Saab Targets Chinese and Russian Markets, Unlikely to Develop a Diesel 9-4X

Saab has revealed plans to begin distribution to China and Russia. Deals for both countries will be signed before the end of the year, while Saab is also pondering the assembly of cars in the Far East. In other news, the Swedish maker also said that it's unlikely that we'll see a diesel-powered 9-4X any time soon.

In regards to China, Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson, told reporters on the sidelines of the Los Angeles Auto Show: "Until we launch the new 9-3 at the end of 2012, it will be just a couple of thousand units (annually), all based on imports. As we lead up to this, we have to make a decision if and when we are going to introduce local manufacturing in China."

If Saab decides to assemble cars in China, production would concern the next generation 9-3, as the 9-5 sedan and 9-4X would be imported to the country.

Until then, Saab wants to define the dealer network first, which will have 10 to 15 showrooms, spread out in five or six cities. Mr. Jonsson didn't reveal any further information about the company's plans in Russia.

Speaking about the 9-4X, the Saab CEO said that there are no current plans for the introduction of a diesel engine to the range, due to the short payoff period it would have.

"If you then look at the life cycle of the vehicle, typically five or six years, before we actually have a diesel engine, we have to find one, we have to test it, we have to install it, validate it, and you are two years into the life cycle. And then you have a very short payoff period. So I think it is unlikely" Jonsson said.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Autonews

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Saab Seals Engine Deal with BMW, gets 4 Cylinder Turbo Units from 2012

The BMW Group and Saab-owner Spyker Cars N.V. have come to an agreement for the use of the German automaker's petrol engines in Saab's vehicles from 2012 onwards. The long-rumored deal, which will ultimately help Saab further reduce its reliance on previous owner General Motors, currently the firm's only supplier of gasoline powerplants, was signed on Wednesday by Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, and the CEO of Saab Automobile, JanÅke Jonsson, in Trollhättan in Sweden.

Under the agreement, BMW will supply Saab with 4-cylinder 1.6 liter turbocharged petrol engines, which will incorporate the Bavarian automaker's fuel-saving and emissions -cutting stop-start and regenerative braking tech. Saab said the engines will be adapted to meet the firm's specific requirements.

"We look forward to integrating this technology into our next-generation vehicles in a true Saab way," said Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson.

Though the two automakers did not go into any other details, it is believed that the petrol engines will be the same as the ones used in the MINI range, with at least one of them to be assembled at the BMW Group's Hams Hall engine plant in the UK. The 1.6-liter Turbo will be used on the next 9-3 (expected in 2012), as well as on the new 9-5 sedan.

Ian Robertson, Executive Sales and Marketing Director of BMW said: "Our engines have a clear lead over the competition when it comes to fuel consumption, emissions and performance and we are delighted to support Saab with our engine expertise."

Saab's chairman Victor Muller noted that both parties are open "to explore further opportunities in the future".

The two companies did not disclose any financial or contract volume details on the engine deal.

Saab Confirms BMW Talks on Engine Supply, 2012 9-3 May be the First Model to Benefit from the Deal

The next generation of Saab models may very well be powered by BMW engines if negotiations between the two automakers are successful. Following widespread media speculations on the matter, Spyker N.V., the parent company of the Swedish carmaker confirmed talks with BMW. Here's the official statement:

"Spyker Cars N.V. ("the Group"), a holding company that owns subsidiaries which produce and sell premium automobiles under the Saab and Spyker brands, has noted recent press speculation about the possible supply relationship with BMW. The Group confirms that talks are ongoing and will give further details once a final agreement has been reached."

A report from Bloomberg citing an unnamed person with direct knowledge of the matter said the first Saab to benefit from the proposed deal would be the next 9-3 model, due for release in 2012. According to the source, Saab will make use of a new 222-horsepower that BMW is developing and has not yet been introduced in any of the Bavarian automaker's cars. The same engine would find its way under the hood of the new 9-5.

The person said the two automakers are also in talks about Saab buying diesel engines from BMW as well as the possible use of the MINI Countryman's platform for the future 9-2 premium sub-compact.

A final announcement on the deal could be made as early as the end of this week. We will continue to follow this matter and will provide updates on any new developments.

Source: Spyker / Bloomberg

Saab Reveals its First-Ever Pure Electric Model: 9-3 ePower to Debut in Paris

This month's Paris International Motor Show will host the world premiere of Saab's first ever EV, the 9-3 ePower. Based on the SportWagon variant of the current 9-3, the prototype model will lead to a test fleet of 70 vehicles that will participate in field trials in Sweden early next year.

The car is motivated by a 184HP electric motor driving the front wheels through a single-speed transmission. Energy is provided by a compact 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack located in a modified floor-pan, in a space occupied by the exhaust system and fuel tank on the standard 9-3 SportWagon

The Swedish automaker says the EV can accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in a respectable 9.5 seconds and continue on to a top speed of 150km/h or 93mph.

The projected driving range on a full charge is approximately 200 kilometers or about 124 miles. Saab said the battery can be fully recharged from a domestic mains supply in three to six hours, depending on depletion status. However, the company claims charging times can be reduced significantly if the voltage of the electrical feed is raised.

The only noteworthy styling changes over the regular gasoline/diesel models concerns the new gearshift lever that provides selection of 'drive', 'neutral', 'park' and 'reverse', the revised instrument cluster that gains read-outs for battery status, power consumption and driving range, as well as the addition of an electric park brake.

Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile's CEO said: "By 2015, annual global sales of electric vehicles are expected to reach 500,000 units and Saab is determined to be represented in this important, growing segment."

"The 9-3 ePower programme is our first step towards developing a potential production vehicle that will deliver the sort of advanced performance our customers expect."

The 9-3 ePower is the result of a co-operation between Saab Automobile, Boston Power (batteries), Electroengine in Sweden AB (electric power trains), Innovatum (project management) and Power Circle (Sweden's electric power industry trade organization).

2011MY Saab 9-3: Cleaner Diesels and New 163HP 2.0 Petrol with XWD

The 2011 model year brings another round of enhancements for Saab's long overdue for replacement, 9-3, comprising mostly of tweaks to the diesel engine range.

In particular, all three diesel models benefit from more advanced twin turbocharging technology, which not only helps reduce fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions, but also adds a few more ponies. The 1.9-litre turbo diesel range now includes a 130HP TTiD unit that replaces the previous 120HP engine, a 160HP version that takes the place of the 150HP engine, and a range-topping 180HP variant.

Saab said with these updated diesel engines and manual gearbox, the 9-3 saloon returns a combined cycle fuel economy of 4.5 lt/100km (62.8 mpg UK or 52.3mpg US) and 119 g/km CO2 emissions. For the SportCombi, the respective figures are 4.6 lt/100 km and 122 g/km, and for the 9-3 Convertible, which is available with the 160HP and 180HP diesel engines, 5.1 lt/100 km and 134 g/km.

To further optimize emissions and fuel consumption, Saab also implemented a set of efficiency measures, such as recalibrated engine and electric power management, revised gear ratios, low resistant tires, improved aerodynamics with rear underbody deflector blades and reduced weight through lighter construction and sound-deadening materials.

According to the Swedish automaker, the all-turbo petrol line-up also benefits from some of these measures (no specific details were released) resulting in an average reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of 7 percent.

For the 2011 model year, Saab is also introducing a new model to the petrol range that combines the 163HP gasoline turbo engine with the firm's XWD four-wheel drive system.

Other model year enhancements for the 9-3 include the addition of a 'change-up' indicator in the instrument cluster on all models, two new exterior colors, a perforated leather sport steering wheel on Aero models, a clutch interlock system on manual transmissions and child seat top tether anchorage points, plus new rear engine badging styled after the 9-5 saloon.

The 2011MY Saab 9-3 will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month.

Saab 900 Loses its Hunch: El Camino Version Spotted at Enthusiasts Festival

The Griffin loving folks over at 'Saabs United' have nice little write-up of the International SAAB Club Meeting in Interlaken (color me jealous). The 900 El Camino pictured here is one of the quirkier cars from the show, proving that some cars just don't work out as a pickup. One thing's for certain: this 900 is definitely doing its part to stand out.

By Phil Alex

Photo: Saabsunited

China-Made Saab 9-5 by BAW: First Photos and Video

Earlier today, we showed you a bevy of pictures of the Beijing Automotive Works' (BAW) Saab 9-3-based C60 mid-size sedan. Now we have the first photos of the Chinese firm's reworked Saab 9-5, the C71 saloon, as well as a video showing both cars as they were being transferred to BAW's Beijing Motor Show stand.

As with the smaller C60, the most notable differences between the C71 and its Saab stablemate concern the styling of the front and rear ends.

As a reminder, in late 2009, BAW's parent company BAIC brought the design rights for the previous generation Saab 9-5 and certain 9-3 models along with some powertrain technology and tooling equipment from GM for about $200 million.

Both the BAW C60 and C71 are pegged to go on sale in China early next year.

Via: Bitauto & Che168

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