Next 9-3 to stay in Sweden, move to Delta II platform?

[nadepalma]

This is the first I've heard about this - and kind of doubt its accuracy.

Nevertheless, it IS news IF it's true:

SOURCE: MotorAuthority

Next-gen Saab 9-3 to be produced in Sweden
Posted on Wednesday 7 May 2008

General Motors, owner of Opel and Saab among others, is being tight lipped about its production for the next-gen Saab 9-3, but now German newspaper the Handelsblatt is claiming that the next 9-3 will be produced in Sweden rather than Germany as originally planned.

The General has been talking as far back as 2005 that the production contract for the next Saab 9-3 would land at the Opel factory in Russelsheim, but this could all be changed in lieu of the Saab 9-3’s downgrade to a smaller platform. The next-gen 9-3 will no longer be on the same platform as it is now, but rather it will be based on a smaller platform in order to reduce fleet emissions averages and to avoid providing a product that is too similar to the next 9-5.

This means that it may be built on GM’s Delta platform, leading to speculation that production may be moved from Russelsheim, Germany to Trollhatten in Sweden, Saab’s hometown and one of GM’s European manufacturing plants.

MORE HERE

More information on this from our friends at Trollhattan Saab:

SOURCE 2: Trollhattan Saab

In short, those articles cover the possible decision to make the next Saab 9-3 on a compact vehicle platform, the same as will be used for the next Opel Astra. Currently, the Saab 9-3 is built on the larger Epsilon platform and it was assumed that it would be produced on the new Epsilon II platform eventually, in Russelsheim, Germany. The new Saab 9-5 will be produced on this platform starting in 2009.

In the article noted above as “the Saab response”, Saab’s PR manager in Sweden, Eric Geers, confirmed that they were looking at the compact Delta platform for the 9-3 as a means to reduce weight and better meet emission requirements. He pointed out that the vehicle architecture is just a modular basis for the vehicle and that vehicles of varying sizes and specifications can all be made from the one architecture.

That’s the history.

Today there’s been another article appear in Hendelsblatt, in Germany, that all but confirms that the Saab 9-3 will be built on this smaller architecture. The report states that the next Saab 9-3 will be built in Trollhattan rather than in Russelsheim.

MORE HERE

[mgescuro]

That's actually not so bad at all. The Delta platform still is slightly larger than the benchmark 3-series, so a slightly larger/wider Delta II platform for the 9-3 is actually a very smart move.

Also, if 9-1 is also built on Delta II, that would mean there would be significant work for Trollhattan, building those 2. 9-5, if built at Russelheim, can be on Epsilon II.

It kinda makes sense.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by Trollhattan Saab

In the article noted above as “the Saab response”, Saab’s PR manager in Sweden, Eric Geers, confirmed that they were looking at the compact Delta platform for the 9-3 as a means to reduce weight and better meet emission requirements. He pointed out that the vehicle architecture is just a modular basis for the vehicle and that vehicles of varying sizes and specifications can all be made from the one architecture.

If you read the rest of the post on Trollhattan Saab, they have more information - including a thought that the next Chevy Epica may take the slack the 9-3 leaves at the Russelheim factory.

However, in the quote above the fact that they speak of the "flexibility" of DeltaII is very encouraging.

On GMI we've discussed the possibility of DeltaII being flexible enough to support other vehicles - like a future Buick Excelle/Skylark, a series of small SUVs, crossovers, etc.

If this IS possible then perhaps Delta II will be more valuable to GM then we first imagined.

[t-rex]

Did somebody at Saab see my "ultimate Saab lineup"? Heh heh.

I proposed a Gamma 9-1, a Delta 9-3, and an Epsilon 9-5.

I hope GM can get Saab sorted out properly. I'd suggest selling it off, but I doubt there'd be many takers for such an oddball low-volume brand.

[Quickening]

Yes please. Awesome news.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

That's actually not so bad at all. The Delta platform still is slightly larger than the benchmark 3-series, so a slightly larger/wider Delta II platform for the 9-3 is actually a very smart move.

Also, if 9-1 is also built on Delta II, that would mean there would be significant work for Trollhattan, building those 2. 9-5, if built at Russelheim, can be on Epsilon II.

It kinda makes sense.

I never realized this -- is the current Delta platform actually a little bigger than the 3-Series? I wouldn't have guessed that. Anyone have numbers for comparision?

On the 9-1, I was having simialar thoughts. If DeltaII is flexible enough to be "enlarged" enough for a TSX-sized (or 3-Series sized?) product and small enough to shrink it to the size of an Astra-based 9-1, then Trollhattan will get tons of work.

This does make sense.

It makes even more sense if the rumored Caddy "ATS" becomes more than a rumor. It was supposed to be built on the future Astra platform and anchor the lower end of the European Caddy lineup. If that becomes a reality (and it's built in Trollhattan) then we'll see a lot of products coming out of Sweden.

Of course, that's also assuming there aren't any other products like a small crossover or unibody SUV that Delta would support and could be built there.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by t-rex

Did somebody at Saab see my "ultimate Saab lineup"? Heh heh.

I proposed a Gamma 9-1, a Delta 9-3, and an Epsilon 9-5.

I hope GM can get Saab sorted out properly. I'd suggest selling it off, but I doubt there'd be many takers for such an oddball low-volume brand.

I had similar thoughts awhile back, but was thinking of a Gamma-based 9-0, a Delta 9-1, a "stretched Delta" or "shrunk Epsilon" 9-3 and an Epsilon 9-5.

The idea of a "9-0" really appeals to me. I would love to see a small subcompact/Mini-esque product in this vein from Saab. There was speculation on this awhile back that GM could place such a Mini-fighter at only two brands: Saab and Saturn. Both would be appreciated.

I agree t-rex -- Lets hope GM can sort this out the right way and does right by Saab loyalists and prospective customers.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

I never realized this -- is the current Delta platform actually a little bigger than the 3-Series? I wouldn't have guessed that. Anyone have numbers for comparision?

Chevy Cobalt -- Length: 180.3 inches; Width: 67.9 inches
BMW 3 -- Length: 178.2 inches; Width: 71.5 inches

Originally Posted by nadepalma

On the 9-1, I was having simialar thoughts. If DeltaII is flexible enough to be "enlarged" enough for a TSX-sized (or 3-Series sized?) product and small enough to shrink it to the size of an Astra-based 9-1, then Trollhattan will get tons of work.

This does make sense.

Yuuup. It does make sense.

Originally Posted by nadepalma

It makes even more sense if the rumored Caddy "ATS" becomes more than a rumor. It was supposed to be built on the future Astra platform and anchor the lower end of the European Caddy lineup. If that becomes a reality (and it's built in Trollhattan) then we'll see a lot of products coming out of Sweden.

I would hope that this car isn't a rumor. Cadillac needs something to get a little more market presence in Europe.

[crooner214]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

I had similar thoughts awhile back, but was thinking of a Gamma-based 9-0, a Delta 9-1, a "stretched Delta" or "shrunk Epsilon" 9-3 and an Epsilon 9-5.

The idea of a "9-0" really appeals to me. I would love to see a small subcompact/Mini-esque product in this vein from Saab. There was speculation on this awhile back that GM could place such a Mini-fighter at only two brands: Saab and Saturn. Both would be appreciated.

I agree t-rex -- Lets hope GM can sort this out the right way and does right by Saab loyalists and prospective customers.

The idea of a 9-0 based product on Gamma is very intriguing. The name, however, is not. I'd say fish an actual word-based name out of Saab's history (I don't have any suggestions).

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Chevy Cobalt -- Length: 180.3 inches; Width: 67.9 inches
BMW 3 -- Length: 178.2 inches; Width: 71.5 inches

Is that complete then and width or wheelbase and wheeltrack dimensions? Just curious.

Yeah, it may make sense, but I wonder if they can pull it off convincingly?

I think you are right in that Caddy would need such a product - but it would have to be AWD if they were to do it right. But that's just me.

Originally Posted by crooner214

The idea of a 9-0 based product on Gamma is very intriguing. The name, however, is not. I'd say fish an actual word-based name out of Saab's history (I don't have any suggestions).

We can always haggle about the name -- just build the thing!! I want to see a GM offering in this segment Thanks crooner

[Canyonaro]

This sounds really promising. At first I wasn't crazy about the idea, but it does make sense and would be a welcomed effort.

[Astra RL]

The Delta Astra sedan just one inch shorter at 180.7" than the Vectra which for reference is 181.5". the 9-3 is 182.9. This allows it to keep its current size, the astra wagon has a longer wheelbase than the 9-3 so everything fits.

[goblue]

Hmmm. The VOLT is also going onto Delta II. Well, I won't say it...

[Quickening]

Yeh, there will probably be a Saab version of the VOLT. Just like Saab had an EV-1 or developed it (don't keep up with the EV-1 stuff much). Also Saab originally unveiled a plug in biohybrid convertible concept. So don't be surprised when it happens.

[ctsmo]

Originally Posted by Quickening

Yeh, there will probably be a Saab version of the VOLT. Just like Saab had an EV-1 or developed it (don't keep up with the EV-1 stuff much). Also Saab originally unveiled a plug in biohybrid convertible concept. So don't be surprised when it happens.

ahh that infamous plug in hybrid.