Now that Saab is owned by the Swiss, fully again, the construction of their smaller 9-2 sedan/hatchback will (hopefully) commence.

In an interview with MotorTrend, Spyker Saab CEO Victor Muller revealed a design proposal for the upcoming model. While Muller wouldn’t officially release the image, the car has styling cues from several vintage Saabs (the 92, the 93, and the 96). It has a rakish roofline, which would likely limit rear passenger headroom, and a modern front-end. As MT’s Todd Lassa explains, “it’s a polarizing design – you will love it if you’re a Saabanista.”

Despite being a design proposal, Muller says 9-2 “is my priority, Saab’s top priority.” Unfortunately, the model is still in limbo until Saab’s finances turn around. To go it into production, Saab will “need to find separate financing, or (we have to) perform so well, we can do it out of our own means. … Or find a partner who we can share a platform with, who has deeper pockets, so we can share it on their balance sheet.”

-Source: WCF

It’s been many, many…MANY months since Spyker, a small Dutch sports car producer, began talks with General Motors to purchase what was left of Sweden’s Saab.

Well now the make has been saved at the zero hour! New York Times reports:

“General Motors said Tuesday that it had reached an agreement to sell its Swedish unit Saab to Spyker Cars, a tiny Dutch maker of high-end sports cars, saving Saab from what seemed like certain extinction after earlier bids had collapsed, The New York Times’s Nelson Schwartz reports.

G.M. had begun the process of shuttering Saab’s production line and other facilities in Trolltattan, Sweden, at the beginning of the year, but the deal with Spyker will halt that process and buy time for Saab to begin rolling out new cars.

“General Motors, Spyker Cars and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand,” John Smith, G.M.’s vice president for corporate planning and alliances, said in a statement.

Spyker intends to form a new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles. The transaction is expected to close in mid-February.

The announced deal is the latest turn in a saga that had riveted workers and politicians alike in Sweden, as well as Saab’s famously devoted customer-base.

Still, it will be an uphill battle for Saab to survive over the long-term, auto experts said, noting that just finding a buyer took more than a year for G.M. Amid the uncertainty over the company’s survival, sales plunged 50 percent in the first half of 2009, to 24,000 cars, far too slow a pace for Saab to operate profitably.”

Saab lovers across Europe have already gathered in solidarity for the car make, and GM has noticed. Last week, just before GM was ready to cut Saab completely, they resigned its position and kept the brand on for an extended deadline. As companies continue to make offers for Saab the clock keeps on ticking. Guess we’ll find out by January 7th, according to General Motors, what will happen to Saab. We hope to have protest photos up by week’s end, and more news concerning your favorite Swedish auto maker!

“Following Friday’s announcement that GM will begin the orderly wind down of Saab, GM has received inquiries from several parties. We will evaluate each inquiry. We will not comment further until these evaluations have been completed.”

It seems as though the Swedish are trying like hell to keep Saab alive, along with beer and those little red fish candy things. Oh man, those are delicious!

“Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time. In order to maintain operations, Saab needed a quick resolution,” said GM Europe President Nick Reilly. “We regret that we were not able to complete this transaction with Spyker Cars. We will work closely with the Saab organization to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner. This is not a bankruptcy or forced liquidation process. Consequently, we expect Saab to satisfy debts including supplier payments, and to wind down production and the distribution channel in an orderly manner while looking after our customers.”

Saab will continue to honor warranties, while providing service and spare parts to current Saab owners around the world.

As part of its efforts to become a leaner organization, GM began seeking a buyer for Saab’s operations in January. Last week, Saab Automobile AB announced that it had closed on the sale of certain Saab 9-3, current 9-5 and powertrain technology and tooling to Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. Ltd. (BAIC). GM expects today’s announcement to have no impact on the earlier sale.

As the company continues to reinvent itself, GM has been faced with some very difficult but necessary business decisions. The focus will remain on the four core brands – Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC – and several regional brands, including Opel / Vauxhall in Europe. This will enable the company to devote more engineering and marketing resources to each brand and model.

For now, General Motors still has the Saab brand, and is looking to unload it as soon as possible. Other companies looking to keep Sweden’s Auto Maker in The Netherlands include Renco Group and also Koenigsegg, who recently had the top notch before falling through. Anyone want to make a bid for Saab?

Via WorldCarFans

It’s a pretty intense way to cut down on a population, but I guess it’s not much different then hunting season on deer in North Jersey. Sweden is also not the only place to create biofuel from animal remains, sort of. In the US of A a company named ConocoPhillips has partnered with Tyson Chicken. Their purpose – to create a biofuel for heating (and possibly automobiles) out of left over chicken and pork fat.

Biofuels can be made from a variety of animal fats, even human fat! We hear Soilent Green Fuels is starting up next year. Though the idea of bunnies-turn-gasoline is a tummy churning thought, it’s quiet eco-friendly. The Velveteen Rabbit better run for cover.

from Scientific America via Inhabitat.com

GM’s European President Carl-Peter Forster said, “This contract is an important step in the journey to a potential deal.” He added that, “Saab’s great cars, its unique design, safety- and engine-technology, as well as its excellent brand image, combined with Koenigsegg Group’s unique combination of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, bode well for a successful future for the brand. We will continue to work with all parties to define the final details and ensure a fast closure of the deal, which we expect to take place in the next few months. The closure of the deal is contingent on the funding commitment from the European Investment Bank, guaranteed by the Swedish government.” Well now, doesn’t he seem enthusiastic about all of this!

Both new Saab owner Christian von Koenigsegg and Managing Director of Saab Jan Åke Jonssson (try saying those names 3-times fast) echoed Forster’s sentiments. The all new Saab 2010 9-3X will be the final vehicle released under a GM-Saab partnership, and Koenigsegg hopes the Swedish auto maker will take a new design angle on future concepts, while keeping the beauty and performance of Saab cars alive.

(photos: WorldCarFans)

Saab’s 9-5 will include three engine options (in Europe) – a turbocharged a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 160 hp, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 210 hp, and a 2.8-liter V6 with 300 hp. There will also be a diesel motor overseas, they love the D over there. How about a gas-electric hybrid or biofuel model in its future? Possibly – stay tuned.

Inside and out, 2010′s Saab features new, almost BMW/Mercedes inspired designs. The rear slopes down on a more opened angle than previous Saab cars, and the instrument panel lights up and jumps at you like a holographic screen. Harman Kardon audio system, keyless entry, and 8-inch Panasonic navigation system are also standard. Get ready to pay €35,000 UK for the car once it appears on dealer lots – no word yet on USA pricing.

Koenigsegg, no relation to Star Trek and Babylon 5 star Walter Koenig, is pronounced “Kein-ig-segg” – and is a fellow Swedish car manufacturer of high performance sports vehicles. I guess one look at the “Made From Jets” ad campaign from Saab and they were sold. Founded in 1994 by Christian von Koenigsegg, their intention was to produce world class sports cars. Koenigsegg is also active in development of plug-in electrical sports cars. They are currently working on a four-seat, two-door solar electric vehicle, the Quant. Koenigsegg holds patents for the “Rocket catalytic converter,” which “reduces backpressure and size while shortening light of time” (whatever that means). Forbes Magazine (in their March 2009 issue) chose the Koenigsegg CCXR, pictured below, as one of the ten most beautiful cars in history.

On June 11th, 2009, it was reported that Koenigsegg and a group of Norwegian investors had signed with Saab to take over the brand from GM – the sale is expected to close in September.  I guess they want to keep it “local” regardless the reason, we are relieved one of our favorite auto makers will survive the crushing blow to America’s Auto Industry.