GM saw its worst time ever last year and the year changing has done the once great brand no favor with GM having to extend the deadline for sale of its Swedish brand Saab. The earlier deadline was December 31 but since nothing could be finalized until then, GM has extended the offer till January 7. Spyker, the Dutch supercar manufacturer is the best bidder after its updated bid as the initial talks between the two brands failed.
There is no clue about the exact number of bidders and even Spyker has struggled to find a financer which it requires desperately to seal the deal. The Russian Convers Group is Spyker’s main financer and it is still unclear whether the group is backing the deal although Spyker has insisted that it is confident about the negotiations with GM. As far as the future production for Saab is concerned, the production will resume tentatively for the 9-5, 9-3 and a few other models to meet the current demand.
Koenigsegg may not be an owner as experienced as GM but it has taken the right decision of hurrying the announcement of the 2010 Saab 9-5. It may not be hurried in the context that an upgrade took a decade but even then, it is good to know that the upgrade has finally arrived. The influences of GM are still evident but that in no manner harms the car. The 2010 Saab 9-5 comes with a number of engine choices which include a 1.6-liter gas turbo variant capable of producing 180hp, a 2.8L V6 turbo that churns 300 horses and a 2.0L 4 Cylinder turbo capable of producing 220hp. For the green freaks, there is an E85 based 2.0L engine and a 2.0L turbo diesel choice. All these engine variants will be mated to a six-speed gear transmission. [via Jalopnik]
We do not know whether it was supposed to flock the web with images at this point in time or not, but the 2010 Saab 9-5 has gone public with a set of leaked press images. The images reveal a distinctive styling with a bold front end and a visibly sleek profile. The A-pillars are blackened (which is something new to the Saab designing trends) and there is also a dark trim across the top of the side windows. The dramatic appearance of the car is assisted by the C-pillars at the rear and the cause is assisted by the clear LED lights.
A look at the inside reveals Saab’s very own 7” dashboard, complex air-vents and a center console-mounted ignition. You will also find a gloss black trim, aggressively bolstered seats and a thick rimmed steering wheel. The engine options for the 9-5 will have three turbocharged petrol units a 1.6L four-cylinder with 160hp, a 2.0L four-cylinder with 210hp, and a 2.8-liter V6 with 300hp. The diesel variants will include a couple of 2.0-liter units capable of churning out 160 and 190 horses. The base price of the car will be €35,000. A bio-fuel model is also eventually expected and the 9-5 will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
Taking inspiration from the designs of Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel, Saab Fashionista is a green concept sport coupe that is based on the Chevrolet Volt. Designed by a fourth year design student at Creapole-ESDI — Mayeul Walser, Saab Fashionista is probably hiding a range-extended electric powertrain under the stylish bodywork. And can you see those nine-spoke blade-like carbon fiber rims? A pretty amazing concept nevertheless, our main concern is that Saab and their GM parent company may not be in business by 2012, which would mean that the appealing design may never leave paper. [via Autoblog]
Saab are famous for mixing amazing technologies with sytlish shapes and curves, but the new Saab 9-3X is much more than that. Expected to hit the floor in Geneva next month, the lifestyle vehicle is directly competing with Audi’s Allroad, Subaru’s Outback or Volvo’s XC70. With options of a a 2.0-litre petrol turbo with 210hp or a 1.9-litre TTiD turbo diesel worth 180hp, the new Saab 9-3X uses a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, runs on 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels an features a set of dark grey rear bumpers and side arches for protection. We’d definitely love a closer look, but we’ll have to wait for a whole month to learn more.
A special edition of Saab’s 9-3 Cabriolet is going to be available in Germany. It’s going to be a 9-3 Hirsch Convertible which bundles a 2.8 liter turbo engine that develops nothing less than 300 hp and 400 Nm of torque, allowing it to go from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.4 seconds. All painted in white, with a sporty body kit that includes a front splitter, mesh grille, rear diffuser, a stainless-steel dual exhaust system and some 19-inch (beautiful) matte-black alloy wheels, I’m pretty sure you’ll forget about the sport suspension and those high performance brakes. Looks lovely, isn’t it? – via Carscoop
Next month, the Paris Motor Show will begin and the Swedish from Saab already have something to get the attention with. It’s their new 9-X Air BioHybrid concept, that will probably preview how the Saab hybrid cabrio might look like in the future. Lovely built with extremely modern shapes and curves, the new 9-X Air four person cabrio is going to feature a Canopy Top and a wraparound glasshouse that includes the rear screen.
A 1.4-liter Saab BioPower engine will power the car and I’m pretty confident that Saab will install a turbocharger to make the most of that E85 bioethanol fuel it will run on. Not much longer till we’ll know more about it. – via CarAndDriver
GM’s latest SAAB 9-x BioHybrid concept was voted as the best concept in Geneva. The hybrid is planned to have a 1.4L turbo engine that runs on biofuel, develops about 200 hp and has an extremely low 105 g/km CO2 emissions. The design is inspired from Saab’s experience as aircraft manufacturer and those alloy wheels looking like engine turbines, make it very clear.
An interesting thing about Saab 9-X BioHybrid is that above 70 km/h the body reshapes. I’m talking about an automatic rear roof spoiler, an extending rear upper body and an underbody diffuser extended off the rear bumper. The design is great as you can probably see and here starts the fun part. It was voted as the best hybrid in Geneva:
“We are thrilled that our work has been recognised with this prestigious award,” said Anthony Lo, Director of Advanced Design t GM Europe. “The 9-X BioHybrid is a vision of what a future compact car from SAAB could look like. It is designed to reflect the priorities of youthful customers who seek progressive looks, responsible performance and high-tech communications, all in a sporty, fun-to-drive package.”
Anthony Lo, is Saab’s designer and these days he revealed that the Swedish company will present during the Auto Show in Geneva their newest compact concept, Saab 9-1. Based on Opel’s Astra platform it may come with a 1.4 liter turbocharged engine and as always with the Swedish producer, a BioPower version as well.
This is the main competitor of Volvo C30 and though rumors said we’ll see it in London this year, it seems like it’s going to be Geneva afterall, in March.
Anthony Lo, is Saab’s designer and these days he revealed that the Swedish company will present during the Auto Show in Geneva their newest compact concept, Saab 9-1. Based on Opel’s Astra platform it may come with a 1.4 liter turbocharged engine and as always with the Swedish producer, a BioPower version as well.
