IMPORTANT NEWS: National Electric Vehicle Sweden has agreed to buy the assets of Saab Automobile and the sale is expected to be finalized during the summer.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

TheDetroitBureau on the next Saab 9-3

The TheDetroitBureau.com has done a nice summary of the upcoming Saab 9-3 replacement. It's a nice read, though not much news to the Saab fanatic. But worth noting is the following paragraphs:

The new system will use the current Saab V6 to drive the front wheels of the new 9-3.

This is the first time we're told that Saab will still use GM engines in the next generation Saab cars. But I am a bit doubtful about this new piece of information. My tip is that there won't be any V6 for the next 9-3, and that the engines will be supplied by others than GM. BMW has already agreed to supply inline 4 1.6 litre twin scroll turbo engines.

TheDetroitBureau also gives us some insight into the electric rear hybrid system: 


The system also will offer torque vectoring, directing power to help steer the car through corners, whether on slick roads or during aggressive driving maneuvers.
Now undergoing testing in Sweden, the system is able to help minimize the “rebound” effect that occurs when a car starts to skid then suddenly lurches in the opposite direction, explained Peter Dorrich, who serves as vehicle chief engineer on various Saab product programs. 

We've heard about torque vectoring before, and it's nice to get some knowledge about how this feature will improve the driving experience.

Only one and a half years to go and the next Saab 9-3 will be here! :)