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GM Europe decides to downsize future Saabs
The midsized sedan has been growing in all directions for decades, but soaring fuel prices have customers begging for something smaller. GM is heeding the call as it is preparing a smaller batch of next generation Saabs. The next 9-3 was originally slated to be underpinned by the Epsilon II, but in March GM decided to instead utilize the lower-medium Delta architecture. The Delta platform will also be used for the next-gen Chevy Cruze, which is slated to eventually replace the Cobalt. The end result will be a smaller, lighter, more efficient Swedish sedan.
With the 9-3 shrinking, Saab will also need to down-size its planned 9-1, which was originally scheduled to be Delta-based. Speculation has Saab reaching into GM's global architecture bin to use the Gamma platform that currently underpins the Opel Corsa. The idea has legs, too, as the Swedish automaker calls the idea "imaginable." Both vehicles are said to contain small, efficient turbocharged powertrains, which is in line with what Saab already uses. We're all for smaller, more agile Saabs, and killer fuel economy wouldn't hurt either.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
James 7:34PM (7/23/2008)
The best news I've heard from GM in quite some time.
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FSM 7:36PM (7/23/2008)
This could save Saab. If Saab could redefine themselves as the quirky, sporty, small, lightweight european sedan company they would be doing something that could really sell well in metropolitan areas. They could even compete with the mini as a more utilitarian alternative (4 doors)
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Torrent 7:58PM (7/23/2008)
I'm waiting for the Saab 9-1- the MINI cooper fighter:
http://www.gminsidenews.com/naias/revitalization/saabria/9-1.shtml
Swede 7:38PM (7/23/2008)
I didnt know it takes a whole month for news to propagate to Autoblog.
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ZL-1 7:57AM (7/26/2008)
Yep: the story of the 9-3 moving to DeltaII has been on www.automotorsport.se (in Swedish) for ages!
Ben 7:44PM (7/23/2008)
I always thought SAAB had the formula for best fuel economy while keeping the car size large. (i.e. 9-5)
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garth 8:07PM (7/23/2008)
It's far too late for GM to save it self from financial disaster with this 180 degree reversal on vehicle size.
If they were really committed to change they would have announced a SOB version of the Volt too.
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azzo45 9:04PM (7/23/2008)
Giving Saab a reworked Cruze take away sales from Chevy & takes tooling $$$ that GM's competition doesn't spend.
GM needs to stop living in the 1960s when they had 50% marketshare & start planing on 2010 where they can have 18-20% & actually make PROFITS!!!
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AMcA 9:35PM (7/23/2008)
Great idea, though. Saab's heritage lies in the fabulous light-weight cars that were actually designed by aircraft engineers.
This will allow them to reclaim that heritage, sorta.
I think this may prove a good idea. Especially if they make 'em super-efficient - that 1.4 turbo, for instances. With BAS.
And any other green accoutrements they can come up with. Cork floors anyone? Sisal seats? Get creative, and make Saab stand for something.
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P.V. 9:35PM (7/23/2008)
Sweet! Now SAAB is combining small vehicles, SAAB turbocharging, and amazing fuel efficiency. It's a win-win!
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the vegas style guy 10:16PM (7/23/2008)
I don't think anyone looking at SAAB will even know (let alone believe) that it shares anything with a Chevy.
I have hated the way cars keep getting bigger ever since the 2nd generation Honda Accord. Compare the two side by side. It's gross. Like someone who was hot in high school but at the 20yr reunion they're all fat and sloppy.
Maybe GM will apply this across all its companies.
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CalGuy 10:25PM (7/23/2008)
The new 9-5 is *never* mentioned in any press releases from GM. I LOVE my 9-5 wagon.. it's a relatively light, fast economical ride.. I just wonder if they're e-v-e-r going to release a new version.
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Holden Miecranc 10:40PM (7/23/2008)
For those who haven't noticed, just because a vehicle is smaller, doesn't mean it automatically gets better MPG.
BMW 128: 19/28
BMW 328: 19/28
BMW 528: 18/28
Cadillac CTS 3.6: 17/26
Cadillac STS 3.6: 17/26
Or even that much better (with a lot less power):
Hyundai Tucson 2.7 2WD: 18/24
Santa Fe 3.3 2WD: 17/23
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Michael D. 12:04AM (7/24/2008)
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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El Paco 3:50PM (7/24/2008)
Do you realize that the first Saabs were moved by sub-1 litre two- stroke V2's? Volvo always was a "big car" company, so it goes more with its own personality to move upmarket. Saab always was a "quirky" company, with small, but well engineered cars.
Love Minis 5:51PM (7/24/2008)
They better not kill the 9-1 or "there will be blood".
I am totally looking forward to that car.
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MONTE 12:03AM (7/24/2008)
Right now not many people in the U.S. want to drive a small, lightweight, fuel efficient car like this because they are surrouned by huge SUVs and trucks on the freeway that could squash them flat if needed. As the fuel crunch has more people swapping for smaller cars, and auto makers keep scrapping their SUVs and big truck plans I really see this country's auto industry changing greatly. I do feel that this will give companies like GM the ability to bring in European cars branded that way like the Opel instead of having to "Americanize" it and call it a Saturn. In this same way of thinking I feel that companies like Saab can get back to their roots like this and do what they do best.
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John B 5:03AM (7/24/2008)
GM killed Saab some time ago. All Swedish character and charm was killed off the day the 9-3 was launched using the old old Vectra chassis. New models planned using Cadillac underpinnings and big bland 4x4s were just another nail in the Trolhattan coffin. It was only really a matter of time before the GM bean-counters and badge engineers made Saab just another badge in a dying empire.
Another sad day for real car lovers everywhere.
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J M C 3 9:13AM (7/24/2008)
SAAB needs to become a premium line of subcompact/compact sport utility sports cars.
the 900 was great in this way.It had all the utility You needed for a ski trip with freinds and it could run with BMW's.
SAAB has lost this identity in their desire to offer premium sedans with no utility.
In short .They lost their marketing edge.
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John B, London 9:27AM (7/24/2008)
> In short .They lost their marketing edge.
Exactly right, they became part of GM!! Innovation becomes introspection and the rest, as they say, is history!