Hey, let's make Saab a world car from Sweden, Austria, Japan, USA and Australia

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

Wouldn't this then make the 9-5 rear wheel drive? They should probably make AWD standard then. Either way, it doesn't help they still can't figure out what platform to put the next 9-5 on. What's it now, 8 years? That MY06 refresh better mask the nearly decade old car pretty well.

A RWD saab, that's it, all that's left is the 9-3. All I can say is it better be have a manual. :evil:

what's wrong with RWD. the magazines will eat it up and Saabs will sell and we can get cars that we want. AWD will definately be available for us 4 season people

two problems

1. saabs have been FWD forever, it just isn't right
2. they probably won't offer it in manual, that's a big deal to me

Wouldn't this then make the 9-5 rear wheel drive? They should probably make AWD standard then. Either way, it doesn't help they still can't figure out what platform to put the next 9-5 on. What's it now, 8 years? That MY06 refresh better mask the nearly decade old car pretty well.

This is the critical line:

"While there is no mention of all-wheel drive (other than for Cadillac models) in the GM memo, Zeta architecture can be formatted in rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, with V6 and V8 drivetrains, and in a variety of wheelbases."

I hope the new 9-5 will be at least AWD if not FWD. Saab was the pioneer of mass production FWD passenger cars and should stay that way.

Saabs work better with FWD or AWD since Sweden is frozen half of the year, as well as Northeast US, where most Saabs are sold. A RWD car would be great, especially since more automakers are shifting to RWD, but I think an AWD 9-5 would be the perfect compromise. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH SAABS BEING ALL WHEEL DRIVE

they probably won't offer it in manual, that's a big deal to me

What makes you think that? I'm sure it will still be offered in the Aero, like today...

Saabs work better with FWD or AWD since Sweden is frozen half of the year, as well as Northeast US, where most Saabs are sold. A RWD car would be great, especially since more automakers are shifting to RWD, but I think an AWD 9-5 would be the perfect compromise. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH SAABS BEING ALL WHEEL DRIVE

I agree, even with the shouting.. I think this is necessary !
A SAAB must be innovative, employing the most up to date in EVERYTHING - this includes how the car is sold and serviced. Right now, this is still in the 17th - 18 th century !

I say, sell them only thru the INTERNET and "officialize" the small Saab/Euro car mom and pop service facilities..Make a Saab as easy as possible to successfully work on(much as the old 90 series was)..
The new 9000 or whatever should be the flag-ship - must be based on the best (Cadillac)..
Better yet, base the best Caddy on a Saab top of the line !!
This will require unheard of cooperation .

Another radical idea - for later on during the 21st century - is to drop all the brands as separate cars and have each country specialize in different facets of a true wold line of cars !! Have Saab do the engines, GM-America do the styling, Australia - the chassis, the Chinese can build them, the Germans do the engineering, the French can handle the inventive stuff - they "invented" the automobile in the first place..
All this is just musing - I cannot see it working..
But each country should do what it does best...

earthworm, lay off the grass:p

FWD is garbage. i understand it's purpose b/c sweden is a coldweather country. with AWD being as common as it is today RWD may not even be offered and all of the new 9-5S will just be AWD. you'll have a better handling car that can handle more power

earthworm, lay off the grass:p

FWD is garbage. i understand it's purpose b/c Sweden is a cold weather country. with AWD being as common as it is today RWD may not even be offered and all of the new 9-5S will just be AWD. you'll have a better handling car that can handle more power

Around here, Squishman, the grass is covered with snow ! And that is about as close as I will ever come to "grass"...

FWD : a rejected pile of vegetable matter ??

Sacrilege !! And on a Saab board. 20 laps on a sheer ice circuit in an American truck !!!

Front drive has proven itself to be superior to all those with 3 digit IQs, many years ago..

Saab (and Honda) know this over 50 years ago...
Overpowered, ultra-luxury vehicles will need four wheel drive...