Interesting style and hope this car helps turn around SAAB to become independent of GM. I really don't want to see their plant make Caddy's and all future models to be madein Germany. Germany is not Sweedish nor is America (9-7x and B9 twin) or Japan (subaru 9-2x).

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Those headlights look modern...for the nineties. Otherwise, the front looks like someone crossed the front of the new Jetta with a Pontiac Grand Prix.

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Lots more photos at http://trollhattansaab.net.
I have to say I guardedly (until I see it) like it. As one who has always admired Saabs (but never owned one, and I'm not a "fan"), I've thought they've squeezed blood out of the rock of their current styling theme for a while. Being able to so easily (and effectively) stick their front onto the 9-2 is evidence of how formula its become, and the 9-3, while nice, is bordering on bland. Saab also doesn't have a very distinctive rear design right now.

Michael Mauer, the until recent head designer there (now at Porsche), I read disliked the 9-3's design, most of which was done before he arrived, and thought things needed shaking up. I think this does it. It has a frosty, Scandinavian, IKEA-ish feel about it which is somewhat the opposite of the tortured, baroque themes of the other European makes of late. I like this front motif even better squared off on the 9-6x spyshot, also on the trollhattensaab.net webpage.

With Mauer gone, though, who knows what will happen. This could be a short lived Saab theme.

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The Sweedish govt should help bring the company back to life. SAAB is to Sweeden as Apple pie is to the US(well the old one).

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The face looks like that of a blind man wearing glasses.

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Progressive, modern and evolutionary. I'm not disappointed. A job well done.

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I am thinking about getting my wife the 9-5 wagon. I like the looks, but the rear of the sedan looks a little like a Jetta. Can't wait to see the upgraded interior.

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I looks like a Saturn L300.

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I like the exterior styling, it's definitely grown on me fairly quickly. More aggressive, which Saab needed. The interior may disappoint some a little though.

I have what is reported to be a shot of the interior at Trollhattan, but nothing official yet.

http://www.trollhattansaab.net

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Compared to the previous design, this is a real step backwards. What this pic fails to demonstrate is the increased front overhang which was already too much to begin with. The ass end is another big mistake. I don't object to the tail lamps, but you can't distinguish this rear end versus a Toyota now. They've managed to take a unique car like Saab and homogenized it. Bleah. What makes this car any different now from the others in its size class? How can they actually get the 9-3 proportions and look about right and this so wrong?

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GM brings to mind that saying about a wet dream
It is definately time to park the 2001 9-5 Aero wagon, go back to the 93-9000 CSE, and start the project to restore my two NSU Ro80`s.
Maybe stick a Saab badge on them,at least they had some style. Saab will probably join NSU on the scrap heap of great cars that were wonderful for a while.
As for Holden Monaro/Pontiac Gto`s and the GM connection, many a young Aussie died shearing off Blue Gum telegraph poles on the footpaths of Australia while Saab built strong life saving autos. Those damn Swedes to smart for their own good.

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It looks like a Saturn Ion's front end. May God help Saab!

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