GMI's Revitalization in Action | The Dream Saab Lineup

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by GotAWD

nice read for the SAAB section, makes me more interested in the brand. just wondering about the 9-5 on Epsilon2. how big is Ep2 supposed to be? battleing the 5 seires and the STS. i thought the next CTS was going for the 5 seires. and STS the 7. other than that its all goood. i would love a little 9-1

good work guys

Epsilon II will be fully extensible, with multiple variation of length and width, with 3 different sets of mechanicals underneath. Obviously, Saab will have the most advnaced machanicals.
But as of now, not much else is known. We don't even know if the AWD system is a Haldex or a Torsen diff.

9-5 was historically a competitor to the 5-series. Since 2002, the 9-5 has fallen back a bit with stalled updates, and it couldn't catch up. I'd expect the next-gen 9-5 to bring it back to competing form.

Originally Posted by monza164

Why does Saab need a full size luxury car? Why on earth would GM invest all that money on Saab when Cadillac has needed a good luxury car for decades. It would be just like what they did to Pontiac with Saturn.

And if you ask me all of these car's front ends are identical.

The assumption behind the 9-9x is that it's going to be on a premium Zeta. Concurrent development of a premium Zeta would assist Cadillac as well. Cadillac would target the S550 side of the market, while Saab would target Quattroporte and XJR.

Read my thread on the matter. I think it makes sense.
GMI's Revitalization in Action: Commentary: 9-9x

Also, the key with Saab is that it is in more global markets than any other GM brand currently. Saab can penetrate the market where function and style and sportiness are paramount, and a European heritage is highly regarded (Asian countries and the Europe).

Cadillac, for all it's North American heritage, is a virtual no-name else where. Where it is known, the reputation is tarnished. Saab can make an immediate impact while Cadillac ramps up. Because, like it or not, Cadillac's ramp up will be measured in decades, not years.

[FBODYRULES]

Originally Posted by ocmdog

Damn, that's awesome. Excellent job guys. This would really be sweet.

The whole line-up is stunning, especially the 9-3 Convert. and the 9-6X. Even blows away the Enclave. I didn't know the brand had that much potential. Hopefully, GM puts these ideas into actual use.

Job well done.

I love the Revitalization in Action series you guys do.

Originally Posted by asim

I'm really going to have to congratulate this team for the 3rd time. They continue to do great work!

I really love the ideas you have here, all of them. The models you have look great, and I hope that GM will check out this site. Maybe they will get some inspiration. xD

thanks!

[SaabKen]

BANG ON, GMI ! That was fabulous. Gives us hardcore Saabers something to dream about, and hopefully, look forward to in the next 4-5 years. Let's hope the SAAB Renaissance comes sooner than later.

[DuSpinnst]

Nice to see a lot of my ideas from various threads incorporated. Although I don't like the skip to 9-9 from 9-6x.

[EllwynX]

9- 3, 5 and 9 I like a lot. (sedan forms not wagon)

[DuSpinnst]

Rereading the RIA I noticed a GLARING omission.

Where the HELL are the diesels. E85 and E100 are great but in Europe Saab sells a BOATLOAD of diesels.

I suggest someone starts adding them to the 9-1, 9-3, 9-4X and 9-5 at least.

[mikmak]

Great Chops/Pics of the dream lineup. 9-5 is definately my favourite. I especially like the black trim around the lower skirts of all vehicles. The problem with most marques at them moment is a lack of exterior contrast, robbing form from the design unless it is in favourable lighting. I would really like to see the rear treatment though as I want to see how the taillights are translated for this theme.
I think one of the major concerns for SAAB, however, is their handling characteristics. Currently the FWD is not held in great regard in Oz. Hopefully an AWD setup or even just the new platforms will be enough to alleviate this.

Nice job!

[civilzues]

I disagree that Saab has a RWD car, just something dosen't seem right, if it came AWD STANDARD, i think it would be ok!

[GM_Fanatic]

Hot dang! Thats some good stuff! GMI should get some pretty good recognition for this RIA! Definitely wouldn't hurt if some top dogs at GM gave it a peak.

[superstreet]

looks very good

[stevecmh]

WoW great pics. SaaB should hire you, Now. they are beautiful... Way to bring back the Viggen.

[Gm786]

Very nice pictures! I can only hope that the new Saabs look very similar to the ones in the pictures. Very nice!

[GM-Joe]

That's great work again, thanks for getting my heart pumping and my imagination running.

I would still like to see a Mini fighter. Ever since seeing the Chevy Nomad concept I have thought that would be great as a Saab; or better yet a Mini killer. In my mind I would call that a 9-1. As for the 9-2, I would make it as you described as your 900 replacement. My 900 is hard to work on but is perfect for me. I have a 97' 900 coupe and think it is perfect for an entry-level fast luxury cruiser.

Good work!

[t-rex]

Brilliant job guys. 9-6x was my favourite styling-wise. I did wonder however if the Lambda platform, which is nearly Tahoe-sized, might be considered a tad big for traditional Saabistas. But with styling like THAT, you'd have even a dedicated nothing-bigger-than-a-compact guy like me sold! Might I also suggest the possibility of a 9-2x based on GM's upcoming sub-Theta SUV? It would give the Nissan Qashquai et.al. fits in the Euro market. I also wondered why you chose Zeta for the 9-9x rather than the future-uncertain large fwd “Chi” plaftorm. Thought maybe it would fit in with Saab's heritage better.... Nevertheless, it's a terrific lineup and I applaud the work you've done.

Saab DOES however need to increase its presence internationally. Despite being sold in countless markets, the only real volume comes from Scandinavia, Britain, and North America. I lived in Germany for 2 years and travelling throughout Europe, the only two Saabs I saw there (outside of Scandinavia) was a US-spec 900 (early 80s model) with USAREUR licence plates, and another 900 with British licence plates and blanked-off headlights. Figured it was simply a tourist. I just hope GM will give Saab products like these to bring the brand back to life.

[t-rex]

Oh another Saab idea I had in mind.......a small roadster. Sonnet anybody? But NOT Kappa based. Instead, Saab engineers could create a premium suspension package on a shortened Delta (or successor) plaftorm. Would give Saab something to take on the Audi TT (which is Golf-based, sorta), and even the Porsche Cayman...