Swade
14-03-05, 07:13 AM
Great article in The Detroit News on the Sport Combi. I've got the whole box and dice over at Trollhattan (http://redinterior.typepad.com/trollhattan/2005/03/another_93sc_re.html), including funky pic in snow.
Interesting points:
For me the day's connection to Saab seems entirely appropriate. In my view this slightly oddball Swedish car company has long been about spirited performance, a risk-taking attitude and a willingness to be different. That spirit and an associated design ethic pretty much died in the early 1990s, when lack of investment and a mistaken desire to create more mainstream sedans left Saab with a distinctly uninspired portfolio....
...The first, quick-fix effort by GM to give Saab a much needed entry in the US SUV market, in the form of the Subaru-based 9-2X, has yet to move the needle. As for the forthcoming 9-7X, which uses the GM360 truck platform (aka GMC Envoy), it remains to be seen whether such a conservative design can be transformed into a truly entertaining Saab. Coming later is the 9-6X crossover, which better look a lot better than goofy Subaru Tribeca on which it is based.
The 9-3 SportCombi, however, demonstrates some promise. Structurally it's a fairly straightforward wagon, but its design shows some flair, particularly with the swept up rear side windows. And equipped with GM's powerful new 2.8-litre V-6, the SportCombi is claimed to be the fastest Saab yet. This combination of performance and eye-catching styling recalls the spirit of the mid-1980s 900 Turbo sedan, a highly distinctive Saab that still encapsulates the appeal of the brand in my mind. I remember movies from that time often featured Saab 900s. These days, Saabs don't seem to be on movie producers' wish lists.
Interesting points:
For me the day's connection to Saab seems entirely appropriate. In my view this slightly oddball Swedish car company has long been about spirited performance, a risk-taking attitude and a willingness to be different. That spirit and an associated design ethic pretty much died in the early 1990s, when lack of investment and a mistaken desire to create more mainstream sedans left Saab with a distinctly uninspired portfolio....
...The first, quick-fix effort by GM to give Saab a much needed entry in the US SUV market, in the form of the Subaru-based 9-2X, has yet to move the needle. As for the forthcoming 9-7X, which uses the GM360 truck platform (aka GMC Envoy), it remains to be seen whether such a conservative design can be transformed into a truly entertaining Saab. Coming later is the 9-6X crossover, which better look a lot better than goofy Subaru Tribeca on which it is based.
The 9-3 SportCombi, however, demonstrates some promise. Structurally it's a fairly straightforward wagon, but its design shows some flair, particularly with the swept up rear side windows. And equipped with GM's powerful new 2.8-litre V-6, the SportCombi is claimed to be the fastest Saab yet. This combination of performance and eye-catching styling recalls the spirit of the mid-1980s 900 Turbo sedan, a highly distinctive Saab that still encapsulates the appeal of the brand in my mind. I remember movies from that time often featured Saab 900s. These days, Saabs don't seem to be on movie producers' wish lists.