Report: Saab Sonett a go

[roteague]

"

General Motors has approved production of a new Saab Sonett roadster, according to the latest issue of Road and Track. The Audi TT rival will go on sale in two years as a two-seat convertible, and later as a 2+2 coupe, the magazine said. Sonett will feature a wrap-around windscreen and similar styling to the Saab Aero-X Concept. R&T's report closely matches other recent rumors about the Sonett, which some say will use GM's Kappa platform"

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/07/...b-sonett-a-go/

[Bravada]

Yeah, sooooo wise of GM. It will of course get the corporate radio, won't it?

[beelzebub]

2 seaters? Not a wise decision IMO... that market is saturated and limited.

[Quickening]

If it goes into production in two years, that allows the new 9-5 to show up also. Hopefully showcasing everything new about Saab, with their own radio. But if they are waiting two years, makes me wonder if it will be on Kappa or not, maybe a modified EpII, especially since they said a 2+2 coupe..

[mgescuro]

This car better not be a Kappa. Sorry. Kappa is a fun platform and all... b ut it's RWD and it's a bit small. And frankly, the materials and construction of the interior is not up to par with the premium market. It's a cheap and unfinished look that is not befitting of a Saab.
Now Epsilon II? Well... it works... especially if it's 2+2... but Kappa is supposedly extendible... so.. hmm

[Quickening]

Well now there is talk of Saab having RWD so it can truly compete with the big boys. Which just doesn't make sense considering Cadillac is trying to go global. I think Saab should stay FWD/AWD and compete directly against Volvo and other premium brands that are FWD.

I think if they did use Kappa, there wouldn't be much cost in the platform, so they could definetly spend some money on the interior and make it truly premium.

I'm hoping for EpII. But right as I type this, the 9-3 Convertible will be on EpII, and its a 2+2..so thats some blatant overlap within the brand. Unless they made 9-3 convertible a hardtop..but still two different products mainly distinguised by hardtop or ragtop..

Sorry just kinda thinking outloud.

[grumbles]

hahaha this is great

so, do you want the saturn version, the pontiac version, or the saab version?

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by Quickening

Well now there is talk of Saab having RWD so it can truly compete with the big boys. Which just doesn't make sense considering Cadillac is trying to go global. I think Saab should stay FWD/AWD and compete directly against Volvo and other premium brands that are FWD.

First of all... there ARE disadvantages to RWD... especially if you live in the icy realm of Sweden. There's a reason Saab is FWD. But if it's gonna compete with TT, it needs to have AWD.
Cadillac going global is ridiculous, as their cars aren't equipped to compete globally. But I'm not going to turn this into a Caddy thread. Besides, Saab is already global.

Originally Posted by Quickening

I think if they did use Kappa, there wouldn't be much cost in the platform, so they could definetly spend some money on the interior and make it truly premium.

They shouldn't use Kappa. THe platform's not right for Saab. It's too small. Epsilon II is better.

Originally Posted by Quickening

I'm hoping for EpII. But right as I type this, the 9-3 Convertible will be on EpII, and its a 2+2..so thats some blatant overlap within the brand. Unless they made 9-3 convertible a hardtop..but still two different products mainly distinguised by hardtop or ragtop..

NO overlap between TT and A4 Cabriolet. So nothing between Sonnet and 9-3 Convertible... so long as Epsilon II is modified significantly enough.

Sorry just kinda thinking outloud.[/quote]

[Quickening]

Good points, and I agree, before like I said I was just thinking outloud

Well the A4 Cabriolet is 2+2 while the TT is jsut a roadster. This article states that the Sonnet will be both..+9-3 convertible.

[genjy]

It better be AWD and not RWD. GM please don't ruin SAAB. The behemoth SAAB 9-7x is bad enough.

[Bravada]

They shouldn't use Kappa. THe platform's not right for Saab. It's too small. Epsilon II is better.

Yeah it's too small for a brand that's obviously known for making large cars... Have you ever seen the original Sonetts? They weren't any bigger than Fiat Barchettas! The size is not a problem, the RWD thing is and the fact that they would have to be made in the US - not very befitting for a brand thriving on "Swedish heritage". I'd say either Gamma or Delta.

[Kheiron]

I'm all for a Sonnet, just please GM, learn from the mistakes and the shortcomings of the Solstice/Sky and have an interior that is ergonomically effective, usable cupholders, decent storage space, an automatic top, at least an addittional 5-10 cubic feet of storage (maybe re-form the gas tank to provide more storage and change its shape) as well as maybe a 6speed auto/manual option. No clone/badge engineering, make it well differentiated like the solstice/sky are, at least on the exterior and make the interiors as different as well.

[Quickening]

Originally Posted by genjy

It better be AWD and not RWD. GM please don't ruin SAAB. The behemoth SAAB 9-7x is bad enough.

Don't knock the 9-7x. Right now its outselling the 9-2x and 9-5 combined, and it brings in a nice profit margin. Its helping fuel Saabs new products that are coming.

[DuSpinnst]

If there is Sonett (and this is the third time the media has reported it a go) it will not be on Kappa. Saab has already looked at Kappa and said the platform does not meet their needs. I agree with M that the EP II Platform is most likely although I'd like to see it on something smaller (maybe Delta II), It could be an extended Delta II so it slots in size between the supposed 9-1 and the 9-3. And build it in Sweden!

[camaro chris]

sounds sweet!!!!