Struggling to make ends meet, it looked as if it was only a matter of time before Saab would have crumbled under the mounting debts it had incurred over the past couple of years. Fortunately for them, there’s finally a sliver of light at the end of the tunnel.

On the heels of reports that said that Saab was on the market for anyone willing to take a stab at restoring the company to its glory days, it appears that someone has taken up that challenge. Swedish supercar makers Koenigsigg, together with a group of Norwegian investors, has ironed out a lot of the details involved in the company’s imminent purchase of Saab. While there are still a few kinks left to iron out, it’s becoming more and more apparent that Saab has found new life under the Koenigsigg brand.

Saab's sale to Koenigsegg expected to be finalized soon originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 17 June 2009 11:00 EST.

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Just the sort of thing we like to see here at Top Speed. A turbocharged engine, packaged with a host of sports inspired features and creature comforts at a price that won’t break the bank; and if it pollutes a little less, even better.

That is exactly the case with Saab’s new 9-3 Turbo Edition. Priced starting at under £20,000 the special edition features 17-inch alloy wheels, leather interior, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, 9-speaker 150w audio system with MP3 compatibility and cruise control all standard. With power coming from either a 1.9 TiD making 150 HP or the higher performing 1.9 TTiD turbo diesel powerplant producing 180 HP and loads more torque.

Unfortunately the car is destined for the U.K. and probably won’t be making it the U.S. anytime soon.

Press release after the jump.

Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 1 May 2009 11:00 EST.

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Saab revealed today first details on the 2010 9-3X. World debut will be made in March at the Geneva Auto Show, while the American debut will be made at the New York auto show in April. The 9-3X is expected to arrive in Saab showrooms throughout the United States this fall.

The 9-3X will come to the U.S. with Saab’s hallmark 2.0-liter gasoline turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain, offering 210 hp. The engine is mated with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The model comes with new front and rear bumpers, grained finish that is also applied to the side sills and the edges of the wheel arches as a protective covering when the terrain becomes loose or muddy. This treatment is complemented by skid panels with a matt aluminum finish, curving up towards the door opening at the rear and adopting a wing form in the lip of the lower front bumper.

With the addition of newly designed, multi-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, the 9-3X’s exterior character reflects its ability to handle mixed road conditions, whether rough or smooth, loose or paved. Inside, the 9-3X interior is based on top-of-the-line specification, adding a dark metallic finish to the door trims, glove box and gearshift surround.

Press release after the jump.

Saab 9-3X originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 February 2009 05:59 EST.

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25 years ago (back in 1983) Saab was presenting its first ever Convertible model at the Frankfurt Auto Show. In order to celebrate its anniversary GM is presenting the Special Edition 9-3. It will go on sale in January 2009 and will be priced at $46,725.

It will be available in three metallic colors to include Jet Black, Carbon Grey and the new Bright Champagne. It will feature Saab’s signature 2.0-liter, 210 hp four cylinder engine and can be matched to six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.

Press release after the jump.

Saab 9-3 Convertible Special Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 10 November 2008 15:34 EST.

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This special edition for the Aussies only was launched to celebrate the arrival of spring. Remember, while many of us are bundling up for winter, Australia is starting to heat up. Nothing better than to keep warm thoughts than a hot Aussie model in a convertible (we’d probably not even be posting this story otherwise.)

For the first time in Australia, the Aero convertible will feature the 1.9-liter, 177 hp TTiD diesel engine in addition to the 2.8-liter, 376 hp V6 Turbo and both engine variants can be matched to six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. The Special Edition features 18” wheels in silver, new front bumper treatments and sports steering wheel.

Press release after the jump.

Saab Special Edition 9-3 Aero Convertible (Australia) originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 30 October 2008 16:45 EST.

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Saab will unveil at the Paris Auto Show the 9-3X crossover and a preview version of the next-generation 9-3.

The 9-3X is a variant of the current 9-3 Sportwagon estate featuring XWD four-wheel-drive system plus raised ground clearance, extra under-body protection, larger bumpers and other SUV-alike styling details. It will compete with models like Subaru Legacy Outback, Volvo XC70, Audi Allroad and Skoda Octavia Scout.

The 9-3 will be unveiled in 2010 or 2011 and will be based on GM’s Delta platform (shared with the Chevrolet Cruze, next-generation Vauxhall Astra and related models).

The 9-3 concept is a convertible version of the 9-X Biohybrid concept seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Saab 9-3X and 9-3 concept to be revealed at the Paris Auto Show originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 5 August 2008 14:41 EST.

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This might be the first time you hear about a 9-3X from Saab. It is supposed to also be a glimpse of the production version 9-4x.

The name 9-3X was used for the first time like 7 years ago when the company unveiled a concept with this name. And now is time for the production version.

The 9-3X is a response to an Audi Allroad or a Subaru wagon. It’s raised by approx 30mm, is fitted with Saab’s groundbreaking Cross Wheel Drive (XWD).

The 9-3x is coming in Paris in October and the 9-5 is coming at Geneva in March, so, the only option for the 9-4X is the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Stay tuned!

Saab 9-3x in the works originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 16 July 2008 10:31 EST.

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There were rumors on the internet saying that GM will move 9-3’s production to GM Europe’s Opel plant in Ruesselsheim, near Frankfurt, Germany, from Saab’s Trollhattan, Sweden, factory. But a General Motors Europe spokesman said today that production of the Saab 9-3 will remain in Sweden.

To compensate for not getting the 9-3, GM Europe will add production of the Saab 9-5 and a compact car at Ruesselsheim. "It is good news that Ruesselsheim will get an extra model, a third shift and that the 9-3 production will remain in Saab’s home country," said GM Europe spokesman Joerg Schrott.

GM Europe has not named the compact car that will be built in Ruesselsheim, but company sources say it will be the Opel Astra lower-medium car.

Saab 9-3's production will remain in Sweden originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 19 June 2008 16:42 EST.

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General Motors announced back in 2005 that the Saab 9-3 will be built in Opel’s plant from Russelsheim, Germany. But now the company announced that the future generation 9-3 will be built on a smaller platform, in order to reduce CO2 emissions, so the production will be moved in a Swedish factory.

The future 9-3 will be smaller and hence based on a smaller platform. This results in a potential shift away from the Vectra platform to GM’s Delta platform. Trollhatten in Sweden (the hometown of Saab) may therefore get back full production of the 9-3 range

The future 9-3 will go on sale in 2011.

Next Saab 9-3 will be smaller originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 9 May 2008 14:37 EST.

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Saab unveiled today a new 9-3 special edition, based on the 2.0T version. In addition to its Lynx Yellow paint and a long list of standard equipment, including XM radio and OnStar, this special edition features Aero look items such as 17-inch, five spoke alloy wheels and a subtle, yet effective rear spoiler while the premium audio system will be music to all ears.

On the road, the Convertible delivers all the fun-to-drive qualities of the widely-acclaimed 9-3 Sport Sedan chassis. The all-turbo powertrain line-up is led by a 2.8-liter V6 rated at 255 hp in the Aero model, while the 210 hp 2.0-liter four cylinder shines with great fuel economy.

The 2008 Saab Convertible Yellow Edition has a MSRP of $42,830, including destination charges.

Saab 9-3 Convertible Yellow Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 24 April 2008 11:30 EST.

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The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible have earned the 2008 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick Award in the midsize category. This is the fourth consecutive year that the 9-3 Sport Sedan has brought home IIHS top honors, an unique achievement in the luxury segment. For 2007 the 9-3 earned the Top Safety Pick Award, in 2006 the 9-3 earned the Top Safety Pick – Gold Award and received a Double Best Pick crash-test rating for 2005.

2008 Saab 9-3 earned Top Safety Pick Award originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 6 December 2007 16:00 EST.

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General Motors will offer the distinctively re-designed Saab 9-3 range on the North American market in early September 2007. The new 9-3 features frontal styling inspired by Saab’s award-winning Aero X concept car and a higher level of standard content.

2008 Saab 9-3 available starting September originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 July 2007 04:00 EST.

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With design based on the Aero-X Concept, the 9-3 Sport Sedan and SportCombi range is focused on delivering a unique, ‘fun to drive’ experience that places it among the class leaders for sporty performance and excellent chassis dynamics. The Saab 9-3 comes to compete with models like BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class.

Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and SportCombi originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 13 June 2007 08:00 EST.

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New Saab 9-3 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 June 2007 15:00 EST.

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Saab today unveiled the 2008 9-3 Convertible, a model that confirms Saab’s leading position in the premium convertible segment and is the product of more than 20 years’ experience in designing four-seater, four season soft tops that are as practical as they are stylish.

Saab 9-3 Convertible originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 June 2007 14:30 EST.

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