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Not so sure... Posted by Larry West [Email] ![]() ![]() ![]() In Reply to: The Sonnet should be the retro car, FauxRealism, Wed, 5 May 2010 20:47:37 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I'm not so sure you want a 21st century Sonett to be the "retro car" in a 2016 (let's say...) Saab lineup.
But I do think that in an ideal Saab lineup, a "Sonett X" (yes, with the "X" indicating what it does today...) would definitely be a part of it. Rather than try to go "retro", let's let the designers make a 21st century Swedish two-seater. Take some design cues from the 94 AND 97, mix in a little EV-1, and a touch of Aero-X, make it mid-engine, perhaps, and maybe even one of those "folding metal origami" (thank you James May...) convertible tops.
The Sonett nameplate should be used on something that's forward-looking, not backward-looking...
My ideal lineup? Just for fun, it might go something like this:
9-5, in sedan & wagon versions.
9-3, also in sedan, wagon & "X", with the Convertible, also.
"Retro Saab" hearkening back to the Classic 900 hatch shape. Hatchback only. Probably based on a 9-3 floorpan, just to keep costs down, but must be given the Classic "Personality"
9-4, or whatever is needed to keep the SUV-afflicted coming through the showrooms.
Sonett two-seater, modern tech, including XWD, fastest/best handling/etc.
That's five models, with nine total body styles. An awful lot for a small carmaker like Saab. The most they ever did was seven body styles, and they had three other companies cranking out three of those body styles for them (9-3 Convertible, 9-2X & 9-7X)! Add the permutations of interior/exterior color and transmission (auto or row your own), and that's a heck of a logistics problem!
_______________________________________ Current: 2002 9-5 Aero Kombi Cosmic Blue 2000 9-5 SE sedan, Imola Red 1990 900S Rose Quartz, Auto Past: 1999 9-5 LPT Combi 1999 9-5 LPT sedan 2002 9-5 Arc 1990 900 5-speed 1986 900 turbo Convertible 1991 9000 turbo 1980 99 GLi 1986 900 turbo 1986 900 S 1991 900 turbo 1984 900 turbo 1976 99 GL
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