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Saab looking to downsize next-generation models

 
7 2,181 views Jul 23, 2008
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Saab looking to downsize next-generation models

Saab looking to downsize next-generation models

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Saab is one of a handful of carmakers looking to buck the trend of building bigger and heavier cars with each new model generation, the carmaker confirming at this week’s London Motor Show that future models will be more compact. Starting with the upcoming 9-1, due to arrive in 2012, engineers have decided to drop a lower-medium architecture planned for the car and replace it with General Motors’ global Gamma small car platform.



The information comes from the boss of General Motors Europe, Carl-Peter Forster, who explained to Automotive News that Saab doesn’t want its future models to grow in size.

The story is the same for the next-generation Saab 9-3, due in early 2010. Saab originally planned to use the new Ypsilon-2 architecture, used in cars like the Opel Insignia and upcoming production Buick Invicta, but has since decided to use the lower-medium Delta architecture.

Saab’s managing director Jan-Ake Jonsson confirmed Forster’s statements, telling reporters that Saab wants to break the industry trend that successors to existing models automatically get bigger. Another carmaker that’s been very active in downsizing its models and reducing vehicle weight is Mazda, which expects to replace its entire lineup with smaller and lighter vehicle architectures by 2011.

Pictured above is the Saab 9X BioHybrid Concept, which previews the upcoming 9-1 compact car.

2008 Saab 9X BioHybrid Concept
Saab 9X BioHybrid Concept

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Comments (7)

  1. By stewie Posted: 7/23/2008 10:08am PDT

    Good. Some cars are getting way too big - Camry & Accord come to mind.
     
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  2. By Gunnar Posted: 7/23/2008 10:09am PDT

    Twenty-twelve is a painfully long time to wait for the car that could single handedly save the Swedish marque.
     
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  3. By NoNameDenton Posted: 7/23/2008 5:32pm PDT

    Ypsilon-2 ? You guys do mean Epsilon 2 right.
     
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  4. By HECTOR Posted: 7/23/2008 6:03pm PDT

    Can they make them small enough that they disappear completely? And a better question: would anyone notice?
     
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  5. By Michael D. Posted: 7/23/2008 11:40pm PDT

    I posted this on another blog/site, and I'll post it here, too:

    This is indeed poor and depressing news regarding Saab, sounds like a
    step down-market and a throw-back to the malaise 70s. This is
    especially poor since rival Volvo is reported to step upmarket and
    some of the small (bet well executed) Volvo S30s are going back to
    Sweden due to not selling as highly expected in the USDM. I
    personally don't want to see the 9-3 shrink, be decontented, and only
    be powered by buzzy, lumpy four-bangers, turbo or not, i.e., not be a
    sell-out.

    On the positive side, the 9-4 appears promising and I'm hoping the
    ancient 9-5's successor becomes significant, sizable, V6 powered and
    well executed.
     
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  6. By VWInformant Posted: 7/24/2008 9:30am PDT

    I think it's great that Saab is turning toward smaller designs for their upcoming models; however I don't see this as an exclusive trend. With increases in gas prices, automakers across the board have been pursuing smaller vehicles.

    ---
    Working with VW to spread the word about the new Tiguan. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.
     
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  7. By NaBUru38 Posted: 7/24/2008 3:35pm PDT

    Michael D, I think exactly the opposite: small cars are the future. Imagine this Saab 2011 lineup: 9-1 hatch / soft top, 4.00 meters; 9-3 hatch, 4.40 meters; 9-3 sedan / wagon / hardtop, 4.60 meters; 9-5 sedan / wagon, 4.80 meters.
     
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