Saab considers sports car

[Ghost Dog]

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103582

The sports car is being considered as part of Swedish automaker's "diversification strategy to offer wider range of models," said Svante Kinell, European product marketing business manager for the 9-3 and 9-5.

Saab will show a front-wheel-drive, 250-hp V-6 concept for the two-seater at the Geneva auto show in March.

'Interesting concept'

"We will show an interesting concept in Geneva that will have the DNA of our Sonett sports car that we sold in the mid-'60s," Kinell told Automotive News Europe at the launch of the face-lifted 9-5 in Spain.

A decision to build the car hinges on public reaction when the concept vehicle is shown at auto shows in the United States next year.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=107976

nsiders say, Saab now expects to tap German sibling Opel for a front-wheel-drive platform — specifically, the sporting chassis that underpins the new Astra OPC coupe that was revealed earlier this year at the Geneva show.

The Saab sportster, which reportedly was developed by former design boss Michael Mauer before he left to head Porsche's design department, will likely be unveiled next spring at the 2006 Geneva show.

The Saab two-seater may share Opel's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which makes 240 horsepower, or it may accommodate one of the Swedish firm's turbocharged V6 engines. A six-speed manual gearbox will be standard.

There are still no concrete plans for production.

[ToniCipriani]

Nice... are they calling it a Sonnett as well? Edited November 24, 2005 by ToniCipriani

[Cadillacfan]

FWD sportscar? I guess if Saab is engineering it, it's probably going to be good.

[91z4me]

FWD sportscar?  I guess if Saab is engineering it, it's probably going to be good.

[post="49550"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Sound like it will be Epsilon based. Probably a preview of the next 9-3 front end and tail, for the vert.

[sciguy_0504]

Does Saab even know what its priorities are? To me, at least, a two seat "sports car" is the icing on the cake after the cake is baked, the cake being strong, competitive vehicles in the thick of the mid-lux/lux market.

[turbo200]

Hmmm...two seater is probably not the best idea, what about a 4 place coupe on Epsilon?

[Imaj]

Epsilon with AWD sounds good.. Though SAAB should take a risk and try RWD.. Maybe cuz Cadillac gonna get a Kappa based Roadster?