Alt Colors: Saab 9-5 SportCombi
January 20, 2011 in Saabology
Jeff has got to work, adding some color options and panoramic sunroof to the preview image released by Saab yesterday.
Nice work, as always, Jeff.
Make mine a red one, please……
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You are browsing the archive for 2011 January.
by Swade
by Swade
Video: New Saab 95
January 20, 2011 in Uncategorized
In honour of the new Saab 9-5 SportCombi unveiled yesterday, here’s an ad for one of their old ones.
It’s more than just quaint, don’t you think?
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL2_TDhrCxk
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by Swade
US Saab 9-5 SportCombi info
January 20, 2011 in News
A poll has been added. US-centric engines only.
Loading ...——
Today is Saab 9-5 SportCombi day, no doubt about it. I didn’t want to write about anything else today, which is why I’ve been silent since the press release.
Unfortunately, I have a sinking feeling that I’m raining on the 9-5 SportCombi’s parade by having to quote this…..
From Inside Line:
Pricing has not been confirmed for the U.S., said Michele Tinson, Saab Cars North America spokesperson, in response to an e-mailed query from Inside Line on Wednesday morning. However, the SportCombi body style typically sells for about $1,000 more than the Saab 9-5. The current 9-5 is priced between $38,525 and $43,030.
“We may have only one powertrain in the U.S. and limited trim options,” Tinson said when asked to provide more details about the 9-5 SportCombi.
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One powertrain and limited trim options.
First of all, we don’t know what this means. The Saab 9-5 Sedan launched last year with just one powertrain and trim level – the highest. It’s possible that the 9-5 SportCombi will come with the V6 and quite loaded.
UPDATE: Automobile Magazine seem to be hedging their bets. They first claim that powertrain options will mimic the Sedan, with both engines available, and then in a lower paragraph from the same article, they say it’ll be just the top-shelf Aero model.
UPDATE II: Car and Driver say it’ll be just the 2.0T.
Conclusion – No-one’s got a freaking clue and they’re all poking holes in the sky with a stick. IMHO there should have been nothing said about ‘one engine option’ at all. Just point them to the press release and save all the guesswork.
BUT……
Now that we’re compelled to have a guess, I’d say it will be well equipped with a couple of trim levels to choose from, but that it will come with the higher volume engine – the 2.0T. Even though that engine is an absolute gem, I have a feeling that the comments section is going to fill up with people who say they want access to the V6.
Please, prove me wrong.
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NOTE – The quote above is from Saab Cars North America and doesn’t necessarily have any relevance to markets outside North America.
Thanks to Alan H and to Joe Best for the tips.
by Red J
Gentlemen, start your engines: the Saab 9-5 SportCombi is here
January 19, 2011 in News
UPDATE: I’ve changed the text with the official Press-release from Saab UK.
January 19, 2011
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All-new Saab 9-5 SportWagon to Debut at Geneva
• Next step in Saab’s biggest-ever new product offensive
• Distinctive alternative choice in premium estate segment
• Styling carries forward 9-5 saloon’s bold design language
• Order book opens in Spring, first customer deliveries from September
Trollhättan, Sweden: Saab Automobile takes the next step in the biggest new product offensive in its history when the much-awaited 9-5 SportWagon is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.
Sleek and fun-to-drive, the SportWagon adds versatility to the widely acclaimed attributes of the 9-5 saloon and will bring a distinctive, alternative choice to the premium large estate segment.
It shares the saloon’s bold, AeroX-inspired looks and features an extended, falling roof-line which culminates in a steeply raked rear screen flanked by signature Saab ‘wraparound’ window glazing. The result is an imposing body with a low stance and a dynamic, visual appeal that concedes nothing to the requirements of load-carrying.
Smart cargo handling features include an adaptable multi-fold floor, flexible U-rail load space configuration and under-floor stowage with a sealed wet storage compartment. A programmable, powered tailgate is also available.
Backed by the same all-turbo petrol and diesel powertrain line-up as the 9-5 saloon, the SportWagon includes Saab’s industry-leading XWD all-wheel-drive system and advanced features such as: Saab DriveSense adaptive chassis control, adaptive cruise control (late 2012), Bi-Xenon SmartBeam adaptive lighting, keyless entry and starting, tri-zone air conditioning and a Head-up Display which projects information, aircraft-style in the windshield.
The order book for the SportWagon opens in Spring, with first customer deliveries to follow from September. It will significantly broaden the appeal of the new 9-5 range in a segment where Saab, with its tradition for designing versatile vehicles, has enjoyed estate sales volumes on a par with saloon levels.
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Red J here
The Swedish press release says that the order books will open from mid April, and the first deliveries will be in August. Difeerent markets will have different delivery dates.
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“The launch of the 9-5 SportWagon is a much-awaited next step in the roll-out of our new product offensive,” says Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson. “It will take Saab back into the large estate segment where we have established a strong presence in many key markets with our previous offering.”
Sporty character
Designed in parallel with the saloon, the 9-5 SportWagon shares the same bold frontal styling and adds a swept, ‘wraparound’ rear window graphic. This echoes the 9-5’s signature frontal theme and gives the SportWagon its own distinctive identity. The dramatic, sweeping roof-line is extended by a deep rear spoiler integrated into the top of the tailgate. Ultra-slim roof rails that blend into the car’s svelte silhoutte are fitted as standard.
Signature Saab themes, such as the strong C-pillar with its hockey stick extension of the belt-line, are combined with a prominent rear shoulder contour to give the SportWagon a muscular and dynamic stance.
The tailgate is raked forward to underline the car’s dynamic character. It features a full-width ‘ice-block’ rear light bar which wraps into light units at either side, continuing a new signature Saab styling theme first seen on the 9-5 saloon and 9-4X crossover.
Dynamic and functional
The deep cargo deck is fully carpeted and optimized for space and ease-of-use. The 60/40 split rear seatbacks fold down almost completely flat without having to reposition the seat squab or remove the head restraints. Careful attention to soundproofing in the rear bodywork attenuates noise, vibration and resonance so that occupants enjoy a level of interior refinement similar to that of the saloon.
With the seatbacks lowered, the cargo deck is almost two metres long (1,962 mm) and offers an adaptable load capacity of up to 1,600 liters (527 litres, rear seats up). The side walls are completely flat and upright, creating a clean, open space without any hard-to-use corners or rear wheel-arch intrusions. Compartments in the side walls offer convenient stowage for small items. Four tie-down loops and a 12-volt power outlet also come as standard.
An optional, U-shaped track around the outside of the floor provides flexible space configuration. As in the 9-5 saloon, it carries an adaptable, telescopic dividing rail which allows the cargo deck to be split as required so that different sized items can be separated and kept in place.
The floor, with a signature Saab aircraft-shaped handle, folds back in steps to access under-floor storage, with a sub-floor 65 mm below the main floor height – ideal for the separate stowage of flat or small items.
A pull-out support arm can be slotted in place to keep the folded floor in a fixed position. This provides further support for items stored in the under-floor recess, as a flexible alternative to using the entire cargo deck.
The underside of the floor has two fittings for flat stowage of the U-rail divider. They also carry hooks that can be used to organize bags, for example. A waterproof plastic liner, available as an option, can be dropped into the recess to provide a separate wet storage area for sports equipment, outdoor clothing or muddy boots.
Smart tailgate
For additional convenience, the tailgate is available with a remotely-controlled, electric power operation. It can be fully opened and closed via a rotary knob in the driver’s door or a button on the car’s key fob. A touch pad on the outside of the tailgate, above the number plate, also triggers powered opening and closing.
A programmable mode can be used to raise the tailgate to a lower position if there is restricted clearance overhead, such as inside a garage. The opening height is pre-set via the rotary knob, which can also disable the powered function.
For ease of loading, the tailgate opens down to bumper level with a lift-over height of only 648 mm. The cargo deck floor is also flush with the tailgate opening to facilitate sliding heavy loads inside. A down-lighter in the tailgate and small sidewall lights provide excellent illumination of the load space at night.
A retracting cargo cover can also be slotted into lugs in the sidewalls immediately behind the rear seats. It keeps items out of sight and includes a convenient one-touch action which allows the ends of the locating bar to slide up channels on the inside of the D-pillars for convenient access to the cargo deck.
Red J
by Swade
Carlsson’s Sonett
January 19, 2011 in Saabology
This would be soooooo cool.
The story in TTELA is that of Johan Josefsson. Aside from being the tech guy who helped out the Saabs United Historic Rally Team in the Midnight Sun rally last year, his primary claim to fame is a beautiful orange Saab 99 service vehicle and a collection of other Saabs.
TTELA asked him about one very special part of that collection, which sounds like a relatively recent acquisition, too.
This silver Sonett II is not just one of the incredibly rare two-strokers, it was previously owned by Erik Carlsson himself!
And how did they find this out? Well, Josefsson is apparently one of those true Saab geeks, and he knew the chassis number of Erik’s car. Carlsson later confirmed it and signed the vehicle for him last summer 
The car still needs a restoration, but is a treasure just as it is.
Click the link above and do a Googletrans. It’s well worth the effort.
Thanks to Tomas for the tip!
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by Swade
Saab 9-5 price comparison
January 19, 2011 in Saabology
Earlier today I posted about a review of the Saab 9-5 from Singapore. The review was notable not only because it was a good read for Saab owners. It also featured what I think might be the highest price payable for a Saab 9-5 – the highest I’ve heard of at least.
I mentioned that it would be interesting to compare the Singaporean price with others around the world. I know there’s a few countries with very high vehicle taxes, but how would they compare with Singapore?
“Joe” was kind enough to do a little research earlier today and post the results in comments. I thought I’d drop those results into a table and present them here.
| Country | Amount | Currency | USD Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | 1,017,900 | Nor Kr | 175557 |
| Denmark | 930,000 | Dan Kr | 168319 |
| Finland | 75,782 | Euro | 102192 |
| Netherlands | 73,500 | Euro | 98990 |
| Singapore | 266,888 | SNG $ | 208000 |
| Italy | 60,350 | Euro | 81382 |
| Spain | 58,000 | Euro | 78213 |
| France | 57,350 | Euro | 77366 |
| Belgium | 55,640 | Euro | 75030 |
| Sweden | 471,900 | Swe Kr | 71381 |
| Germany | 52,500 | Euro | 70796 |
| Great Britain | 38,585 | GBP | 61836 |
| United States | 49,565 | USD | 49565 |
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Here’s some visual representation to give you a view of the comparative prices at a glance.
I expect this will bring out some of the complaints about how cheap cars are in some countries compared to others. There are reasons for this, namely the aforementioned vehicle taxes (or lack thereof), which are occasionally balanced by costs in other areas (e.g. welfare, healthcare).
Bottom line: cars cost more in some places than others, but it’s just amazing to see how much that variation can be.
Thanks again to Joe for putting the information together.
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by Swade
Four seasons convertible – Part 6
January 19, 2011 in Saabology
It’s been a little while between entries, but I do have more winter convertibles to show you, celebrating the all-weather nature of Saab’s drop top.
Marien has a 2.0T Vector convertible, black on parchment, that’s tuned by Maptun. It’s driven in all weather, and as long as it’s 6 degrees or more and not raining, the top’s down.
It’s shown here with 17 light alloys fitted with winter tyres.
Thanks Marien!
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by Swade
Australia – Start your Saab engines!
January 19, 2011 in News
Good news today…..
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I can hear you now…….. What’s the big deal about a Saab 9-3x on a Saab build-your-own website?
Well, the big deal is that that particular screenshot comes from the Saab Australia website, which means that things are finally getting underway Downunder. Turbin was snooping around on the site and picked up on the new model loaded there. There’s also a dealer listing, but we’re unsure if that’s accurate at this point in time.
More than that, I can tell you I spent half an hour on the phone with a motoring jounalist from The Australian a few days ago. They’re preparing an article for their weekend magazine and wanted to know a little more about the state of Saab from the enthusiast’s point of view.
There’s even more to tell, but I best leave that until a more appropriate time.
Saab will re-start operations here with the 9-3 range, including the new Saab 9-3x. The Saab 9-5 sedan is expected around mid-year and the Saab 9-4x early next year.
Good news, Aussies!
by Swade
Wednesday morning snippets – sigh
January 19, 2011 in Saabology
It’d be interesting to know if any markets around the world have Saab 9-5 that sells for more than the price in Singapore.
The price for an Aero – which comes pretty much as a fully loaded car – is SGD$266,888. That’s Singaporean dollars, which converts to around $208,000 in US pesos.
AsiaOne has a review of the car:
With its Scandinavian branding and style, the Saab 9-5 is the alternative choice in the mid-sized luxury saloon segment. At the same time, its technology means this is the most sophisticated and technically advanced Saab ever produced. All these should add up to a very promising future.
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“Lawsuit against Saab for unpaid rent” is a headline in E24 today. Hopefully people in Sweden will read the full story below the headline.
A landlord is claiming what he/she/it believes is unpaid rent. Saab have only paid 25% of the original rent agreed when they first leased the property. Saab believe that the amount they’ve paid is correct because of the ‘composition’ agreement they made last year with creditors during their restructuring process. This agreement wrote down 75% of debts owing to creditors.
No need for panic. Each party has an argument to make and the court will decide.
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Inside Line have posted a review of the Saab 9-5 V6 Aero today and whilst it makes some good reading, one has to wonder Why?
The article is a review of the 2010 model. Why publish a review of the 2010 model when the 2011 is very much available?
As mentioned, the article is quite fair and makes for some very good reading. I just don’t understand why they’ve done it the way they’ve done it.
A suggestion has been made to me that they might have taken a review published previously by sister publication, Edmunds.com, and added some 2011 context to it. I don’t know, but it seems unlikely to me. All I know is it seems strange.
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10 stupid publications that will disappear in 2011.
That’s the headline of an article I’d write if I had both the time and the inclination. #1 on the list would be DailyFinance.com.
Look, no-one thinks the road ahead for Saab will be easy, but basing your judgment of their survival purely on 2010 sales in the US, with no other context provided, is just stoooopid.
By the way, their article is headed “10 American Companies That Will Disappear in 2011″ and the first of the American companies listed is “Saab USA”.
The fact that Saab aren’t American to start with, and that Saab USA is no longer an existing entity seems to have passed them by.
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Sigh.
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by Swade
Welcome Saab Club China
January 19, 2011 in Saabology
I got a note from a guy named Kai Chen today letting me know that he’s just set up a website – Saab Club China.
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I know we have a few readers from China that check in here and I will never forget how pleasantly surprised I was to see the great support that came out of China during the sale of Saab.
It’s great to see a Saab club website starting up in China, a place where Chinese enthusiasts will be able to get Saab news in their native language instead of struggling along with my occasionally tortured writings.
Don’t stop visiting here, though, OK?
by Swade
Video – Varta and Saab
January 19, 2011 in Uncategorized
Saab make cars, Varta make a specific part that goes in cars.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7-uSysW8Eg
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Thanks to Martin for the tip!
by Swade
Saabs we can expect to see this year – but when?
January 18, 2011 in Editorial
The Detroit Auto Show is out of the way for 2011 and Saab used their unofficial attendance outside the show hall to announce the introduction of Hirsch Performance parts in the United States.
That’s one show, one announcement, but there’s plenty more due for this year. The fun part is trying to figure out when we’ll see all the new things that Saab has to offer.
There are plenty of auto shows around the world every year, but there are only a few big auto shows each year. I think we can expect to see a lot from Saab at each of those big shows (and a presence at plenty of the smaller ones, too).
The big, “debut-worthy” shows remaining for this year, in my estimation, are as follows:
- Geneva – March
- New York – April
- Frankfurt – September
- Los Angeles – November
The big debuts that Saab could make this year, with my guesses as to when, are as follows….
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Saab design concept – Jason Castriota’s stamp on Saab design will show at Geneva. We heard as much late last year. No doubt this poured the pressure on the Saab design team, as they’re also working flat-out on the replacement for the Saab 9-3.
Contrary to what some might think, this design concept is not a lead-in to the 9-3, nor is it a look at what Saab’s small car might look like if they find a partner. This concept is intended to be a bookend to the Aero-X – a design exercise only. It’s Castriota’s baby where Saab is concerned and it will have plenty of Saab in it, but plenty of Castriota in it as well.
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MY2011.5 9-3 – A mid-cycle enhancement is expected for the Saab 9-3 that will see the exterior re-shaped to look more in line with the new Saab 9-5. The car has been referred to as the Griffin Edition and is intended to carry the 9-3 through until it is replaced late in 2012.
The 9-3 is expected to get the 2.0T engine with direct injection from the Saab 9-5, said to be available in both 163hp or 220hp variations. Whether there will be enhancements to the interior is as yet uncertain, but they may be restricted to some minor trim enhancements (silver strip around the dash to become grey, and some other grey trim, too).
Geneva would be a good candidate for this to be seen, too. Given that the model is a mid-year refresh, it would make sense for them to show it in March and have it go on sale shortly thereafter.
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Saab 9-5 SportCombi – I don’t know exactly why Saab release their wagons a year after they release sedans, but they do. The Saab 9-5 SportCombi will hold massive interest for Swedish customers, as well as much of Europe and a few outside as well.
It’s expected to go on sale around mid year, so I’d expect this to be the third and final big announcement for the Geneva show. I know that’s a lot to expect from one small company, but these are big debuts and Geneva’s the biggest stage available prior to them going on sale.
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Saab 9-3 SportCombi TTiD with sub 120g emissions – It would be nice to have a Swedish show to launch a sub-120g/km range of diesels in the 9-3 SportCombi range but the Stockhom show for 2011 has been at best, postponed, and at worst, cancelled.
As it’s not relevant to the US market (the NY show is in April), this one might be done via a press release and drive event in Europe only.
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Saab 9-3 Independence Edition Convertible
This car will use the mid-cycle enhancement that I expect to see in Geneva. The Saab 9-3 Independence Edition will be a limited edition, with just 365+1 units available worldwide for 2011, in convertible body style only.
It’s expected to go on sale in May, so a debut at the New York International Auto Show might be appropriate.
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2012 Saab 9-3 and 9-5 – I don’t know how different the 2012 Saab 9-3 will be from the 2011.5 Griffin Edition, but if there are more changes, they’ll be marked as a 2012 model.
I think we can expect enhancements to the Saab 9-5 range for 2012. There is room for enhancement in the interior of the car and the possibility, however near or far, of a sub-120g/km model (tangent – I think Magnus Hansson’s “smile” in response to questions about a sub-120g 9-5 might be over-interpreted here. The good news is he didn’t rule it out).
The obvious timing for this is at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011.
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Saab 9-3 replacement concept vehicle – This car is due in the last quarter of 2012. Would they dare show a concept a year early? I know it’s been mentioned already, but I think it’s far from certain.
If they do proceed with showing this vehicle, then Frankfurt or LA are the end-of-year big shows. My tentative bet would be LA in November, contrary to previous reports about the vehicle showing in Frankfurt. It gives them something big to talk about in the United States, as well as much-needed extra time.
Showing this vehicle could give them a good reason to showcase new technology from eAAM, too.
But all that’s a very big IF.
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by Swade
Determination
January 18, 2011 in Saabology
I love it when people make a considered decision to buy, restore and preserve a classic Saab. I love the idea of these cars staying on the road where they belong. There’s nothing quite like going to a big Saab gathering and seeing a range of classic Saabs alongside the 9-5s and 9-3s of the last decade. It warms the heart.
For some of you, it’s not so difficult to find a classic Saab. You might live in reasonable proximity to a whole bunch of older Saabs. Of course, it gets harder for everyone when the model you’re looking for is a bit older. But the hunt need not be too long if you don’t want it to be.
Some of us have it a little tougher. For someone here in Australia, or Asia, buying anything older than a classic Saab 900 can be quite a challenge. I’m still waiting to see if my own personal circumstances will allow me to get a Sonett over from the US. I even found the right car, but it takes some serious commitment to source and then import a car from halfway around the world.
Then there’s a completely different class of Saab buyer – the one who sources the exact car he wants, regardless of where it is, regardless of whether there might be a model nearby that’s oh-so-close to what they want (but not exactly the one).
That’s Marko.
Marko lives in Finland and was after a particular car. The right color. The right year. And in the right condition – rust free.
Marko started his search in March 2010 and ended up turning to the classifieds over at Saabnet to get the right car from California. The fact that it had a troubled transmission and some reasonable miles didn’t worry him.
A few months worth of negotiations and arrangements didn’t worry either him or the seller. In fact, they were both of the same mind. Marko didn’t want to buy just any car and the seller didn’t want to sell his pride and joy to just anyone.
What Marko ended up with is a rather rare Saab 900 Convertible from 1991 in what I believe is Beryl Green (I could be wrong) – a car that he’s using the Finnish winter to tidy up prior to enjoying in the summer months, including the 2011 IntSaab in Finland.
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That’s dedication to getting and then preserving the right car – and there’s something about it that’s very, very admirable.
I really hope I can make it over to IntSaab later this year and see this one in person, and shake the hand of a like-minded Saabnut.
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by Swade
Czech SSC+1 – DONE!
January 18, 2011 in Saabology
Saab Underground organised an anniversary gathering on the weekend to remember the Saab Support Convoys from last year – and it looks like they had a fantastic turnout, too!
Some sunny weather and dry conditions helped to bring a few more people along and they all enjoyed a spirited drive through the countryside around Brno.
Click here for some more photos, including an epic panorama featuring all the cars lined up.
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Thanks to Katka for the info!
by Swade
Re-run: Vladimir Antonov speaks about Saab
January 18, 2011 in Uncategorized
This video was uploaded to Youtube in October last year, but the original interview was actually done in February 2010, almost a year ago.
At this time, Antonov was persona-non-grata in terms of being part of Saab’s ownership structure. In fact, this interview was recorded less than a week after the Saab deal was closed, so the wounds to his reputation must have still been quite raw.
The interview covers his part in the initial offer, as well as plans that he had to build Saabs in Russia, based on older technology and to be sold in Russia and other CIS countries for around $12,000.
The opening is in Swedish, but Antonov speaks in English.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygviRKLN0mM
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The reason I’m running this again now is twofold:
a) when it was new, it was only available on Rapport’s own website. I’ve only just discovered it on Youtube, but more importantly,
b) Antonov’s thoughts with regard to Saab are now of much greater relevance given that his reputation has been restored and he’s been cleared to take up a stake in Saab.
To my knowledge, he hasn’t taken a stake in Saab as yet. But I’m quite sure that’s a distinct possibility for the future. He was clearly unhappy about not being on board from the beginning and I think he has a personal point to prove about helping Saab become estalished and successful.
