9-3 SportCombi is almost here!!

[SUPERBADD75]

2006 SAAB 9-3 SPORTCOMBI
ON SALE: November
BASE PRICE: $28,000 (est.)
POWERTRAIN: 2.0-liter, 173-hp, 195-lb-ft turbocharged I4; fwd, six-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: n/a
0 to 60 MPH: 8.6 seconds (est.)

One truth: Saab is no longer exclusively Scandinavian, so blue-faced naysayers might as well stop yammering. Whereas 9-3 Sport Sedans and all 9-5s are still built in Trollhattan, the 9-3 Convertible is sent out from Graz, Austria, the 9-2X is from Ohta, Japan, and we will be getting our 9-7Xs starting in late April from Moraine, Ohio.

Another truth: Neither big and tall SUVs nor their vocal critics will be going away anytime soon. What is happening is a gradual return of the station-wagon lifestyle. Small, midsize and large wagon segments are finding at least one new offering in the North American market per year. So we figure by 2015, people ought to be complaining about the menace of too many wagons on American roads.

Conjectural irony aside, the oft-delayed Saab 9-3 SportCombi, being shown at Geneva, looks to be a trendsetter in this budding new-old segment. What’s new about modern-day wagons is that they need to be premium, especially the interiors, in order to convince as many would-be SUV buyers as possible.

The segment is already hot in Europe, and Saab hopes to help lead anticipated growth in the United States, where the 9-3 SportCombi will join the 9-2X in showrooms in November.

Using the same “Epsilon premium” architecture as the 9-3 Sedan and Convertible, the SportCombi looks familiar back to the A-pillar. Then it’s a whole new ballgame. Maintaining much of the cool Scandinavian feel of the 9-3 Sport Hatch concept from Frankfurt 2003, the designers hope to convey a “hewn from solid” stance. (Note: 9-3 Sport Hatch design was by Michael Mauer and Anthony Lo, two non-Scandinavians.)

In the global sense, the amazing news is that in Europe the SportCombi will be launched with no fewer than eight engine choices—six gas and two diesel. Talk about a reawakening Saab ready to hunt bear.

The biggest power-related news for America is the Aero edition will be the first GM product to carry a new alumi****num 2.8-liter V6. Adding a turbocharger gives the SportCombi Aero a to-be-reckoned-with 247 hp. Linear and Arc versions will carry variants of the current 2.0-liter turbo four.

Cargo room ranges from 14.8 cubic feet with the rear seat up to a maximum (i.e., loaded to the base of the rear windows, all seats down) 45.0 cubic feet. The flexibility of the cargo floor and the number of convenient stow spaces is as exemplary as one would hope for in a Saab.

The 9-3 keeps its brethren’s MacPherson struts up front and compact four-link assemblies at the rear corners. The wagon configuration has reportedly affected frame rigidity only minimally, thus assuring a sporting drive.

If the sitting-in-it part is anything like it was on the 9-3 Sport Hatch prototype, we’re in for a delectable experience in leather and sport fabrics. Essential standard interior shades include Parchment and Gray . ESP—incorporating ABS, TCS, MBA (Mechanical Brake Assist), EBD and CBC—comes standard on Linear and Arc, while the Aero comes with ESP Plus. Plus means Hill Start Assist, which prevents rollback at intersections when using the standard six-speed manual transmission. An all-wheel-drive SportCombi is not in the offing.

For 2006, the SportCombi’s first full calendar year of production, volume out of Trollhattan is planned to number 30,000 units.

This model satisfies so many voids in the Saab world portfolio that it may just be enough to get the company on the successful track that Volvo found a few years back. Now, if Saab can bring us an all-new earth-shattering 9-5 lineup, its toughest days may be over.

i like this puppy already. i'm a wagon fan, and this looks to be a really nice one.


SOURCE= http://autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101888

[johnd89]

I think I've seen those wheels in detail and they're AWESOME!

[dav305z]

6-speed auto - nice! Is the Aero gonna be around at intro, or are we gonna have to wait longer for it?
I like this.

[SUPERBADD75]

Originally Posted by johnd89

I think I've seen those wheels in detail and they're AWESOME!

they are the old 9-5 Aero wheels. the ones that are on the 9-5 now have only been around for the 2005 model year. they are great though. i wish they'd come back.

[Butters]

I found some pictures on the Swedish Saab site.

1. From the rear

[Butters]

2. Interior

[Butters]

3. Last one

[yoblues]

This could be a big hit but it has to be priced right. I would try like heck to come in under every other car in this class price wise. My wife the Saab nut who soured on Saab when they did in the hatchback really likes this car but all she said was, Saab's are overpriced compared to what the compitition offers so, HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by yoblues

This could be a big hit but it has to be priced right. I would try like heck to come in under every other car in this class price wise. My wife the Saab nut who soured on Saab when they did in the hatchback really likes this car but all she said was, Saab's are overpriced compared to what the compitition offers so, HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

It's going to start under $30K. NO exact pricing has been released.

[yoblues]

Well if you can get an Aero version for around 32 - 34k I know someones wife who will buy one.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by yoblues

Well if you can get an Aero version for around 32 - 34k I know someones wife who will buy one.

You can probably get a Vector for around $34K. I think the Aero will lean towards the higher end $36-8K region. But that's just me.

[yoblues]

There is the Saab problem. SAAB does not have the reputation that will draw enough people looking for cars close to 40K. There is too much quality compitition. My wife (the former Saab nut) would buy an Aero at 34k max. Over that price it's screw Saab. You don't have to like her opinion, then again, you can't sell her a Saab.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by yoblues

There is the Saab problem. SAAB does not have the reputation that will draw enough people looking for cars close to 40K. There is too much quality compitition. My wife (the former Saab nut) would buy an Aero at 34k max. Over that price it's screw Saab. You don't have to like her opinion, then again, you can't sell her a Saab.

Well, the 9-5's clear $40K.. and have sold at that range for many years.
Though it really is early to speculate at what price hte 9-3 Aero SportCombi will price at, I think $36-38K is both reasonable and fair. $34K is probably a Linear or a Vector.

But you're right. There is too much quality competition. But it's just a matter of getting the right feature mix in the 9-3s to make them comparable, while holding the price down.

[yoblues]

The 9-5 does sell at around 40k. They just can't sell enough of them in any meaningfull numbers which is why Saab is in trouble. It was encouraging for Lutz to finally admit GM's whole price structure is out of wack and must be brought in line with reality.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by yoblues

The 9-5 does sell at around 40k. They just can't sell enough of them in any meaningfull numbers which is why Saab is in trouble. It was encouraging for Lutz to finally admit GM's whole price structure is out of wack and must be brought in line with reality.

That's the whole thing. 9-5 was a leader in its class in 2000 or so. Even all the major car magazines agreed. But hte germans moved on after 2002 or so. And Saab was left behind to pick up the pieces. Its not a surprise that it's not doing so well.

Lutz's wife and daughter drive Saabs, so it's definitley personal for him. I'm hoping that Lutz puts everything in Saab together. 9-3 SportCombi is a VERY good star. I mean, how many concept cars look almost exactly as the actual production version??? Not that many. And it's pretty sweet lookin!!