Autoblog

Saab unearths Subaru Tribeca-based 9-6 prototype from the archives

Noah Joseph — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:36:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossover, Saab, Subaru

Go back a few years ago to when Saab and Subaru were the quirky stepchildren in the General Motors family. That was before GM sold its stake in both, and when the beancounters in Detroit wanted to try something different. They took a Subaru Impreza wagon/hatchback, gave it some new bodywork and presto! the Saab 9-2x was born.

That wasn't the only tie-in between the two that was mooted, however. A second Saabaru was under consideration, based on the maligned Subaru Tribeca. The planned vehicle was scrapped before it had the chance to live, but following much demand from the Trollhättan faithful, Saab has taken the resulting 9-6 prototype out of hiding, put it on display at its own museum and published these photos through its Inside Saab blog for all to see. As you can see, the prototype (like the 9-2x) received an extensively reworked nose in line with the Saab look, but the interior would've been largely carried over had it reached production.

The emergence of the 9-6 prototype has some interesting timing, as Saab itself recently confirmed plans for an expanded lineup that includes a 9-6x - a model that we don't see sharing anything with the castoff crossover seen here. Scope it out in our high-res image gallery.

Saab unearths Subaru Tribeca-based 9-6 prototype from the archives originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab to build three all-new models with its two new Chinese partners

Zach Bowman — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: China, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab

Saab finally has some good news to share with the world. The Swedish automaker has announced that it has inked formal, legally binding deals with both Pang Da and Youngman. The only thing standing in the way of both agreements right now is approval by a host of regulatory bodies and government agencies. Moreover, Saab has also formed a conditional partnership with Youngman Passenger Car that will culminate in a new joint venture to produce three new models. The operation will be 50 percent owned by Saab with Youngman Passenger Car holding the keys to the remaining half.

Until now, the three new models weren't in Saab's product plan. The company says that the joint venture will help develop the 9-1, 9-6X and 9-7, though details are scarce at the moment. Comments made by Pang Qingnian, CEO of Youngman, point to the 9-6 and 9-7 as being geared toward the U.S. and Chinese markets while the 9-1 will be adapted more toward global tastes. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Continue reading Saab to build three all-new models with its two new Chinese partners

Saab to build three all-new models with its two new Chinese partners originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Revitalization in Action posts dream Saab lineup

John Neff — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Crossover, Hatchback, Saab

click on image to enlarge

The GM Inside News forum members who conjured up a dream Buick lineup for their project titled Revitalization in Action have come back again with a turnaround plan for Saab. GMI member ChevroletRevived collaborated with fellow forum member fbodyrules, who supplied the Photoshop skills, to dream up a new line of Saabs on which the quirky Swedish brand should, in their opinion, adopt if it hopes to save itself from being sold or axed altogether.

The lineup includes a 9-1 small luxury vehicle along the lines of the Volvo C30 and Audi A3; a refreshened 9-3 with cues from the Aero X that allow the brand's volume seller to carry on another four years before an Epsilon II-based model is ready; a 9-4X small CUV that will compete with the Acura RDX, BMW X3 and Audi's upcoming Q5; a new 9-5 based on the Epsilon II platform (shown above); another version of the Lambda platform for the 9-7X replacement called the 9-6x; and finally a true luxury brand flagship in the new 9-9x sedan.

In true Saab form, the GMI guys have placed various turbo powerplants in all the models, ranging from the 1.8t in the 9-1 to the 480-hp, turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 in the 9-9x Aero. They also aim to keep Saab on the cutting edge by having GM offer its two-mode hybrid system in various models with the brand's BioPower motor that can run on gas or ethanol. Clearly a common design theme has been executed across this entire fictitious lineup that draws heavily from the Aero X concept, as well. Their designs are fetching, their product planning is thorough, and the end result is the most mainstream and attractive Saab lineup ever dreamed up. The question now is, will it remain a dream?

Follow the Read link to peruse the supposed future of Saab and let us know if you think these guys are on the right flight path or have totally veered off course.

[Source: GM Inside News]

Revitalization in Action posts dream Saab lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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