Provocative Yet Practical
Between the challenges of a $500 million dollar loss this past year and a model-lineup announcement that includes the addition of a reworked Subaru Impreza and a Chevrolet Trailblazer-based SUV, Saab seems to be in perilous times.
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| General Motors unveiled the Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept on the eve of the Frankfurt Auto Show at the Bockenheimer Depot in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, September 8, 2003. (Photo: General Motors) |
Despite recent success with the new 9-3, it still is entirely possible that if the premium General Motors division doesn't shape up with regards to sales volumes, it could get the axe. As a classic marque, with customer satisfaction levels that see many an owner returning, this could be the unthinkable coming true.
Precious moments ticking away, Saab designers and engineers have come up with what might be the car to give the company a booster shot in the arm, getting the Swedish brand back on the road to good health.
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| Considering it will probably become the 9-3 wagon, this concept could easily pass as a production car. (Photo: General Motors) |
Upon first look, the 9-3 Sports-Hatch could pass as an everyday production car brushed with a bit of futuristic thinking. Considering the concept will most likely turn into a 9-3 wagon, this is no big surprise. Aside from the sci-fi angular lights the entire front end of the Sports-Hatch has been pulled from the production sports sedan.
Still, project stylist Taras Czornyj wanted to give the concept its own, unique look. Similar to the 'angel eyes' outer LED ring on BMW headlights, this 9-3 concept uses a warm yellow glow divided by silver "blades" to create a similar statement of individuality. The fog lights incorporate an equal dose of detail in their design; crafted from 120 individual 'white' LEDs they reportedly create unsurpassed visibility and brightness. The rounded trapezoidal grille with accompanying side slats has been slightly enlarged to enhance the trademark Saab image, while the one-piece grille and bumper segment follows the styling trend as seen on both the newest 9-3 and the 9-5.