We’ve been expecting this announcement to come sooner or later, though we didn’t exactly count on it coming from the LA Auto Show’s own Twitter page. But there it is anyway, straight from the horse’s mouth: “Saab has confirmed that the 9-4X Crossover will make its world debut at the LA Auto Show this Nov.”

We’re also expecting some sort of official word that the new crossover ‘ute, which will share its Theta Premium underpinnings with the Cadillac SRX, should hit the market sometime in the spring of 2011… perhaps around April.

While we’re on the subject of expectations, we’d also imagine that Saab will offer its premium crossover with the same powerplants as the recently released 9-5, which means we could see a 2.0-liter turbocharged four and a 2.8-liter turbocharged six, both likely mated with a six-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive. We’ll apparently find out for sure soon enough.

[Source:Autoblog]

Saab was quite successful in rally competition once upon a time, and it looks like the automaker’s new management hopes to kick-start the brand’s revival with a return its motorsports roots.

The word out of Europe is that Saab has met with World Rally Championship officials and committed to a 2012 entry into the series with a machine based on its upcoming smaller car. Depending on who you talk to, the new model could be dubbed either the 9-1 or 9-2.

The small car project originally began several years ago when Saab was still under the General Motors umbrella with the car expected to be based on the Gamma platform that underpins the Opel Corsa. As an independent, Saab doesn’t have the resources to develop such a platform on its own and is currently talking to other potential partners including BMW and some Chinese makers. Expect its design to be inspired heavily by the Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid concept (above).

If Saab hooks up with BMW, it could have a Mini-based 9-1/9-2 competing against the new Mini Countryman WRC.

[Source:Autoblog]

Saab has released pricing details on its 2010 9-3 lineup, a newsworthy action in that it wasn’t long ago that “Saab” and “2010 models” appeared to be mutually exclusive terms. Now that Victor Muller and Spyker have graciously relieved GM of the Saab albatross, it’s onward and (ideally) upward for 2010 as the new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles, chases after the profits that have perennially eluded Trollhättan. The most noteworthy ride on just-released the price list? That would be the 2010 Saab 9-3X, the Allroad/Outback style jacked-up, all-wheel-drive SportCombi. Parking one in the garage at your ski home in Aspen will set you back, at minimum, $37,800, including destination. You can check out more high-res pics in the galleries below.

Saab Cars North America Announces Pricing on 2010 Model Year 9-3 Vehicles

- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices reduced on all 2010 model year 9-3 variants - 2010 model year vehicles to begin arriving in showrooms Mid-March

DETROIT, March 5 /PRNewswire/ — Saab Cars North America today announced that manufacturer’s suggested retail pricing will be reduced for all 2010 model year 9-3 vehicles. These are the first 2010 model year Saab vehicles produced for the US market and closely follow the recent acquisition of Saab Automobile AB by Spyker Cars NV.

An exciting line-up of model year 2010 vehicles will arrive during the next few weeks to dealer showrooms across the United States. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for every 2010 model year 9-3 variant has been reduced anywhere from 4 to 12 percent compared to model year 2009.

“This pricing action allows Saab to be in-line with the market and maintains accessibility of Saab’s rich Swedish heritage, innovation and responsible performance for our many loyal owners, enthusiasts and potential new customers,” said Mike Colleran, President and COO, Saab Cars North America.

Topping the list for 2010 is an all-new 9-3X premium cross-over model. Powered by Saab’s 2.0 liter turbocharged engine and available with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, the 9-3X offers sporty performance without the typical penalty of high fuel consumption. The EPA fuel economy figures for the 9-3X are 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the manual transmission and 17 mpg city/27 mpg highway for the automatic transmission. Add in the standard cross-wheel drive (XWD) with electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) and raised chassis, the 9-3X delivers an all-road driving experience you can take with you no matter where your road leads. The 9-3X starts at $37,800 MSRP. All MSRP pricing includes destination and freight charges.

The 9-3 Sport Sedan is available in two trim levels, 2.0T and Aero, and both can be specified with either front wheel drive or with Saab’s Cross-Wheel Drive (XWD) system. Sport Sedan starting prices range from $29,725 MSRP for the 2.0T to $38,940 MSRP for the Aero model. Both cars offer a host of standard equipment with the Aero adding sport-focused features such as 17″ alloy wheels, more aggressive front fascia, interior trim with two-tone leather seats, thicker sport steering wheel, a sport tuned chassis, and dual bright exhaust tailpipes. OnStar with Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity is available on 2.0T models and comes standard on the Aero. A Bose six-CD audio system and XM Satellite Radio are also standard Aero content. Memory driver seat and rear park assist are available on Aero models in the optional Premium Package.

The 9-3 SportCombi offers a sedan-like driving experience with the added cargo carrying flexibility so many drivers desire. Standard equipment and available options on the front-wheel drive SportCombi are the same as the 9-3 Sport Sedan. SportCombi starting prices range from $31,155 MSRP for the 2.0T to $37,845 MSRP for the Aero model.

The stylish 9-3 Convertible model prices range from $40,815 MSRP for the 2.0T to $46,730 MSRP for the Aero. The convertible offers a special edition package with leather steering wheel, Xenon headlamps and XM Satellite Radio for $695.

Exciting new colors, including glacier silver metallic and arctic white, are available for all body styles.

“Saab Cars North America is committed to bringing customers options they need to enhance their active lifestyles by providing appealing design, sporty driving attributes, reliability and safety–all at an affordable price,” said Colleran.

For more information and a listing of Saab dealerships, please visit the website: www.saabusa.com.

About Saab: Saab entered the auto business in 1949 with the first model 92. Its aerodynamic shape and advanced technology drew from the company’s roots as an aircraft maker, and helped create what was to become a loyal and passionate customer base. GM acquired a 50 percent stake in Saab in 1990, and acquired the balance of Saab in 2000. As part of its strategy to focus on its four strongest brands in the U.S., GM began seeking a buyer for Saab in January 2009, a concerted effort that led to Spyker Cars NV purchasing Saab Automobile AB from General Motors on February 23, 2010.

[Source:Autoblog]

The good news for Saab loyalists is that dealerships have been told they may start placing orders for the Saab 9-3X. The bad news for Saab loyalists is that if the deal with Spyker falls through, that brand-new Saab you are dreaming about will never arrive in your driveway. In a nutshell, dealers are allowed to take orders for the cars, but there’s no pricing information and nothing will be officially submitted until the Saab/Spyker deal closes (as of now, this is scheduled for February 15).

The announcement isn’t completely unexpected. After all, we reported just a few days ago that Spyker had big plans for the Saab lineup, including full range of 9-3 models for 2012. These will follow on the heels of the new 9-5, and the 9-4X, due in the U.S. market during 2010 and 2011, respectively. Whatever the case, if you believe in Saab, now’s the time to scoot down to your local dealer, open your checkbook and place an order!

[Source: Saab History]

[Source:Autoblog]

When Koenigsegg dropped out of the running to purchase Saab from General Motors, there apparently weren’t many automakers interested in rescuing the Swedish brand from the abyss. The only company with any serious interest, Spyker, seemed to be a long-shot to bring the brand into its portfolio. Of course, we now know that other investment groups were in the running, but Spyker came out on top to purchase Saab for $75 million and a closet full of clogs. But just like the winding road that led to the sale, the story doesn’t simply end there. According to several reports, the deal could have been done a month sooner were it not for the involvement of the Russia’s Antonov group.

SR International is among several international news agencies to report that the Swedish government was under the strong suspicion that the Antonov group has strong ties to the Russian mafia. The Antonov family is allegedly tied to organized crime and money laundering, and the English government has blocked the family from investing in the UK because of similar suspicions. The Swedish government then reportedly informed America’s FBI of their findings, a move that lead to the U.S. government telling the GM board to stop the sale of Saab to Spyker on December 18. Hans Lindblad, state secretary at the Swedish Ministry of Finance, has reportedly confirmed the situation, adding that the discovery gave the Swedish government more time to help broker a deal.

In the end, Spyker was able to purchase Saab from GM only after the Antonov group was bought out of its interest in Dutch specialty automaker. And we thought the Saab tale couldn’t get any weirder… or convoluted.

[Source:Autoblog]

In a rumor sure to irk many Saab faithful, Dagens Industri in Sweden is reporting that “sources within Saab Automobile are stating that GM now sees positive opportunities in a closing of Saab.” Ouch, that hurts in an insult-to-injury kind of way, dontcha think?

Specifically, General Motors is said to be considering taking the recently competed but not-yet-on-sale 2010 Saab 9-5 and resuscitating it as a Buick for America. If true, the move does make a bit of sense as the car is by all measures ready to go and it would be quite a waste to put it out to pasture before it ever sees the light of day – especially if the car is anywhere near as good as early reports suggest.

Further, the going speculation is that The General could raid Saab’s parts and technology bins for more future products, including a possible revival of the large Opel Senator for Europe. If this rumor proves accurate, it would appear that there may not be much hope left for a Saab purchase by Dutch automaker Spyker as indications are that GM is telling suppliers that it is estimating a five-year wind-down of the brand.
[Source: DN.se via Saabs United]

[Source:Autoblog]

With new vehicle production at a trickle, and its dealer network slashed by a third, retailers of the Saab brand are finding inventory shrinking to drought levels. Some of the remaining dealers may even run out of new vehicles before replacements arrive.

Point the blame towards the pending sale of Saab to Koenigsegg Automotive AB, and the fact that an all-new Saab 9-5 model is still sitting on the horizon. With the transaction still not complete, financial limitations have kept new vehicle production low. In addition, the Swedish assembly plant tasked to build the new 9-5 sedan is in the process of retooling. “When we close the deal and change owners we can start producing again for real as we then will have financing,” Eric Geers, a Saab spokesman told Bloomberg.

Even if the deal with Koenigsegg closes as planned, the 2010 Saab 9-5 (the company’s first all-new car in seven years) won’t hit European showrooms until early next year. U.S. dealers will likely have to wait even longer, starving as the last of their dwindling inventory rolls away.

[Source: Bloomberg]

A major hurdle in Saab’s transfer to the homegrown hands of Sweden’s Koenigsegg has been surmounted: the Swedish government has agreed to guarantee a 4.3 billion kroner ($615M U.S.) loan from the European Investment Bank to the Koenigsegg consortium. That represents the final funding the maker of the CCX needs in order to compete the financing of the deal.

The next hurdle is for the European Investment Bank to consent to give Koenigsegg the money. A Swedish government representative said he hoped the EIB would decide before the end of the month. If that happens and things goes favorably, Koenigsegg may still get the deal done on its original timeline, the end of the year.

[Source:Autoblog]

We’ve already heard about the five engine options slated for the Saab 9-5 upon its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. Apparently, there’s plenty more on the horizon in the coming years, including Saab’s first production hybrid powertrain. According to Autocar, the hybrid system will match diesel fuel economy numbers while providing lower emissions and competitive performance.

It seems Saab will pair an electric motor with excellent torque characteristics right from idle with a highly-tuned 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 120 horsepower. That gasoline-fed powerplant should be able to manage good power at higher engine speeds, making for adequate overall acceleration across the rev range.

If there’s any truth to this rumor, Saab is planning to use a relatively small battery pack that’s not expected to power the car for long periods of time. Pricing information isn’t yet known, but the Swedish automaker is said to want to undercut upcoming hybrids from its German competition.

[Source:Autoblog]

In a brief article on its website, the UK’s Channel4 says that a Swedish newspaper, Dagens Industri, is reporting that supercar maker Koenigsegg is in the running to purchase either a stake in Saab, or the whole kit and caboodle.

According to the report, Koenigsegg is reportedly a front-runner to rescue the fellow Swedish automaker, with the other suitors being the Renco Group, a U.S. investment company, and the Italian automaker Fiat – the latter of which is being denied by both Fiat and Saab.

Automotive News has asked Saab to comment on the report, but spokeswoman Gunilla Gustavs declined, although she did say that the likely bankruptcy of parent company General Motors will not derail Saab’s plans. Gustavs apparently did impart that GM plans to disclose a “preferred candidate” in the next few weeks.

If Christian von Koenigsegg and his band of merry men manage to get their hands on Saab, we can’t help ourselves from wondering that with their expertise in supercars, perhaps they could bring the Aero X (above) to market. We can dream, can’t we?

[Source: Channel4; Automotive News - subs. req.]

[Source:Autoblog]