According to a Saab executive, the small Swedish automaker slowly emerging from under the General Motors umbrella will base its next-generation 9-3, the company’s volume model, on a non-GM platform.
The next-generation 9-3 is “more unlikely than likely” to be based on a GM-derived platform, Saab Global Brand and Sales Operations Director Knut Simonsson told Motor Trend.
The current 9-3 utilizes a highly modified version of GM’s Epsilon platform. Unlike its GM corporate cousins, the 9-3’s suspension and powertrains are largely unique to the low volume automaker – which is part of the reason GM wanted to unload the brand. It’s unclear just when the new 9-3 will arrive, especially since a Koenigsegg-owned Saab will mostly go it alone in a world of ever-consolidating automakers. The current 9-3 was facelifted for 2008 and given revised powertrains and optional all-wheel-drive, but the basic design dates back to 2003.
10/30, 9:44 AM
posted by:
A4
Just don’t use a Chinese one. Good god. And make it a hatchback while youre at it.
10/30, 9:46 AM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
You and your hatchbacks…
10/30, 9:46 AM
posted by:
Genesis101
The SAAB 9-5 Should be a sport back like the old one.
10/30, 10:35 AM
posted by:
reedfast
how about a saab based off of the koenigsegg ccxr, ultimate car for college girls and middle school moms
10/30, 10:36 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
A4… a Chinese what? Unless you count the noodles under the ‘meat’ I don’t think they have anything that qualifies as a platform.
10/30, 10:38 AM
posted by:
Zesty Honda
Thank goodness!!!!!!!! Hopefully we’ll start seeing some quality interior components in the next 9-3. The current Saab interior looks like it’s parts supplier is FISHER PRICE (aside from the GM sourced radio/cd player which is decent looking)…..we’ll see, I’m hoping.
10/30, 11:17 AM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
Good. No more low quality GM sh*t in SAABs from now on. From here on out, SAAB will be a REAL luxury car. Thank god for Koenigsegg. Now to prevent Volvo from being made in china.
10/30, 11:52 AM
posted by:
DIESEL
I say, start with the original 900: black on black with a zesty turbo and go from there. That’s what SAAB has always been about (before GM PoS, of course)…
10/30, 11:56 AM
posted by:
A4
2wheeledspeed, the 9-3 and 900 were always hatchbacks until this generation. They should keep a sedan and a wagon, but Saab’s quirky hatchbacks were what sold them cars.
10/30, 11:58 AM
posted by:
DIESEL
A4: Exactly!
Forgot to add this to my post: black on black HATCHBACK with a zesty turbo. 
10/30, 12:23 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Question – why does everyone think Volvo will go under with Chinese ownership and not so much on Saab with a small time investor Koenigsegg as the owner? I would feel more comfortable being owned by the Chinese, who btw own most everything right now, than some people who answer to infvestors everytwhere else. Here I’ll make it simple
Chinese – Tons of $$$ Koenigsegg – Little $
10/30, 1:28 PM
posted by:
zfenderguy
Well, whether or not the line suffers as a result, the story behind the story is that Saab wants GMs claws out of their back. I can see that I guess. I’m real interested to see where they go from here. I hear Porsche platforms are now available for sharing. Something from the VW group would suit Sabbs character probably. Or maybe they get something from Peugeut or Citroen.
10/30, 1:39 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
That’s a Geely good question Jake.
Sorry…
10/30, 3:28 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
I guess I have to be defensive on Volvo now that I own one Johnny. It’s like having your hockey team sign Sean Avery – he’s a good player but an even worse person – you still have to defend him! Or the same could be said for signing a Todd Bertuzzi……..
10/30, 4:21 PM
posted by:
carstuff
They better find a platform somewhere. If they go it alone they will have to charge +$50k each.
10/30, 6:03 PM
posted by:
spg900
My SPG is black with a tan interior. I always thought that was the best combination.
10/31, 12:17 PM
posted by:
A4
Jake, maybe the Chinese will buy Arod so we don’t have to put up with his crap anymore either.
10/31, 8:03 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Only if we get to keep Pujols in the US A4.