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I’m in two minds as to how things have gone with the SU Hi-Po Challenge.

I’m really pleased because it gave a few people the chance to express their thoughts on what high powered Saab should look like. We had everything from maxed-out Hirsch tuning to aftermarket co-operation to full-on engineering programs involving high-output electric motors being used in hybrid applications. They were all fun to read and they certainly provided food for thought.

On the other hand, the whole challenge was born out of a frustration that I had with a seemingly relentless stream of comments lambasting Saab for not having a high powered model like the one described in the criteria for the challenge. Most things born out of frustration or anger tend to lead to unsatisfying outcomes and I must admit that I’m still somewhat frustrated by the whole situation. The whole challenge was set up on a negative premise, with a bar so high that it was inevitable that I’d have to shoot down submissions that seemed unrealistic according to the criteria (read: all of them) and that’s a very unsatisfying thing for all concerned; it’s a horrible prospect for me as someone who invited submissions and it’s a horrible prospect for someone who’s taken the time to prepare a submission.

I’m glad it’s over.

The point

I don’t think a high-powered Saab is a priority. It’s like telling a subsistence farmer who’s got a small pot of savings to forget the ox he was going to buy and get a leather sofa instead.

I don’t believe Saab see a high-powered halo car as a priority, either, otherwise they’d be taking steps to build one. Instead, their business plan is centered around a core model range coming over the next 18 months and the expansion thereof by adding a smaller vehicle than the Saab 9-3 when they get the funds to do so. This plan is essential for building a company that can gain some stability and move on to do the really fancy stuff later.

Others think different.

Read the rest of this entry →

Here is the final response to the SU Hi-Po Challenge.

It comes from Jake, who as you’ll all know from the Advertising competition we held last year, is a young bloke who’s always up for a challenge.

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Don’t think that this argument before you will be winning any awards. I’m a shallow 13-year-old. According to people with opinions on teenagers, we’re naive. Believe what you like, but this is what I think about a high-power Saab.

When I first saw the specs of the 9-3 Aero two years ago, I was impressed. Especially by the 0-60 figure. That car had Saab’s V6, so I would like to propose that it be brought back to the 9-3, but in a better form.

I don’t consider myself to be the kind of person that thinks that Saab needs a halo car. I believe that Saab could use a car that shows that they know how to be a valid competitor in the performance industry. The Turbo X and Aero XWD were liked by many a car reviewer. So, I ask: Why not bring back the Turbo X or Aero XWD, but better?

After all, Saab can’t just throw away the 2.8 V6 in the 9-3. I know that the V6 is no longer with us in the 9-3 (not in the US, at least – SW), but this plan calls for a revival.

Before I explain myself, Hyundai must come into play: Yes, Hyundai. The Sonata Turbo has a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4. The Saab 9-3′s 2.0t makes 210 hp. So, from practically the same displacement, the Sonata’s 2.0t makes 64 more hp. Now, let’s see here: Theoretically, if Saab’s V6 were made by Hyundai, what would the statistics say, if we were to use the ratio of 274 over 210?

Let’s do some math: 274 over 210=x over 280. x=265 1/3 hp. The guidelines given by Swade dictate that the car must have over 350 hp. Check. Thank you, Hyundai.

Unfortunately for us, though, sometimes theory isn’t what works well for the industry. So, we need to consider practical costs. Frankly, I think that Saab’s money was wasted on concept cars. I’d drop the concept car budget immediately to spare some money for this project. Concepts cost a ton of money, and don’t do squat for Saab, except for make people want to steal the concept; knowing that it’s never going to be made under Saab’s current financial situation.

And it’s not as though Saab didn’t tune engines to the extreme before: Before Saab-Scania, when Saab was independent, they made the GT850. That car was an intense little machine. They made a 52hp rally-winning machine out of an 841 cc three-cylinder, two-sroke engine. Back when cars had more than 100-150 hp to win rallies, the Saab was winning them with a measly and loud 52 horses. But those horses were many more than the standard 96! In fact, Saab kept tuning that engine until it practically exploded. And this was when Saab was even more of a niche than it is now, and when they were independent as well. Sure, I realize that Saab has more cars to develop now, and they’re still recovering from GM, but really, if Saab wanted to, they could stuff the V6 back into the 9-3, and tune it, so that it becomes the re-iteration of what the Jiffy-Pop motor was on the rally circuit in the ’60s: successful.

Saab needs to manufacture parts for the Turbo X, so why not put some of those parts into this car? Development will be extremely cheap. We had so much neat stuff in the Turbo X, from wheels, to diffuser, to XWD, and we can add all of that back again! The only real issues in development would be making sure the engine won’t explode, and tweaks, such as suspension, etc. The car should be done testing in a year. It could be a send-off to the current 9-3!

But, more has to come out of this car than just a fancily-tuned engined: Colin Chapman famously said: “Just add lightness.” Well, that. I say this: Take out trim. Any wood or fake carbon fiber must GO! No doorhandles! Door pulls will do just fine, thanks! And how about a MOMO steering wheel? Jus buy a bunch from MOMO, and glue on a Saab badge. Saab badges, glue, and steering wheels must not cost too much… Carbon-fiber seats are a must. They are expensive, and could be an option, but could also be partially bought using money saved from ripping out the A/C and navigation system.

Speaking of which, give the good people at Saab the navigation system that WOULD have been in this car for Christmas. (Or Hanukkah, of Kwanza…) Just… get rid of that amenity. Oh, and by the way, what are windows for? Yes, that’s right! Ventilation! How about getting rid of some A/C! If someone makes a stink, let it leave the cabin the old-fashioned way. Take out the sunroof. Give us titanium wheels. I know they’re expensive, but then again, so is a radio/navigation system and an A/C. I don’t mind if the wheels are from Koenigsegg. Or Spyker. Take out some carpets. Gift those to the wonderful people in Trollhattan, as well. An aluminum lower fascia, and a nice big spoiler wouldn’t hurt anything, either. Finally, ban the automatic transmission! That’s a fantastic waste of weight.

Price is important here. The Turbo X’s architecture is already paid off, as GM did all of the dirty work. So, the car should be able to sell for a lot less. With Saab, as much as they would like to be able to sell the car for a jacked-up price, because of supposed exclusivity, they really can’t afford to do so anymore. So, as a send-off to the current 9-3, I think this car could sell for roughly $37,500 in U.S. dollars. I think that 5,000-7,000 could be an appropriate number for this car.

Saab has made a car like this before, and they certainly have the funds and know-how to do it again. The industry has changed since 2008, and so has Saab. Now, let’s see this car happen, for the good of Saab!

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And I would just like to note that in six years of blogging, I believe this post contains the first reference ever made on this site to the act of farting. Given my fondness for the pasttime, it’s amazing it hasn’t come up before.

I’m going to take some time and post a wrap-up in the next few days.

This response to the SU Hi-Po Challenge is from Luca S – from SaabWay Club, Italy

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Introduction.

In my opinion, a Saab still has to be considered as a comfortable and practical car, even if equipped with a rough and sporty character. A car that can drive you home safely and comfortably every evening after work, but which can also get a sporty astonishing driving experience. For that reason I’m not going to suggest a naked Saab, without carpets or electrical windows (Saab is not a Lotus); My idea is to upgrade the sporty side of a Saab, as they do in the past with the Viggen version, extending the work made with the Turbo-X, which for many people who love sporty cars, is thought to be not completely ended.

The model would be the 9-3 MY11,5 so we can make a limited “end-life” edition giving to the 9-3 model a glorious end life while waiting for the New 9-3 MY13. My idea is based on existing technology and components, which have already been tested and developed to solve money. Fantastic would be to have also the same version of the Cabrio Model, but what about the XWD? Also, I can’t imagine how the press could talk about a 350hp FWD car… For practicality I’ll consider the 9-3 Sport Sedan.

The car must have 350hp minimum…..

The better choice for Saab, due to it’s heritage and also to make some noise on the market would be the 2.0L Engine equipped obviously with XWD Transmission. Manual gearbox and also Automatic gearbox (with limited torque to conserve the reliability). This version should be properly tuned to achieve the requested power. The other choice could be obviously the return of the 2.8V6 on the Model 9-3 which can give a more powerful base to work on.

How you’ll achieve that sort of power, where you’ll source the engine from….

As I said on the previous point the engine would be a Saab Engine but it should be properly tuned to achieve the power. I’d work together with one of the most popular Saab Tuners which is MapTun. MapTun has already developed a performance kit which can obtain 325Hp on the 2,0L model and 340hp on the 2,8V6. I’m sure that with a minimal adjustment would it be possibile to obtain only 25 extra bhp on the 2,0L or 10 extra bhp on the 2,8V6, but I think that also the “standard” power offered by MapTun could be enough (Those are 45-60Hp more than the Turbo-X, not little).
MapTun has already made research & development to achieve that power so maybe only a little work together with Saab engineers could perfect the tuning.

Modifications you’ll do to the interior, exterior, suspension, etc…

For the interior I’d choose as supplier Hirsch. They have wonderful and High-Quality components.

Timeframe for testing this car….

Some months. The car is equipped all with already tested and known componente so it needs only a minimum time to test that everything works properly with minimum adjustment only for the engine compart.

Warrant the vehicle in all markets with confidence….

I think it could be done without big problems. We all know the good work done from the most popular Saab tuners.

Expected sale price, based on current pricing in your market….

The Sale price is calculated on the list price in Italy for a 9-3 Sport-Sedan 2,0T XWD 210hp M6 adding the list price of the supplier’s kits (MapTun & Hirsch).

Car list price (VAT Excl.) (35.300€) + MapTun Engine Tuning kit (VAT Excl.): 5.450€ + Hirsch components (VAT Excl.): 3300€. Total: 44,050€ + VAT. In Italy it would be circa 53.000€ VAT incl.

53.000€ for a Saab 9-3 Sport-Sedan 2,0T XWD M6 325(350?)hp and 430-450Nm with wonderful exterior and interior Look and materials with incredibile performance and incredibile appeal; with its only 2,0L engine it could make again a big noise on the market. “The Saab Turbo is back!”.

I think also that the suppliers could make better prices for a big quantity of parts so the price could be lower or it can stay at that level giving some profit to Saab; But I think that a car like this should be made more for the marketing than the profit.

How many of these vehicles you think Saab could realistically sell….

No idea, but for sure it would sell more than the Turbo-X or that the Aero 2,8XWD because of the insurance and petrol costs (especially in Europe). I’m Sure that an angry 2,0L Turbocharged High Performance Engine would be more successful in opposite to a “not so angry” 2,8V6 (Sorry V6 owners..

How you’re going to fund the engineering, development and testing of this project….

As I said before I think that those costs should be very minimal, so maybe Saab can afford the cost by its actual limited finance.

You have to fit it in to the current program by telling us which current priority is less important than a performance car….

The same. Anyway I think that at this moment Saab hasn’t really a low priority project compared to a Hi-Po Car. For this reason a think that Saab should buy existing components and already tested and developed performance kits to obtain a good result without a big investement. We’re lucky about that.

To make the Saab buildable and marketable….

I think that my proposal doesn’t need a specific answer to this question. The actual structure should be good enough.

From kenthebeardman…..

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Having followed some of the proposals submitted, I feel inclined to contribute with some thoughts which – for obvious reasons are not based on any market research results – but entirely on what would be my own personal preferences.

Hence, appreciating the limitations and constraints, I would start with some presumptions.

• I presume that the prospective buyer would possess sufficient self-worth and net-worth to consider such a vehicle.
• That said, we are likely to primarily focus on a rather limited target group, probably aged 40 +, with a family, maybe a house owner, with the occasional need for extra luggage capacity.
• I also presume that such a person would be less inclined to favour extreme exterior features like huge spoilers and street scraping side skirts, machinegun sounding exhaust systems and the like, since both good taste and tolerance tend to change in lieu of age, maturity, residential area environment and acceptance.
• That the rationale for acquiring such a vehicle is for the pure pleasure of having it (heart rather than brain), its like buying a gold Rolex Submariner watch, thus not for the purpose of exhibitionism, or racing down the street. Still, the car should make an understated impression, and give its owner the knowledge and confidence that power and handling is there – if ever needed.
• That the premium payable should be reasonable and affordable (maybe USD 20 K), whilst at the same time enable SAAB to cover production costs, certification costs, and certain inevitable development and testing costs. Such a limited series vehicle would never make SAAB that much better off financially, but if they at least would break even, it would most likely enhance the status of SAAB, giving signals as an able (to be) prestige car maker. This premium on top of the “standard” Aero version is percentagewise much less than the competition is charging.

Thus, in terms of manufacturing, the following presumptions would be applicable:

• Development costs should be kept at minimum by using in main available or already designed / engineered / tried and tested components.
• The car should be possible to assemble at the same production line as the standard car.

The current palette of colours would have to do, preventing investments in separate paint facilities, or disruptions by diverting steel body’s elsewhere for special painting.
My ideal car would then – in line with the above – be a 9-5 XWD sedan or 9-5 XWD SC with:

• Exterior features limited only to a polished stainless steel mesh grille insert (type Bentley Continental), Hirsch 20” wheels and quad exhausts, the already available Brembo brakes, and on the SC perhaps a slightly more pronounced and Hirsch inspired roof top spoiler.
• An engine based on the already presented SAAB Aero X concept, i.e. the twin turbo 2,8 l V6, giving 400 hp, and for environmental reasons compatible with ethanol E85 fuel.
• A suitable transmission, c.f. the 7-speed Aero X box.
• The interior based on the current Aero model, but with selectable options for carbon or wooden dash, enhanced leather clad doors, enhanced stitching, etc. The current Aero seats are comfortable enough, so no need to go for Recaro or something extravagant.
• The option to more flexibly combine existing interior colour combinations (top of dash, carpets) since I am allergic to black car interiors.

So, that’s basically my perfect version of a “high performance” SAAB, capable and noticed without being flashy, at the same time not at shame beside the neighbour’s RS 6 or its Avant version.

Funding ?

An order book of maybe 1000 vehicles globally would hopefully avail sufficient capital (through either pre-payment or financing) go get the project off the ground.

Time for another entry in the Saab Hi-Po Challenge. I’ve got a couple of these left and I’ll get them out in short order as I’d like to wrap this up soon.

This one comes from TP in Denmark.

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I admit to be one of those performance addicts that also admires technological achievement that manifests itself in racing victories and records.

I have owned 10 SAABs and upgraded nearly all of them to get more performance. My first car, a SAAB 99EMS was outfitted with a turbo engine running higher boost and a rally suspension. My wifes first car was a Sonett III and had the engine bored out to 1.8L and tuned to about 110HP, which made the nimble and light car perform phenomenally well.

Fast forward to our two latest SAAB’s, a 9-5Aero tuned to 300HP and a 9-3Aero 2.0T with 245HP are quick and fun to drive cars, but I want to go further than that. I bought a Corvette Z06, because 1) SAAB no longer makes a sportscar, 2) It had the LeMans winning racing pedigree and supercar performance that I could not find even in the used market for the same money. I only use the Corvette for track days and autocross, it’s the only environment where its performance can be experienced and enjoyed. I also have to admit to leasing an Audi A4 Avant when it looked like SAAB might not survive and my 9-5Aero hit the max age allowed for company cars.

Building a real business plan for a Halo car with limited knowledge and time is indeed impossible. So only a small framework of ideas is covered here. In my humble opinion the Hi-Po challenge has two different objectives and challenges:

1) Marketing: Build a customer recognizable sustainable competitive advantage, manifested /personified by a HaloCar. The AeroX achieved this from a design perspective, but it needs to go further. What’s the Technology breakthrough underneath the skin and how can it be utilized to achieve a breakthrough result consumers can identify with?

2) The passionate performance enthusiast car buyer who typically influences a lot of others to consider the brand they own: What can SAAB offer that’s compelling in the face of strong competition from the 3 Germans with their S,M,RS and AMG models or the cheaper Rally bread cars from Japan?

The Marketing Halo car needs to make a Statement of what SAAB aspires to be, it’s a vision that encompass the key traits of the brand that SAAB owners identify with, here are some of the reasons why I chose to buy SAABs for so many years:

• SAAB’s are about not making compromises.
• Small displacement turbo engines offer Performance when you need it and lower fuel and maintenance costs. => adding electrical hybrid system is the natural extension of the SAAB Philosophy.
• Handling that inspires confidence and control => All wheel drive as already manifested in the excellent XWD system is the natural extension (but comes at a weight and fuel penalty)
• Functional and practical: The combi coupe from the 99 and early 900’s and 9000 where extremely versatile and sporty. The Sport Wagons are ok, but not as distinctive and sporty.
• Safety and value. SAAB’s have always been amongst the safest cars to drive and they have also offered more value than their German counterparts.

So keeping this in mind I propose the following two High PO vehicle lines developed and launched…….

Read the rest of this entry →

Actually, it’s only one entry. But it’s so freaking huuuuuuuuge that I’ve labelled it as entries 7-10.

Again, it’s incredible work by these guys and kudos to Jeff for putting it together.

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I couldn’t have put this together without help from Gerrit, Stingray, and Jörgen in the past few days. I apologize if it’s a little long, but I really got into it as I reflected over Saab’s recent moves which arranged themselves like puzzle pieces to add up to an impressive performance car in 2-4 years.

As Victor Muller aptly points out, the automotive landscape has changed. New opportunities to share technology and license intellectual property now allows small players in the market to have big impact. It is the reason why a company like Spyker can exist at all, by leveraging the best technology from established players and creating its own compelling package. Granted, setting up a company from scratch doesn’t come cheap, but with persistence Spyker has found itself in a powerful new position. Despite operating at a loss, Muller has learned valuable lessons and amassed an incredible rolodex— a who’s who of of suppliers, CEOs, financiers and politicians that allows him to have a unique view that distinguishes himself from the pack. Spyker’s purchase of Saab is a testament to his vision and tenacity, and proves that no matter how small a company may seem on paper, enormous obstacles and challenges are surmountable. As such, I don’t pretend to know any better than he does, nor any of the talented engineers or executives at Saab. My proposal is only an interpretation of what I’ve witnessed from news and information gleaned over the last few months.

The Case for a Hybrid Hi-Po Saab

No one disagrees— more horsepower and less weight equals more fun. While Saab used to have a leg up on other manufacturers through turbocharging in the last few decades, other automakers as large as Ford have embraced it as a means of increasing performance without sacrificing performance. GM sucked an incredible amount of turbocharging IP out of Saab and is reaping enormous reward from it. So while turbocharging should continue to form a strong foundation for future Saab internal combustion engines (ICE), looking forward there needs to be a new way to achieve more power without sacrificing Saab’s creed: responsible performance.

Read the rest of this entry →

Another entry in the SU Hi-Po Challenge.

Still, here it is…..

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Just a quick idea for a, well, halo car. Maybe it’s not a real halo car, more a top of the line addition fort he more power hungry. I’ll ignore the demand for 350 hp because I personally think this is not nessesary for the car I have in mind.

My base is the current 9-3 where we have a bunch of Hirsch upgrades available:

1. As soon as the 2,0T DI engine is available with the facelift you can use the 260 hp upgrade for the 9-5. From what I’ve heared it may even develop 270 hp. No need for a V6, a 4-cylinder engine is more Saab.

2. XWD to handle the power.

3. Use the Hirsch suspension and brakes.

4. Put the complete Hirsch exterior package (carbon body kit, spoiler, honeycomb grille, exhaust and diffusor) on the car.

5. Apply the Hirsch leather interior and steering wheel.

6. Use the Hirsch 19“ wheels.

Some may say now that this is a car you could configure on your own. To make it more unique I’d do a few special things:

1. Offer just one special color like „Viggen blue“ or „Monte yellow“ that is not available on the standard models.

2. Use this color also on the rest of the car. For example on the stitching of the interior, accents on the leather seats and maybe the brakes.

3. Make the Hirsch wheels unique by a translucent gunmetal grey finish.

4. Do not offer these special parts as options on the standard models later (as done with the TX edition)

5. Limited number of for example 999 cars. Or 93 per year. Or…

A model mix of SportSedan, SportCombi and Convertible would be fine but as there is no XWD on the convertible I might limit it to Sedan and Combi.

About the costs…

Certification of the performance upgrade will be done anyway so it’s no real extra cost on that car. The complete Hirsch hardware might cost around 12000 Euros retail price. But as I can imagine that Saab gets a better price and you can count off some bucks for not having to use the standard parts and add some bucks for the use of special colors I’d estimate the extra cost at 7500 Euros. Using a special color on the car should not cost too much. The thing that’s hard to estimate is the cost of colored leather fort he seats. I had the cloth on the cloth/leather seats replaced with red leather in my recent Sport Combi and it cost me about 800 Euros so it should not be that bad.

Let’s estimate the additional cost at 8000 Euros. So the car could be sold at a reasonable price.

I had loved to use the TTiD on my Saab 9-3 Troll by Hirsch but with the issue of North America I’ll stick to the 2,0T.

It would add a performance model to the current lineup and maybe create some more attention for Saab. No need for Saab to compete with M3, RS4 and so on. Saab hast to go their own way of responsible performance.

Time for another Hi-Po Challenge entry, this time from Alan H.

My thanks to Alan for the proposal.

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To get a cost effective halo car to market quickly (i.e. before the new 9-3 arrives) I would:

1. Use a 4 cylinder 9-5 (I would prefer the new BMW engine but the GM based engine is OK).
2. E-85 capable if possible
3. Tuned by Hirsch for more power and torque.( Maybe some other unique engine upgrades that may be filtering down to series production later)
4. Interior upgraded, probably use Hirsch stuff, with maybe some unique touches for this model. This would include the seats also.
5. Hi-per strut front suspension and upgraded rear suspension. Hirsch suspension tuning
6. Upgraded brakes (current Saab accessory or Hirsch)
7. Hirsch or upgraded wheels.
8. Unique color choices. Not really expensive to do.
9. Exterior gingerbread/upgrades. Spoilers, mirrors, fascia changes.
10. AWD but with the new electric rear axle. First car to get it–showcases the technology.
11. Need to upgrade the transmission. Might need to be an automatic due to item #10. Saab is already working on this I’m sure. This is the one area not much info is known about yet.

So what do we have? A cost-effective and unique SAAB with all the traditional Saab characteristics or safety, handling, performance and fuel economy. This model would showcase Saab’s new technology they have already invested capital into. The price would be acceptable. Fuel economy would be excellent. Performance would be excellent with the extra torque provided by the new electric rear axle. You have a unique SAAB much in the same tradition the Viggen was.

This car should be able to meet the upcoming emission and fuel economy requirements that are forthcoming worldwide for the next several years. The German’s are heading to responsible performance with smaller engines, turbos, etc—this is Saab’s answer!

Quick to market, cost effective, and so SAAB. Showcasing their technology and core competencies (couldn’t resist the MBA term).

Alan

P.S. If we want to wait a little bit longer, this would also work with the new 9-3.

It’s time for the fourth entry in the SU Hi-Po challenge.

This is one that’s sure to get you thinking. It’s different. It’s a little controversial. It’s probably the most comprehensive and organised effort so far.

Whilst it’s all of that, and quite interesting to me on a personal level, it also misses out on a number of key criteria that would be needed for the hi-po model I proposed in the challenge (minimum output, saleability in key markets, requisite features for a halo model).

It comes from Aruk, out of England.

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Saabs United (SU) High Power (Hi-Po) Challenge, Request for Proposal (RFP):

1. The car must have 350hp minimum.
2. How you’ll achieve that sort of power, where you’ll source the engine from.
3. Modifications you’ll do to the interior, exterior, suspension, etc.
4. Timeframe for testing this car.
5. Warrant the vehicle in all markets with confidence.
6. Expected sale price, based on current pricing in your market.
7. How many of these vehicles you think Saab could realistically sell.
8. How you’re going to fund the engineering, development and testing of this project.
9. You have to fit it in to the current program by telling us which current priority is less important than a performance car.
10. To make the Saab buildable and marketable.
11. Given the European Investment Bank (EIB) funds are for efficiency projects only, EIB money is out of the question.

Background:
Whilst this may be ‘just-for-fun’ I still wanted to follow in the spirit of the challenge and to remain as close to the ‘RFP guidelines’ as possible!

Abstract:
To create a high performance, spiritual successor to the Saab 90.

Mission:
To design, develop and test a “Hi-Performance” modern day Saab 90 based on the current 9-3 SS/SC in 90 days. This is to be achieved within the boundaries of existing European approvals and stipulations and with no compromise in safety. The business-model will be one of risk-reward, shared between various parties. It will be a fixed option model with a production run of 20,000 units at a retail price equivalent to 15,999 USD. It is to be sold in key European markets only.

Executive Response for Proposal (RFP) Summary:

1. The car must have 350hp minimum.

• 180bhp, 400Nm TTiD. Aftermarket and approved tuning also available.

2. How you’ll achieve that sort of power, where you’ll source the engine from.

• Use of an existing engine.

3. Modifications you’ll do to the interior, exterior, suspension, etc.

General:

• A thoroughly basic, current model Saab 9-3 SS/SC with interior design, development and manufacturing by BAIC China under the guidance of Saab.
• No compromise on safety.
• The exterior body, engine, safety systems and other critical (approval and legislation driven parts) and final assembly to be done by Saab, Sweden.
• Fixed price and fixed equipment with no options.
• No new tooling or movement of existing tooling.
• Unless otherwise stated all parts and sub-assemblies to be made and where possible pre-assembled by BAIC China (who probably by now are producing an equivalent china-only model, the C60).
• Single shipment (from China), low season, batch production.

Engine

• Existing 180 TTiD including ancillaries and control; Sweden.

Electrical

• Very basic and only in accordance with fixed options i.e. minimal to no pre-wiring.
• Front speakers only.
• No Radio/ICE.
• USB port for charging and basic connection of MP3/devices.
• No electric windows/central locking/side mirrors/heated seats/sunroof.
• Single interior light.
• No cigarette lighter socket or ashtray.
• Speedometer and fuel gauges only.
• Minimal dashboard warning/information lights
• Safety systems –Airbags, sensors, ABS, EBD, ESC, EBA, TCS, etc.. Sweden.

Transmission

• Existing 6 speed manual only. Sweden.

Brakes

• As per approval and legislation for sale in Europe for parts made in China
• Brake pads. Sweden

Steering

• Basic steering wheel with blanked-off switches.
• Single stalk.
• All other sub assemblies; China.

Suspension System

• Simple, existing Saab-design 16 inch black steel wheels only. No plastic covers.
• Tyres –all weather/season Nokians for utility and appeal. Finland.
• All other sub assemblies and components; China.

Car Body External

• Steel, pressing, construction, painting, assembly; Sweden
• Fixtures and fittings. Simple bumper skin with no indents for fog lights.

Car Body Internal

• Simple pressed plastic door cards with cloth pull handles.
• No carpets, just appropriate rubber floor mats, otherwise bare metal.
• Robust plastics to cover any exposed cavity areas.
• Seats with minimal, dense, contour foam padding. Structural reductions (not SAHR/safety related) especially with rear bench.
• No spare wheel/tyre.
• Cloth only seat covers.
• Seat belts, isofix and associated safety components; Sweden.

Heating & Ventilation

• Basic heating/ventilation and associate controls.
• No air-conditioning.

Accessories

• Use of existing catalogue where appropriate and necessary e.g. Tow bar.

Final Assembly

• Sweden.

4. Timeframe for testing this car.

• Design, Development and Testing -90 days; Sweden and China.

5. Warrant the vehicle in all markets with confidence.

• Strictly European markets only.
• As per existing product warranties.

6. Expected sale price, based on current pricing in your market.

• Equivalent to 15,999 USD, 11,999 Euros or 9,999 GBP. Retail price with average 15-20% tax.

7. How many of these vehicles you think Saab could realistically sell.

• 20,000 units.

8. How you’re going to fund the engineering, development and testing of this project.

• Risk-reward model with BAIC China providing initial capital.

9. You have to fit it in to the current program by telling us which current priority is less important than a performance car.

• Design, Development and initial testing by BAIC China with guidance from Saab.
• Single shipment, low season, winter 2011, batch production.

10. To make the Saab buildable and marketable.

• Existing tools and processes with a severe reduction in components and features.
• Very basic ‘Assembled in Sweden’ Saab model with traditional Saab safety, utility and very high performance (and tuneable) 180bhp/ 400 Nm diesel engine offering exceptional, no-nonsense, recession-friendly value!
• Transparency with regards to the component origins of this near end-of-model car with all key/safety aspects and assembly in Sweden.
• Available spring 2012.

11. Given the European Investment Bank (EIB) funds are for efficiency projects only, EIB money is out of the question.

• N/A, unless the resultant reduced emission and fuel consumption figures qualify for it.

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References:

http://www.saabsunited.com/2011/01/the-su-hi-po-challenge.html

http://www.saabsunited.com/2010/04/more-on-beijing-automotives-saab-based-show-cars.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_90

Time for another entry in the SU Hi-Po Challenge.

It includes a few additional thoughts at the end, which take in information he learned after sending in the first draft.

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So, what I propose as a halo car is a dignified high speed travel limousine based on the 9-5 Aero6, with only minor upgrades:

1. Engine: The 2.8 T with two turbos and about 400 hp. I suggest to use the engine from the Aero-X; as I assume that this engine was developed to a degree allowing daily use. If not, maybe some minor tweaks need to be done to improve durability, depending on what is available with GM/Holden.

2. Aerodynamics: Bring down drag coeeficient to 0.24. This is the most important aspect, since it will have significant influence on maximum speed (+/- 10-15 km/h) and on acceleration on motorways above 120 km/h. It will also be the most expensive aspect to develop, and will require redesigning the bumper to allow better airflow, modifying the grille with automatic flaps and maybe with acrylic inlays (greenish iceblock design) to make it smoother; providing better under-car-airflow including cladding and diverters from the front wheels; if possible, coverings on the wheels, and maybe more complicated stuff like lowering the hood (pyrotechnical pedestrian protection lifts the hood in case of a collision), etc. I however believe that in the long run, this field requires improvements to the 9-5 line anyway, and the other models in the range would hence also benefit from such development. Could be offered as an aerodynamic kit, like the one for the previous 9-3 that originated with the Viggen. Since I am pretty sure that at least some of the above measures have already been developed at Saab, cost might still be kept under control. Further, for sceptics, the aerodynamic kit for the 9-3 Viggen had a similar improvement to the drag coeeficient, from 0.34 to 0.31, and when looking at the overall shape of the 9-5, I think it should be doable.

3. Transmission: If the automatic transmission cannot absorb the torque, offer just the manunal transmission.

4. Speed: no speed restriction at 250 km/h. This is more than it seems, because it is also a clear political statement. There are manufacturers that follow this unwritten agreement to restrict maximum speed (e.g. VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Jaguar) and others that don’t (e.g. Porsche, Maserati, Bentley, to name only those that offer salons), even though most of the cars can also be purchased inofficially without restriction. By not restricting the speed, Saab would set a clear signal that they intend to belong to that sporty group of high class players, not to the boring rational guys. Ie., they would change sides, at least for this one car.

5. Styling: call the car the “Draken” and develop badges for the hood and steering wheel where the griffen is replaced by a dragon in the same style.

6. Tyres: Speed index Y for restricted speed of 285 km/h, or ZR without speed restrictions (as an option)

7. Suspension: No changes. This is not a super sports car, but still a salon.

Price guestimates. From what I found concerning biturbo conversions in the tuning sector, I would guestimate that the engine conversion to a biturbo version as such could reasonably be offered at around 10000-15000 Euro, including “hardening” the engine. Aerodynamic stuff is more complicated than the Viggen kit, and I would guess 5000 Euro. Better brakes (standard components) and tyres (Y) might add another 5000 Euro. Don’t know about exhaust.

The overall concept of moderately powerful engine, excellent aerodynamics and high top speed would be unique. Most competitors have a worse aerodynamics (not Mercedes though) and use heavier and more complex V8 engine to achieve 400 hp. The concept would play nicely with Saab’s alleged strong traditions of turbocharged, light engines and good (aircraft like, if you will) aerodynamics at a reasonable price. Funny, now that I have written this, I ended up rather close to the Viggen , but less sporty. And XWD/HiPerStrut will help stabilize this stuff without requiring as many modifications.

Risks: Aerodynamic instability might ruin the whole idea. See Citroen C6.

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Addendum:

Thylmuc again with some additional remarks on my concept…..

Sadly, I was informed that there is no real 400 hp engine in the Aero-X, so I cannot say how much it would cost to develop it, nor whether it will be possible at all:-(( I was unable to find any tuner that offered a biturbo conversion for the Insignia OPC. Maybe the engine really explodes at 400 hp.

Nevertheless, applying that old physics stuff, “required power=0.5*air density*speed E 3*frontal area*drag coefficient”, and doing some to-and-fro and a lots of ratios, I calculated some maximum speeds (starting from the Turbo4 XWD at 161 kW and a cw of 0.28):

Top speed of Turbo6 XWD without restriction would be 256 km/h
Top speed of hirsched Turbo6: 264 km/h
Top speed of Turbo6 at a cw of 0.24, as suggested: 269 km/h
Top speed of hirsched Turbo 6 at cw of 0.24: 278 km/h

And the concept, 300 kW at 0.24: 298 km/h

Which is not too shaby, I would say. Hope my brain worked correct…