The Saab 9-3 That Never Was, But May One Day Be

[nadepalma]

The Saab 9-3 That Never Was, But May One Day Be
By Nelson Ireson
Feb 1, 2013

The blurry, low-resolution images you see above show what the Jason Castriota-penned Saab 9-3 would have looked like. This is the car that--ostensibly--would have saved the marque, had it survived to see it built. Instead, Saab went bankrupt in December 2011, and the company we once knew and loved for its often quirky vehicles was no more.

The images are of a computer rendering of the future Phoenix-based Saab 9-3--the car was never built in reality. Sourced from the website of Swedish Radio News P4 West, the images show a 9-3 that would have resembled the larger 9-5 that was built, if only briefly, yet still retains its essential character as a 9-3. It looks well, quite good. To our eyes, at least.

CONTINUE AT MOTORAUTHORITY.COM



POST IMAGE UPDATE: From LeftLaneNews.com

[nadepalma]

I like what Jason Castriota had in mind. We don't see the front end of the car, so not sure how it would have 'adopted' or 'interpreted' the look of the Phoenix Concept from a few years back.

However, Motor Authority does have a shot of the rear end, and to my eyes, it certainly looks handsome. There's a bit of the old Saab 900 hatchback in there and certainly believe it would have been "appreciated" by the Saab faithful.

I can't help but feel that NEVS will just strip Saab for parts and technology rather than make a "real go" of resurrecting the brand and the company. Maybe that's cynical of me, but certainly how others may feel as well. Still, if they did have a fire in them to actually revive Saab, Castriota's design (or an updated version of it) could certainly be an attractive and handsome product to produce for the masses.

As a final thought, the fate of the Phoenix platform itself is still a little confusing to me. NEVS obviously has it, but so does Youngman-Spyker. A while back, Youngman and Spyker signed some sort of understanding to produce products from the Phoenix platform and possibly use the Spyker name for it. Not sure how that would translate (especially since Spyker is a high end product) but definitely could see some legal battles ahead if both companies felt they had rights to it.

[tombalas]

Looks like an early 1990s Pontiac Bonneville.

[BlackGTP]

Based on this grainy photo and the 9-5, visually it looks like GM finally "got it" just as they were killing Saab. Similar story with Ford, just as they were selling it, the new designs looked like Ford finally "got it" as well. Too bad.

However, I think both brands will never be held in the same regard as the Germans - so even if GM and Ford gave Saab/Jag good product, would it have ever been worth it? I don't think so, especially in the case of Saab. Sadly, I don't think there is a place or need for Saab in the market and should be left to RIP.

[tombalas]

Based on this grainy photo and the 9-5, visually it looks like GM finally "got it" just as they were killing Saab.

IIRC, Jason Castriota came on after GM sold Saab to Spyker.

[stevecmh]

It looks awesome.. too bad.. i bet it was nice

[vxl]

Based on this grainy photo and the 9-5, visually it looks like GM finally "got it" just as they were killing Saab. Similar story with Ford, just as they were selling it, the new designs looked like Ford finally "got it" as well. Too bad.

However, I think both brands will never be held in the same regard as the Germans - so even if GM and Ford gave Saab/Jag good product, would it have ever been worth it? I don't think so, especially in the case of Saab. Sadly, I don't think there is a place or need for Saab in the market and should be left to RIP.

Jaguar could easily have competed (and now is) with the Germans if Ford had had the nerve to see it through - fantastic deal for Tata bought for $2.5bn now worth $14bn!! SAAB would have taken longer but considering GM had 20 years of control and could do nothing more than cheapen the brand it would have been an uphill struggle. However, what do both GM and Ford have to offer in the global luxury market? NOTHING. Or is GM going to push Cadillac globally!! That would be a colossal waste ot time and effort. Sadly, GM is left out in the cold in the luxury market and no way in.

[richmond2000]

it wold make the best looking Chinese built Electric car on the market
and that has to be worth something to NEVS just wonder who "OWNS" that design

[Bravada]

I don't know if this is even 1% legitimate, but for sure something's majorly off with the rear passenger door. If anybody were ever to get in, it should have reached far further.

I like the rear quite a bit though, looks like a nice nod to Saab's tradition, even if interpereted far too verbatim. The car doesn't seem feasible to build either.

[AMcA]

Looks like Audi bought the front end of this car out of Saab's bankruptcy so they could use it on the A7.

[mgescuro]

The Saab 9-3 That Never Was, But May One Day Be
By Nelson Ireson
Feb 1, 2013

The blurry, low-resolution images you see above show what the Jason Castriota-penned Saab 9-3 would have looked like. This is the car that--ostensibly--would have saved the marque, had it survived to see it built. Instead, Saab went bankrupt in December 2011, and the company we once knew and loved for its often quirky vehicles was no more.

The images are of a computer rendering of the future Phoenix-based Saab 9-3--the car was never built in reality. Sourced from the website of Swedish Radio News P4 West, the images show a 9-3 that would have resembled the larger 9-5 that was built, if only briefly, yet still retains its essential character as a 9-3. It looks well, quite good. To our eyes, at least.

CONTINUE AT MOTORAUTHORITY.COM

Not a compelling design at all. In fact, a lot of the new Saabs were just overwrought poor excuses of "good" design.
GM really messed them up.

It's as if Castriota took a 900.... rounded the edges and slapped the stupid Saab face on it and called it a day.

[KingElvis]

Roof line appears to be an homage to the Saab 99.

[germeezy1]

GM of course typically achieves greatness within 6 months of a brand's untimely demise, and it appears Saab is no different.

[spd98]

I think the nose is fine and the rear. Roof line doesn't flow well at all.

[Jesda]

Looks like an early 1990s Pontiac Bonneville.

And that happened to be a pretty nice looking car.