I've had a few interesting things come in over the last few days that I'd like to share here. We'll attribute them to Djup Strupe, shall we?
First of all, there's some clearer photos of the cars that have been shown to prospective company owners and more recently, some journos, in Saab's showroom of the future at the Saab Museum in Trollhattan.
All have car covers on them, but there's still some details to be had from looking them over.
First, the Saab 9-4x.
I don't know what's coming over me (must be the swineflu taking over) but I'm feeling quite enthused about this vehicle and am very antsy about the fact that it seems ready to go, but won't be seen for the best part of another year.
If it drives as well as I think it will, and is priced as competitively as what I think it should be (Caddy SRX starts at $33K in the US) then this could be a real bonus for Saab.
And then there's the 9-5 sedan and wagon.
You can see through the cover here that the headlight trim is indeed quite thin compared to the current Dame Edna look, which should be a little more comforting to some.
Those rims look interesting too.
And the wagon seems to have some very good lines, including side-rear windows that are very reminiscent of the current 9-5 wagon. That's a good thing.
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Knowing that one recent visitor was heading for a visit, I asked if they could pay attention to the interior materials.
The response:
The cars they showed me -- 9-5 sedan + wagon + 9-4 -- didn't have interiors, but they did have a separate 9-5 interior set up alongside, and it had the same ice-like dashboard that you mention: dark blue I would say, studded with tiny bits coloured icy blue, quite gleamy and interesting. In shape it was, they said, an L shape dashboard and it felt very wrapped around the driver, almost two bays, one for the driver, one for the passenger (I exaggerate but you know what I mean)....... It also had a head up display, to project the indicators on the windscreen, as a top of the range thing, but I expect you already knew that, leather wrapped steering wheel etc.
Very, very interesting.......
Swade, regarding your swine flu you could look at it this way if it is H1N1 you will get immunity once H1N1 becomes a killer virus.
The photo from the scan of Dagens Industri that I featured last week didn't look like, but that was a scan and this is a genuine hi-res photo, so it looks like that might be the case.
Zippy - agreed, which is why I'm not too fussed if it is. A state-imposed week off for some R&R would be most welcome at this point.
Weren't there reports that Saab's patent on the will run out after 2010 ?
"The Saab 9-3. Thoughtful rebellion against the pack instinct...a singularly distinct alternative to the typical sports sedan."
On Design (page 25): "...Like any beautifully practical object, the most attractive lines and shapes do not result from complex artistic excess. Rather, as with the Saab 9-3, what most often pleases the eye are clean, simple lines and pure shapes dedicated to functionality."
4 cyl (opt. 6)
32 MPG highway
ipod integration
bluetooth
remote start
rear camera standard
Question is, what will it cost? But my guess is this Terrain will be the approx. size of the 9-4, maybe same platform. I'm more excited now!
http://www.gmc.com/terrain/terrain/index.jsp
Swade, very interesting Djup Struppery on the interior, good work once again mate! It would be so cool if they really offered the iceblock as an option alongside a standard Audi-esque quality interior for the more conservative purchasers.
Why the delayed release? Funding to finish the car?
@Seats: don't these come from Lear Corp?
Since they did not repeat this feature with the 9-3, I thought that this "design motif" would have been burried.
This again shows hoe difficult it can be to please everybody.
Saab, A steeringwheel is not that expensive.. Do NOT install the GM Generic steeringwheel in the 9-5 or 9-4X.. Everybody will see that it´s the same design. Set yourselves apart in every big visible thing please.
Tom
Johannes
And we have not seen the full rear of the SC yet..
Oh, well, it would have been rather boring if we all liked the same car.
Cheers
-Olav-
Always on the longest way home when out there with my SAAB. Always!
The steering wheel feels cheap: the silver feels plasticky and cheap. The Insignia has really uncomfortable and rock hard seats. Both are not fit for a Saab!
I'd like the new wagon to have the same design language.
Tom
It always reminds me of Ford Scorpio or Renault 18. Not very flattering. I was hoping for the new 9-5 to take a new direction, but I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt since so many people say it looks really good.
Long live the difference though! ;/)
Cheers
-Olav-
Always on the longest way home when out there with my SAAB. Always!
Take a look at the link I pasted below (if it works, if it doesn't let me know and I will try again). I highlighted the areas that I feel look similar. I would say that the 9-5 under the covers is one of the none-aero forms and in aero form the fog light housing would "mirror" the headlight housing, add some side skirts and a lip spoiler and I believe you have a very cohesive, very nice design.
http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/ct1881/?action=view¤t=9593Comp.jpg
You're correct. The source of these photos indicated it's a Vector spec model. His words: "The Aero version has bigger lower air-intakes, which are also rimmed with polished aluminium trim."
Also, if you all look, you can clearly see the side window contour and swooping c-pillar shape on that 9-5 wagon. ;-)
Chris
Between all the 9-X cues and the dame edna headlights, this NG9-5 seems like it will be a great homage to some of Mauer's work for Saab. Work that could have been as iconic as the C900 if GM had built any of it.
Regardless of it's design cues, the NG9-5 sounds like it's going to be a real stunner both inside and out.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/raquettelaker2/saabs.jpg