GMI 2010

Welcome to our newest Feature article here at GMI, Revitalization in Action; The Dream Saab Lineup. This article is the latest in GMI's series of dream lineups for each of GM's brands. Revitalization in Action is a collaboration of GMI Staff Member ChevroletRevived and GMI Photoshop Artist fbodyrules. Our mission? To show, with realistic feasibility, how great GM can (and will) be. Revitalization in Action; The Dream Saab Lineup has some important new changes. In the Specifications Sheet we've added some new categories, including Vehicle Type, Size Comparison, Competitors, as well as an introduction to the brand. Not only that, we're also more thorough, with more views and renderings per model. The RIA Mini Site and "Featured Concept" are returning. The Pontiac mini site is also included in this introduction. Saab has the potential to flourish under a complete, Cadillac style revitalization. Like Saturn, Saab doesn't have negative GM/American perceptions to fight. Saab needs new product and a complete lineup. If it's given a chance to succeed, Saab will be an invaluable part of GM's turnaround. And with GM's product revolution underway, we can look forward to really great Saab products in the future. The Lambda's and what we've seen of the upcoming Malibu and CTS are extremely encouraging. The progress has been great, so imagine what the luxury brand Saab can really be. Volvo is a good example of what can happen. The Aero X is said to be the basis for future Saab styling. How will it look on future Saab products? Will it be done right? There have been a lot of chops and designs directly and blatantly based on this car, however, we'd like to be a little more creative and show you designs that exhibit the same basic design essence, yet aren't directly taken from the Saab Aero X showcar. We'd like to give you a look at the future of Saab, and just what the brand can really be. Thanks, and enjoy!

Model Lineup:

Saab 9-1 - Sport Luxury Hatchback, A3 Sized, Based on Delta II
Saab 9-3 - Luxury Sedan/SportCombi/Convertible, 3 Series Sized, Based on EPI
Saab 9-4X - Sport Luxury CUV, X3 Sized, Based on Theta II
Saab 9-5 - Luxury Sedan/SportCombi, 5 Series Sized, Based on Enhanced EPII
Saab 9-6X - Sport Luxury CUV, X5 Sized, Based on Enhanced Lambda Saab 9-9x - Luxury Sedan, 7 Series Standard Sized, Based on Premium Zeta

x- Denotes AWD
X - Denotes Crossover
t - Low Output Turbo
T - Higher Output Turbo
HOT = High Output Turbo

About Saab And What It's Future Could be Like

Ever since GM bought all of Saab in 1995, the brand hasn't performed as GM expected. Is it GM's fault? Probably. Saab didn't get enough product to achieve the sales goals that were set. The 9-3 was a sign of good things to come, and the Aero X showcar showed that there was yet life and potential in the brand, much like the Enclave did for Buick and the Solstice did for Pontiac. It got people excited about Saab and It showed that, "Wow!", under the new GM, Saab really could be something!". People have said "Oh, but that kind of product isn't possible at Saab, Saab is supposed to be different, and GM won't ever let them have that autonomy". Au contraire. GM's new world wide parts database enables brand freedom. Brands can develop their own, unique products off of the database, and because of this, GM can let the brand have more autonomy. Saab's expertise combined with the database will make for some great products. The worldwide parts database is an huge step forward for a more efficient, cost effective GM. This database saves GM money and eliminates redundancy by utilizing parts already used on other GM products, allowing for more money to be spent where it counts. The first vehicle developed off of the database was the Solstice. Now, just about all new GM vehicles are. Excitement surrounding the Aero X can translate into real world sales. Saab has got the world's attention. They're wondering whether Saab will deliver on the hope of the Aero X. Beautiful styling sells, no doubt, just ask Lutz. But, there is a hidden key in all of this. What if you could give people the style they're excited about, yet be environmentally friendly also? BioPower engines, that can run on E85, E100 and gas. Couple that with Dual Mode hybrids, and you'll have a strikingly beautiful luxury sedan that runs on electric below 25 and on E85 or E100 above. Sound appealing? GM needs to utilize this technology, and bring it to the United States. Acura is trying to remake itself into a "techno cool" image. Problem is, they don't have the styling to back everything up. Techie? Yes. Beautiful? By no means. Saab can appeal to this market because they don't have any negative perceptions and baggage, and they are perceived to many to be 1. Stand Alone and/or 2. Foreign. They don't have the typical GM buyer base. And that is where the potential lies. Saab really, more than ever, has the potential to be GM's cool, trendy brand. It can be technologically advanced, have styling people are excited about and still be environmentally correct. Think that'll sell?
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Introduction

Talk about tapping into largely unexplored new markets. Small luxury is in, plain and simple. A4, 3 Series, 9-3? They aren't the "compact" luxury cars they once were. This new market is occupied by only the A3 and to some extent the Mini. Saab has an opportunity to jump into the game here. The 9-1 could come at just the right time, right as this new segment in the market is opening, establishing a foot hold and cashing in on it's spectacular growth potential. BMW's 1 Series isn't here yet, and who knows when it'll arrive, and that leaves Saab with a golden opportunity. Saab character, combined with the environmentally friendly BioPower engine, would make the 9-1 the choice of a ripe market with few entries. A hot little hatch would go back to Saab's roots, selling well and bringing more affordable excitement to the brand, much like the original Saab classic, the 900. The, 9-1, simply put, is a modern day 900, a Saab for the Saab purist. With Subaru no longer available to draw upon for the next generation Saab 9-1, and the car needing a replacement, the next generation 9-1 arrives to take it's place, based on the flexible next generation Delta platform, Delta II. Because of that, this time around Saab will get to be a lot more creative with it's smallest entry, making the 9-1 it's own. Simply put, the 9-1 will be a true Saab. Naming for the next generation 9-2X is not confirmed, 9-2 and 9-1 are both on the table.

Specifications Sheet

Vehicle Type: 3 Door 3 passenger Sport Hatch
Size Comparison: Audi A3
Competitors: Audi A3
Base Platform: Enhanced Delta II
Drive Wheels: FWD, AWD Option, AWD Aero
Engines:
9-1 1.8t: 1.8L 175HP Ecotec Turbo
9-1x BioPower: 1.8L (On E100) 245HP BioPower Turbo Ecotec
9-1x Aero: 2.0L 265HP Ecotec Turbo
Transmissions: 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Sentronic