Spyker in talks with potential partners to build new 9-2

Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept at Geneva Motor Show

The 9-2 model will be a 'super-cool' compact car to compete against the likes of MINI

[Disclaimer: Pictured here is the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept.]

More movement on the re-birth of the Saab 9-2 (designated the 92 in the 1950s). Now, Saab owner Spyker is in talks with a contractor to build the new compact model for the Saab lineup.

Saab CEO Victor Muller told Bloomberg news that the company was in talks with other manufacturers to share technology on a new small-car platform upon which Saab will build a new 9-2 model.

"Discussions are already ongoing [with other manufacturers]," Muller is quoted as saying. "That will be on my plate for the next 100 days."

Muller did not reveal which contractor he was speaking to. But he did say that the new 9-2 would come with the same tear-drop shape as the original model and that it would be a "super-cool" compact car to compete against the likes of MINI.

Although no images of the new design are available yet (pictured here are photos of the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept), Muller says he's looking at design renderings for the car every day and that he takes the latest sketches with him when he travels.

The 9-2 will take a few years to get to production and will likely be introduced sometime around 2013.

Source: autocar.co.uk

Saab announces plans for three all-new models
(7 comments)
Saab concept teased for Geneva debut
(6 comments)
Saab and BMW may share new FWD platform
(11 comments)
Saab and BMW agree to share engines - report
(4 comments)
Saab 9-2 Development Top Priority - Muller
(7 comments)

Add a Comment

Comments (10)

newest first oldest first

Subscribe to comments

rcw

I hope they build it, I just hope they make it look better than the concept.

May 31, 2010 5:10 pm

report abuse | reply

sub39h

i think Saab has the potential to be Sweden's Audi, but only if they play their cards right. personally i don't feel they have the right brand image to take the fight to the A3/1-Series/Golf posse yet, and should concentrate on the 9-3 and 9-5 models first. it'll make the bank managers happy if nothing else anyway. we wouldn't want them repeating the C30 performance and make a relatively cool car that nobody would be seen dead in.

May 31, 2010 6:16 pm

report abuse | reply

AlpinaRacerX

I agree. Saab-Spyker should focus on the 9-3 and 9-5 first and drop the forthcoming 9-4X (a badge-engineered Cadillac SRX clone, which nobody will buy) and not even think about a 9-2. When all loans are paid off and Saab-Spyker is in the black again, then look what the future market will be like and built something that will sell. Unfortunately paying off the loans and getting back in the black will be an enormous challenge to begin with. I haven't heard from any Saab dealer/fan/insider that sales are turbo-boosting up, which Saab most definitely will need to survive. Remember Spyker itself has NEVER made a profit! But alas Saab-Spyker's focus already seems to be far off, since the new 9-5 is also a GM clone (it shares about 75% of it's parts with the much cheaper Opel Insignia). How can this car compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes or even the Japanese premium brands, Infiniti, Lexus and Acura? Also the new 9-3, which is scheduled to replace the rapidly aging current 9-3 (introduced in 2002), will actually NOT be a brand new engineered car. It will sit on a redeveloped version of the Epsilon I platform, which is the current 9-3's platform. Basically it will be a redevelopment (aka intense facelift) of the current 9-3! Not good, not good at all! How can that car compete with a BMW 3er, Audi A4/A5 or Mercedes C-Klasse? Simple, it can not. So I'm very afraid the current strategy will lead only to one thing...failure. I love Saab (I own three pre-GM Saabs) and I want Saab to survive. But as a company of GM clones (9-3, 9-5 and 9-4x) and ??? clone 9-2, no thanks. Then I rather watch BAIC, the Chinese company who bought the intellectual property and tooling for old 9-5 and old 9-3. These were the last Saabs with an actual Saab engineered engine (the Ecopower engines won all kinds of prices in the mid and late 90's). We'll see what happens, but if management bonuses are a sign of what to come: the three top managers of Spyker got stock bonuses, because they worked so hard on the Saab deal. Makes no real sense to me but alright. But what was utterly shocking to me is that Saab CEO Mr. Muller immediately cashed his Saab stock for cold hard cash!!! Makes you think...

May 31, 2010 7:10 pm

report abuse | reply

6 replies

eemo_crash

I too believe that Saab should focus on the 9-5 and the 9-3..... For now. But in all truth the new 9-5 has just been launched, so now they have to focus on the 9-3. I'm quite sure that It's going to be more then just a massive facelift. Saab is free to modify the platform however they want (no GM restrictions), and the 9-3 will be the first "Saab Saab" we've seen for over a decade. Though Mr Muller refers to the new 9-5 as a "Saab Saab" and AMS has noted in their recent review of the new 9-5 that none of the negatives associated with the Opel Insigna can be found in the 9-5. I don't think that 75% of the Saab is shared with the Opel, I think you may have your figures back to front...... 9-4x? While it is a good segment for Saab to get into. They have the 9-3x and soon the 9-5x so a rebadged Cadillac? Is it really needed? Also Mr Muller isn't the CEO of Saab he is the CEO of Spyker, and Saab-Spyker Automobiles which is the parent company to Saab. Jan Ake Jonssan is still the CEO of Saab.

May 31, 2010 8:59 pm

report abuse | reply

AlpinaRacerX

The new 9-5 is being called a "Saab Saab" which unfortunately it's not. 75% of it's essential technical parts are GM (not only the Insignia). Just check out the Buick Lacrosse, it even has the same steering wheel! Come on! Also the heart of any car is the engine, the new 9-5 has GM engines, the 2.8 Holden and the 2.0 Opel Ecotec. So nothing Saab about that. The 2.3 I-4 from the old 9-5 Aero is more economical, has lower emissions, lower weight and comparable power and torque ratings, then the new 9-5 2.8 V6. Etc, etc. Just check out this Saab fan website: www.saabhistory.com/2009/10/15/2010-buick-lacrosse-to-the-2010-saab-9-5-a-comparison/ And that's just a comparison of the styling. Will the new 9-3 get a real Saab engine? No, it will get a GM engine. The real Saab engine designs were sold to BAIC. Remember the evolution of Saab's own engine, the SVC engine with variable compression? That's a 1.5 I-5 with 225hp and up to 30% less fuel consumption and emissions! That project was shelved by GM, why not start it up again and develop a real Saab engine? Anyone with knowledge on vehicle architecture and platform design knows that it's impossible to make an excellent platform from a mediocre one. It would cost more money to achieve that, then it would cost to develop a new one. I could go on in detail, but that would take up too much space...and time. Best strategy for Saab is: develop a new platform for new 9-3 (and later on the 9-5 can use it too) and develop a new engine (or at least get rid of the mediocre GM engines), preferably based on Saab excellent Ecopower engines. Don't get me wrong I wished everyday that Saab would be saved. And I was extremely happy that Saab survived, but with this strategy I'm just wondering how long it will last... PS: Jon Ake Jonsson is Managing Director of Saab, Victor Muller is CEO (also stated in the original article).

June 1, 2010 12:37 am

report abuse | reply

DdW

We will see how the Spyker-Saab leadership handle its future creations/redevelopments (e.g. Saab 9-2, 9-3, etc) as the years progressed... New R&D will take up plenty of resources and finances for funding and creating a new car, hence redeveloping on a existing platform is the most cost-effective solution (unless cheaper but stronger materials are invented/created... which takes time and extra $pending again). Nevertheless, it is good to know that the partnership is soldering on in these bad times... that is more important for the realization of future Saab (and Spyker) creations.

June 1, 2010 1:05 am

report abuse | reply

eemo_crash

Saab History is a site I visit frequently along with Saabs United. But in all honesty I can't really see much resemblance between that and the 9-5 other then the steering wheel and the overall silhouette. On the engine topic, I also believe that it would be wonderful for Saab to again develop their own engines. But in their current situation they have to make do with what they can get, and I believe fro what they get they do a wonderful job.... Aren't the Saab BioPower engines developed by Saab? Also the diesel engines that Saab use are Fiat engines not GM. PS. CEO and Managing Director are the same thing, and Jan Ake Jonsson is still the CEO/Managing Director of Saab Automobile. Victor Muller is the Chairman of Saab-Spyker and the CEO of Spyker. Articles like the one above do refer to Victor Muller as the Saab CEO, however all of Saab's official press releases and video interviews have refereed to Jan Ake Jonsson as Saab's CEO

June 2, 2010 1:34 am

report abuse | reply

AlpinaRacerX

If you were right there would be a lot of VERY happy managing directors around the world right now to learn that they're also CEO! Hahaha...which business school did you attend? Check Saab's own website: http://www.saab.com/global/en/start#/buy-own/sales/overview/info/?/information/about/company FYI: the BioPower enigines are the same as the regular engines only with a slightly different injection system and reprogrammed engine management. I sincerely hope that the potential Saab buyers will see the 'new' Saabs as you do and not the masqueraded truth, that they are still almost completely GM cars...

June 4, 2010 3:42 am

report abuse | reply

eemo_crash

You do realise that the web address you gave me supports my argument that Victor Muller is not the CEO but Chairman of Saab? I'm curious, have you read the press releases on the page you gave me? You know the ones that refer to Jan Ake Jonsson as the CEO of Saab? Whatever! Maybe Saab's company structure is different or maybe they refer to MD and CEO as the same thing. Who knows, but all I know is that Jan Ake Jonssan has been referred to by Saab as the MD and the CEO of Saab Automobile AB. Victor Muller has only been referred to as the CEO of Spyker Cars NV and Chairman of Saab Automobile AB. Make of it what you will.

June 4, 2010 10:09 pm

report abuse | reply