Motor Authority - blog Tag: Sweden

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

Struggling Swedish automaker Volvo announced back in June that it will releasing a new plug-in hybrid vehicle by 2012 as the latest step under its ‘DRIVe Towards Zero’ eco-campaign. Today Volvo CEO Stephen O'Dell reaffirmed the company's plans to get the diesel-electric plug-in hybrid on the road, but said there's no business case for selling it in the U.S. yet.

When it does hit the streets of Europe in 2012, the Volvo plug-in will be expected to run for 60 miles on a single charge before needing assistance from the on-board generator or more juice from the wall, according to Automotive News. The vehicle will come in part as a result of a...

Struggling Swedish automaker Volvo announced back in June that it will releasing a new plug-in hybrid vehicle by 2012 as the latest step under its ‘DRIVe Towards Zero’ eco-campaign. Today Volvo CEO Stephen O'Dell reaffirmed the company's plans to get the diesel-electric plug-in hybrid on the road, but said there's no business case for selling it in the U.S. yet. When it does hit the streets of Europe in 2012, the Volvo plug-in will be expected to run for 60 miles on a single charge before needing assistance from the on-board generator or more juice from the wall, according to Automotive News. The vehicle will come in part as a result of a joint-venture with Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall, which will  aid the development of plug-in hybrid future all-electric vehicle systems. The two companies have already an agreement in place since 2007 to develop the technology together, and early last year Saab also joined the team. Since then Volvo has shown us a plug-in hybrid concept based on its C30 hatchback and Saab unveiled its unique 9-X BioHybrid concept. Volvo is also working with three new V70 plug-in hybrids testing on public roads in Europe. The demonstration cars will be used to gather information about the wishes and demands that drivers may have on the new technology, to determine their driving habits and to establish how they want to charge their cars. Vattenfall will, among other things, test various concepts for high-speed home charging and also for charging stations in public places, where owners pay to fuel with electricity instead of petrol or diesel. The cars that are planned to go into series production in 2012 will feature somewhat different technology, but the launch of the demonstration vehicles is a step towards series-producing plug-in hybrid cars specifically tailored to market needs. An important point to note is that Volvo's diesel-electric design will yield even greater efficiency over future rivals like the upcoming Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid. No other details about Volvo’s design, including its expected fuel-economy, have been revealed. 2009 Volvo V70 Plug-In Hybrid demonstration car   Volvo V70 plug in hybrid demonstrator Read More

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

General Motors and Koenigsegg Group AB, a consortium led by supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg, have officially reached an agreement over the sale of Saab after nearly two decades of American ownership. GM has confirmed today that it has signed a stock purchase agreement with Koenigsegg Group AB regarding the sale of 100% of the shares of Saab.

The deal is expected to conclude in the next months and will then secure Saab’s future, with the Swedish automaker set to exit legal reorganization shortly. The stock purchase agreement will be subject to agreed closing conditions, namely, the guarantee of funding commitments from the Swedish...

General Motors and Koenigsegg Group AB, a consortium led by supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg, have officially reached an agreement over the sale of Saab after nearly two decades of American ownership. GM has confirmed today that it has signed a stock purchase agreement with Koenigsegg Group AB regarding the sale of 100% of the shares of Saab. The deal is expected to conclude in the next months and will then secure Saab’s future, with the Swedish automaker set to exit legal reorganization shortly. The stock purchase agreement will be subject to agreed closing conditions, namely, the guarantee of funding commitments from the Swedish government, as well as transitional assistance from GM. As part of the proposed transaction, GM and Saab will continue to share technology and services during a defined time period, all managed through licenses and service agreements. Koenigsegg co-owner Baard Eker has previously stated that his company has several good solutions to bring into Saab. Strong words coming from a man whose company has less than 50 employees and turns out only a handful of $1 million supercars each year, but with the new funding Saab should be able to successfully launch three new models over the next 18 months and hopefully see the company become an innovator of technology like it had been in the past. The three new models planned include the recently revealed 9-3X as well as the new 9-4X and aforementioned 9-5. Koenigsegg, meanwhile, will reportedly benefit from Saab’s existing production facilities and plans to use the capacity for its upcoming Quant electric supercar. Last year Saab saw its global sales drop 25.5% to just 93,338 units and 2009 is expected to be even lower. The struggling automaker had originally filed for reorganization under Swedish Law on February 20, 2009. Read More

Volvo is busy preparing its entry to the midsize sedan market in the shape of the upcoming 2010 S60, which will feature radical new styling picked up by the automaker’s concept of the same name that was revealed at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Earlier this month, production of the first-generation S60 finally came to an end, marking the end of an eight year product cycle that saw more than 580,000 cars roll off the line at the car’s Ghent factory in Belgium.

The new 2010 S60 is expected to go on sale early next year. This computer generated rendering provides a clue as to what the new car may look like, revealing that it... Volvo is busy preparing its entry to the midsize sedan market in the shape of the upcoming 2010 S60, which will feature radical new styling picked up by the automaker’s concept of the same name that was revealed at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Earlier this month, production of the first-generation S60 finally came to an end, marking the end of an eight year product cycle that saw more than 580,000 cars roll off the line at the car’s Ghent factory in Belgium. The new 2010 S60 is expected to go on sale early next year. This computer generated rendering provides a clue as to what the new car may look like, revealing that it will likely share most of the lines of the 2009 Volvo S60 concept car. At first glance, the rendered sedan features definite coupe-like proportions, accompanied by strong shoulders, which together give it a look that is very similar to the design of the recent Jaguar C-XF concept vehicle. There are, however, plenty of unique elements such as the traditional Volvo grille and sculptured headlamps with LED bulbs. Not much is known about the car’s future powertrain but one option will be a new 1.6-liter gasoline unit with turbocharging and direct-injection technologies. Previewed in concept form, the tiny mill develops a peak output of 180hp and a fuel economy rating of 47mpg. Drive will be sent to the front wheels via Volvo's PowerShift six-speed dual-clutch transmission.2009 Volvo S60 Concept2010 Volvo S60 sedan preview Read More

The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the current model first hitting the streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was rumoured 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. Saab’s parent company General Motors has since confirmed that the car will now make its debut later this year.

Underneath the heavy camouflage of this prototype for the new 9-5 is a heavily revised version of GM’s FWD Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product... The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the current model first hitting the streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was rumoured 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. Saab’s parent company General Motors has since confirmed that the car will now make its debut later this year. Underneath the heavy camouflage of this prototype for the new 9-5 is a heavily revised version of GM’s FWD Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers will provide a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics. The car’s wheelbase will stretch 2.84m, which is up 14cm on the current model, and the overall length will stretch just over 5m. Engine options will include a range of four-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel units including a biofuel model. There will also likely by an AWD flagship model with a turbocharged petrol V6 displacing 3.6L and developing upwards of 350hp (261kW). Other engines will include a 210hp (157kW) 2.0L unit and mid-level 2.8L V6. A petrol-electric hybrid model is also expected. The new 9-5 will be sourced from Opel’s Ruesselsheim plant in Germany with production tipped to start in the middle of the year. It will then make its debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show as a 2010 model. The included computer generated rendering shows that designers will be sticking with the avant-garde styling of the original Aero X concept car, and will likely keep the protruding nose, large vents and sculpted bodywork. Other details will include a sleek, coupe-like profile and hatchback rear end. Earlier this month several images touted to be official shots of the car surfaced online. You can see them in our previous story by clicking here.2010 Saab 9-5 spy shots Read More