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's offering up a Nordic Edition 9-5 for 2008, and no that doesn't mean an integrated sauna in the SportCombi and a complimentary copy of ABBA's Greatest Hits, alltför dålig. The package is available as an upgrade for mid-level Vector versions of the sedan and wagon, and consists of cosmetic, equipment, and comfort enhancements. Leather swathes the entire interior, which gets a better audio system, special metallic trim and an electrochromic rearview mirror. New 17-inch alloys fill out the wheel openings, and the roof rails get a nice matte finish, while the rest of the exterior gets a monochromatic treatment. Theres even two new exterior colors; Pepper Green sounds good enough to eat, while Snow Silver won out over Straw Goat Brown.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: SAAB]

The next Saab model won't be a Sonnet redux as rumored. Instead, Inside Line reports, buyers should expect a compact designed to compete among the growing class of small premium hatchbacks - BMW's 1-Series, Audi's A3, the MINI Cooper and Volvo's coming S30.  

The smallest of the Swedes will fill the gap created by the departure of the "Saabaru" 9-2x in 2007 (pictured), and will more than likely share its platform with the Opel Astra platform and the Saturn Ion. Look for hints of the Saab Aero-X in the Trollhattan-assembled design.

[Sources: Inside Line; Saab]