Next-gen Saab 9-3 Halted

[FenwickHockey65]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/10/s...size-next-gen/

Tougher emissions and fuel economy regulations in Europe and the United States have forced Saab to put the brakes on development of the next-generation 9-3.

Saab and parent company General Motors are considering radically downsizing the model to fit GM's upcoming 'Global premium compact' platform - a size rivaling the Audi A3.

More at the link.

[Butz]

Emissions and fuel economy shouldn't be an issue for SAAB! They are making it sound to be as if it were Hummer!

[mgescuro]

EMISSIONS AND FUEL ECONOMY???? IN A SAAB????
What a completely LAME excuse.

Saab's engine management system is one of the BEST in the business!!! GM shouldn't even start throwing that ridiculous reason around. EMISSIONS MY ASS!!

Moving 9-3 to Delta II is actually very smart, I think. As I said in the Delta II thread, Delta II is slightly larger than the 3-series benchmark in this class. If the 9-3 was about the same size (maybe a bit larger) than the 3-series, and packed the same punch and added XWD for an Aero or Viggen version, I seriously think Saab would once again have a car that ran with the 3-series with no hesitation.

But saying EMISSIONS?? Saab's history has been VERY green!!! That is simply a lame ass reason.

[O_Z]

I don't understand.
The 9-3 must be almost done already, is it not to late for such significant change?

[Carver]

Originally Posted by O_Z

I don't understand.
The 9-3 must be almost done already, is it not to late for such significant change?

I don't think development is that far along; it just received a refresh for MY08.

If this news means that the 9-3 was going to grow and will instead stay about the same size, I say great news. I think the 9-3's size is about perfect right now.

[throwback]

i am a 9-3 owner and I think this is the right move regardless of the reasons. One of the things I love about my car is the size and weight. Yes, I would like more rear seat room but I like the idea of a even lighter 9-3. It sounds like Delta 2 will be very versatile. If the 9-1 and 9-3 can be built on the same platform that will keep costs down, and allow GM to build the car in many different factories.

[I-Love-Pontiac]

I don't care what the reason is... I've been wanting a small sports car. Now if only it was RWD...

[jcgable]

Originally Posted by I-Love-Pontiac

I don't care what the reason is... I've been wanting a small sports car. Now if only it was RWD...

on RWD is kind of the equivalent of putting

It's a Saab for christ sake. No RWD needed, or wanted. Saab is about great handling in snow, efficienct sporty engines with great torque, and unique interiors.

A RWD Saab is like having a FWD Camaro. It just doesn't work.

[DemonKnightDK]

A RWD Saab is like having a FWD Camaro. It just doesn't work.

But it almost happend back in the 80s.. GM actually developed a FWD F-body chasis I belive... hell the ford probe was orginally going to be the replacment for the mustang..

an AWD for the 9-3 would be a good idea, rear bias it, and you have a good all around car...

[AG3]

Isn't the 9-3 supposed to go against models like the Volvo S60, Lexus IS, Audi A4 etc?
When its downsized to the compact GM Delta platform, what will take its spot?
Will they also downsize the 9-5?

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by AG3

Isn't the 9-3 supposed to go against models like the Volvo S60, Lexus IS, Audi A4 etc?
When its downsized to the compact GM Delta platform, what will take its spot?
Will they also downsize the 9-5?

A Delta I is slightly larger than a 3-series. A larger Delta II -- maybe one that's wider and slightly longer should be able to do the job nicely.

If you look at the numbers, using the Chevy Cobalt...
Cobalt is 180.3 inches. The 9-3 is 182 inches. And with a width of 67 inches, the Cobalt is about the same size as the first 9-3's.
This move is more than acceptable!

I would hope GMDAT has built in a lot of flexibility into Delta II.

9-5 will sit perfectly on Epsilon II. It'll probably be lengthened. it doesn't need to be... but it will probably be lengthened.

[AbsoluteSaab]

The 9-5 will go onto an extended Ep2 platform. So it will be even bigger than the OPEL Insignia, which is as big as the Ford Modeo (Europe) and VW Passat.
For the past 5 years the 9-5 has only marginally been larger than the 9-3.
In 2009 the 9-5 will be a far bigger vehicle and will be on par with the likes of the 5-series and A6.
Autoblog give the impression that the next gen 9-3 will be smaller than its predecessor but that is more media hype. Moving to Delta or an extended delta platform doesn't mean size should decrease from the current model.
However; forever increasing fuel prices and future government emission regulations are a great factor. I'm paying an equvalent of $8.97 for a Gallon for premium unleaded fuel right now, so fuel is big issue in Europe. then throw road tax into the picture for good measure which For europe this will mean Euro 6 by 2012. So purchasing a vehicle that will not cost a fortune to run in the future will need serious consideration. But at least Euro 6 doesn't compare to the US 50-State emission regulations which is a huge challenge when considering the introduction of diesel.
On the whole, moving to Delta is quite a clever idea not to mention that if Saab stuck with epsilon the question would have to asked whether it would be worth putting an All New 9-3 on a 5 year old platform or wait another 2 years for Epsilon 3.

[johnstarnes]

I wonder if I am being too hopeful about E-Flex being an effective high torque high mileage powertrain that GM could apply across its product line? Perhaps a smaller Saab could benefit from it, or the S-class fighting Cadillac "super sedan" could offer awesome power yet mileage figures far in excess of the new CAFE requirements with a larger more potent version of E-Flex. I really like the idea of GM "reinventing" the auto and leap frogging the competition with an undeniable, out-of-the-park home run, and keep hoping/imagining that E-Flex will bring that to fruition.

[camaro_freak]

wow so SAAB has to carry on with a super old 9-5 and now we're going to have to go longer with the MCE'd 9-3?

wow.. good going GM... talk about product starvation

[MaxLegroom]

If the 9-3 were developed on a smaller (Delta II) platform, at least now there would be a significant difference in size between the 9-3 and 9-5. Believe it or not, the two cars are very similar in interior size, largely within fractions of an inch.