[Thad]

Ok using the attached as source material, it appears that the 9-2x will only have one model with 175 hp, in a non turbo charges 2.5L engine. The 9-3 with have the three styles with two engine choices, the 2.0L with 210 hp, and the Aero with 2.8L with 250hp. The 9-5 will only come with one engine, a 2.3L with 260 hp. The 9-7X as know will have the two engines 4.2L with 290 hp and the 5.3L with 300 hp. I am surprised that Saab would be dropping the Aero version of the 9-2X, but mayb eit was too close in price to the 9-3, and was not selling. The base with 175 hp might be better as an entry level Saab. I am glad they dropped the 185 hp version of the 2.0L in the 9-3, 210 hp and 250 hp seem to make more sense and closely mirror BMW and others. As to the 9-5 only having the 260 hp engine in the revised model, I think that too makes sense from a competitive point of view. I am surprised that the 4.2L in the 9-7X has only 10 hp less than the 5.3L but I bet the torque numbers are further apart. All in all an interesting line-up for this fall.

http://www.gmfleet.com/us/acquiring/vehicinfo/summaries/2006/2006_GM_Car_Truck_Guide.pdf

 

[sethsev7n]

Yeah, i like those changes also. I really want to see how the 9-5 does next year with 260hp and a complete facelift.. I don't recall but will the interior get redone also?

 

[SaabKen]

So SAAB has done away with the whole Linear/Arc/Vector trim nomenclature scheme altogether ??? The only differentiation now seems to be either Aero (really only for 9-3 line) or just "Regular" as seen in the 9-2X and 9-5 lines. Also if anyone else noticed, the 9-5 wagon is now officially 9-5 SportCombi. I guess technically the 9-5 sedan and sportcombi are both Aero in features/options.

And the 9-7X is only distinguished by either L6 or V8. Too bad, I kind of liked the trim names of yore .... very design/architectural ..... Saab-like in other words.

 

[900t]

Yeah I really liked it too...

 

[Architosh]

Saving SAAB - future models mean everything

A dealer sales agent just told me last week that the SAAB 9-5 for 2006 would be built on the same platform, contain major new body work and updated interior. Not sure what he meant by that. I tend to think it will be very minor versus an entirely new interior design update, but perhaps they will retrofit the interior to be up to par with the 9-3.

Anyway, the SportCombi name on the 9-5 wagon is likely a reflection of the future 100 percent new 9-5 line for 2007 or 2008 (or whenever we see it). At that time we should see from SAAB a new 9-5 sedan and wagon that reflects the very latest in SAAB design thinking with more aeronautical design clues and a reaching back to the roots of SAAB.

In my discussion, the sales guy said that SAAB corporate is really asking for sales agents to collect feedback on future SAAB cars (or what people want of SAAB) and many agents are saying that SAAB purist customers want a hatchback model to return to the 9-5 line. He was not sure if that would happen or not but did say many are saying they want it as an option.

He also said that the 9-2X is the worse seller by far. People aren't buying them and those that do buy the 9-2x are a different type of SAAB customer than the typical SAAB customer.

We spoke at length about the 9-7X which he is very positive about. Understanding that it was a quick-route solution (and thus not a final solution) I expressed hope for the model that it helps boost SAAB's finances and give GM a more positive feeling about the brand. If the 9-2x and 9-7x tank -- or if the 9-7x tanks like the 9-2x -- then we may not have SAAB cars in the future to buy at all.

35% of all SAAB owners currently also own an SUV. I personally would love to own a turbo SUV in the future that got great mileage, but I'm personally changing my attitude about the 9-7X because I want it to do well for SAAB's sake.

 

[edusaab]

It's well known that at the end of the year it will be a highly restyled version of the 9-5. There are some threads about it and some spy pics. At the Barcelona Motorshow of this week, I was speaking with some Board members of Saab Spain and told me that Saab showed to them some pics of the new 9-5 concept.

greetings

 

[Rob in Atlanta]

He also said that the 9-2X is the worse seller by far. People aren't buying them and those that do buy the 9-2x are a different type of SAAB customer than the typical SAAB customer.

Attracting new customers was SAAB's stated goal for the 9-2X model.

 

[dz]

It's well known that at the end of the year it will be a highly restyled version of the 9-5. There are some threads about it and some spy pics. At the Barcelona Motorshow of this week, I was speaking with some Board members of Saab Spain and told me that Saab showed to them some pics of the new 9-5 concept.

greetings

This has been well known every year now for a couple of years :roll:

 

[saab9x]

A dealer sales agent just told me

__deletia__

He also said that the 9-2X is the worse seller by far. People aren't buying them and those that do buy the 9-2x are a different type of SAAB customer than the typical SAAB customer.

We spoke at length about the 9-7X which he is very positive about. Understanding that it was a quick-route solution (and thus not a final solution) I expressed hope for the model that it helps boost SAAB's finances and give GM a more positive feeling about the brand. If the 9-2x and 9-7x tank -- or if the 9-7x tanks like the 9-2x -- then we may not have SAAB cars in the future to buy at all.

__deletia__

well, i for one, hope the future of saab is not based on
the 9-2/7x's success or lack thereof. they're too experi-
mental to justify being a "litmus test."

now, if a true 9-3 _hatch_ (not the "combi" _wagon_)
and an updated 9-5 can't make it, then i see a problem.

 

[Swade]

This 9-2x thing has me really wondering about GM's strategy here. From what I've read, the Aero has by far been the biggest seller in the model range. If they really want to try and make a success of it (or at least keep it going on a credible basis until the new, more Saabified 9-2x comes), why would you take AWAY the turbo model?? Aren't Saab connected to turbo technology somewhere along the line??

I feel a venting of the spleen coming up....

 

[Rob in Atlanta]

This 9-2x thing has me really wondering about GM's strategy here. From what I've read, the Aero has by far been the biggest seller in the model range. If they really want to try and make a success of it (or at least keep it going on a credible basis until the new, more Saabified 9-2x comes), why would you take AWAY the turbo model?? Aren't Saab connected to turbo technology somewhere along the line??

I feel a venting of the spleen coming up....

The link is for North American fleet sales. It may or may not represent the actual retail models for sale. In my opinion, I don't think SAAB is doing away with tons of models. Regardless, I don't think a fleet sales brochure can provide definitive answers for retails sales plans.