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  • Report: Saab Working on Non-GM Replacement To 9-3, New Compact Car

    Report: Saab Working on Non-GM Replacement To 9-3, New Compact Car October 30th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 30th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 9 Comments

    Report: Saab Working on Non-GM Replacement To 9-3, New Compact Car

    It's only been a few months since GM first announced it might get rid of Saab along with Pontiac and Saturn as part of lightening its load post-bankruptcy, and the ink on the sale to the Koenigsegg Group is still wet, but already the new Saab is forging plans for the cars it will build in its post-GM era. One of the first of those will be the next-gen 9-3.

    The next-gen 9-3 won't be built around a GM platform, unlike the current car. What form that might take is still unknown, however, as the plan is in its nascent stages. Cars already planned under GM's management, including the new 9-5 and the Cadillac SRX-based 9-4X crossover, will emerge...

    It's only been a few months since GM first announced it might get rid of Saab along with Pontiac and Saturn as part of lightening its load post-bankruptcy, and the ink on the sale to the Koenigsegg Group is still wet, but already the new Saab is forging plans for the cars it will build in its post-GM era. One of the first of those will be the next-gen 9-3. The next-gen 9-3 won't be built around a GM platform, unlike the current car. What form that might take is still unknown, however, as the plan is in its nascent stages. Cars already planned under GM's management, including the new 9-5 and the Cadillac SRX-based 9-4X crossover, will emerge before the next 9-3 arrives. Also in the works is a new 9-1 or possibly 9-2--whatever its name, it will be a compact car, and will probably borrow styling and proportions from the 9-X BioHybrid concept shown at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. The 9-5 is already on the way, with the production version having shown its decidedly Saab face at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show on the way to an early 2010 sales debut. Also due along in early 2010 is the final production version of the 9-4X crossover, possibly to come at the 2010 Geneva show. [Motor Trend] Read More

  • Saab Gets $600 Million Loan From European Investment Bank

    Saab Gets $600 Million Loan From European Investment Bank October 22nd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 22nd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    Saab Gets $600 Million Loan From European Investment Bank

    Koenigsegg's purchase of Saab had been rumored to be in trouble due to financing issues, but the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) decision on Wednesday to loan the struggling Swedish automaker €400 million ($600 million) shores up the purchase.

    The loan from the EIB is contingent on a state guarantee from Sweden but thankfully the government has decided to back up the loan.

    General Motors and Koenigsegg reached an agreement for the sale of Saab back in August, but the deal hasn't been completed as Koenigsegg has struggled to come up with the funding to buy out 100% of GM's interest under the terms of the deal.

    Sweden's eagerness...

    Koenigsegg's purchase of Saab had been rumored to be in trouble due to financing issues, but the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) decision on Wednesday to loan the struggling Swedish automaker €400 million ($600 million) shores up the purchase. The loan from the EIB is contingent on a state guarantee from Sweden but thankfully the government has decided to back up the loan. General Motors and Koenigsegg reached an agreement for the sale of Saab back in August, but the deal hasn't been completed as Koenigsegg has struggled to come up with the funding to buy out 100% of GM's interest under the terms of the deal. Sweden's eagerness to keep Saab, as well as Volvo, within its borders, no doubt plays into the decision to back the Koengigsegg Group's purchase of the brand. Even after the sale of Saab, however, GM will continue to share technology and services through an agreement like that between Penske and GM for the Saturn brand. Unlike the failed Penske-Saturn deal, Koenigsegg's purchase isn't dependent upon further supply contracts from other carmakers. Saab is already planning to launch three new models over the next 18 months, including the 9-3X, 9-4X and the recently revealed next-gen 9-5 (pictured). [Automotive News, sub req'd] Read More

  • Saab Sale To Koenigsegg Gets $610 Million Backing From Sweden

    Saab Sale To Koenigsegg Gets $610 Million Backing From Sweden October 6th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 6th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 2 Comments

    Saab Sale To Koenigsegg Gets $610 Million Backing From Sweden

    Koenigsegg's purchase of Saab had been rumored to be in trouble due to financing issues, but the Swedish government's decision to guarantee the $610 million loan sought from the European Investment Bank today shores up the purchase.

    General Motors and Koenigsegg reached an agreement for the sale of Saab back in August, but the deal hasn't been completed as Koenigsegg has struggled to come up with the funding to buy out 100% of GM's interest under the terms of the deal.

    Sweden's eagerness to keep Saab, as well as Volvo, within its borders, no doubt plays into the decision to back the Koengigsegg Group's purchase of the brand.

    Even after...

    Koenigsegg's purchase of Saab had been rumored to be in trouble due to financing issues, but the Swedish government's decision to guarantee the $610 million loan sought from the European Investment Bank today shores up the purchase. General Motors and Koenigsegg reached an agreement for the sale of Saab back in August, but the deal hasn't been completed as Koenigsegg has struggled to come up with the funding to buy out 100% of GM's interest under the terms of the deal. Sweden's eagerness to keep Saab, as well as Volvo, within its borders, no doubt plays into the decision to back the Koengigsegg Group's purchase of the brand. Even after the sale of Saab, however, GM will continue to share technology and services through an agreement like that between Penske and GM for the Saturn brand. Unlike the failed Penske-Saturn deal, Koenigsegg's purchase isn't dependent upon further supply contracts from other carmakers. Saab is already planning to launch three new models over the next 18 months, including the 9-3X, 9-4X and the recently revealed next-gen 9-5 (pictured). [Reuters] Read More

  • Video: 2010 Saab 9-5 Hits The Road

    Video: 2010 Saab 9-5 Hits The Road September 21st, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 21st, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Video: 2010 Saab 9-5 Hits The Road

    The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the basic mechanical underpinnings in the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was expected to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3, not to mention the company’s then-ongoing ownership limbo.

    Thankfully, the new 2010 Saab 9-5, which made its world debut last week at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, has brought a new sense of dramatic style to the Swedish brand. The car shows a clear resurgence of Saab's past design traits, however, this is...

    The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the basic mechanical underpinnings in the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was expected to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3, not to mention the company’s then-ongoing ownership limbo. Thankfully, the new 2010 Saab 9-5, which made its world debut last week at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, has brought a new sense of dramatic style to the Swedish brand. The car shows a clear resurgence of Saab's past design traits, however, this is married to a modern, sleek profile. Until now, we have only seen still images of the car but this latest video clip shows us what the new 9-5 will look like out on the road. Production will take place at the end of this year at Saab’s home plant in Trollhattan, with first sales tipped to start in early 2010. Read More

  • Report: Saab 9-5 Hybrid In The Works

    Report: Saab 9-5 Hybrid In The Works September 13th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 13th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 0 Comments

    Report: Saab 9-5 Hybrid In The Works

    Saab has already previewed in its hybrid technology in the form of the 2008 9-X BioHybrid concept but now we have details of production plans for a new enviromentally-friendly model based on the recently revealed 2010 9-5. Saab’s first step into the world of hybrids will be a small one as the Swedish automaker’s new model will reportedly feature a simple ‘hybrid assist’ system that only kicks in during high load situations.

    The system will feature a small electric motor sandwiched between a 120 horsepower 1.4-liter gasoline engine and an automatic gearbox. The electric motor’s instantaneous torque will help...

    Saab has already previewed in its hybrid technology in the form of the 2008 9-X BioHybrid concept but now we have details of production plans for a new enviromentally-friendly model based on the recently revealed 2010 9-5. Saab’s first step into the world of hybrids will be a small one as the Swedish automaker’s new model will reportedly feature a simple ‘hybrid assist’ system that only kicks in during high load situations. The system will feature a small electric motor sandwiched between a 120 horsepower 1.4-liter gasoline engine and an automatic gearbox. The electric motor’s instantaneous torque will help during off-the-line launches as well as during hard acceleration. In this fashion the electric motor will only be used for short bursts, which means the vehicle will only require a small--and relatively inexpensive--battery pack. To further save fuel, regenerative braking may be employed to top up batteries and the engine will also likely feature stop-start technology. If Saab manages to come out of its financial predicament unscathed, we may eventually see a ‘baby’ 9-1 model. This car was previewed by both the aforementioned 9-X BioHybrid as well as the convertible 9-X Air concept, and is also expected to be available with a hybrid option like the 9-5. [Autocar] Read More

  • 2010 Saab 9-5 Preview

    2010 Saab 9-5 Preview August 27th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, August 27th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 35 Comments

    2010 Saab 9-5 Preview

    The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the basic mechanical underpinnings in the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was expected to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3, not to mention the company’s then-ongoing ownership limbo. But the wait for the next 9-5 will soon be over as the car is scheduled to make its world debut next month at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

    Images for the car have been out for some time now, showing a clear resurgence of Saab's past design traits married to a...

    The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the basic mechanical underpinnings in the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was expected to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3, not to mention the company’s then-ongoing ownership limbo. But the wait for the next 9-5 will soon be over as the car is scheduled to make its world debut next month at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Images for the car have been out for some time now, showing a clear resurgence of Saab's past design traits married to a modern, sleek profile, and now the company has released official details and specs. Underneath the new sheet metal is a heavily revised version of General Motors’ front-wheel-drive Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers have provided a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics. The car’s all-turbocharged powertrain lineup is the broadest ever offered by Saab, with customers able to select from a choice of three fuels--petrol, diesel and E85 bioethanol. At launch, there will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel with 160 horsepower, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline unit with 220 horsepower and a range-topping 2.8-liter turbo V-6 gasoline unit with 300 horsepower on tap. Shortly after launch, a 1.6-litre gasoline turbo with 180 horsepower will be introduced, together with a 2.0-liter BioPower E85 engine. All transmissions will be six-speed. The array of high-tech features continues inside, including a head-up information display (HUD), bi-xenon adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control; Saab DriveSense adaptive chassis with real-time damping control, keyless entry and starting, dual-zone climate control, a parking assistant, and Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system with an eLSD. Infotainment choices include a range-topping Harman Kardon 5.1 channel surround sound audio system and an 8-inch color touch screen navigation system with hard disk storage for map data and 10 GB for MP3 music files. A large center console provides storage and connections for several portable devices through USB and 3.5 mm AUX ports alongside a 12 V power outlet. Rear passengers can even access their own audio or watch a DVD. The rear seat entertainment unit in the back of the center console accommodates audio controls and folding viewing screens are installed in the backs of the front seats. Wireless headphones are provided for listening and viewing. The new 9-5 will be built at Saab’s home plant in Trollhattan, where it has been engineered, and production is tipped to start by the end of the year. Read More

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