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Below is Google translation of the original german magazine article. It is not perfect (GM = a general of engines) but the overall idea is clear. Is Saab getting styling ideas from 300M (i.e. short side windows)?
********** Saab: 9-3 and 9-5 on common basis *************
From cost reasons the successors of the middle class models 9-3 and 9-5 are placed nevertheless now on a common basis. It is the Epsilon ii-platform of the next OPEL Vectra.
The course changes in the model planning of Saab remind of the Herumflitzen of the puck with the ice hockey play, in which Sweden are so masterly. But they long any longer do not have tactics in the hand.
The Saab management is to puppets at the threads of the nut/mother company a general of engine mutated - from own being to blame for certainly, because instead of offensive model planning as with the neighbour Volvo resulted the Saab center in Trollhaettan nearly one decade long in hesitating and Zaudern. The overdue consequence: Saab boss Peter Augustsson withdrew on 9 March.
Now the model strategy lies in the hands of GM Europe in Zurich, where product man Carl-Peter Forster, in personnel union now also, and Expert of financial politics Fritz Henderson the Zepter swing Saab chief executive.
Still in December 2004 the desire note looked to the Saab pallet from tomorrow in such a way: Possibly a folder of the OPEL Astra GTC as entrance Saab 9-1, 9-3 on basis of the next Vectra, 9-5 on the large rear and all-wheel-driven Zeta platform of Australian provenance, a roadster similarly to Saturn Sky and OPELS GT as well as a SUV on Daewoo Chevrolet or Subaru B9 Tribeca basis.
Design models of these future products were gekarrt on a Roadshow with customer opinion polls crosswise by Europe. The result? From many ideas it is called parting takes: A Saab saab-Roadster is realized just as few as 9-6 as 9-5-Ersatz. Are based 9-1 is for the time being reset. And that it will not give SUV on Subaru platform, it might regret hardly someone.
SUV platform also basis for Crossover OPELS as Signum successors
The close financial budget was in the long run crucial that now a small solution comes nevertheless to carrying. The successors of 9-3 (2009) and 9-5 (2007/8) are placed on the next Epsilon platform, Zeta architecture with rear-wheel drive are allegedly so heavy and so expensive that GM will not bring them meanwhile even on on the American market.
Thus also the OPEL Insignia is buried finally, because it would have been representable only in the group with related 9-6 and other GM products (Chevrolet, Buick).
In order to differentiate 9-3 and 9-5 more strongly from each other, the large Saab receives a longer wheel base and a broader trace, which can be managed with the flexible Epsilon ii-platform relatively simply. In addition there is to be the 9-5 only with a combination-like Crossover body. Nevertheless: Also all-wheel drive is with all new Saab possible, however no V8 -, but at the most V6-Motoren.
As the third model a SUV is presented, which is based on a mixing platform. GM calls it Theta plus and/or Theta Epsilon. It is mixes from construction units the American-Korean sport utilities Chevrolet S3 X and Equinox, among which also the OPEL front RA successor ranks, and who new Vectra platform. The Saab as well as a SUV von Cadillac is manufactured - both as BMW X3-Konkurrenten.
On same basis it will also not give larger OPEL - in the Insignia format, but a Crossover model above the Vectra with higher Sitzpostion, all-wheel drive and variable interior than successors for much too near the Signum positioned at the Vectra.
posted by 161.88.255...
Original article in Auto Motor und Sport
, Fri, 1 Apr 2005 10:47:10, Thu, 31 Mar 2005 17:51:58, Thu, 31 Mar 2005 19:03:02, Thu, 31 Mar 2005 17:15:47
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