Saab->ke75 and BMW->ke178 are continuing their "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" partnership on the next 9-2 supermini->ke1331 due out in 2012 by announcing that they will also be borrowing BMW's latest front-drive platform. This news comes shortly after the two companies announced that the new 9-2 would be powered by a BMW sourced engine allowing BMW to reduce costs on their ever popular Mini->ke57 which carries this same engine.

The sharing doesn't end there either as Saab boss Victor Muller said that the next 9-2 might share technologies with the future 9-3: "We're in constant dialogue with a number of players to share the technology," he said. "There are parties that are interested in talking about possible licensing of the technology."

Expect the new Saab 9-2 to be unveiled sometime in 2012 and to be powered by a modified 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. The new model will compete with models like the Audi A1->ke1729.

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