The 9-3 has been modestly updated inside and out in order to stand out from the pre-bankruptcy model but the two cars will share an undeniable family resemblance. NEVS has confirmed the new 9-3 will be powered by a transversally-mounted, gasoline-burning turbocharged four-cylinder engine borrowed from the parts bin of another automaker. Front-wheel drive will be standard, and all-wheel drive might be offered as an option.
Although the new 9-3 will initially launch as a four-door sedan, NEVS has not ruled out resuming production of the convertible and station wagon variants several months after the sedan’s launch. Both the sedan and the station wagon variants of the larger 9-5 model appear to be dead for good.
Production will be initially low because the firm needs to make sure that there are no flaws in the production process, a tedious chain of events that includes everything from sourcing parts from suppliers, building the car and shipping it to dealers. The bulk of 2014 9-3s will go to countries across Europe and Swedish media outlets are reporting the Chinese city of Qingdao has recently placed a very large order, but Saab is unlikely to return to U.S. shores in the near future.
A full set of details about the 2014 Saab 9-3 will emerge next Monday.
Details are nearly non-existent, but NEVS says it is still on-track to launch a Saab-badged electric car next spring.
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