New GM small car sketched, possibly Saab 9-1

Posted Wed Feb 13 2008 4:12 PM by Nelson Ireson

In what could either be an inexplicable security slip or a brilliant viral marketing campaign, GM apparently left some drawings of a proposed car out on a desk in a room full of journalists. Sounds suspicious, certainly, but either way we get a sneak peek at a new car, so there's no need for complaints. The new car is shown in pictures reproduced by sketch artists, and is suspected to be either a Saab or Saturn - or both - and is being touted as a MINI fighter.

The top and rear of the car certainly show signs of the MINI's influence, although that may be an artifact of relaying the design to a sketch artist - these aren't the actual pictures seen in the GM design studio. Nevertheless, the similarity exists, although up front the car is more Honda Fit or Nissan Versa, but with a decidedly Saab-like bent. The aggressive intake area seems to be covered in mesh - a feature normally reserved for high-performance variants, and therefore likely only a design cue.

Enormous wheels fill up arched and flared wheel-wells, and a side-sill kit ties the front fascia in with the profile of the vehicle. Side mirrors are thin, angular and bifurcated, while the side windows are relatively short. The highly raked windshield and hood indicate the GM MINI-fighter should get good fuel efficiency - an essential element for anything designed to go up against BMW's sporty little hatch.

Design objectives should place the price of the new car in the $20,000 price range. There's a possibility it could be built on a rear-drive platform such as GM's Kappa or upcoming Alpha, but that wouldn't be in keeping with a high-efficiency econocar designed to compete with the MINI.

Via: MotorTrend

Reader Comments

Wed Feb 13 2008 5:26 PM
chris says

*yawn*

sorry.. doesnt look particularly appealing. this needs more pronounced styling... to be appealing... its a small car.. it needs to be loud and in your face. and this is the designers sketch.. which means its going to be even more boring when it comes to fruition.
Wed Feb 13 2008 11:05 PM
Yago Bal says

How could it be a saturn if it doesn't have any Opel/Saturn styling cues? (assuming that the sketch we're seing is based on the one spoted at GM)
Wed Feb 13 2008 11:08 PM
Sean C says

The URL attached to your picture is bad....

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