Saab might get small SUV; two-seat sports car
Saab might not be getting a roadster based on the Pontiac
Solstice, but a sports car just might be in the works. Scheduled for a Geneva showing is a fwd two-seater based on
the old 60s-era Saab Sonnett with a 250 hp V-6 engine.
Also possibly in the works is the Saab 9-4x, a small SUV like the BMW X3 that might share a platform with a small
Cadillac SUV. No date for production has been set by Saab; however, industry best guesses mark it down for the 2009
model year. The small SUV is said to be Saab's backup plan now that the Subaru B9 Tribeca is no longer fair game for a
Saab derivation.
The addition of a sports car and small SUV is part of the brand's attempt to diversify and offer more models. A
decision about production of the Sonnett-inspired sports car will depend on consumer reaction to the concept slated for
Geneva.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JZed 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
But why a 250hp FWD V6? 250 is the reasonable limit for fwd hp, and a v6 puts so much more weight over the wheels... If it costs more than an Eclipse, I cant imagine it will find too many buyers.
Now a REAL saab coupe with a 4cyl turbo and a Scandanavian Modern interior, that could be interesting.
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rainking 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
what about the camaro/firebird? i hear GM will show concepts of both at the Detroit show
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Slippery Pete 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Yes, just what the market is clamoring for: A 250 HP FWD 2-seater from Saab. Christ almighty. GM finally - FINALLY! - builds a decent roadster and IMMEDIATELY begins plans to cannibalize it with another roadster (albeit one destined for ignomy).
GM is the worst-managed large company in America.
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Dr. Woo 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
I hear the word "Saab," I think "turbo." Enhance the 2.0t or just lighten it (or both!) for a small, zippy FWD coupe and it'll sell like hotcakes.
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tilley 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Glad that the 2-seater is not dead, but I agree with the Dr., Saab=turbo 4 cyl.
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Dave 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Yes.
That just what we need...another SUV
Not!
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franke 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
I agree with you also,, a 4cyl,, BUT , as you may know, the current 4cyl turbo in the 9-3 SS is not so much a Saab as a ecotec GM engine =. The older models were built completely by Saab I think. Or at least they had more Saab engineering in them. The current engine has been known for beeing a bit weak and not so tuning-friendly.
I got that impression from the official tuner of Saabs here in Sweden, Nordic tuning: http://www.nordictuning.com/ . They like the old engines much better, like the one in the 9-5, in the old 9-3 and in the 9000.
They have a tuning program for the 9-3 SS, but only a "stage 1" up to 245 hp. You could get the old one up to 300 I think.
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RWD fan 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Everytime I see one of these Sonnetts I remember a columnist from a "weekly magazine about autos" named Satch Carlson. That guy was hilarious! He had tales about rallying Saabs across Alaska that cracked me up. I wonder where he is today?...
Wasn't the original powerplant in the Sonnett a 2 stroke? The marine outboard manufacturers are making tremendous advances in direct injection 2 strokes that are burning as clean, or cleaner, than their 4 stroke products. I would be curious if there's any auto companies pursuing 2 stroke engines for use on the road today, since the 2 strokes always had such an advantage in the power to weight ratio...?
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rex 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
I hear the word Saab and I think mushy suspension. Saab build great cars for the pipe and slippers brigade, but sports cars???
Saab drivers do not care about lateral-G's.
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