announced closer to the launch date.
Saab is joining Audi, Subaru and Volvo in the high-riding station wagon segment with the presentation of the new 9-3X Crossover that will be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. We have already posted all the initial details and photos of the 9-3X, so unless you missed out - if that's the case, then click here, we'll let you follow the jump to watch the first official video of the car that was filmed somewhere in Southern Sweden.
These are the first official photos of the new Saab 9-3X, a 'crossoverish' station wagon in the style of the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo XC70 that will make its debut at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. Based on the station wagon variant of the 9-3 that Saab calls Sport Wagon, the 'X' model will be available with either a 210HP 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol engine combined with the firm's XWD four-wheel-drive system or a 180HP 1.9-liter TTiD diesel engine with front-wheel drive.In terms of performance, the 2.0 Turbo XWD which is available with both a six speed manual and automatic transmission can accelerate from 0–60 mph (96 km/h) in 8.2 seconds (Auto: 9.1 sec) and reach a top speed of 143mph - 230 km/h (Auto: 137mph). The front-wheel-drive only diesel variant performs the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 8.3 sec (Auto: 8.8 sec) and has a top speed of 137mph - 220 km/h (Auto: 134mph).
As is the case with other vehicles of this sort, compared to the standard 9-3, the ride height has been raised by 35mm on the 2.0 Turbo XWD model and 20mm on the FWD diesel version. But that's about all that's mechanically different between the 9-3X and its Sport Wagon sibling, as there's no special tires or toughened suspension here.
While it's as much of an off-road model as the standard 9-3 Sport Wagon, Saab's designers have tried their best to make the 9-3X look the part. Protective cladding aside, the 9-3X gets new dark grey bumpers, skid panels with a matt aluminum finish, 5-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, aluminum-colored lower door strips and roof rails with the same finish
There's no picture of the interior, but Saab claims that the 9-3X's cabin features a unique trim, with dark metallic finish to the door trims, glove box and gearbox surround plus unique sports seating features grey fabric inserts in the black leather upholstery.
