One month later
The group of investors reconvenes once again in the same secret boardroom in Northern Europe. They’ve all had a chance to get up close and personal with each of the selected proposals and, with the help of the engineering staff, they’ve all put together some notes. Today they decide what direction the Saab relaunch will take.
These cars will be compared in how appropriate the designs and engineering are for the 2022 launch, and then of course how the whole package can work or not for the future of Saab.
@Aaron.W - Saab 93 by Valentino Designs
First on the block is the Saab 93 by Valentino Designs. The first point of discussion is the design. As a whole package the 93 certainly looks like a 2022 Saab might, but a closer inspection reveals some flaws. The front splitter, huge side vents, and prominent rear diffuser and exhausts all give the car a sort of boy racer high performance aura. While it wouldn’t be unexpected for Saab to offer a sport level trim to the car, these elements are quite brash and not fitting for a Swedish premium sedan. Otherwise, the angry aura the fascia offers, the full width tail light, and angular lines complementing a generally curvy design are good choices for Saab. The sedan layout is also quite conventional and possibly the most conventional aspect of the design.
Moving onto the engineering, the big issue is the glued aluminium chassis. That is not fitting for a mass produced premium sedan at all. It’s made even more unusual when the rest of the car is perfectly engineered and refined as a premium sedan with a hint of performance. This is not the kind of thing that can be properly produced at the required level nor is it possible to reserve it for a lower volume high end trim. On the plus side, the full aluminium construction would resist corrosion and when paired with AWD this could work as a great winter car.
The final verdict is the that 93 is very close but not quite right. The styling is attractive and cohesive and would bring attention to the brand, but it’s also just too brash for the Saab image. Paired with the glued aluminium chassis, the mass market appeal is gone if only because large scale production would face some issues. While a solid proposal, it is not the car that will relaunch Saab.
@Sky-High - Saab ES
The next car to face discussion is the Saab ES, once again starting with the design. The design for this one is certainly refined and attractive for what it is. It carries the design elements of a Saab so there’s no issue in that regard. Where it falls flat is that it seems too much like a committee design. There’s none of Saab’s historic quirkiness or anything to have it stand out from the premium liftback sedan market. This is a design that will not get a second look and does nothing to stand apart from the competition. This anonymity is something that generally left car designs in the previous decade and there’s no indication that it will be the direction to take for 2022.
In terms of the engineering, the ES is mostly conventional and what the investors are looking for. The aluminium bodywork will be excellent for avoid rust while the galvanized chassis should hold up for a long time. The AWD is fitting for winter driving and something that can easily be removed for lower trims. Where the discontent arises for this car is the strange transverse inline-6 engine that isn’t close to anything Saab’s done before while also small enough that it should have been an inline-4 instead, or maybe even an inline-5. As it is there’s limited possibilities of lower trims with such a premium engine. The other negative point is the safety features being a little too basic for what customers will want by 2022.
The consensus for the ES is that it isn’t quite right just like the 93 before it. The styling is attractive and cohesive but also too anonymous, especially for relaunching a whole brand. On top of that, the inline-6 engine is just not what makes sense for a Saab. The ES is a generally solid proposal, but it’s too conventional where it should be quirky and too quirky where it should be conventional and as such it will not be chosen for the relaunch.
@Arn38fr - Saab 900 Turbo by Decarlis
The Saab 900 Turbo is the next car up for the investors to discuss. The design is very much classic Saab, starting with a somewhat stumpy liftback sedan body. All the Saab design elements are there, quirks and all, so it’s all good when looking at it in theory. Actually looking at the car reveals something a little different. While the investors agreed to consider this car based on these points, where the design falls a little flat is that it’s too close to Saab’s styling from a decade earlier. It looks a little dated currently and will look more dated by 2022. Also of note is that while all the elements are there, their placement and proportioning is rather odd, so there’s the worry that it will get panned by the public for not being attractive enough. So it looks like a Saab but not a modern or attractive enough Saab.
Taking a look at the engineering of the 900 Turbo comes next, and it’s more attractive in that regard. The car is well equipped and using all the modern features that should be expected from a premium sedan in the near future. While it is FWD, it should be possible to give it AWD for different trim levels, and the partial aluminium body and AHS steel chassis should allow it to avoid rust for many years. The only point of concern is that the car might be a little underpowered, as the acceleration time is pretty slow and would not be improved with the added weight of AWD. The fuel economy is also suffering a little, so while it is good it’s not quite as good as some of the other proposals.
The verdict for the 900 Turbo is that it’s almost there but not quite. While the car looks like a Saab the design too dated and not attractive enough to entice potential buyers, even if the car would stand out in some way. While the car is generally well engineered and certainly well equipped, the slow acceleration would not fare well in the premium segment and there isn’t much wiggle room to improve it as the fuel economy isn’t good enough to be sacrificed a little. The 900 Turbo will not be the car to relaunch Saab.
@titleguy1 - Saab 9-5 Turbo4
Moving onto the last half of the cars, the investors are ready to discuss the Saab 9-5 Turbo4. The styling for this is spot on. While the quirkiness is very limited here, the design is so recognisably Saab and fits as a direct continuation of the designs from a decade ago. The liftback sedan is truly Saab and something that holds appeal in the market. The investors don’t have much to say on the design other than they approve of it.
The engineering of the 9-5 Turbo4 is also fitting for Saab and for surviving those Swedish winters. The aluminium body and AHS steel chassis will easily resist corrosion while the AWD is a nice bonus for winter handling and can easily be removed for lower spec trims. What is unusual is the absence of some kind of differential, but the investors suppose it could be reserved for a sport trim. The equipment offered is on par with what they expect the market to demand by 2022 and the fuel economy is quite good, even if not stellar like some of the other proposals.
The investors unanimously agree that this car could be used to relaunch Saab. The styling and engineering are on point for the brand and should be immediately recognisable by the buying public as well as enticing enough to sell well. As such, this car stands a chance of being chosen for the relaunch.
@ST1Letho - Saab 10-4 by HOL
The next to last proposal is the Saab 10-4 by HOL. Starting with the design as they have done before, this one gets nods of approval. The design is certainly more angular than any of the others but it stills keeps the Saab look. What is worthy of a closer look is the amount of detail hidden away in it, enough that every close look reveals something new. The familiar liftback sedan layout is used here as well, so that’s something the investors approve of. While looking fitting for a 2022 model and still retaining the Saab elements, this design is more disconnected from the brand’s past. This is something the investors will need to consider, as a move in a new direction can be both good or bad for a relaunch.
Taking a look at the engineering of the 10-4 is where some of the praise stops. This car is heavy by using a mix of corrosion resistant and galvanised steel, so while it will hold up to rust it’s not quite the most fitting for a Saab, especially with that aircraft heritage. This extra weight does not dampen the fuel economy or acceleration, so it isn’t a serious concern, especially with the fuel economy being excellent for the segment. What is a serious concern is the safety features. They’re rather outclassed even currently and will be even more so by 2022, so that’s something that would require major changes before production. The dual clutch transmission is also quite sporty and not really the best thing to adapt between various trims.
The 10-4 is a car with a cutting edge design vision for Saab but less than cutting edge engineering and equipment levels. It could be an enticing car with some work done to it, but that seems a bit of a moot point when there’s at least one other proposal that’s ready to go without any changed. With that, the 10-4 will not be used by the new Saab.
@Hshan - Saab 900 Griffin Turbo4
At long last, the final proposal is up to the table, the Saab 900 Griffin Turbo4. Like most of the other proposals that got a close look, this is a sleek liftback sedan that harks back to Saab’s heritage. As a whole the styling fits as an evolution of Saab and even offers some quirks that are fitting for the brand, and this remains true upon closer inspection as well. There’s a certain aircraft theme throughout that, while subtle, fits the brand’s heritage and some of the older cars. It’s a bold move but one that can work to relaunch Saab in a recognisable manner while also stepping away a little from the old company. There is no doubt that this is a design that will appeal to buyers and help drive up sales.
The engineering of the 900 Griffin Turbo4 is mostly conventional except for the transmission and chassis. The dual clutch is rather sporty and wouldn’t work on all possible trim levels. As for the chassis, it’s a bold yet functional direction, using a partially space frame aluminium design with aluminium bodywork. While the FWD isn’t the best for winter and could potentially be adapted to AWD for some trims, the full aluminium construction is fitting for a Saab and would make it through Swedish winters without any risk of corrosion. The equipment levels offered here are all good and would work to entice buyers to choose Saab.
The 900 Griffin Turbo4 is a solid proposal for a new Saab both in styling and engineering. It should draw people into showrooms and stand out on the road and both those are important for the relaunch. However, the investors realise that there are some changes that would need to be made to make this the best proposal for the brand. As such, the 900 Griffin Turbo4 will also not be used for the relaunch.
What could have been a hard decision for the group of investors around the table turned out to be pretty easy in the end. The only proposal to achieve what they wanted without any compromises is the Saab 9-5 Turbo4. As the meeting adjourns, plans are set into motion for announcing the return of Saab while unveiling this car.
Congratulations to @titleguy1 for winning CSC28!
Here are the finalist rankings:
- @titleguy1
- @Hshan
- @ST1Letho
- @Aaron.W
- @Sky-High
- @Arn38fr
Fortunately I have the first entry already reviewed. Also please post an ad here first, and then I’ll contact you in PM for the car - that’s due to - I guess persisting - problem with sending me messages without prior conversation.
