Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Saab's never-was 9-3 gets a few better looks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/23/saabs-never-was-9-3-gets-a-few-better-looks/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/23/saabs-never-was-9-3-gets-a-few-better-looks/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/23/saabs-never-was-9-3-gets-a-few-better-looks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The recent glimpses we've been getting of the never-was Saab 9-3 Phoenix must be like rubbing salt on the wounds of all the Saab fans out there. If that's the case, diehard Saab enthusiasts might want to look away from this. SaabWorld has uncovered a handful of shots of what was to be the next-generation 9-3 hatchback, and boy does it look sharp.

Revealing a clearer look at what we previously saw in grainy images or as a full-scale model, these new pictures show what Jason Castriota had in mind for the new car. The front end is obviously inspired by Saab's Phoenix Concept, while the rear of the car pays homage to the Saab 900 hatchback.

We like the overall look. Let us know what you think in the Comments.

Saab's never-was 9-3 gets a few better looks originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Mar 2013 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>saabsaab 9-3saab 9-3 phoenixSat, 23 Mar 2013 13:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20514539/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/23/saabs-never-was-9-3-gets-a-few-better-looks/20514539/article-detail.xml 20514539 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/saab-93-phoenix-1363959998_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/saab-93-phoenix-1363959998.jpg <![CDATA[The Saab 9-3 that never was finally shows up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/22/the-saab-9-3-that-never-was-finally-shows-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/22/the-saab-9-3-that-never-was-finally-shows-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/22/the-saab-9-3-that-never-was-finally-shows-up/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Saab 9-3 Phoenix platform design study - front three-quarter view

Looking back on the life and [slow and painful] death of Saab, it's impossible to not stop and think of what might have been with the quirky Swedish automaker. As it turns out, SaabsUnited has decided to shed some light on what the company's future might have looked like, including some images and information that include full-scale mockups of the 9-3 Phoenix, which you see above.

In its waning years, Saab's lead designer Jason Castriota was working feverishly to deliver new products that built on the heritage of the brand while doing so at a lower cost and in a shorter time period than previous models. In the end, though, it sounds like the earliest that we could have seen any of these plans come to fruition was 2014. In addition to hatchback and convertible 9-3 variants, Castriota also created the Sonnett - a sporty-looking 2+2 that never made it past the design study phase.

Regardless of whether you're a diehard fan of the brand or if you were just pulling for the underdog, you'll want to head on over to SaabsUnited to check out a little more of what the future could have held for Saab.

The Saab 9-3 that never was finally shows up originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 saab 9-39-3jason castriotaphoenixsaabsaab 9-3 phoenixsaab concept carsaab sonettsonettFri, 22 Feb 2013 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20473314/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/22/the-saab-9-3-that-never-was-finally-shows-up/20473314/article-detail.xml 20473314 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/saab-9-3-phoenix_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/saab-9-3-phoenix.jpg <![CDATA[Grainy leaked images show stillborn Castriota-designed Saab 9-3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/grainy-leaked-images-show-stillborn-castriota-designed-saab-9-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/grainy-leaked-images-show-stillborn-castriota-designed-saab-9-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/grainy-leaked-images-show-stillborn-castriota-designed-saab-9-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Grainy image of next-gen Saab 9-3 hatchback design attributed to Jason Castriota - rear three-quarter view

The Saab faithful are going to be playing the "what if" game for years to come. It's one of the burdens of being a fan of a dead brand. A fresh batch of grainy 9-3 Phoenix images have made their way online, alleged shots of a design proposal penned by none other than Jason Castriota. The five-door looks to feature an honest liftback, though SaabsUnited.com says this particular vehicle was drawn up as part of a business plan in early 2011. As such, Castriota apparently told the site the final product was to look much more athletic than what we see here. While the low-resolution images make it difficult to tell much about the design, we certainly appreciate the familiar roofline, full band taillamps and the contrasting rear spoiler reminiscent of the old Saab 99 and 900 ducktails.

Unfortunately, we know all too well why this creation never saw the light of day. Would-be savior Victor Muller couldn't quite pull Saab out of its nosedive, and the company fell into bankruptcy before the 9-3 Phoenix could get off the ground. There's talk of the Phoenix platform and Saab brand having new life in other markets as EVs and even as gas cars, but the model seen here will likely never see production - let alone North American showrooms.

You can take a closer look at SverigesRadio.se - just make sure to have your translator ready if you don't speak Swedish.

Grainy leaked images show stillborn Castriota-designed Saab 9-3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jason castriotaphoenixsaabsaab 9-3saab 9-3 phoenixMon, 04 Feb 2013 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20448079/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/04/grainy-leaked-images-show-stillborn-castriota-designed-saab-9-3/20448079/article-detail.xml 20448079 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/02-saab-9-3-phoenix-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/02-saab-9-3-phoenix-628.jpg -1 2