In a perfect world, Saab wouldn’t be embroiled in the mess that they’re in, having to fight for their automotive life while struggling to even hang on by a thread. Unfortunately, the real world is far more brutal than that and for the past few years, Saab has teetered the precarious line of living to sell another day and permanently closing shop.
It’s this sad reality that makes us feel bad, especially when we know the prospects of what Saab could be if they were as fit, healthy, and spry as other automakers. This particular concept study, an amalgamation between Saab and Nespresso designs, comes from the mind of student Eric Leong from Umea University. A Saab sponsored-project, Leong wanted to design a car that takes its inspiration from a non-automotive source: Nespresso, a Nestle-owned company that sells espresso machines, of all things.
The creative young student mixed the design elements and characteristics found on coupes, hatchbacks, and pick-ups while also keeping to mind Saab styling cues, including the aviation-inspired elements, the ’hockey-stick’ C-pillar, a wraparound DLO, and a roofline design that looks similar to the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept.
Nespresso-inspired elements on the car can be traced to the rear end with its flexible, dual storage compartment. Likewise, the car was designed with top deck panels with cushions serving as substitute materials to create an open-air, social environment. Incidentally, the same 9-X BioHybrid Concept-inspired roof is covered with solar panels that serves the quizzical purpose of powering the owner’s house when the car is parked.
While we’re not certain as to how that last part works, the whole design of the Saab Nespresso study does give us an indication of what the future would be like if the Swedish brand stood on safer ground.
Saab may be on the short stick – again - as far as their future is concerned, but some of their models still find a way to make the news and try to move the spotlight away from their tumultuous future into something a little more optimistic.
In this case, the question has to be posed: who knew that you could take a Saab 9-3, strip it down to its bare essentials, build the whole puzzle back together, and fit in an 8.4-liter V10 engine that comes courtesy of a Dodge Viper SRT10?
You read that whole paragraph right, folks. The word’s ‘Saab’ and ‘SRT’ are coming together for a very revealing customer project. The final model, which is being called the ‘9-3 SRT10 MegaPower’, came from the mind of one Zaccho Pelle, who wanted nothing more than to turn his Saab 9-3 Estate from an otherwise mundane wagon into a Viper SRT10-powered, 600-horsepower piece of automotive madness.
Full details on the Saab 9-3 SRT10 MegaPower after the jump.
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Shortly after becoming the official supplier for ECU upgrades, aero kits, brakes, exhaust systems, and a few other modifications for Saab models on the US market, Hirsch Performance is getting to work with the beginning of what we’re sure will be a long list of tuning projects for the Swedish automaker. The first project unveiled was the 9-3 models shown at the Chicago Auto Show, and the next is this tuning package provided for the 9-5.
The name for the package comes straight out of the power behind it. Hirsch Performance has taken the 2.0T Turbo4 engine found in the Saab and equipped it with direct injection, a modern twin scroll turbocharger, and improved charge cooling. The result is a total output of 260 HP and a peak torque of 295 lbs-ft. Thanks to the twin scroll technology, the throttle response is also significantly faster. The 40 HP increase is accompanied by a new top speed of 155 mph.
The price for this upgrade is $1350 and can be applied to any of the models with front wheel drive and XWD, manual and automatic transmissions.
Back in 2006, Saab brought out the Aero-X, a concept considered a piece of art at that time. Now, five years later, Saab has one-upped that concept with the launch of the new Phoenix Concept at the Geneva Motor Show. This concept previews the design language of the next generation of Saab cars.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Saab history, you should know that the "Ursaab" name says a lot. It was Saab’s first model to be launched on the market and the Phoenix takes its inspiration from it as a play on the rising of the Phoenix. We’re thinking that if the future of Saab looks anything like this, then they will truly rise from the ashes, just like the Phoenix bird did.
"The PhoeniX establishes a new reference point for the future of Saab product design," says Jason Castriota, Saab Automobile’s Executive Design Director. "It symbolizes a renaissance of the innovative spirit and passion that drove Saab to build its first car. We’re now taking the visual DNA forward with what we call ‘aeromotional’ design, adding emotion, power and fluidity. This design aesthetic will shape and differentiate future models in the Saab portfolio."
Hit the jump to read more about the Saab PhoeniX concept.
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Saab’s entry level compact car has received a refresh for the 2012MY, and it also has a new name to go along with it. Now called the 9-3 Griffin for the US version, the hot hatch will be getting some interior and exterior modifications, as well as a couple of new engines.
Starting off with the exterior, the 9-3 Griffin will be receiving new front bumpers and signature Saab ‘ice block’ headlamps to differentiate itself from the earlier versions of the second generations. This is followed by a new metallic trim for the interior, as well as updated leatherette seats and unique storage pockets on the sides of the front seats.
More engine options will also find their way into the 9-3 Griffin, alongside the usual mix of 1.9-liter TTiD twin turbo diesel engines producing either 130, 160, 180hp. These new engines will come in 2.0L petrol flavors with 163hp or 220hp.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Saab 9-3 Griffin.
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