TTAC Photochop: New Saab Mid-Size Convertible

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Nobody other than the Trollhatten Saab (and probably not them if they were honest) seems happy with what happened with Saab's design direction since GM bought the Scandinavians. The General replaced the aeronautical roots of the original 9-something models with a cheap, cost-effective farrago born from Subaru, Opel, Chevrolet (!) and/or other shared-components from GM’s scrapyard. Luckily for the few remaining SAAB fans, faith smiled on the brand in 2006, when they got to see the Aero X concept. The X is a very subtle blend of aeronautical inspired elements and pure SAAB DNA, packed in a modern (but somehow immortal) shape. The Aero X resurrected the spirit of the brand. Unlike most show cars, many of the Aero X' styling elements are fit for production– especially if we consider the sportier vehicles of the brand, like the 9-3 Cabrio. Here I tried to mix some Aero X touch lines with the requirements of a convertible, keeping in mind that the vehicle should be producible in the current GM environment. Is there any life in the old girl? Thanks to the Aero X, if there's the will, there's a way.

[For more Avarvarii photochopistry, click here.]

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • BlisterInTheSun BlisterInTheSun on Jan 10, 2008

    I am the proud (former) owner of a 1996 900S (2.3l N/A with a 5-speed) and once you go Saab, it's hard not to love them. It did have its share of idiosyncrasies, but a vibrant online community at any of the various owner forums is all you need to crank out some serious mileage over the life of the car. Plus, I know two sophisticated, attractive women (one of whom is a phenomenal cellist for a major symphony orchestra) who think that Saabs are the sexiest cars on the road. They depreciate as badly as anything else on the road, apparently; I've heard adds on the radio (in the NYC area) for a Saab dealer selling old inventory (including brand-new convertibles) for several $thousand off of MSRP.

  • Willbodine Willbodine on Jan 10, 2008

    The part that caught my attention was the word "mid-size." The original SAAB 900 convert could actually seat 4 adults comfortably. The 2 successive (GM) re-dos were each smaller and less friendly to those in the back seat. A large convertible, sounds like a unique selling proposition to me.

  • Storminvormin Storminvormin on Jan 10, 2008

    Driving course: Do GM make any good cars? Of course they do!! The Pontiac Vibe...oh...right. I love the styling of the Aero X and new convertible. That being said, I agree with BlisterInTheSun that Saab has an excellent online community. If is were not for the internet and ebay (for parts), I probably wouldn't own my '89 900.

  • Trollhattan Saab Trollhattan Saab on Jan 12, 2008

    I reject the notion that I might be dishonest, RF! Nice chop, but the 'vert has benefitted from the 2008 makeover and looks just peachy IMHO. If you want to chop something gimme a 9-5......

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