Saab looking to downsize next-generation models

[nadepalma]

Didn't see this elsewhere on GMI - We've read rumors about this for some time on the 9-3 and DeltaII, but now we're also seeing that the 9-1 may shift to Gamma rather than on a shortend version of DeltaII as was predicted/rumored. Thought it was interesting enough to post.

SOURCE: Motor Authority

Saab looking to downsize next-generation models
Posted on Wednesday 23 July 2008

Saab is one of a handful of carmakers looking to buck the trend of building bigger and heavier cars with each new model generation, the carmaker confirming at this week’s London Motor Show that future models will be more compact. Starting with the upcoming 9-1, due to arrive in 2012, engineers have decided to drop a lower-medium architecture planned for the car and replace it with General Motors’ global Gamma small car platform.

The information comes from the boss of General Motors Europe, Carl-Peter Forster, who explained to Automotive News that Saab doesn’t want its future models to grow in size.

The story is the same for the next-generation Saab 9-3, due in early 2010. Saab originally planned to use the new Ypsilon-2 architecture, used in cars like the Opel Insignia and upcoming production Buick Invicta, but has since decided to use the lower-medium Delta architecture.

MORE HERE

[mgescuro]

This is the smartest thing GM has done since they bought Saab.

Hopefully Saab will be able to rework some of these cars to continue to provide class leading interior room as well.

[pgill00]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

This is the smartest thing GM has done since they bought Saab.

Hopefully Saab will be able to rework some of these cars to continue to provide class leading interior room as well.

It looks like GM is more or less giving up on getting fresh models to the fuel efficient crowd for CY2009.

Sucks becuase I have a lease ending next summer and I really do not want to have to go to a same-body Cobalt or Aveo.

[Hitman1970]

GM will have to do this across the board in the future. Of course the ever expanding American ass will be a tough challenge to overcome as vehicles change to meet CAFE standards.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by pgill00

It looks like GM is more or less giving up on getting fresh models to the fuel efficient crowd for CY2009.

Sucks becuase I have a lease ending next summer and I really do not want to have to go to a same-body Cobalt or Aveo.

GM's focus was on large trucks and SUV's, and they failed to make the necessary investments in small, fuel-efficient cars because they didn't feel they could make money off these cars. GM has never been able to make money off selling small cars. So their focus was on what they could make money on.

Can you blame them for trying to make money? No.
Can you blame them for mismanaging their product mix? Abso-friggin-lutely.

All the troubles GM has experienced in the past 35 years is self-inflicted.

Saab was the ultimate brand for small engine, high fuel efficiency, and high performance. Yet, GM has mucked up the works. Apparently, it's going to take 4 years to rectify their own stupidity.

[eurohazard]

Funny that this is posted today. I was behind a silver Jetta and a Silver Saab 9-3 was right next to it. I never realized how big the Saab had gotten until today! It was like the difference between a Charger and say a Corolla.

[Quickening]

O please, the 9-3 is freakin tiny. Most midsize cars dwarf it, in all dimensions. I feel like its right in the middle of the compact and midsize, which I find a perfect size.

Though I won't mind it Saab downsizes, as I'm eying the 9-1 for my car out of college.

[jc7222]

The 9-5 is near perfect size and I would definitely purchase again at the exact size. However, I wouldn't mind about an inch or two more rear seat room (I am short in my family at 6' tall) but, not at the expense of the trunk size.

[The Law]

Sounds great, just hope Gm-Saab gets the brand image right this time and stops trying to be everything to everyone.

[civilzues]

this is good news. Does anyone know if the next gen 9-5 will be on the SWB or LWB for EPII?

[throwback]

The dates look interesting. Next Gen 9-3 in 2010? 9-1 In 2012? These can't be right, 4 years for the 9-1?

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by Quickening

O please, the 9-3 is freakin tiny. Most midsize cars dwarf it, in all dimensions. I feel like its right in the middle of the compact and midsize, which I find a perfect size.

Though I won't mind it Saab downsizes, as I'm eying the 9-1 for my car out of college.

Huh....come to think of it.....it must have been a 9-5! So disregard my previous statement! I should have known the 9-3 couldn't have grown that much! Maybe the Jetta was lowered an inch too...now it's bugging me, sorry for the confusion.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by civilzues

this is good news. Does anyone know if the next gen 9-5 will be on the SWB or LWB for EPII?

Rumors are LWB Epsilon II -- probably 3-5" longer than the current 9-5. That's about 1-2 inches too long in my book.

9-5 as it is now is the perfect size in length and width, though I could do without the extra 1.5" of overhang GM seems to have added between 2000 and 2008.

The current 9-3 is actually just about the right size -- 7-8" shorter than a LWB Epsilon I.
9-3 is also about 4" longer than the 3-series, which keeps it in the ballpark.

9-3 on Delta II is a very smart plan because if you look at a Chevy Cobalt, it is only 2" shorter than the 9-3. A Delta II car would be within 2-4" or so of a Delta I car.

So it's feasible and very logical that a 9-1 can sit on the Gamma.
If you look at a VW Golf or Audi A3, they have a length of 165". Putting a 9-1 on Delta II at ~180-185" would make 9-1 too large.

GM just needs to make sure the Gamma and Delta II Saabs are wide enough.

[Beau]

I'd love a smaller saab, they are already lighter than most cars and I think thats marvelous! They just need to get some more ballzy engines, the 280 2.8 is pretty, average

[DemonKnightDK]

saab engines should be used MORE. I would love the 2.8 in the G6...