Dawn of a new Saab.

[Asterisked Accolade]

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2012/8/2...-Deal-7710443/

Saab Returns: Spyker and Youngman Announce Mega Deal

Yes this is actually happening, at least on paper. As we all know, boutique sports car company Spyker bought Saab from General Motors in the hopes of reviving the struggling Swedish brand.Long story short, it didn't happen and Spyker is now suing GM for leaving Saab in such a sorry state of affairs. Before this, Spyker was looking for a partner to build Saabs but GM killed a potential deal with Chinese automaker Youngman out of concern of its platform technology becoming accessible to a Chinese brand.


Although it seemed that Spyker's efforts to revive Saab were as good as dead, today it's been announced by the automaker that they've just formed a new, yet unusual alliance with Youngman. The deal still needs to be finalized at Youngman's end, but if approved it will see that company invest €10 million in Spyker. A joint venture called Spyker P2P will then be created where Youngman will contribute an additional €25 million, giving it a 75 percent stake in the partnership. Spyker will have the remaining 25 percent and will then return the favor by supplying Youngman with the technology of its D8 Peking-to-Paris SUV concept along with Spyker trademarks.
Following all of this so far? This joint venture hopes to have the D8 SUV on sale by the end of 2014. If all goes well, then more models will come of the deal - and this is where Saab fans should find themselves pleased.A second joint venture was also announced, called Spyker Phoenix, in which Youngman will supply Spyker the rights to the Phoenix platform. If you recall, Saab debuted the Phoenix concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show as an all-wheel-drive gasoline-electric hybrid. Saab was previously developing this platform independently from GM for the next 9-3, but then sold it to Youngman last year for a much-needed cash infusion.

In return, Youngman will also handle production start-up costs for vehicles to be built on this platform, of which a range of models will be based on. These models are what could become new Saabs.Yes, this is a rather unusual, even radical joint venture, not to mention complicated. However, both companies seem intent on making this whole thing work.It is risky, but its success could not only see the Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris reach production (along with an increased output of other Spyker models), but also the return of Saab. Production could even take place in both Europe and China.

Youngman CEO Pang Qingnian stated that "With this agreement, many of our original intentions with the Saab brand will still take shape and we are excited to help Spyker further develop its vehicle model range with the SUV and vehicles based on Saab's Phoenix platform." Could this be the official return of Saab? We'll just have to wait and see to find out.

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit, i'm excited.

[CBR600RR]

meh......

[LivingLegend]

Interesting find! Not a bad looking concept at all. I find the rear end resembles a Mitsubishi Eclipse.

[dem00n]

Saab turbos were great cars, seeing one on the road was always exciting. Maybe they will do something like Volvo is with Polestar...

[ST185RC]

The back of that thing looks like it has herpes.

[LivingLegend]

Originally Posted by dem00n

Saab turbos were great cars, seeing one on the road was always exciting. Maybe they will do something like Volvo is with Polestar...

Werent the turbo Saab using subaru's engine?

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by LivingLegend

Werent the turbo Saab using subaru's engine?

The original 900 Turbos? I thought those flat 4 engine were built by Triumph for Saab? Funny, the engine are 2.0L like our cars but produced only about 140HP with the turbo.

[LivingLegend]

Originally Posted by dem00n

The original 900 Turbos? I thought those flat 4 engine were built by Triumph for Saab? Funny, the engine are 2.0L like our cars but produced only about 140HP with the turbo.

Oh you're right! I was thinking of the Saab 9-2 when you mention Saab turbo.

[nedmundo]

I really miss Saab, and I loved the 2001 9-5 Aero I drove for eight years, but I doubt I'd trust anything produced by this venture unless/until it develops a solid track record. Saabs were not exactly reliable before. I'd be happy to see the maque revived though, provided its cars had some of the spirit of the best Saabs.

[neutron256]

Yeah Saab owners were fanatics, but IF this happens it will almost certainly be Saab in name only. Does anyone really see a partnership with a Chineese company resulting in the same over engineering that Saab was famous for?

[Wolfking]

Originally Posted by Asterisked Accolade

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2012/8/2...-Deal-7710443/




I'm slightly embarrassed to admit, i'm excited.

LOL...that's funny! "excited" no intrigued, yes! It's has a very radical appearence..."we must embrace tomorrow to break the bonds of today!"
(that's mine BTW!)

[TuxedoCartman]

I'll admit I never used to give Saab's a second thought, much less a second glance. Only real impression I had of them was from a jackass in a newer one who wanted to race my JCW R53 MINI out in Colorado (spoiler alert: he lost. )

But a few weeks ago I saw a Top Gear episode where Jeremy and James both reminisced over the cars Saab had built, and their design philosophies that, unfortunately, got them into the financial trouble that led to their closing. After seeing that, I have a lot more appreciation for the brand, and am sad I never had the opportunity to own one.

So hearing they may come back... it's bittersweet. I would like to see the marque resurrected, but I seriously doubt the Chinese (read as: Sweat-Shop and Human Rights Violation Central) will go to the same lengths to over-engineer the remarkably safe and well crafted vehicles the originals were.

[wrxgoose]

i'm waiting to hear about Saab making a "High performance 7 cylinder engine"