Saab saviour and Spyker boss, Victor Muller, has announced that we could soon see a Saab supercar emerge, inspired by the Saab Aero-X concept presented at the Geneva motor show back in 2006.

The pleasing rescue of Saab by the supercar company has also now evolved into interesting and ambitious plans for the Swedish automaker. The Saab range could get an overhaul, expanding from its current sedan focus, and according to Muller the idea of a Saab Aero-X is not so crazy. He has revealed that it could easily be done, creating the model off the base of the Spyker C8 Aileron.

Not only is that intriguing news in itself, in an announcement that could make Britain proud, Muller has earmarked production to take place at the Coventry plant in the UK, where Spyker moved its assembly operations until the end of 2009. This is turning into an auto romance and all we can do is hope that the rosy future for Saab comes to fruition under the guidance of Spyker.

Continue reading: Saab supercar based on Aero-X concept and Spyker C8 Aileron

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The next generation Saab 9-3 could go back to its roots as part of an entire model family that includes a five-door version, like the first Saab 900 series. The Saab 9-3 could be based on a model such as the Opel Astra, including standard 1.4-litre engine option and front wheel drive. We could see other options surface though, such as an all-wheel drive model and cabriolet version.

Despite mention of the Astra, the style is pegged as closer to the Audi A5 Sportback. It’s also unclear whether the four-door 9-3 will still be on the list, and in other reports, we could even see a three-door Saab 9-3 emerge. With competition heating up, there could be space in the market for a sexy, coupe-style Saab, but we’ll just have to wait and see with the first step being Spyker acquisition.

Source | Autointernationaal

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These videos show Spyker to the rescue of Saab, given the 11th hour deal that finally went through, saving the company from closure by parent, General Motors. Saab seems relieved at the outcome, and we’ve no doubt the two European brands will find their way ahead nicely, although possibly slowly.

The videos show the press conference with Saab CEO Jan Åke Jonsson (who looks very pleased) and Spyker CEO Victor Muller, who looks quietly confident. Here’s to hoping the future will be a bright one for Saab. After the jump is a celebratory video of workers from Trollhättan, who got the day off when liquidators packed up and went home.

Continue reading: Saab celebrates: press conference and workers videos

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Spyker has announced its interest in Saab, in an extremely short statement released to the media late yesterday. The announcement merely confirms that Spyker, together with its Russian shareholder Convers Group, has expressed interest in a possible acquisition of Saab Automobile AB.

Spyker is now on the list of company names that have publicly expressed an interest, and most likely for Europeans it is welcome news. One of the main groups interested in purchasing Saab is the Chinese BAIC, although concerns over intellectual property and future competition mean that a full sale to the Chinese is unlikely.

US finance group Renco and financier Ira Rennert are said to be interested, although Merbanco Merchant Banking US investment firm is said to already have been ruled out by General Motors. Spyker and Saab would certainly be a curious combination and we can’t wait to see the first Saab supercar rendering to emerge.

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The future for Saab looks bleak. With Koenigsegg no longer footing a purchase deal and General Motors laying off 9000 workers around Europe for Opel, I can only imagine how the test driver of this Saab must feel right now. Something like driving around in a coffin might come close.

The spy shots show a Saab 9-5 Station Wagon in testing, which should include most of the features of the lovely new 9-5 sedan, but obviously with a heap more luggage space and redesigned rear end. This Saab 9-5 estate could have been one to compete, dare I say, with some of the German touring estates and wagons, but as the guys at spyshots.nl say, a guardian angel for Saab seems a long way away.

Source | SpyShots.nl

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The previous Saab 9-5 will be constructed in China by Beijing Auto (BAIC), which will start assembly operations in the next six months of the old sedan model. The project has come about after BAIC acquired part of Koenigsegg operations.

The new production in China of the old model will start only after Saab has launched the new 9-5, planned for April next year. BAIC has full control over the model, and no news has been released about the possible changes from the Chinese that we will see on the old model. What’s more, the move seems to indicate a future joint venture where Saab models will be assembled directly in the local Chinese market.

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Here’s a new gallery of the Saab 9-5 and a video after the jump for a closer look at the Saab sedan. We doubt we’ll feel like we’re sailing around in a Koenigsegg supercar, but the top-notch quality is not under question all the same. It seems that the automobile world really wants the 9-5 to be everything Saab is hoping for, and more.

The Saab 9-5 has a good start given its sleek Scandinavian looks and well-chosen engine range. Among the options are a 2.0-litre unit with 220 hp, a 2.8-litre V6 with 300 hp and a 2.0-litre diesel with 160 hp. Other options in the future will also include gas and biopower versions.

We’ll have to wait for first drive impressions to emerge before we can sing praises or claim successes. But most seem well-disposed to be positive and it will all come down to the driving. Video after the jump.

Continue reading: Saab 9-5 new pics and video

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The Saab 9-5 has been presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show, in a crucially strategic move for the company as it faces a very delicate future. We have to say, the 9-5 is looking very suave in a competitive sector, with a strong style, good design and genuine technical base. It’s based on the Opel Insignia, giving the 9-5 a definite head start in its campaign to save Saab.

Overall the Saab 9-5 is a very clean and smooth, impeccably dressed sedan. It has some classy modern touches such as LED lights, and the interior is original but comfortable. For a stand-off with the Germans, the 9-5 has everything from head-up display, Bi-Xenon Smart Beam lights, Saab DriveSense suspension control, triple zone air conditioning and parking assistance.

The engine range is made up exclusively of turbo compressed units, including a two-litre 220 hp engine, a 2.8-litre V6 with 300 hp (with XWD) and a 2.0-litre diesel engine with 160 hp. In the future we should the environmental options emerge, including gas turbo and BioPower units. Both manual and automatic transmission options are available.

Continue reading: Saab 9-5 live pics from Frankfurt

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After the gallery of new Saab 9-5 pics, here is the first video presented by Simon Padian on the design of the new Saab 9-5 sedan. It’s more of a promo video than anything, on the advanced “Scandinavian simplicity” of Saab, and only shows a three-quarter view of the 9-5. It will be officially presented, however, at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show this month, so hopefully we see some other material emerge in the near future.

At its release, the Saab 9-5 will be available with a 2.0 litre turbo engine with 220 hp, a 2.8 litre V6 turbo with 300 hp and 400 Nm, and the 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 160 hp and CO2 emissions of just 139 g/km. Both front and all-wheel drive options will be available with six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

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Saab has released these pics of the new Saab 9-5 before the Frankfurt Motor Show, showing off its new flagship sedan (maybe) set to save the company. Below is the full press release from Saab with details of the new 9-5.

All 9-5 engines will be turbocharged, with the two engines available at release being petrol and diesel four-cylinder, 2.0-litre units. The petrol unit will have 200 hp, while the diesel comes with 160 hp. The engine range will start with a 1.6-litre unit, while the top range option will be a 2.8-litre, V6 turbo with 300 hp and 400 Nm.

Continue reading: Saab 9-5 new pics and engine details

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