|
| Search:
Submit An Article
Top News
Most Recent
Dealer Reviews
FREE Classifieds
Search Listings
Sell Your Car FREE
Auto Show Galleries
LA Auto Show
SEMA Auto Show
Paris Motor Show
Concours D Elegance
The Quail Event 2008
Concorso Italiano
Comicon
Mercedes Fashion Week
TransSyberia Rally
Barber MotorCycle Museum
Concours on Rodeo
Villa D'Este
Bimmerfest
New York Auto Show
Geneva Motor Show
Chicago Auto Show
Paris Cars
Detroit Auto Show
San Diego Auto Show
2007 New England Auto Show
2007 LA Auto Show
BMW Welt (World)
2007 SEMA Auto Show
2007 Frankfurt Auto Show
2007 The Quail
2007 Concorso Italiano
2007 Concours d Elegance
LA Cycle and Pinup
Concours on Rodeo
2007 Bimmerfest
News By Category
Spy Shots
Spy News
New Cars
Misc News
Photo Galleries
Reviews
Report Cards
Videos
Polls
Rumors
omarrana
I hooked up my accelerator to my brake lights. I hit the gas, people behind me stop, and I'm gone.
View My AgentPage
10
GM planning entry level Saab
omarrana
submitted on 09/04/2007
Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 10:57 AM
from: www.egmcartech.com
[18] user comments
| category:
Spy Shots
Print this Page
|
Digg It
|
del.icio.us
Tags: Saab
Tag Link:
Saab
GM planning entry level Saab
Saab is considering a new compact car that is smaller and costs less than the 9-3 sedan. If you’ve been dying to get inside a Saab and think this is the way, don’t hold your breath; there are no plans to launch the car until next decade.
“It might be the most dramatically styled,” Steve Shannon, Saab’s general manager in the United States, said at a press event. “The idea is to have an iconic...
Read Article
Comments:
Images hosted in your
AgentSpace
can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]
r_driver04
- 9/4/2007 12:13:16 PM
-1 Boost
Also known as the "Man I hope this works." Should be a hit...right along with the Delorean.
reply to this comment
rok_altima
- 9/4/2007 1:03:27 PM
+4 Boost
Please, GM, do not rebadge the Chevrolet Cobalt as a SAAB. Remember the Cadillac Cimarron?
reply to this comment
SilverAero
- 9/4/2007 1:05:33 PM
+4 Boost
Or an Aveo... I hope its late release date suggests a brand new platform.
EnnNorak
- 9/5/2007 8:40:18 AM
+1 Boost
Actually the Cobalt SS would not be a bad car if it were available with an automatic transmission and LSD. As for Saab, I wish they would not cheapen its currency with a smaller one and simply produce more of the current size and sell it at a lower price. Economies of scale would offset the financial effect of a lower price. I want to see GM's normally aspirated DOHC 3.6 litre V-6 in the Saab instead of the turbo units they now use.
gryphon
- 9/6/2007 9:44:51 AM
+1 Boost
EnnNorak - A non-Turbo SAAB? Please, no.
gryphon
- 9/4/2007 1:30:25 PM
+3 Boost
I'd love to see SAAB play in the Mini Cooper space - as long as it's not another Saabaru.
reply to this comment
EnnNorak
- 9/5/2007 8:44:26 AM
0 Boost
Subaru has some great vehicles, especially the Tribeca which is on my shopping list. The only 2008 Subaru I am pisssed off at is the Forester because it has uncomfortable seats that are too firm and the rear seats do not fold completely down. The worst thing about the Forestre is lack of window frames on the doors -- this is an invitation to air leaks at highway speeds and difficulty in closing the window is you have to open it at highway speed to let a bee out for example.
Shredmo
- 9/4/2007 1:35:15 PM
+2 Boost
Doesn't anyone recall the 9-2X?
As said many times, Saab needs to make a real Saab if they want people to show interest. It seems that they used to be cool, prior to being watered down by GM. The 9-2x was as good as any recent Saab, but it wasn't a real Saab. This is why no one is buying.
reply to this comment
Shredmo
- 9/4/2007 1:36:42 PM
+2 Boost
gryphon, I agree
EnnNorak
- 9/7/2007 7:17:13 AM
+1 Boost
I like everything about the Saab 3 except the engine. I simply do not trust turbos as they operate constantly at a high temperature and I don't know what cheap alloys Saab's turbo uses these days in order to control costs. GM has a perfectly good normally aspirated DOHC 3.6 litre V-6 and I cannot find any reason not to use it in the Saab 3. I may end up buying a 2008 Cadillac CTS if I can't get a good deal on the Subaru Tribeca. The big Saab advantage is its very comfortable seats.
moto
- 9/4/2007 1:57:58 PM
0 Boost
The best Saab in recent history was the 9-2X, the "Saabaru" that GM overpriced and underadvertised. The car itself, though, was brilliant. It offered a very competent chassis and AWD system from Subaru with much-improved suspension tuning, styling, and interior upgrades. Then GM sold its stake in FHI/Subaru and killed the 9-2X program.
Let's hope GM learns it lesson and offers a successor to the 9-2X. Something in the spirit of the Saab Sonnet or similar to today's VW GTI would certainly sell very well if built well and priced correctly.
reply to this comment
Matthew1
- 9/4/2007 4:56:32 PM
+2 Boost
That comment is a stretch. Maybe 'best handling' SAAB, after SAAB had re-tuned the Impreza's suspension, but certainly not 'best' SAAB.
It was bland, the interior reeked of economy-car, it had zero SAAB traits (clam-shell hood, ignition by the handbrake, cock-pit inspired interior etc.) and it also wasn't as safe as a SAAB. Sure it did well in frontal impact tests, however in 'real-world' accidents there were stories of drivers seats buckling and severe passenger intrusion from side-impacts.
The 9-2X was unloved by most of the SAAB community, not for the fact it was a bad car, (it wasn't) but for the inescapable fact that it was a Subaru Impreza with a SAAB badge.
S4cabriofoxone
- 9/4/2007 5:30:51 PM
View My AgentSpace
+3 Boost
I think it went in and out of this market completely unnoticed. I wasn't even sure that it was gone. It's similar to what happened to the 3 Series hatch and the C-Class "coupe," but Audi seems to be on a roll with the A3. It is unabashedly a hatch- a very swanky one, at that.
gryphon
- 9/6/2007 9:42:56 AM
+2 Boost
S4 - I agree with you on the A3. It's a pretty decent car and has an upscale feel. It definitely beats the C-Class SportCoupe and the old BMW 3 with its rear chopped off.
EnnNorak
- 9/7/2007 7:25:25 AM
0 Boost
I cannot agree re the A3 because it is too small and has a cheap AWD system without the Torsen that my leased A6 has. Shame on Audi for using the Quattro brand in promoting the A3 -- its just not the same Quattro and therefore does not deliver on the promise of the Quattro brand. "Quattro" should be reserved for Audi vehicles with Torsen differentials. In contrast, Jeep has been honest by differentiating their varrious 4WD and AWD systems with names like Command Track and QuadraTrack and variations like QaudraTrack 2 and QuadraTrack 3. Jeep brochures have fully disclosed the differences between these variants while Audi contiues to call everything Quattro.
Matthew1
- 9/4/2007 4:59:24 PM
+4 Boost
Have people forgotton that Opel is part of GM?
Most likely any new SAAB will be based on an Opel platform, the 9-1 will probably be based on the Corsa platform or something similiar.
It will be an all-new car.
reply to this comment
EnnNorak
- 9/7/2007 7:30:28 AM
+1 Boost
Opel also translates into Saturn in North America for some models. I like the Opel logo better than the Saturn logo and, if I ever buy an Opel-derived Saturn, I'll replace the Saturn Logo with an Opel logo on the vehicle. What do you think of that GM?
moto
- 10/5/2007 1:31:38 PM
+1 Boost
Matthew, I don't disagree with you. But Saab designers DID rework as much as they could to evoke their simple, clean Scandinavian style. You'd actually downgrade the 9-2X because it didn't have a clamshell hood? Sure, the team in Trollhattan had limited time to rework budget bin underpinnings and interior pieces, but it actually was a very pleasant compact car. Do not confuse this market with larger touring cars that Saab makes today. The 9-2X was GM/Saab's attempt to re-enter the marketspace formerly occupied by the Sonnet -- which was an economy car.
I guess the follow-on question is: if the 9-2X "Saabaru" was not a very good Saab, then is the 9-3 or 9-5 superior to the Subaru Legacy?
To post a comment for this story, you must first
Login
.
If you do not have an account, you will need to
Register
(It's Free!).
Most Recent Stories
Volkswagen Touareg TDI Trophy Truck unveiled in LA
Last Ditch Deal With Automakers May Get Approval- But Can They Be Trusted?
GMAC Files For Banking Status In Effort To Access $700 Billion Bailout Package
Vw Touareg V6 TDI priced at $42,800
Saab 9-6x patent photos
LA AUTO SHOW: The All New RX, The Bread And Butter Crossover/SUV Makes Its Grand Entrance
Audi Sees Dual Clutch Transmissions Making Into 90% Of Lineup In Near Future
Mitt Romney Makes An Open Call To Let Detroit Go Bankrupt
LA AUTO SHOW: Infiniti's G37 Convertible Officially Hits The Road
Congress Takes The Detroit 3 To The Whipping Shed And They STILL Have No Clue Why!
Jaguar XF coupe and convertible receive the greenlight
LA AUTO SHOW: 2009 Bentley Azure Tunveiled
LA AUTO SHOW: 2009 BMW 750 Li gets iDrive powered owner’s manual
LA AUTO SHOW: 2009 Nissan 370Z pricing announced
2010 Nissan GT-R No Longer with Launch Control
LA AUTO SHOW: First Day Recap Highlights From The Show Floor-Some Sweet Stuff!
LA 2008: Honda surprises with FC Sport fuel cell sports car concept
LA AUTO SHOW: Toyota's New CNG Powered Hybrid Camry Is A Gas
LA AUTO SHOW: Mazda 3 Compact Sedan Gets A Re-do And Will Be The Future Underpinnings For The Next Ford Focus. THANK GOD!
LA AUTO SHOW: Nissan's Iconic 370z Gets Edgy With This Redo
Audi's Q7 and A5 Both Take KBB Top Resale Value Honors
How About The Full Scoop On BMW's New 7 Series Hybrid!
German Company Offers GM $1.3 Billion To Buy Opel And Turn It Green
Ford of Europe to remain profitable in 2009, says CEO
Detroit Three Beg For Money From Congress After Arriving In Corporate Jets
2009 Porsche Cayman and Boxster facelift unveiled in Los Angeles
Jaguar Leads The Pack In Latest Sales Satisfaction Index
2010 Ford Mustang Live Reveal at Santa Monica Airport (Video)
LA AUTO SHOW EXCLUSIVE STUD OR DUD? Did Infiniti One Up BMW's 3 Series Cabrio With The G37 Convertible?
LA Auto Show Preview: Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder
2010 Nissan Cube Revealed: Coming to U.S. in spring 2009
2010 Mercury Milan & Mercury Milan Hybrid Launched in L.A.
2010 Ford Fusion Facelift Breaks Cover
2010 Toyota Prius US production in danger?
Ford Fiesta Sedan makes debut, coming to U.S.
2009 Toyota Venza
LA AUTO SHOW: Spies Add More Photos And A Close Up Look At The Next E-Class Coupe Interior And Nav
LA AUTO SHOW: Spies Get You Inside Show ONE DAY EARLY With EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS!!!
LA AUTO SHOW: BMW Releases Mini E Electric Vehicle
Chrysler Blames Financial Meltdown For Woes, But It Needs $22 Billion For Health Care And Retirees
Hyundai's Genesis Ranks In NADA Top 5 Luxury Cars
BMWNA acknowledges N54 engine turbo lag issue
Chrysler Woes Bankrupt Getrag Dual Clutch Transmission Plant
SOUND OFF: Has Detroit Just Become Another Dirty Word?
Cutaway Shows The True Nuts And Bolts Of Acura's New NSX
UAW Says It Will Rather Tax Payers Foot The Bill Than Accept Cuts To Keep Detroit Afloat
Rumor Mill: Are The Chinese Carmakers Quietly Planning To Buy GM and Chrysler?
2009 Nissan GT-R Series II: New details leaked
GM Delays Dealer Payments To Conserve Cash
Next-gen Audi S5 getting V6 engine
More Recently Added News
Join AutoSpies
Register to vote, post articles, write comments, and interact with fellow auto enthusiasts.
Join AutoSpies
Photo Galleries
AutoSpies presents the best
Auto Show Photos
,
Automotive Videos
,
Car Reviews
and
Hot Rides
.
Latest Galleries
Cars
Mercedes Black Series
Audi Mileage Marathon
2009 BMW 3-Series
2009 BMW 7-Series
2009 Cadillac CTS-V
VW Passat CC Coupe
2009 Dodge Challenger
2009 BlueTec Diesels
Porsche RS60 Spyder
2009 Ford Flex
2009 VW Tiguan
2009 Infiniti FX
2009 BMW X6
2009 Audi A4 Avant
2009 Mercedes SL-Series
Auto Shows
LA Auto Show
SEMA Auto Show
Paris Motor Show
Concours D Elegance
The Quail Event 2008
Concorso Italiano
Comicon
Mercedes Fashion Week
TransSyberia Rally
Barber MotorCycle Museum
Concours on Rodeo
Villa D'Este
Bimmerfest
New York Auto Show
Geneva Motor Show
Chicago Auto Show
Paris Cars
Detroit Auto Show
San Diego Auto Show
2007 New England Auto Show
2007 LA Auto Show
BMW Welt (World)
2007 SEMA Auto Show
2007 Frankfurt Auto Show
2007 The Quail
2007 Concorso Italiano
2007 Concours d Elegance
LA Cycle and Pinup
Concours on Rodeo
2007 Bimmerfest
More Galleries