The Demo Site

Hirsch Performance kit for the Saab 9-3 Aero

Swiss tuner Hirsch has created a full body kit in carbon for the Saab 9-3 Aero sedan, convertible, and SportCombi. To do the best job of improving aerodynamics, reducing drag, and making the car look good, they enlisted the help of Saab's "master aerodynamicist" Håkan Danielsson and his team, as well as Taras Czornyj, who was the lead exterior designer on the 9-3 SportCombi.

What they came up with out front was a 3-piece upper mesh grille, a larger front spoiler with integrated splitters, and a lower mesh grille that increases airflow to the intercooler. Shaped side skirts lead the way to a rear diffuser and a larger rear spoiler on the sedan and convertible. For the SportCombi, Hirsch designed a hatch spoiler almost good enough for the WRC.

The hand-laminated carbon fiber parts are UV-coated, have been wind tunnel tested, and also tested and homologated for safety by the Royal Netherlands Motor Vehicle Authority. That means, according to Hirsch, that the parts are approved for fitment in all markets. The kit is only for the Aero trim level, and the price is listed as "on request," but based on the prices of the individual parts, don't expect much change if you hand over €1,500 -- and that's not including the wheels.

[Source: Hirsch via turboNines]

Saab 9-6X patent pics

It takes no stretch of the imagination to look at the freshened Subaru Tribeca and see a stillborn Saab 9-6x. The grille and the headlamps may be slightly different from what a Saab version of Subaru's biggest crossover would wear, but if you park your Tribeca next to a 9-5, you'll notice the resemblance immediately. All the work had been done to morph the Tribeca into a Saab variant, and then General Motors decided to sell its stake in Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru, and so broke the ties that bound the two automakers.

The tidy little story doesn't end there, though. Just this month a patent was filed for a Saab vehicle that can be nothing but the 9-6x that we all thought was dead. Why now? Well, the folks at TurboNines posit that we may yet see the Saabaru crossover for a couple of solid reasons. Right now, Saab has the 9-7x, which is a variant of the Trailblazer. It's in fact the best Trailblazer ever, but it's headed for extinction when General Motors shutters its Moraine, OH plant. That leaves an opening in Saab's lineup, and dealers would love to have something to sell. Enter the 9-6x; all the work has been done, so it can be pulled off the shelf and pressed into service without the cost of development or even styling. Of course, it might just be that we're talking ourselves into something, but the fact that the patent was just applied for makes us think that we could soon see a Saab 9-6x based on one of our favorite larger crossovers.

As the current Saab 9-5 heads into the waning days of its life-cycle, General Motors' Swedish brand will be launching a new limited edition model at the Detroit Auto Show.

This time around, the 9-5 Griffin is set to do duty as the most luxurious Saab yet. While one might expect the most premium edition of the 9-5 to use a six cylinder engine like the 2.8-liter turbo from the Turbo-X, it actually uses a 260-horsepower version of the corporate 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo. The Griffin receives matte chrome trim in the front, unique five-spoke 17-inch alloys, a rear spoiler and special badging.

The interior receives minimal changes, including gloss trim, piping on the carpets, and accent-colored stitching on the steering wheel, hand brake pull, and standard leather seats.

The Griffin will be available with either two- or three-pedal transmission configurations and four door sedan or wagon ("SportCombi") body styles.

The big question remains is that at $42,775 for the sedan and $44,045 for the Sportcombi, will anyone outside of Saab's most faithful really care? GM has already acknowledged that the Swedish brand is under review and the possibility of sale or shutdown looms large.

Click on the jump for Saab's official press release.

[Source: Saab]

Scraping the ice off windshields is anything but fun. But just because it's a chore, doesn't mean it can't also be swathed in simple Swedish luxury. Saab is looking to make ice scraping easier with the introduction of the Funk-Is, which combines plexiglass, sheepskin, and leather to create a simple Swedish solution to a problem that is as old as the automobile itself. The compact scraper has an angled plexiglass surface that makes getting to tight spots easier, yet its blade is rounded to limit damage to window seals.

The Funk-Is isn't very big, yet it brakes the bank with a suggested retail price of $72.50. We appreciate the comfort of a sheep-skin grip as much as the next blogger, but we could think of more pressing items we'd rather have in our stocking. But if you live and breath all things Trollhattan, the Funk-Is could be a dream come true.

[Source: Luxist]

If you were to order a black Saab 9-4, as of now you can almost see what your CUV will look like. If things go as originally planned, it will go into production in about a year. Up front is pure Saab, the rear hatch couldn't say SportCombi more forcefully, and the sloping shoulder line and window profile are 9-5. It's supposed to go into production in about a year, but hopefully we'll get to see it in Detroit in a few weeks since who knows where things will be a year from now.

[Source: Global Motors]

Click the above image for a high res photo of the Funk-Is

Scraping the ice off windshields is anything but fun. But just because it's a chore, doesn't mean it can't also be swathed in simple Swedish luxury. Saab is looking to make ice scraping easier with the introduction of the Funk-Is, which combines plexiglass, sheepskin, and leather to create a simple Swedish solution to a problem that is as old as the automobile itself. The compact scraper has an angled plexiglass surface that makes getting to tight spots easier, yet its blade is rounded to limit damage to window seals.

The Funk-Is isn't very big, yet it brakes the bank with a suggested retail price of $72.50. We appreciate the comfort of a sheep-skin grip as much as the next blogger, but we could think of more pressing items we'd rather have in our stocking. But if you live and breath all things Trollhattan, the Funk-Is could be a dream come true.

According to a report by Bloomberg, GM is considering dropping Pontiac, Saab and Saturn as a way to cut costs and to increase the chance of the Detroit Big 3 getting $25 billion in federal loans. Bloomberg cited anonymous sources that said GM is considering eliminating or selling the brands to help it avoid running out of money - which it recently said could happen as soon as the second-quarter of 2009.

No GM spokesperson has commented on the report as of yet but it is widely believed that the move could be included in the restructuring plan GM will submit to Congress on Tuesday. Congress had asked Mulally, Wagoner and Nardelli to come up with a plan that would display that the company's would become profitable enough to repay the $25 billion in federal loans.

GM has already announced that it is selling its Hummer brand. We'd love to hear what you think - so let us know what you think of this report and whether GM should sell the brands listed.

Follow the jump and hug it out in the comments section.

Source: Detorit News

When ants need to cross some dangerous span in order to get to the thing they want, certain ants in the colony will sacrifice themselves to build a bridge that other ants can cross. That's how you get the honey. In GM's case, the honey is a $12 billion government lifeline. The dangerous span is, well, extinction. And the sacrificial ants in this case could be Pontiac, Saturn, and Saab.

Before the government would start writing checks (to the automakers, at least), Congress told GM (and Ford and Chrysler) to come back with a plan that gave some indication of long-term viability and a return to financial health. Supposedly, as part of such a plan, GM has looked at "shedding" the three brands in question, which would eliminate the massive costs associated with production, marketing and sales. But that would happen after massive payouts, some serious upheaval and tens of thousands of job losses. It would leave GM with Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac... which, since it's in ruthless survival mode, makes us wonder what kind of crush GM has on GMC. GM will release a 10-to-12 page plan to the public making its case and Congress has scheduled a hearing on the matter for December 5th.

In the article, the word "shedding" is used to describe what GM would do with Saturn, Pontiac, and Saab. But we don't know where and how they would shed them. Saturn is a misfit child (not really Saturn's fault), Pontiac is unsure of itself (except when it comes to the G8 triplets and the Solstice), and Saab sold about 33,000 cars in America last year and 125,000 around the world. With the state of lending and credit markets, it would probably be easier to buy a pterodactyl than get a loan to buy one of GM's brands. HUMMER's already been on the block so long it's about to get arrested for loitering. So is "shedding" a euphemism for "bye-bye..."? We'll know soon enough. Thanks to all who tipped in.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Yesterday it was reported that GM has canceled all of its press events and major intros at the LA Auto Show, which leaves the automaker with very little to show off. Since there isn't much to show, Saab is going to quietly debut its 25th anniversary edition of the 9-3 convertible.

The 2nd limited edition 9-3 convertible is available in three colors, Jet Black, Carbon Grey, and Bright Champagne. It's powered by a 210 horsepower 2.0L engine that can be mated to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

The anniversary 9-3 convertible will be in showrooms in January 2009 with a starting price of $46,725.