Victor Muller: New SAAB 9-2 On The Drawing Board
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Forget all of your bad memories of the ‘Saabaru’ 9-2X mongrel of the past decade because Saab is working on a brand new 9-2, one that will be all Saab and one that will draw inspiration from the original 92 model of the 1950s. Victor Muller, the CEO of Spyker and savior of Saab, has revealed that designers are working on a retro-modern interpretation of the original 92 that could one day compete with Volkswagen’s New Beetle or the MINI and Fiat 500.
The modern 9-2 is still at a very early design stage and Muller stressed that the car could only be built once Saab was on more stable ground and if the economy improved--all funds are currently accounted for, with the market launches of the 9-5 and 9-5 Estate, new 9-4X crossover and next-generation 9-3 remaining the top priorities.
That doesn’t mean Saab isn’t seriously looking at the idea of a new 9-2 model. Muller even showed Motor Trend renderings of some potential designs for the car, revealing a car that draws some very distinct styling cues from the original 92. What Saab really needs now, Muller explained, is additional financing or a partner to share platforms and components with.
Where this leaves the possibility of an entry-level 9-1 remains to be seen but it appears a new 9-2 will be Saab’s newest model line after the 9-4X is launched.
Before we see a new 9-2, however, Saab will have to launch its next-generation 9-3. Muller revealed that the platform for this car will be an extensively modified Epsilon I platform sourced from General Motors and not the newer Epsilon II as previously thought. The architecture will belong to Saab and will be renamed the I-P platform, and it will only be used by the Swedish automaker so there will be no restraints on its design.
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Have an opinion?
Chris Johnson Posted: 4/5/2010 6:57am PDT
jgoldb Posted: 4/5/2010 9:28am PDT
How about sourcing and then retuning Fiat engines?
NoNameDenton Posted: 4/5/2010 7:22pm PDT
Palmer M Posted: 4/5/2010 10:33pm PDT
Saabaru5 Posted: 4/6/2010 10:43am PDT
I don't get why the media always refers to the Saabaru like this..? I own a 2005 and love it, it's an awesome alternative to the trendy WRX with a nicer interior, better looking front end, and the same performance and tunability of the WRX. I like Saab too, but how is this rebadge worse than the 9-7x?? I understand that Saab loyalists were probably offended by GM's handling of Saab because the brand lost much of it's unique and quirky personality while in their hands. But Subaru definitely has it's own quirkyness too, and both companies have a history with aviation. I personally thought it was a good match up.
I am curious to hear other opinions and perspectives about this..
I also saw the renderings of the modern 9-2, definitely looks awesome! I can only hope that it comes to reality!
pcfixaren Posted: 4/10/2010 3:54am PDT
That type of engine with a two inch exhaust pipe makes a unique sporty sound and fits right into a retro Saab.
I think it should also have a 5 or 6 speed gearbox equipped with a freewheel and the gear shifter of course should be placed just under the steering wheel to add even more to the retro-Saab feeling.
I also think it should be easy to maintain, a do it yourself kind of car with good space under the hood and the engine fully visual just like the older Saabs. This would make it cheap to own since much of the yearly maintenance can be done by the owners themselves.
Have an opinion?Join the conversation!