Autoblog

Click image above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Saab 9-3

Tougher emissions and fuel economy regulations in Europe and the United States have forced Saab to put the brakes on development of the next-generation 9-3. The current Saab 9-3 is built on GM's Epsilon platform (shared with the Opel Vectra, Chevrolet Malibu, and Pontiac G6). The next-gen model was set to be based on the longer and wider GM Epsilon II platform (used for the 2009 Saab 9-5). However, Saab and parent company General Motors are considering radically downsizing the model to fit GM's upcoming 'Global premium compact' platform - a size rivaling the Audi A3.

GM design sources told Autocar that a smaller chassis would dictate new technologies to maximize interior room. These would include a slim modular roof assembly and slimmer doors with advanced side-impact technology. General Motors has also hinted that the new 9-3 could be manufactured in the United States. Many European automakers are feeling the impact a weak dollar is having on profits and, like BMW, are moving or increasing production in the States.

[Source: Autocar]

Saab is trying desperately to remake itself as a premium player in a market rife with competitors offering sharp styling and competent handling. The Swedish automaker has been in a marketing and design rut, which it intends to rectify by offering a new compact model that takes aim at the MINI and other small-sized competitors like the Volvo C30.

The new compact vehicle will be accompanied by a new small crossover and a redesigned 9-5, both of which will take styling cues from the Aero-X concept that has already infused the new 9-3. A new 9-5 will be based on the Theta and Epsilon 2 platforms, and is likely to debut in 2009. The CUV is expected near the close of the decade, while the 9-7X may meet its maker by the end of 2008.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Click image to enlarge

Frankfurt will be the stage upon which Saab reveals the Turbo X, a limited edition 9-3 that will reportedly serve as the debut vehicle for the automaker's new XWD system and celebrate 30 years of turbocharging at Saab. According to Trollhattan Saab, which has been discussing and dissecting the Black Turbo/Turbo X speculation for a while, the car will make 280 horsepower and more importantly, feature eLSD as standard equipment. eLSD will be available on XWD Aero models, but only as an option. This limited slip differential adds the ability to split torque between the rear wheels in addition front/rear split that XWD affords drivers. Look for Turbo X styling to be more aggressive than what you'll see on the other restyled 9-3s, as well as an interior treatment exclusive to this model. Many people have called for an AWD performance Saab, and it's almost here. All will be made known in Frankfurt, and we'll be on hand to tell you about it soon after it goes down.

[Source: Saab]

Click on the photo for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Saab 9-3 convertible

The crew at AutoCar in jolly old England recently had a first crack at the updated 2008 Saab 9-3 and they've published their initial impressions. They mainly got to play with the flex-fuel 2.0L turbo four, which will probably be the base engine when the new Saab arrives on our shores. In Europe, the 9-3 will also be available with the 2.8L turbo V-6 and a twin turbo 1.8L diesel. Unfortunately, we probably won't get the diesel here.

The Brits were also impressed by the new XWD all-wheel-drive system that uses a combination of the latest Haldex center differential and an electronic limited slip differential in the rear axle to instantly distribute the drive torque away from slipping wheels to the ones that have grip in a smooth, seamless transition. Check out the rest of AutoCars driving impressions here.

[Source: AutoCar]

It doesn't seem like the folks in Trollhattan are working very hard to hide the 2008 9-3 from spy shooters and bystanders. Two days ago we showed you a brilliantly colored yellow cabrio trying to be anything but inconspicuous, and now the folks over at Trollhattan Saab captured several more photos of Saab's newest entry. We're happy with the new styling, particularly the new Cadillac-like head lights, and bright work around the grille and fog lights. The Aero-X-inspired grille and lower intake are much more aggressive than the current model, giving the '08 a much more contemporary, almost Mondeo-like look. We'd also like to note that we're glad to see that the uneven-looking tail lights of the current model didn't make their way to the '08.

Saab has been struggling to capture buyers attention for longer than we can remember, and recent offerings like the 9-7X didn't seem to do much for US buyers. With a terrific-looking front end and a re-done tail, we can see why Saab seems anxious to show off their face-lifted mid-sizer before the official unveiling. Click the "Read" link for more pics of the 9-3.

[Source: Trollhattan Saab]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) just wrapped up its own version of a clinical demolition derby on some of the newest drop tops around, and when the airbag dust settled, the Saab 9-3 and the Volvo C70 earned the Institute's Top Safety Pick award. Both vehicles scored "good" in front, side and rear crashes, while others, like the Pontiac G6, didn't fare quite as well.

[Source: IIHS]

The enhanced version of Autoblog Podcast #66 is finally here, and it broght some pictures to the audio party. In part one, we talk Cerberus' purchase of the American icon turned German property Chrysler. In part two of podcast #66 we finished up the Chrysler talk, then we covered quite a bit of ground with the Malibu vs. Camry marketing campaign about to be waged by Chevrolet, Autoblog's spy shots of the Accord Sedan, and the upcoming Saab 9-3. In the last part of the podcast, we touch base on the Corvette Z07 or SS or Blue Devil or whatever, and we also break down the German dominance of the international engine awards. We crammed a whole lot into 30 minutes, and it's definately worth a listen. Remember, parts two and three of the podcast are available after the jump.

Check it out. Per your suggestions, we cut the podcast into three sections for smaller downloads, and we've also embedded sections two and three of the podcast after the jump. If you have any more suggestions on how to improve the enhanced version of the Podcast, let us know in the comments. We're working on a better distribution system than shoving all three in our current RSS feed of the audio-only version, so soon you'll be able to subscribe just to the enhanced version's RSS feed.

DOWNLOAD Part One to your desktop (Chrysler Sale)
DOWNLOAD Part Two to your desktop (Accord sedan, Saab 9-3, Chevy Malibu)
DOWNLOAD Part Three to your desktop (Corvette Z07, Engine Awards)

SUBSCRIBE to the Autoblog YouTube video channel

SUBSCRIBE to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
ADD the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

The last couple of days, we've all been inundated with news of Chrysler's sale to Cerberus, and that's what we lead Podcast #66 with. As much as it makes analysts and pundits foam at the mouth, news about the sale is a pretty dry affair. We'll be keeping an eye on how things go with the newly independent Chrysler, though.

On a more amusing note, we marvel at the confidence GM has in its new Malibu. The suggested sales tactic is to put the new Malibu beside a Camry in Chevy showrooms and guide the customer through how the Malibu is better. Of course, it's mainly a sales stunt - as the only way to tell anything about a car is by driving it. We wonder if Malibus will start popping up in Toyota stores - it'd improve the scenery compared to all the Joe Camel-looking cars, that's for sure. Perhaps the most momentous item we cover this week is Autoblog's first purchased spy shots, capturing the new Honda Accord in the wild. On the spy shot tip, our discussion moves on to the Saab 9-3 and we eventually end up talking about cellphone shots of the Blue Devil. Betwixt the Saab and hot 'Vette, we briefly ponder why German companies are filling their trophy cases with engine awards. German Engineering, ja. We finish up with a simple request - that Motor Trend, Automobile and their sibling buff books be well treated by their new stewards, which devolves into a confessional about who bought a back issue on eBay that featured one of their favorite cars. It's a 36 minute affair this week, enjoy!


SUBSCRIBE to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
LISTEN to the show now
ADD the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Click for high-res gallery

Leaked photos had been dripping out onto the web all last week, and today, Saab officially released the first photos of the facelifted 2008 Saab 9-3. In addition to the wagon that we've all already seen, we now get our first look at the sedan. The release after the jump (which comes via the automaker's Australian division) is very, very lean on details -- this is basically a teaser ahead of the full release that's coming next month, when we can expect to see the convertible and the rear ends of the sedan and wagon.

Obviously, the Aero-X-inspired styling is in play, with the cars getting new front ends, a clamshell hood, and new lighting. As for the other changes, the release plays coy, saying that "significant developments" in design, performance, and handling are being introduced with the car. In Australia, it'll bow with gasoline, diesel, and BioPower engines. We'll probably hear more from the US side later this morning, and will update this post accordingly. We wouldn't be surprised to hear that we'll get the BioPower E85 engine, but not any diesels.

The Australian press release is pasted after the jump.

UPDATE: When the car arrives in the US, it will be available in two trim levels: 2.0T and 2.8 V6 Aero. Sounds like the BioPower's not in the cards for this market (at least not at launch). The US press release has also been added after the jump.

[Source: Saab]

Our man Swade at Trollhattan Saab dropped us a line with the CG renderings you see here, which he strongly believes are about as close as you can get to seeing the soon-to-be-unveiled 2008 Saab 9-3 sedan without getting a walkaround of a prototype. The inside source who sent these in to Trollhattan Saab is familiar to Swade, who has dubbed him "Djup Strupe" (Deep Throat" in Swedish) based on the accuracy of information he has provided in the past.

The car will be formally unveiled June 10th in Sweden -- the 60th anniversary of the unveiling of the first Saab, and between this and what we've seen in the excellent spy photos circulating the last few weeks we have high hopes for the new 9-3. And those are just cosmetic changes. Throw in the new all-wheel-drive system and you have a vehicle that's going to be of significant interest compared to its predecessor. Follow the jump for a rear view, and head over to Trollhattan Saab for enlarged versions of both renderings, plus some additional commentary.

[Source: Trollhattan Saab]