Although I can't say that I agree with the idea of basing this car on the 9-3, I can understand why they are looking to pursue it. I would have expected GM to utilize the new Kappa platform for this car instead of a FWD chasis. When GM greenlighted Kappa, they stated that they wanted it to be flexible enough for coupes, convertibles and small sedans. Maybe this is a short-term answer til that car can be developed, kind of like the Saab 9-2X and 9-7X? Or perhaps this is just to make use of the under-utilized factories in Trollhattan or Graz? Or perhaps this is to protect the car from currency fluctuations? Afterall, small cars bring small profits and it may be better to build it in Europe where you'll get a decent profit than run the risk of importing it and getting killed by currency exchanges and tariffs.
What ever they decide to do, I only hope that they try to make this offering as unique as possible from the 9-3 (this isn't a dig against it, but only to make it unique). For example, Caddy should offer some different engines from the Saab variants. Like the smaller displacement versions of the CTS's own 3.6 liter for these cars if they can fit them. GM Europe uses a 2.6, 2.8 and 3.0 liter version of the new *High Feature* family that we don't have here in North America. Use versions of these engines so that they stand out more and the public doesn't see them as rehashed Saabs. Hell, Opel/Vauxhall already uses the 3.2 liter variant in the Vectra GSi, so you know they'll fit. They should also offer a few diesel engines since 40% of Europeans prefer such engines. These can be taken from GM's affiliation with Fiat. Fiat builds some of the best common rail diesels and their new 2.4 I5 JTD engine is a gem and has received great reviews. Standard AWD (at least to make it more acceptable of a FWD gone AWD like Audi, Jag X-Type, some Volvos or upcoming Alfa Romeos) would also be necessary and offer better handling. No need for Caddy to go through the business of making their cars RWD only to backtrack and offer a FWD version. I know that Saab has already developed an AWD version of the Epsilon chasis (once they dropped their codevelopment midsized platform with Alfa Romeo and Lancia) and even Opel/Vauxhall has an AWD version for the Signum. This AWD is a must to keep it on the radar screens of the European car buying public (and again to seperate it from the 9-3). They need to give it a unique interior and not a rehashed Saab one. I like the Saab interior fine, but no need to reuse it, especially if Caddy wants to be taken seriously as a luxo-marque in Europe, they need their own interior styling. Lastly, the exterior needs to share the same styling cues as the rest of the Caddy line. I know they they will still use the basics of the 9-3, but adding new front and rear fascias may not be enough. They need to make sure it looks right so that buyers won't think they're buying a dressed up 9-3. This is in the same vein as European 9-3 buyers not thinking they're driving a dressed up Vectra. Each car is unique and has a unique approach.
Just some of my thoughts.
