Saab won't get a derivation of the Solstice/Sky
Earlier this year, Saab's USA general manager Jay Spenchian told reporters that a version of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters was a possibility for the struggling Saab brand; however, Spenchian renegged recently and said plans have been nixed. Instead, Saab's efforts have been focused on a 300 hp ethanol-fueled Saab 9-5, which originally appeared in Sweden and Germany and will appear at the LA Auto Show and the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January. GM says it's possible to release the vehicle or a similar one into production within a year and a half.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Corey W. 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Would have been nice... I'd rather have a roadster with the styling and badge of a Saab than a Saturn...
Reply
James 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
A third roadster would have been folly -- how big is the market anyway? And I can just see Pontiac cannibalizing Saturn and vice versa. What's the logic, here?
Anyway, what Saab needs (besides independence) is a series of Kappa-based small cars, such as a replacement for the 9-2X, and a sporty COUPE, unless Saabs absolutely must be FWD.
Reply
Matt 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
The 300HP (turbo?) SAAB 9-5 sounds good, but will it also get nixed and will it remain SAAB? GM had better watch it or it will totally lose out with SAAB. All of SAAB's competition and some lesser than luxury has over 300hp already. I hope AWD, but this would be a change for the better. SAAB does need to replace the 9-2 and introduce a larger than 9-5 too. With GM we'd be dead by now if we kept holding our breath. GM needs to make it happen like yesterday. This is not being negative, but realistic.
Reply
Robert Farago 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
No problem. As of this writing, Pontiac and Saturn don't have a Solstice/Sky either...
Reply
whofan 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Anyone remember the Buick Reatta? Wasn`t it similar to the Solstice
Reply
ETMC 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Whofan:
No, it wasn't.
I would have liked to have seen a new 'Sonnett', but oh well.
I do agree with James that some Kappa based coupes would be neat to see - if done right, it could attract some positive attention, and hopefully sales, to the brand.
Reply
J T 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
The Reatta was basically a shortened 2-seat Riviera offered from 1988-92. It came out as a hardtop originally, but a convertible was offered from 1990-92. It had the exact same drivetrain as the Riviera did, the same dash - like I said just a shorter (and in my opinion, homelier) version of a Riv - the Solstice and Sky aren't derivations of existing cars like the Reatta was. So about the only thing they have in common, other than both being made by GM, is that they're both 2-seaters (and likely to be around as long as a Reatta - which is to say give them a few years and they'll likely be history too).
Reply
Tim UF 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
i like that saab wont be getting a version of the solstice/sky. i think rebadging/platform sharing whatever else you want to call it is part of why GM is doing so poorly. sure they have a monster vehicle portfolio, but in reality they have very few different cars. yesthe sab would have taken sales from the sky solstice twins, and sab has a new drop top 9-3 coming out as it is. that said, after seeing both in person, the sky is a much better looking car imo. much more chiseled and not as bulbous as the solstice. and i dotn think the generic er characteristic saab front end would have worked on it.
Reply
EGS Machine 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
too bad the Kappa based Chevy Nomad won't make it. an Eco-wagon would be nice. guess i'll stick with Subaru; especially since Toyota is not in charge.
Reply
JZeke 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Can Kappa be stretched to make a small 4 seater? Saab needs a 1 series fighter and a streched Kappa might fit the bill. A stretched Kappa could also see work as a upmarket Saturn to fight the A3, that is if a transverse fwd 4 cyl or 6 would fit... but with all the rumor that a V8 fits, why not a transverse 4?
Reply
Tim UF 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
the V8fitting wasnt a rumor, it was as show car solstice at the SEMA Show.
is the aura not enough car to fight the A3?
Reply
tilley 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Another nail in the SAAB coffin.....Sonnett rebirth nixed.
Reply
J Mays 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
If only they had my brilliance and insight. Just look at the new Mustang convertible...
Reply
Bone 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Another roadster would have been wrong. Two models is more than enough for this niche segment. A coupe on the other hand, such as a new Sonnet as many have mentioned, would be nice. But with the Saab name, it really should perform at close to Z4 or Cayman levels and that's a lot to ask of the Kappa platform.
Most of all though, I agree that even a 2-seater coupe shouldn't be a high Saab priority. They first need to stop having their cars come out rock bottom on comparison tests. Work on the 9-3's dynamics to achieve at least Audi levels. Keep the 4-banger turbos, but work on lag and torque steer. And could they please clean up all their dash boards as they have on the new 9-5? Also, it may not make fiscal sense, but I sure miss the 4-door hatch.
Reply
Swade 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Autoblog, why not tell 'em about the award recently won by the 9-5 biopower model? I emailed you about it last week.
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2005/11/95_biopwer_wins.html
Farago: What are you on? If you're going to post a Deathwatch-inspired remark on every GM related post, then at least substantiate it so we can get what you're prattling on about.
Matt(#3): This isn't a model that has to be planned and developed. It's totally Saab and is already selling well in Sweden and has just been announced for sale in the UK. For more info on the Biopower model check the Saab archives here or click on my name to come over to Trollhattan Saab where I have heaps of info on it.
Reply
Erik 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
GM is notorious for rebadging blunders. Any move to curb this for the future is a good one.
Reply