If you bought SAAB what would you make?

[Pistachio]

So you have the money to buy SAAB from the Swedish Authorities no GM bits in the mix so
you have a blank piece of paper and a few billion to invest, what would you make?

[stowey1984]

I wouldn't make a mess of it like GM has.

[Lefty]

Something like the 9-2X.

[bobbylondonuk]

quirky swedish design, interior closely matching the aicraft designs, brilliant AWD chasis and drivetrain tuned for power and a reasonably 30mpg combined. then advertise all of these quirks and make it look and sound cool.

Make other cars look dull and boring and SAAB wins.

[DanDC5]

No profit. Ever.

[cymtriks]

Lefty said:

Something like the 9-2X.

Yes, the link up with Subaru was a very interesting idea!

Add to the list: Prodrive P2 concept

[Classic Grad 98]

DanDC5 said:

No profit. Ever.

probably the most realistic answer in this thread

regretfully

[bqf]

900 Turbos, call them 'Singer 900 Turbos', polish the fuel filler cap a bit and charge £80k for each one. Bingo.

[Mr Gear]

I'd make an irrelevant piece of nonsense that was half as good as a Volvo and twice as expensive as a Vauxhall, and then try and sell it to a seemingly non-existent market segment.

Because that's what Saab fans like, right?

[XitUp]

A new 93 with a hybrid powetrain and a 3 cylinder engine. Think mk1 Honda Insight if it had been made by a 50s Swedish sci-fi writer.

Also, it would have orange velour seats.

[Mr Gear]

XitUp said:

A new 93 with a hybrid powetrain and a 3 cylinder engine. Think mk1 Honda Insight if it had been made by a 50s Swedish sci-fi writer.

Also, it would have orange velour seats.

Oi, stop copying me.

[Balmoral Green]

A new but 'Retro' styled Saab 96, along the lines of the new Beetle, BMW MINI, Fiat 500 etc.

3dr and 5dr hatchbacks, with FWD and a regular 1.4 four pot engine, it could be based on a Corsa/Astra chassis? Priced at early to mid teens?

Price and specs nothing special, just competitive, the key would be the traditional Saab 96 looks.

[XitUp]

Haha, there's plenty of people want a cute city car and are willing to pay for it. Look at the Fiat 500.

[The Wookie]

Quirky small car to rival the Mini/Audi A1/DS3. Possibly powered by a modern two stroke engine to give it a bit of 'heritage'.

[Mr Gear]

XitUp said:

Haha, there's plenty of people want a cute city car and are willing to pay for it. Look at the Fiat 500.

I agree. But I wonder if Saab fans who are expecting saloons would soak that up. And for that matter, buyers of cute city cars... would they even know what a Saab was? It might work as a car, but I can't think of anything with a Saab badge on it that could work as an economic prospect.

[Mr Gear]

I hate the idea myself, but a Saab 4x4 along the lines of a Lexus RX hybrid would sell I think.

[Dave Hedgehog]

furniture

[XitUp]

Balmoral Green said:

A new but 'Retro' styled Saab 96, along the lines of the new Beetle, BMW MINI, Fiat 500 etc.

3dr and 5dr hatchbacks, with FWD and a regular 1.4 four pot engine, it could be based on a Corsa/Astra chassis? Priced at early to mid teens?

Price and specs nothing special, just competitive, the key would be the traditional Saab 96 looks.

That's just a boring version of what I said!

The Wookie said:

Quirky small car to rival the Mini/Audi A1/DS3. Possibly powered by a modern two stroke engine to give it a bit of 'heritage'.

I considered 2 stroke but could you get it to meet emissions regs, if so, add it to my funky hybrid.

Mr Gear said:

I agree. But I wonder if Saab fans who are expecting saloons would soak that up. And for that matter, buyers of cute city cars... would they even know what a Saab was? It might work as a car, but I can't think of anything with a Saab badge on it that could work as an economic prospect.

Did many girls know about Fiat 500s until the marketers told them?

In 30 seconds I could easy get some old rally footage, ABBA, mpg + fun, and something about unique Scandinavian style into an add to show during X Factor or TOWIE.

[groomi]

myself bankrupt.

[jimxms]

Some funky looking washing machines and vacuum cleaners. For some reason the SAAB name really suits home appliances in my head :/