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National

Saab-Spyker chief wants new retro Saab 92

Published: 8 Apr 10 08:07 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/25958/20100408/

Saab Automobile's new chairperson, Victor Muller, wants the Swedish firm to prioritize the development of a new version of the classic Saab 92 in a retro design mirroring similar moves by Fiat, with its 500, and the Volkswagen Beetle.

The trip down memory lane could attract new devotees to the brand, Muller claimed at a car show in New York in an interview with the US website motortrend.com.

The new Saab 92, which according to Muller will probably be given the name Saab 9-2, is not currently part of the firm's business model. Muller confirmed that the firm has to start earning money before the project could become a reality, but he added that it is something of a personal dream for him.

"The Saab 92 is definitely the missing link in the portfolio of Saab cars. And this is clearly what we want to bring to the market, really soon," Muller told the website.

The Saab 92 was the firm's first car model and was launched in 1947. The aerodynamic car, with an engine that was considered by some to sound like a coffee percolator, went into mass production in 1949.

All early Saab 92's were painted racing green, which according to rumour was because the firm had a surplus of green paint from wartime production of aircraft.

The last Saab 92, of a total of 20,128 vehicles, was manufactured in early 1957.

TT/Peter Vinthagen Simpson
news@thelocal.se

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#1
09:58 April 8, 2010 by saar
Who cares about SAAB 92? SAAB 92 wasn't as popular as FIAT500 or VW Beetle.
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#2
10:12 April 8, 2010 by planethero
Yay!

Surfing the retro wave 18 years late.

Genius.

But dont worry "firm has to start earning money before the project could become a reality".

Phew, panic over.
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#3
11:10 April 8, 2010 by Nemesis
Question, would it sell?

Retro can be a good marketing tool, but I am not sure about SAAB doing this so soon just after a takeover.

SAAB needs innovation, not to look backwards.
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#4
11:19 April 8, 2010 by pjtaipale
I had a Saab 96 - successor of the Saab 93 which in turn was the successor of Saab 92, one of the last that were manufactured in Uusikaupunki as of 1978, and I liked the visual looks. If there were a small car - say, Opel Corsa class - with the looks of a 92 or 96 and modern engine technology, I don't think that would be a bad idea. Small cars are in fashion as fuel prices go up, and Saab's offerings have been fairly large, so in any case, if Saab is ever going to have new models designed, that's the direction. Sure, the retro wave went years ago, but you can still draw on the heritage of the company.

The 96 turned like a train, accelerated like a steamboat, the cabin felt like an airplane, it parked into curb about as conveniently as a space shuttle, but it was registered as a car. And it was quite loveable.
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#5
14:11 April 8, 2010 by LailaC1
I'd love one - great idea!
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#6
15:23 April 8, 2010 by millionmileman
For any none believers just link to these beautiful designs that could come from Trollhattan. Even though the original 92 was low volume a new version with the latest automotive technology is what Sweden needs to keep ahead of the world. Not only will the engineering be sound under the new management, but the eye appealing beauty will sell cars.

http://www.automotorsport.se/news/20604/saab-92-enligt-ed-gray--något-för-muller/
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#7
15:42 April 8, 2010 by Renfeh Hguh
a retro car?

Just what a car company that has an old and outdated product range needs.... NOT!

Jaguar tried that and look where it got them.

The time for Saab to introduce a retro fashion statement is when the have a successful product range and they have a bit of cash to splash.
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#8
16:09 April 8, 2010 by Ben Mowbray
This is exactly what SAAB needs: a small car. For Europeans, not Americans. Retro model aside, I welcome the change.

Besides, it would be Swedish designed this time around, without the Yanks fudging things up trying to make SAAB more americanised (read: huge, fuel-guzzling beasts for countries where petrol isn't approaching the 14:-/l mark).
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#9
16:27 April 8, 2010 by Renfeh Hguh
The Swedish designers will be too stoned to work from their visits to the new dutch HQ. So like the Lada, it will be designed and built by Vodka soaked Russians.

Iw ill be looking out for th2 "new" 92, and running for safety until it is off in the distance, if it gets that far, that is.
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#10
17:46 April 8, 2010 by GLO
Great Idea... need to market research the idea... but good ideas start with thinking outside the box... hope it works for Sweden and Saab...Make it inexpensive and the World will buy...
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#11
20:01 April 8, 2010 by d_s
Mmm-mm, I recently tried out the Mini Cooper S, and I must say it was a lot better than I expected. BMW has really taken it to the next level - an incredible fun drive. If done right, with cutting-edge tech and most importantly, design, I think success is inevitable. Saab has just that brandwise.

I wanted the mini immediately, thats for sure. I just love the car industry nowadays, it just keeps getting better and better, no?
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#12
23:32 April 8, 2010 by repat_xpat
The 92 sucked compared to the American cars made in that era. There is a good reason why it didn't sell. However, as many have commented here, SAAB needs a good small car. The 92 does stink of overdone SAAB style, something I don't like but others do. It could work.

Some funny comments above, I especially like Hguh's input.

Mr. Mowbay, perhaps you didn't know that the majority of SAABs are purchased by yanks. You should see past your anti-American bias and look at the data.
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#13
17:26 April 9, 2010 by harrylatour
Well I think that a 92 retro is a great idea,,,you only have to look at the british Mini and the Italian Fiat 500 to see how that idea works out,expand on the ''look'' and make the chassis and engines really cutting edge,,and don't forget a ''plug in'' option with a 150Km range and I think it would work,One of our workmates HAS an original 92 and when he brings it to work in the summer there are always people clustered round it and the brand new Audis and Mercs in the carpark do not get even a glance!! And don't a lot of apartment car spaces in Sweden already HAVE electric power sockets for the winter,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Harrl Latour
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#14
18:51 April 9, 2010 by Greg in Canada
It's good marketing. Retro minis, VW bugs, Mustangs, Camaros, Dodge Chargers have all been big sellers in North America. My brother had an original 1969 Mini-Cooper S and when the retro came out he rushed out to buy it.

I'd love to see Volvo do a retro P1800. Always liked Roger Moore driving that car in "The Saint"..
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#15
19:19 April 9, 2010 by munched
Retro sells big-time. The 92 had a respectable rally and hillclimb carreer and if it fairs as well as the new Cooper, it should do ok. MG missed the boat because their MGF had nothing in common with the previous MG models. Bang out a new MGB or MGA and you'll really have something but for god's sake, not with Lucas electtrics..
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#16
20:57 April 9, 2010 by Greg in Canada
"Bang out a new MGB or MGA and you'll really have something but for god's sake, not with Lucas electtrics.. "

LOL!! I owned a lot of MG's and Triumphs in the day and remember Lucas electrics all too well.

You've heard the old joke - Why do the British drink their beer warm? Because they have Lucas refridgerators. :-)

Would love to see a modern retro version of my old MGB, Triumph Spitfire or GT6.
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#17
21:20 April 9, 2010 by Scotsaab
Great news. The 92 was very much a "first step" family car for Saab that went to be a global success as the 95 and 96. It put Saab on the map in rallying in the hands Eric Carlsson.

Like MINI, like Fiat 500 this return to a retro car with an inconic name and past might be what the marque needs - so long as it retains practicality.
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#18
04:28 April 10, 2010 by Jeff Sellegren
I'd buy one in a blink. Simple.
Report abuse »
#19
12:13 April 10, 2010 by americanska
It's too bad the government taxes everyone's money away and adds massive fuel taxes. People here could afford a heavier, safer, roomy car and afford to drive it otherwise.

It would be one thing if the original car was any good. Then maybe they could make it work. Like the new Chevy Camaros, Dodge Chargers and Ford Mustangs.

Volvo should try it with the P1800! not to say it's as cool as the three above, but it would be interesting to see where they could go with it.
Report abuse »
#20
01:26 April 20, 2010 by tchile
It never hurts to haul one out of "the greatest hits" collection. If ABBA can do it with "Mamma Mia", who is to say it would not work for Saab?

I, too, would have one of these in a minute. It saddens me to think the last best examples of this design will only reside in a big room in Trollhattan.

A 1969 Saab 96 V4 was my first car, and I loved it. If you were to apply 21st century technology to the design (say, a turbo-4, a better manual transmission, and improved tires and suspension-goodies) the car would be a slam-dunk winner...even here in the U.S.

Such a car would be a nice, distinctive break from all the Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas you see on the road here on the West Coast. Saab would have to go back to the dealers who know its product to make it successful here in the U.S. GM dealers just killed the brand here.

This model had aerodynamics before they became popular, and front-wheel drive when it was still a novelty. I've never had a car that was any better in the snow, nor one that generated as many smiles.
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#21
20:18 April 20, 2010 by Coalbanks
Some merit to the idea. Too bad SAAB didn't do it 20 years ago when Baby-boomers had the $ to buy. SAAB might have been successful. Oh, now I'm just being silly!
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#22
21:52 June 25, 2010 by slimchance
Great idea! Have been waiting for something like this for years, but I think it should be a retro 96 with its famous front grill. I owned 2 back in the 70's. with front wheel drive, free wheel drive and design, it was way ahead of it's time, and great fun to drive. When they came out with new larger models, thats when I went for something else. I've been looking for a used 96 but now I'll wait and see if a retro that I like comes out. Just don't modernize it too much. It has such class as it was!
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