Saab to release spiritual successor of the 900 Turbo

[Viggen]

I hope so! This is promising news. A back-to-roots model Saab desparately needed.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/56431/900_turbo_set_to_be_reborn.html

A spiritual successor to the legendary Saab 900 Turbo is on the way. The car will be a replacement for the 9-2X, the Subaru Impreza-based estate that Saab currently sells in America.

The Swedish firm has told Auto Express the new car will be a hatchback, not a load-lugger, and that it will slot in beneath the 9-3 in the range, taking on rivals such as Audi's A3 and the BMW 1-Series. Set for launch in 2008, it will also form the basis of the next Impreza. That car will mark the arrival of diesel engines for the Japanese firm.

Meanwhile, we've learned Saab is to unveil a new model in 2007, which will compete with the Volvo XC90. Saab GB boss Jonathan Nash said: "We've designed a crossover model that will drive like an ordinary car on the road, but will also be a capable performer in the rough. It will cost between ?25,000 and ?35,000, and be a cheaper alternative to the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport."

 

[Raven18940]

I was hoping the new 9-2 would be based on the Opel Astra, but the impreza isn't a bad car. As long as they make it more Saab-like on the inside it'll be cool. Looking forward to this as it may very well be my next car if it's good.

 

[Viggen]

Apparently Saab and Subaru are together this time developing the chassis and drivetrain, so it won't be another rebadged Saabaru and it will be a distinctive model. Now its whether if the new car will be made in Trollhattan or at one of Subaru's factories in Japan or US.

I don't really know much about Opels, but that new Astra is nice looking.

 

[Raven18940]

The only thing i really want is for them to find a way to get a real saab engine. One of the things that really makes my car a saab is the engine. Subarus' have good engines, but they don't pull like a saab does. And the noise, I rev it just to hear that wonderful noise. And I'm fitting a new intake this weekend and still have the stock exhaust. Can't wait to hear VVVVRRRROOOOOOOOMMMM, PSSST.

 

[Renesis]

they need to have the ignition on the floor like a real saab

 

[andyhui01]

they need to have the ignition on the floor like a real saab

hell yea... that was one of the coolest things about the saab

damn... no pictures of the saab 900... maybe it might be the retro of the 900

 

[Cruzz563]

Floor? Or center console you mean?

 

[Raven18940]

Floor? Or center console you mean?

I hope that's what he meant, I love having the key there. It was weird at first, but now it seems natural. All the important things are in the center, ignition, power windows, central locking, hand brake, and gear shifter. As it should be.

 

[Renesis]

Center console is the floor of the car..

 

[Viggen]

they need to have the ignition on the floor like a real saab

So will you still call the vintage 92, 93, 96, Sonett roadsters, and the 9000 real Saabs since all of the above have their ignition on the dash?

Well the 9-7x has its ignition on the center console, but still it ain't no proper Saab.

 

[andyhui01]

there were no proper saabs after the 9-5 and 9-3... after that, it was all GM's pile of crap

 

[Renesis]

the lastest 9-3 isn't a proper saab, but it's probably the best saab ever

 

[Raven18940]

Well the 9-7x has its ignition on the center console, but still it ain't no proper Saab.

I look at the 9-7X like the Porsche Cayenne, real enthusiasts would never buy one, but it'll bring in much needed money from the wannabe enthusiasts

the lastest 9-3 isn't a proper saab, but it's probably the best saab ever

That's awfully harsh, why isn't it a saab?

 

[bihus]

Well the 9-7x has its ignition on the center console, but still it ain't no proper Saab.

I look at the 9-7X like the Porsche Cayenne, real enthusiasts would never buy one, but it'll bring in much needed money from the wannabe enthusiasts

the lastest 9-3 isn't a proper saab, but it's probably the best saab ever

That's awfully harsh, why isn't it a saab?

He probably said that because it is based on a Opel/Vauxhall Vectra chassis, but that doesn't stop me thinking about it as a Saab. It was adapted to Saab customers preferences, and if it wasn't like that, Saab wouldn't exist. Even the previous 900 had the old Vectra chassis, so Saab wouldn't be Saab for a long time. Things evolve, it's just the way it is.

 

[Renesis]

developped by GM, it has a GM engine, GM chassis, GM bits there and there..

 

[Raven18940]

developped by GM, it has a GM engine, GM chassis, GM bits there and there..

Just so you know, the 2.0L turbo in the 9-3 is saab's own. As is the interior, body styling, suspension setup, steering and brakes. Yes the frame underneath is the same as a vectra, but who cares at that point. It's probably the only time GM has got platform sharing right.

 

[andyhui01]

I agree with Raven... I've been in almost every model of saab since the 900turbo (my uncle is swedish so he only buys saabs and volvos and sometimes BMW's :lol: ) and the new 9-3 is still very much a saab even though it is made by GM, the interior and torque of the engine is still just as much...

 

[Renesis]

developped by GM, it has a GM engine, GM chassis, GM bits there and there..

Just so you know, the 2.0L turbo in the 9-3 is saab's own. As is the interior, body styling, suspension setup, steering and brakes. Yes the frame underneath is the same as a vectra, but who cares at that point. It's probably the only time GM has got platform sharing right.

That 2.0l is the same ecotec turbo that they use in the Cobalt SS, and it's very close tho the 2.2 Cavalier engine

 

[Raven18940]

Ecotec? Oh right, my car has an Eco-Power engine and that is a saab engine.

Even if it is GM's engine, Saab did fit their own Trionic 8 engine management system to it, that I know for a fact.

 

[jasonchiu]

haas there been a FAST saab b4?