Autoblog

VIDEO: Griffin Up! Saab supporter creates mash-up in support of brand

Chris Paukert — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:31:00 EST

Griffin Up! - In support of Saab Automobile - click above to watch video

Neither Santa Claus nor the Grinch showed up for Saab faithful over Christmas, as the troubled automaker remains in limbo, with General Motors not releasing any further announcements over the holiday about the fate of several eleventh hour bids for its Swedish Patient from Spyker and others.

That silence hasn't stopped fans of the marque from mobilizing on the Internet, as they've done everything from start a Wordpress blob petition urging readers to boycott GM if they let Saab go under to penning support letters and/or eulogies for the fallen brand. One such individual, David Blumberg, has gone so far as to create an original song, Griffin Up! and he's created a video montage using both current and historical footage of the brand to show why he feels the brand is worth saving. Even if you're not a fan of the brand (or the soundtrack), the video footage provides a good reminder of what Saab has added to the global automotive discourse, and it's worth taking for a spin if only to see footage of the sublime Aero X concept or the official Saab stunt driving team or a rally-prepped 9-3 Viggen tearing up Pikes Peak.

A final resolution of Saab's fate is expected by New Year's, but while your waiting, you can click through to the jump to view Blumberg's handiwork for yourself. Thanks for the tip, GPG!

Gallery: Saab - A History in Pictures

[Sources: I Won't Buy From GM; YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Griffin Up! Saab supporter creates mash-up in support of brand

VIDEO: Griffin Up! Saab supporter creates mash-up in support of brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Koenigsegg, meet Saab. Saab, meet Koenigsegg.

Chris Paukert — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, GM, Saab

Koenigsegg CCX meets Saab Aero X concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Although the deal to purchase Saab between Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg and General Motors has not yet been completely finalized, that hasn't stopped us from openly pining for a production version of Saab's gorgeous Aero X concept car of 2006. And now that we have pictures of the showstopper adjacent to one of Mr. Christian von Koenigsegg's own gorgeous creatures, well... it may just be enough to keep us awake at night. We're not sure where these two-door millionaire's coupes got together for this photoshoot, but judging from the snow on the ground, we wouldn't rule out the motherland.

While it's way too early to tell if Saab's new ownership situation will help get the automaker out of the woods it has seemingly been lost in for years, we can't help but at least get a little excited when seeing these two together. Check them out in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Koenigegg, Meet Saab. Saab, Meet Koenigsegg

[Source: Saabs United]

Koenigsegg, meet Saab. Saab, meet Koenigsegg. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab and Salomon take the Aero X concept to the slopes

Noah Joseph — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 08:33:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Saab

It could be their unmistakably Nordic appeal, but if you head to any respectable ski resort, you're likely to see a fair few Saabs with roof-racks in the parking lots, next to Volvo wagons (but very few Koenigseggs). In partnership with winter-sport equipment giant Salomon, Saab has been sponsoring a number of snow-capped alpine events since 2001. Now the two Scandinavian companies have launched a special set of downhill skis in celebration of both their 60th anniversaries, Saab and Salomon having each been founded in 1947.

The fiberglass and graphite skis pay homage to the Saab Aero X concept car unveiled at the 2006 Geneva show. They feature an innovative "hybrid axle" system that put the power down at the rear and optimize turning control at the front. The Salomon Aero X skis sell for $1000 a pair, and the two companies hope to cooperate further in the future, but somehow we don't see a 9-3 wagon running on skis instead of wheels seeing production anytime soon.

[Source: Inside Line]

Saab and Salomon take the Aero X concept to the slopes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab Aero X designer honored

Dan Roth — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 08:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, GM, Saab, Opel

For a car designer, being honored by ELLE magazine might not be something you rush to append to your Curriculum Vitae. On the other hand, good design is good design, and the difference between the design cognoscenti and lay people is largely an ability to verbalize the pleasing elements of a form. Most people unschooled in the history and theory of design merely say "it's nice, I like it," or the oft-uttered phrase around Autoblog HQ - "that's hot."

GM Europe's Anthony Lo has been bestowed the honor of "Asian Designer of the Year" at the 2007 ELLE Magazine Style Awards. Lo has headed up GM Europe's Advanced Design division since 2004 after holding Advanced Design positions at Saab and Mercedes Benz. Lo's work on the Saab Aero X concept won him the award from ELLE. Lo has also presided over the designs of recent concepts such as the Opel Flextreme and GTC. So we guess if you love/hate the 9-5's chrome-bespectaled beak, he's the man to thank/blame. The Aero X is one fine piece of work, though, so we'll just stare at that and chase away any thoughts of the 9-5, or better yet, the Caddy BLS.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: GM via The Car Blog]

Continue reading Saab Aero X designer honored

Saab Aero X designer honored originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab talks up its forthcoming products

Alex Nunez — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Saab

There's plenty in store for Saab in the coming years, with a substantial revision of a current model, a new crossover, and a new entry range all in the works. Saab USA's GM, Steve Shannon, chatted up the editors at Inside Line to spill some of the beans. The 9-5 is slated for a complete redesign sometime between 2009 and 2012, where the car will get updated styling and a selection of new powertrains.

That same general time period will also see the introduction of a new crossover dubbed the 9-4X and a new entry model named the 9-1, the latter of which IL believes will target the Volvo C30. The look of all the new Saabs will be penned at GM's European design center, which spawned the awesome Aero X concept (above) whose influence has already been felt in the redesigned 9-3 range. Expect more Aero X-tinged goodness in terms of styling as new Saabs make their debuts in the coming years. Head over to Inside Line for additional details and speculation.

[Source: Inside Line]

Saab talks up its forthcoming products originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Saab 9-3 sedan with no camo

John Neff — Fri, 04 May 2007 08:50:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Saab

It doesn't seem that Saab is too concerned about the public getting a glimpse of its 9-3 sedan wearing a new front fascia. We've already reported on spy shots of various lightly camoflouged models, and now we've discovered shots of a 9-3 sedan with no camo spotted in Sweden by a member of the Saab Turbo Club Sweden forum.

As we've noted in the past, the new 9-3 will receive a face that's directly inspired by the well received Aero X concept that debuted at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. The interpretation of the Aero X face on the 9-3 looks a bit exaggerated, almost like a charicature of the concept, but the car looks better in these images than any others we've seen. The matte black grille set against the gun metal gray paint minimizes the sense of exaggeration, and the car looks significantly more aggressive than the current model.

We've posted one pic here for you, but a couple more full shots can be viewed by clicking the Read link.

Thanks for the tip, Dave!

[Source: Saabturboclub.com via TrollhattanSaab.net]

Spy Shots: Saab 9-3 sedan with no camo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2007 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible

John Neff — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Saab

We brought you spy shots of the updated Saab 9-3 SportCombi wagon a couple of weeks ago, but a similarly updated Saab 9-3 Convertible has just been caught in the same area and this one's not covered in snow. The new grille inspired by the Aero X is present and we can see clearly now how the new curved hood meets up with it. The front and rear bumpers are both new, and the door handles for the new 9-3 will reportedly come straight off the Euro-market Cadillac BLS (they're not using them, so why not?), though this mule is still wearing the current car's handles. Let's face it, these are mild face lifts to the 9-3 line of cars, even if the new grilles do manage to spiff them up a bit. Where's an all-new 9-3, though? For that matter, a lot of Saab fanatics out there want there hatch back, jack.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: 2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Saab 9-3 shaping up with Aero X cues

John Neff — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Wagon, Saab

Swade over at Trollhattansaab.net, the mecca of Saab sites on the web, has again come through with a tantalizing shot of the 2008 Saab 9-3. Shown winter testing someplace where it's really cold and snowy, this 9-3 SportCombi test mule is sporting a new grille design that evokes the longish snout of the Aero X that was so well received at last year's Geneva Motor Show. Swade notes the new nose isn't a total transfer of the Aero X's look, probably because this refreshening will be a transition face for the 9-3 that bridges the current model and an all-new model that's still a few years out. Nevertheless, this grille is much taller than the current model's, and therefore the smallish intakes anchored to the headlights stretch farther down towards the center now to meet the main grille. Also noted is black tape at the top of each headlamp that could be covering a strip of LED daytime running lights.

[Source: Trollhattan.net]

Spy Shots: 2008 Saab 9-3 shaping up with Aero X cues originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Even concept cars need gas... Saab Aero X spotted filling up

Erin Mays — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Etc., Saab

Imagine filling up your tank, complaining that gas prices have gone up yet again and cursing your choice to get the turbo engine with a penchant for premium petrol, when all of a sudden, the Saab Aero X pulls up alongside your ride. The top swooshes up and the doors rise slowly like a fighter jet opening up to allow its heroic pilot passage from the vehicle, and you feel the drool start to trickle to the corner of your mouth... or at least that's how we, as mere mortals, would feel if the Saab Aero X pulled up to the pump next to us. We can't quite decipher the text accompanying the photos, so that's the story we're sticking with.

Enjoy the photos, and thanks to Dennis for the tip.

[Source: Bil.feber.se]

Even concept cars need gas... Saab Aero X spotted filling up originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Mar 2006 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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