This car caused plenty of conjecture when I showed it yesterday.
Fortunately the original photo was much larger than the one I posted, so I’ve been able to isolate a close-up of the car so you can see the details.
Here’s a standard 9-3 rear section for comparison…..
And a close up of the rear wheels.
I don’t know what’s going on with it. Much bigger rear wheel arches by the look of things, though I’m not sure why.
It might be one of the tech guys having some fun for all we know, but it’s good to get glimpse at these things.
Related posts:
That Opel blurb...
{ 106 comments }
Sorry OT, though the news might be of interest though…
LATEST NEWS ON SAAB SALE
http://www.e24.se/branscher/verkstadsindustri/artikel_1383473.e24
Jöran Hägglund Undersecretary of Commerce comments on the imminent SAAB sales. “Swedish National Debt Office” has been instructed to prepare Government loans for new investor. He stataes that negotiations between GM, SAAB and new owner are in its final phase.
It’s close now…
That front arch is similarly expanded, from the little that can be seen – it looks like it’d be very close to the shut-line on the recent facelift nose. Wonder if that’s why they used pre-facelift panels?
Any chance of doing a similar comparison of the front arch to std -08 and 08-?
The same difference regarding the size with the front wheelarch – and no fueling lid at the back. And what about that exhaust tail pipe or is it just a flare in the water ?
The fuel door is always on the right, that press photo must be mirrored.
Maybe an old XWD test mule?
-Rogan
May be worth trying to overlay an image from similar angle with similar focal length lens for comparison. Could just be me, but looks like the wheelbase is a bit shorter than standard? If so, I have a guess as to what it might be…
Don’t know about wheelbase – the rear arch looks to be eating into the overhang as well as the door shut.
If you were hacking an existing shell to fit a new floor, you’d move the rear more than the front – less “hard points” to have to accomodate.
Unless, of course, the architecture of the front was different, with the driveshafts being located differently relative to the bulk of the drivetrain. Not going to be a bit change, though, assuming it’s staying with a relatively similar E-W engine & box, even with an AWD transfer box. Without seeing the front overhang, it’s impossible to guess whether the wheel’s moved back in the wing.
So what’s the guess, hmm?
DeltaII?
All other cars have the lid on the right hand side, so the picture is not mirrored.
Is it a battery/hybrid test car?
The flared exhaust is probably just for making it easier to hook the engine upp to an indoors ventilation system for running the engine in a dynomometer or similar….
Maybe they’re planning a 9-3x sedan?
Maybe they’re planning a 9-3x sedan?
Whoops. Sorry for the double post. That definitely didn’t need to be said twice.
Thought my spam-blocker plugin blocked the first time.
Forget about that odd 9-3 SS, because;
Swedish television states that Koenigsegg together with some unnamed Norweigan investors is the buyer of SAAB!!!!
Swade; some inside information about that?
Lousy timing for poor Swade if they have – it’s 1AM for him!
A quick google for news items isn’t revealing anything, so it may just be guesswork?
In Swedish..
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.1591468/koenigsegg_koper_saab?lid=puff_1591422&lpos=rubrik
Here it is, in Swedish, posted 15 minutes ago!
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.1591468/koenigsegg_koper_saab
It’s on Dagens Nyheter now, too.
http://www.dn.se/ekonomi/koenigsegg-pekas-ut-som-ny-saabagare-1.889700
Looks like it’s official, then.
Wonder if it’ll go all Opel, though – BBC reports have been suggesting the German government are starting to edge Magna out in favour of BAIC today.
Y E S ! Dream come true ! ;D
Hate to burst the speculation,
but that’s a suspension test mule. the wheels are at the max size and lowest profile to stress test the suspension, while the expanded wheel arches are for access and observation.
SJ4
Awesome!
Looks like it is offical?!? Koenigsegg is the new owner…congrats to Christian, Bard and co.
I’m so happy I’m freggin crying! Dreams Can come true! Go Saab! Go Koenigsegg! Go a new era in automobile history! Congrats guys and gals! Could someone with Swades number call him please! Cheers Tom
I’m so happy I’m freggin crying! Dreams Can come true! Go Saab! Go Koenigsegg! Go a new era in automobile history! Congrats guys and gals! Could someone with Swades number call him please! Cheers Tom
Why am I the only one being worried abut SVT being the only source of information ??
I hope it is true, but by now I would rather have a confirmation from a second source.
But maybe is the weather, that makes me feel blue.
Here it is in Reuters:
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE55A3Z020090611
…I hope that this is true…getting very excited….
I am still waiting for some formel statement, but if this is true……..YIHAAAA…. And Norwegians in there also. We havent produced cars since the TROLL car ( made in the big numbers, think it was 12 )..Call the fire dep. in Tasmanina and tell them Swades house is on fire…
The Local has it in english: http://www.thelocal.se/20022/20090611/
What is it Champagne or Pear Cider?
WAhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
So happy if it’s true!!!!!
can’t wait to see that info becoming public!!!!!!!
Will there finally be an Aerosegg-X????????
W-A-K-E U-P S-W-A-D-E, we need some Djupe-Strupery NOW!!!!
YES! This is amazing news. Bring forth the Aero X!
Ok, now I begin to believe it.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601209&sid=aaMdJ34vikQg
The first article not refering to SVT.
I was to euforic I think.
http://ttela.se/ekonomi/saab/1.493579
Googletrans
She also states that negotiations are ongoing and intense, but that they are still talking to more than one. They have not yet reached one final candidate.
Now now, settle down..
It’s only a letter of intent, nobody has bought anything yet.
btw, do you know of any cars with similar drivetrain as the 9-3, large wheels and more ground clearance…
Delta II, but I can’t see the enhanced ground clearance.
EPIC.
PaPaul Åkerlund also denies it. Or at least he hasn’t been informed.
Aftonbladet.se
First of all about the odd 9-3. Could this be a new Delta II based 9-3 mule? We know that it will probably be smaller than the current 9-3 and with the 9-4X and new 9-5 done, the engineers has to work on something.
Secondly, Koenigsegg backed by Norwegian investors. Sounds great!
About the 9-3 .. see Smoke_Jaguar4:s post.
About K-egg .. I hope there’s some deep pockets behind ‘em.
TONS of higher reputation outlets reporting Koenigsegg buys Saab now!
Another article from WSJ..
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090611-711132.html
This flurry is good… very good. Even if its speculation, it always starts that way.
@Dan – are they reporting the deal, or are they reporting SVT reporting the deal…?
What has me worried is all these “higher reputation outlets” are quoting ONE source; SVT. What if SVT is wrong? I sure as heck hope not but I’m not holding my breath for K-Segg yet… although I would absolutely love if K-Segg was the winner.
Saab Sold????
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSSAT00632220090611
Wait. Reading the Reuters link that Saab Story posted…
It just says that they have signed a letter of intent with GM. Haven’t the final two/three all done this?
No, the letter of intent is the next step – the “We’re going to start to talk one-on-one”. Like Opel & Magna.
It’s not signed, sealed and delivered, sure. Think of it as your offer on that house has just been accepted, now it’s down to surveys, lawyers, mortgage etc.
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/6992/koenigseggccxrsideviewc.jpg This would be nice haha
I think this thread is digressing to “apparent” news of Koenigsegg buying/bought Saab. I suggest we continue that discussion in the correct thread.
RE: That 9-3. I am guessing its a test mule for the 9-3X.
RE: Koeingsegg…that would be great news but I am going to wait til Swade wakes up for something official!
It is very interesting to note how the underdog is now suddenly the one everyone think is the winner.
Personally I am a bit worried if they will have sufficient funds (and patience…), but this is promising indeed.
The story will certainly be an interesting one for TV. I expect full coverage in Top Gear…
Happy, happy, joy, joy!
Ken – what thread? Swade’s still in bed…
Wake up, Swade!!! We need your expert opinion and witty commentary.
Haha Love it James
I’m already trying to come up with a Saab / Koenigsegg avatar and signature for all the car/Saab forums I visit.
e24.no originally parroted svt.se’s story, but now surfaced the following:
http://e24.no/boers-og-finans/article3118138.ece
“Norwegians silent regarding Saab purchase”
“Nobody in the Koenigsegg organisation are willing to confirm the story about the company’s purchase of Saab in cooperation with Norwegian investors”
The rest of the article can be summed up like this: “No comment. No comment.”
“Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So lets sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again…”
I sure hope so.
The article at ttela.se
http://ttela.se/ekonomi/saab/1.493579
ends lke this
So many of us will get no sleep this weekend
Reuters is certainly starting to sound more sure about it:
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSLB79943720090611?virtualBrandChannel=10531&pageNumber=1
@Adrian
Ken is referring to the previous sale thread..
Good news all around!
If I may speculate: I suspect that not only Saab and Koenigsegg will be brands of the Norwegian car grouping but also – Think!
Saab engineers may both manufacture and design the new Think (after City) and create a sibling; 9-1, fully elctrified, maybe by GM (Volt/Ampera).
On the Koenigsegg side the new electrically powered addition to their line-up may get a sibling; ElectroAeroX…
…or they could call it the “Electrolux”.
I can`t belive it! It`s almost to good to be true! Saab BACK IN OLD SWEDEN! I`m almost crying here, and I`m supposed to be a viking!
I have been following Swades’ blog for quite a while now and planned to finally post my first comment here today… And then there was Koenigsegg… YYYEEESSSSS! What a timing! That must mean something. I’m a Saab-addict since November’08 (bought my first 9-3 1.8t BioPower) and I feel blessed every single morning when I enter my just fantastic car. Looking forward to the future of turbo-charged Swedisch horses with that certain something. Thanks Swade for maintaining this blog and bringing together Saabians from alle over the planet! Keep it up! NOW WAKE UP, DUDE!!!
It is OK Kalle. Håvamål says it is OK for big vikings to have a good cry of joy when your favorite car company change owners.
A very little known fact is that the best and safest viking vessels produced around 920-960 were constructed by a group of people calling themselves “Svenska Åror AB” (Swedish Oars). They were dissolved at one point, but I heard they later started making aeroplanes.
In fact, if you give me thirty minutes, I will see if I can dig out a wikipedia reference for you.
Hooray for SAAB, this is GREAT news! Koenigsegg is the perfect match. They can work with larger car companies on a contract basis but this will bring SAAB to what its supposed to be. Looking forward to some unique passionate cars. I want a 3dr 9-3 and a production Aero X!
As for this altered 9-3 in the pics, its a 9-4x mule…
Swade…of all the nights too sleep! You will have quite a suprise for you when you awake!
So we are bit closer to SAABNISEGG
and ME LIKE IT ME LIKE IT
I read the Koenigsegg news on the cheersandgears message board. Here’s to hoping those Norwegian pockets are deep enough to guarantee both funding and that current management stays at the helm!
If a buyer has been picked and negotiations are in their final stage, these will be tense hours: finalising details on a deal can be quite difficult and stressful.
Look at the pole!
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/breaking-swedish-tv-reports-koenigsegg-buying-saab/#comments
You guys crack me up. I say the story and immediately thought about Swade being a sleep. Please let it be true.
Rest assured, I think it is safe to assume that Swade is firmly asleep.
Dude,
Wake Up! The biggest news event we have been talking about for the past few months has come and you are down under and out. Ha! I wish I lived somewhere there were beautiful beaches and mild climate. Keep up the great work on keeping us informed even though we understand you do have to get some sleep now and then. Of course, you could get a night shift job and be awake with the rest of us. Just a thought. And just kidding!
I love how the time stamp on the comments is Tasmanian time — currently at 5:30 am Fri., June 12 (or so).
What’s the betting line on the time of Swade’s first post after he gets up? I predict 7:30.
I’m a Swede and I’m not thrilled…not untill I know who’s behind K-egg and how deep their pockets are and their intentions etc… Sure K is the fancy name but their own funds wouldn’t run Saab for a single day. I’m still hoping that Merbanco might be the one, feels alittle more solid…(strange considdering how little we know about them)
I know. This is like waking up on Christmas morning. All the kids up early, running around speculating about the presents, and the parents (Swade) are still asleep.
But it will only be a matter of time before he wakes up and we can dig in.
I can almost hear us waking him up.
Greg – I will second that. Whoever get the oars – it is about time. Free from GM infused thinking at last? Maybe I should hold my swagger with the Windhoek Lager just a bit longer! The times we live in.
Swade should get a HOT LINE so we can call him when big events start to flow in
imagine.. one big desk…a little lamp..and a red telephone
I have to admit that I went somewhat ‘irregular’ when I heard the news about Koenigsaab. I even sent the flag to the tops on our flag pole while my eyes were flooding. Now I am very eager to hear more about who the moneymakers in the background are. We have quite a few very rich Vikings both here in Norway and in Sweden.
Time to celebrate! Let Swade sleep, he’ll have hands full when he roll out of his bed anyway ;/)
Cheers from a teardropping and condensating, norwegian Viking
-Olav-
Always on the longest way home when out there with my SAAB. Always! Now also with a bucketload of Cleenex……
This has a nice ring to it “Saab Automobile AB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koenigsegg Automotive AB”
Sounds so much better than “Saab Automobile AB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors”
The extended exhaust pipe is for hooking up to emission testing equipment/ventilation for vehicle dyno-testing, just as somebody mentioned.
I would guess that the car is used for testing different suspensions for the next generation 93.
I’m betting 7:42
Mats, I tend to agree with you. I agree that Koenigsegg can’t run this on their own, but GM and the Swedish government have after all put out some heavy demands to a buyer. So whoever the background people are they must have some solid pockets full of money.
Until then, it’s a good reason to celebrate after all. We are very close to a solution after all, and man we have been waiting for this moment! ;/)
Cheers from Norway
-Olav-
Always on the longest way home when out there with my SAAB. Always! Now also with a bucketload of Cleenex……
Ha, ha
Låt mjöden flöda!!! (Eng: Let the beer flood!!!)
The extended exhaust pipe is for hooking up to emission testing equipment/ventilation for vehicle dyno-testing, just as somebody mentioned.
I would guess that the car is used for testing different suspensions for the next generation 93.
I’m betting 7:42
The koenigsegg website is extremely slow. i wonder why?
The koenigsegg website is extremely slow. i wonder why?
The Dagens Nyheter version of the story (link under my name) is still the best one, I think. They have confirmed it with a source of their own and add some additional info. It’s in Swedish, of course, but I’m sure someone can googletranslate it. (I posted this link in the “Saab sale update” thread earlier, but I guess no one is reading that anymore. Not a chance of keeping the topmost thread on topic at a time like this!)
I arrived home from the dealership in my brand new 9-3 Aero V6 SportCombi just now to see suspiciously many comments to a test mule photo. And yessssss now I know I did it right on the right day.
Tried to call Swade, won’t answer his mobile, could be on the landline to somebody OR, just wants more sleep. LOL.
Well if its is true and everything suggests so, then a very exciting new chapter begins.
Wonderful news!! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I received the rescue-saab email just now with the story!
)
After all this time, a great result!
A big cheers to all Saab lovers everywhere!
But don’t use the same slogan
“Nothing sucks liake an Electrolux”
I think it was back in the 60′s.
BTW, SAAB has stop making losses, at least reuters has stoped calling SAAB “GM’s loss making unit”
(From Jesse’s link)
YIEEEEEHOOOWWWWWW!!!!
I cannot believe this?! A dream come true? Impossible to say if this is really best solution for Saab, but it feels like it.
This is awesome. Truly awesome!!
GM ——–> KOENIGGSEGG
Voi Perkele!!
Maybe the new saab emblem can be the griffen on the koenigsegg badge!
Reports from Autotrader magazine UK 11th June suggest GM has signed a letter of intent to sell Saab to Swedish luxury carmaker Koenigsegg and a group of Norwegian investors.
Reports on Swedish television station SVT say: “The buyers have signed a letter of intent to buy Saab. Final negotiations about details on the deal will go on in the next months.”
These reports have now been confirmed by Saab insiders to news agency Reuters.
See all the latest Saab reviews, news and video
Koenigsegg was set up in 1994 and produces just 20 of its supercars a year, selling them for around £1 million each.
Saab employs about 3400 people in Sweden. Including suppliers, 15,000 jobs in the country are believed to be at risk if the company were to close down.
Underpinning the sale reports, the Swedish government has also confirmed that it has authorised its debt office to begin talks with Saab regarding state loan guarantees for a potential new owner of the company.
“The decision means that the Debt Office can initiate negotiations with Saab, EIB and the coming owner, once one is revealed, about terms for state guarantees,” a government statement said.
Less than an hour ago reports emerged suggesting Saab could be sold before the end of this week.
News agency Bloomberg is reported that negotiations were entering the final stages, and that the naming of a preferred bidder was imminent.
Saab has been operating under protection from creditors since February.
“The discussions are continuing, there is no official date that has to be reached, and this will have to take the time it takes,” Saab spokesman Gunilla Gustavs told Bloomberg. “But an announcement could come as early as this week.”
Reports suggest that, as part of any sale deal, current owner GM willl provide $500 million (£302 million) in assets and cash, plus production equipment for a new Saab model, as well as the $150 million (£90 million) of cash already in Saab’s account.
However, the new owner would have to pay GM back if it succeeds in turning around Saab.
Your Say
Robert Collin in his blog:
“I am at the airport in Helsinki, and I hear that Koenigsegg is singled out as the one to save Saab. What a joke. I do not know if I should laugh or cry. But crying is closest to hand.
Koenigsegg in Ängelholm builds a handful of cars a year. But to build over 100,000 cars is quite another matter.
A long-term owner? Hardly. But a short-term with megalomania. Fiat had been good. But were not good enough. Magna had been as good. But were also not good enough.
Who controls this game? GM in Detroit? Saab management? In the latter case – what is the idea behind it all?
Now I got a plane to catch.”
Here’s to hoping it’s true! Can’t wait to hear details.
Let’s make it absolutely clear that if it’s true that a letter of intent is signed by Koeningsegg & Co and GM right now that this step opens the lengthy path of months of negotiatoins before a formal “sale” (ownership handover) is signed/takes place. Many things can happen during those months. GM/SAAB have previously said that a sale/handover should take place at the end of the year. But I certainly like the direction this is taking. And it looks like good old Hilton Holloway at Autocar.co.uk being right too a few days ago.
This will create an absolute record of comments – in the “wrong” post!
Sven van Dijkman I’ll add mine then, lol.
I want to jump for joy but I also want to hear Swade’s take on it. Should I ring him?
I have to disagree with Robert Collin — that is the old style thinking, Saab must be part of someone big to survive.
We’re going to get two kinds of car companies out of this crisis. Very large and small niche players.
We all know what happened to Saab in its current iteration as part of a very large company.
The thing is if Swade does get up soon (do you think we can use telepathy?), i’m guessing we won’t find out much information till Europe morning eg in 8 hours or so.
I’m not going to bed until I get Swade’s assessment on this!
Good morning from Germany Swade,
I haven’t read all the the stuff from above so please excuse double or triple information. “Spiegel online” http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,630022,00.html says (referring to Reuters, TV-Station SVT and dpa) that K-egg have signed a “preliminary agreement for sale” (hope I translated that correct) with Saab. They are reporting of norwegian investors backing the whole thing and of public guarantees from Sweden IF the sale would happen.
JA JA JA!!!! (please let it happen)
Nick has posted this in the “right” thread
http://www.saabsunited.com/2009/06/renco-vs-koenigsegg-vs-merbanco.html#comment-12151
It very looks like the true story.
When this news broke on on SVT.se it spread like fire trough out the net. awesome how information goes fast nowdays:)
Robin M > heh call him,tell him that SU is going crazy:)
Magna only will manage about 20% of Opel……….why not Koenigsegg only manages this amount of shares(20-25%) and leave Saab open to be manages also with other big players?? that will give to Saab the opportunitty to more financial resources, and if its a big tech player also technological resources, distribution, and so…
The important thing is that not too much shareholders, if there are too much then it will be a mess, to follow one strategic direction.
The important, thing here for Saab is to manage the distribution and development synergies to be cost effective and efficiente, and going to the path of profitability.
One of the big advantages for Saab, is that is quite small to be managed easily and be quite flexible to move production, find new partners, resources and finance, and adapt itself to the enviromental situation.
regards
@sethsev7n, about five miles up there somewhere…
a. Losing battle, mate…
b. _Which_ previous sale thread?
The previous thread (about 2 down) is “SAAB SALE UPDATE” and it has some good discussion.
I’m with you. Crucially, the wheelbase of this mule is just shorter than the current 9-3.
More to the point, Bergstrom told me himself that Saab’s version of Delta would have a multi-link rear axle, which (I guess) will almost certainly be carried over from the current 9-3.
Saab are also working on modifying the front end of the Delta so the front chassis legs are farther apart. I understood this was necessary so Saab could fit drivetrains other than those supplied by GM.
And How do you explain the longer wheelbase of delta II in comparison with the 9-3SS ??
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