No, what will matter most to would-be buyers is the lower base price. Yes, in order to be more competitive Saab has dropped the price of entry from $28,950 plus $1,130 freight and pre-delivery inspection for a 2005 Linear to $25,900 including freight and pdi for the 2006 model. That's a savings of $4,180 over last year's car, which should be good enough to warrant some traffic in Saab's Canadian showrooms.
More power, better specs, lower price? You can really have your cake and eat it too.
Specifications:
Price Range (base MSRP): $25,900
Body Type: 5-door wagon
Layout: front engine, AWD
Base Engine: 173 hp, 166 lb-ft of torque, 2.5L, 16-valve, SOHC H-4
Opt Engine: 230 hp, 235 lb-ft of torque, 2.5L, 16-valve, DOHC turbocharged H-4
Transmission: 5-spd manual (optional 4-spd auto with manual mode)
Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS and EBD
Cargo Cap (seats up/folded): 790 / 1,744 (27.9 / 61.6 cu ft)
Curb Weight (min - max): 1, 393 - 1,463 kg (3,070 - 3,225 lbs)
Fuel Economy (estimated combined city/hwy): 7.3 - 8.8 L/100 km (27 - 32 mpg)
Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive - 60/100,000 powertrain
Direct Competitors: Audi A3 Sportcross / A4 Avant, BMW 3-Series Touring, Jaguar X-Type Wagon, Volkswagen Jetta Wagon, Volvo V50
Web Site: www.gmcanada.com