Source:
http://forums.gminsidenews.com/showthread.php?threadid=10782

The Truth behind SAAB's Future Products (9-6X and the Rumored 9-2)
January 26th, 2005
www.GMInsidenews.com (http://www.gminsidenews.com/)
Source: http://www.autoguide.ru (http://www.autoguide.ru/) (Translated VIA Babel-Fish)
Original Source: www.autonews.com (http://www.autonews.com/)

News

Entire truth about the future models Saab

http://www.autoguide.ru/images/articles/110121646657305_p1.jpg
Saab 9-6X

The future models Saab will be built on platforms GM or Subaru. On them will be built two new models of company - compact khetchbek and crossover.

Already many years management Saab fight with illogical model strategy. To completely load plant by two models (9-3 and 9-5) is impossible. True, in the following year in Troll'khattene will begin to be produced specialist 9-3x sportwagon. Simultaneously for restaylingovykh 9-3 will appear the new 2,8- liter turbine engine V6 with a power of 250 hp interesting that in view of design features this engine will not be able to be used on that become obsolete, that made a debut in the distant 1997, Saab 9-5. It is faster, in all Saab will represent the new flag model, which will bear index 9-6, will be equipped with the rear drive (optionally complete) and besides this engine, it will obtain even and engine V8. Top- management truth asserts that front drive - this strategy of company, however, they do not hide, that platform Alfa, utilized together with Opel, is too expensive.

In Saab, of course, large plans; however, thus far General Motors it is necessary to come running to the special measures. To such, as for instance, Saab 9-.2Kh, which is sold only in THE USA and is the reversed specialist Subaru Impreza. However, valuable crossover from Saab, model Saab of 9-."Kh must appear only in 2005 and divide platform with Chevrolet Trailblazer. True, in Sweden they are not assured in the success of new model and... they work at the copy of extra-road builder from Subaru. This automobile with the opposition 6- drum engine, the sliding doors even seven places in the salon will be during January of this year in Detroit. In contrast to Subaru, Saab will have more usual than the door.

Furthermore, in 18 months is expected the debut of compact saab, which is created on basis of Opel Astra GTC. thus far this model there exists only in the form concept- penalty. As threat compact automobile can again serve Subaru. This time is discussed the possibility of production under brand Saab Impreza with the opposition 4- drum 2- liter engine.

http://www.autoguide.ru/images/articles/57305_p2.jpg
Saab 9-2

According to the data of sources in the company, plant Saab in Troll'khattene is rescued. It is rescued because of restaylingovomu 9-3, which divides platform with Opel Vectra and Chevrolet Malibu. And... because of the fact that at the plant, most likely, they organize the production of the small model Cadillac.

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Annotation:

Three Future Models:
-Sport Hatchback (9-2 Replacement)
-Crossover (9-6X)
-Sport Wagon (9-3X)

-Expect a restyled 9-3 to debut with a the Turbo 2.8L V6 Producing 250HP.
-It says that the 9-6X will have rear drive and a V-8, but that doesn't really make sense, maybe it means the 9-7X.

-18 months until the 9-2 replacement debuts.

Look at that "9-2"'s greenhouse... did somebody say C900? 99 of the future?:D

Is the 9-5 to be the last "true" Saab? All these crossovers are just pissing me off. And the spy shots of the 9-3SC just look like a pregnant 9-3SS instead of the wonderful concept car.

Well, the 9-3 SportHatch concept did look like a pregnant 9-3...

Is the 9-5 to be the last "true" Saab?
Depends on how you look at it, since the 9-5 is based off of some Opel platform. The V6 it was came out with was a variation of the one used in the NG900, Saturn L-Series, and Cadillac Catera. As far as new Saabs, it's the most "Saab-ish" since the 9-3SS had even more GM input.

that is shocking!! I don't know..they aren't killing off Saab yet (like they did to Olds!) which is good..but then again all these Subarus and such...:x

Is the 9-5 to be the last "true" Saab? All these crossovers are just pissing me off. And the spy shots of the 9-3SC just look like a pregnant 9-3SS instead of the wonderful concept car.

As a new Saab 2004 9-3 owner and very happy thus far I am totally sad at the news regarding Saab/GM direction. It is clear to me that Saab's sale to GM is going to be its undoing. Perhaps GM will sell the brand to Ford or VW.

I'm so happy with my 9-3 that I'm already excited about a 2007 9-5 when my lease is up. But I'm not going to be remotely interested in a 9-5 that is really just a GM car (possibly built in China) with a Japanese engine, that was designed by a bunch of Americans/Swiss/Germans in Switzerland. C'mon, GM is retarded to think that the car could be considered Swedish anymore when in reality it is just going to be this freak of mechanical nature.

What GM needs to do is completely rethink their Saab strategy. They need to back up and recognize what the Saab brand means because they have got it wrong on these hybrids (eg: 9-2x is selling very poorly, 9-7x at autoshow in Providence, Rhode Island this weekend barey got any attention in the booth -- most folks looked at 9-3 convertible). I would do this to begin:

1. Develop Saab brand as = Advanced Swedish technology with aerospace heritage. Think of Saab as the GE or Pratt & Whitney of car engines and platforms for GM.

2. Invest heavily in Trollhatten and develop Saab engines & platforms for use in other GM cars in addition to Saabs. (Follow Ford's lead with Volvo Architecture being used in Ford cars).

3. Leverage 9-3 line (AWD version, sportwagon, etc.)

4. Redesign 9-7X from ground up to go head to head with BMW X-5

While GM's sticking a Holden V6 into the 9-3 SportCombi, might as well start basing future Saabs on Holden platforms ?

http://goauto.carsales.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/A2E259F4D866254DCA256F8E00081CCA

It has amazed me at how quickly GM seems to have removed the soul from all new saabs. I love my 9-5, it's great and it's very saabish. FWD, fast, torquey, safe, good handling and understeer. The 9-3 is beautiful, top of the glass GM it's a great car. Then came the 9-2X, a WRX with a saabish front and saab emblems everywhere there were subaru ones before. I actually didn't mind the fact that it was a subaru underneath, but I kinda expected them to restyle the interior a little to make it more like a real saab. Nope, they expended no effort what so ever, they didn't even put the key in the center console. They're gonna try to sell a trailblazer as a saab soon here in america. And now this, a RWD 9-5. That's it, it's over, Saab has been reduced to a mear front end design, nothing distinct or special anymore. :cry:

I agree with you Architosh, GM just doesn't understand what makes a saab a saab or why people buy them. They seem to think it's mearly a style thing when it's much deeper than that.

Ok ... I am fairly new to the Saab line, but I undestand you guys' angst. However, let's not get too carried away here. The article says the platform can be configured to FWD or AWD. I know it says no mention in the memo about AWD except for Caddy's; but, if you read the entire article, there was no mention of Saab (or Opel) at all in that memo and no confirmation that this will be the platform for the new 9-5 ... just some talk that it may be. Therefore, don't know if this is the platform for the new 9-5, and/or that the new 95 won't be AWD.

Personally, I don't see any problem with AWD in a SAAB ... seems like a natural progression from FWD on the premise of Saab's being FWD for safety reasons. And, really, if you look at the segment the 9-5 is going to have to compete against ... Saab almost needs to make this car AWD. Too many other models out there that come with AWD, more power, and better handling than the current 9-5. Don't get me wrong, I think the current 9-5 is great; but GM feels a need to be more directly competitive with the other players in the 9-5's segment, and I can understand this stance.

Also, before everone starts blaming GM for "killing Saab," you may want to consider the fact that Saab has not turned any profit of any kind for several years now. I don't like the idea of a rebadged TrailBlazer being called a Saab ... in fact I hate it ... but if GM wasn't pumping money into Saab, it would already be dead of it's own accord. I say, if we have to put up with a few ugly cousins in the family in order to keep the bloodline around at all ... well, that's just the price we will have to pay.

More speculations from the Net:

http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000323033708/

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuoteCompanyNewsArticle.jhtml?duid=mtfh3404 2_2005-02-28_08-45-58_l28441970_newsml

:nono; Poor Saab. I love the company so it'll take a lot to get me to go away, but I may just stick to buy older models.

Until they all disappear

I say, if we have to put up with a few ugly cousins in the family in order to keep the bloodline around at all ... well, that's just the price we will have to pay.

Very well said. And I agree that SAAB owners and fans should be excepting of this fact. At the same time, its fair to criticise so that GM gets it straight in the future.

I have an ugly cousin and I put up with them, so I guess thats what we have to do.

That top picture (the supposed 9-6x) is supremely ugly.

But the one below, the blue 9-3x lookalike. Now THAT is a brand-builder. I'd buy one. As a matter of fact, i may well have to build and sell a house in order to do so.

Yeah, I love the idea of the astra based 9-2. I got to drive an astra in switerland on vacation and I loved it. Fun little car and they can only make it better.