Saab’s Been Going Topless for 25 Years

Despite unwillingly flirting with death due to being full-on ignored from former parent company GM, Saab’s lack of sales in the past decade haven’t stopped the Swedish auto maker from continuing on in a niche market: the luxury cabriolet market.

In fact, Saab has had quite a bit of success with its topless offerings dating all the way back to 1986 when the 900 convertible first flew onto the scene (flew, because Saabs are born from jets, don’t ya know). It was a risky move back then as most Saabs were considered to be a good sturdy ride for adverse weather conditions and not much else. But Saab quickly shut critics up with a 12 month waiting list for the original 900 convertible. The second generation, which spanned incredibly from 1994 to 2002, sold a respectable 149,000 units. The next generation from 2003 until today has sold 100,000 units giving a total of around 300,000 units of Saab convertibles sold in 25 years. Not too shabby at all, in fact that gives Saab a bit of a stranglehold on the premium convertible segment.

Saab is now celebrating 25 years of topless driving (get your mind out of the gutter). With this success and news that Saab was saved, once again, by the Chinese, it seems as though we can expect convertible variant of the 2013 9-3, which is expect to debut in a years time.

[Saab]

Saab 9-3 to Get Its Hatch Back

Apparently, since Spyker took over Saab from GM, they’ve had to completely re-work the next generation 9-3 because what GM had planned was, well, let’s just say that there was a lot of work to be done to make it a true Saab.

One of those Saab characteristics was the 9-3′s hatchback back in the late 1990′s and early 2000′s. Well apparently the hatchback will be returning to the 9-3, in fact it’s the sedan that’s rumoured to get the axe this time. Apparently the 9-3 will be five door only (sorry to those who were hoping for a 3-door like the Viggen model pictured above, but maybe that will happen down the line).

The redesigned 9-3 will also take styling cues from the PhoeniX concept that Saab debuted at the Geneva Auto show earlier this year. Even though Saab wants to bring the 9-3 back to its roots, there’s some people that think the PhoeniX concept is lacking in Saab style.

Another big change will be the addition of a hybrid to the 9-3 model range. It will reportedly get the same 2.8 litre V6 found in the 9-5 and will power the front wheels. The electric motor will actually power the rear wheels, and it will be possible to drive the hybridized 9-3 on the electric motor alone up to a certain speed.

The next 9-3 is expected to debut next year.

[Autoblog]

2012 Saab 9-3 to Have BMW Underpinnings?

Spyker is serious about turning its newly acquired brand, Saab, into a serious world contender that can take on zee German heavyweights such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

It looks like the tides are turning away from terminal GM influence on the Swedish brand. The newly designed 9-5 is now out, the 9-4 crossover is next on the docket, Spyker is making an 1-series, A1 and Mini fighter called the 9-2 (meant to be a throw back to the tear drop design) and now they’re promising an all-new redesigned 9-3 sedan for 2012.

Spyker is going to revive the hatchback design of the old 900 series and make a convertible version. If they’re smart, they’ll also revive the Viggen models as well. After personally driving a 2000 9-3 Viggen, I can say that, despite the notorious turbo lag, it was one spicy Swedish meatball. I definitely have a soft spot for it.

Reports are swirling around the interwebs that Spyker has been in talks with BMW to help out with the chasis of the new 9-3 as well as the engines. The powerplant in the Mini Countryman is supposedly being considered. BMW has reportedly agreed to supply these underpinnings and if that’ true, the new 9-3 will definitely be a big contender.

Armed with BMW blood, the new 9-3′s goal is to take on the Audi A3 specifically. Should be interesting!

[Autocar]

Spyker to Revive 9-3 Hatcback?

The sale of Saab to Spyker was finilazed today, so now we can all breathe a sigh of relief and start the fun process of drumming up new possible models for the former terminally ill Swedish brand.

Among the models rumoured to return is the beloved five door hatchback version of the 9-3. This makes perfect sense to us as premium hatches are on their way back to popularity with the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Volvo C30, and Audi A3 proving Canadians’ interest. Lexus’ CT 200h is around the corner and BMW is going to jump into the fray as well.

The previous generation hatch only 9-3 was well known for swallowing up just about anything you put in the back, which was one of its many good selling points.

Spyker is also rumoured to continue on with the new 9-5, 9-3X wagon and the somewhat unfortunate 9-4X. All we ask is that they bring back Viggen models like the one you see pictured above. There was no hope of GM doing it, but it seems there is a bit more hope with the Dutch behind Saab’s proverbial wheel.