Saab press release - Apr 13, 2007
Saab 60th anniversary press coverage
Article on the Chicago Sun-Times website
Sharing The Big Six-Oh With Saab – Chicago Sun-Times
By Camilo Alfaro, April 13, 2007
There I was, back in Cali, at the new and chic beachfront Tower 23 Hotel in beautiful San Diego, to celebrate Saab's 60th anniversary with a very special guest. My peers had told me that we would be meeting a racing legend but didn't know exactly who it was. I get very excited to meet legendary drivers that took classic cars to the limit during days when ABS could be short for "Another Beer Sir."
After an easy check-in, I was eager to attend the big "6-0" party in the hotels main restaurant, JRDN. Walking through the rainbow-colored wave wall of the restaurant, I saw an older 6-foot-plus man wearing a Saab embroidered shirt. There he was, the first superstar in the World of Rallying, Eric Carlsson, aka "Mr. Saab." Carlsson raced a 1959 Saab 93-B that was powered by a modified longitudinally two-stroke engine that produced 65 horsepower. He was the champion, a world famous rally car winner, and a legacy just like Mario Andretti. Carlsson showed everyone the world class racing qualities of a Saab, winning rally’s all over the world, including the infamous Rallye Monte-Carlo several times.
At this time, Jay Spenchian, general manager of Saab, and Carlsson greeted the journalists and introduced the 60th Anniversary Edition option available for the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, 9-3 Convertible and the 9-3 SportCombi (wagon), all with the 2.0-liter four cylinder engine producing 210 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The 9-5 Aero Sedan, and 9-5 SportCombi also are offered with the special package and have the 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo engine that produces 260 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
Nothing makes me hungrier than new model introductions, so I went ahead and ordered servings of what I like to call Californian cuisine, which seems to be a bit tastier and healthier than other parts of the country. I would recommend the jumbo lump crab cakes, and for dinner, the ahi tuna with Chinese-style firecracker rice and lemongrass ginger sauce. It was awesome! I practically had to roll myself out of the restaurant the food was so good.
As we all know, or if you don't know, these models rock. I have always had a soft spot for Scandinavian design, back to the days of the 900. I could see why Saab picked this awesome hotel with modern rooms with a direct view of Crystal Pier and the beach, to match the Saab driver that is conscious of safety, and great design.
The Anniversary Editions come with a special Ice Blue metallic exterior color with black leather interior with special stitching and dark walnut interior trim. The seats are “SAAB” embroidered. The Anniversary Editions also have new 17-inch wheels. Unfortunately there aren't any 60th Anniversary model badges/logos on the car, which I though would have given them a special touch.
The 9-3 Anniversary models include premium audio featuring XM, six-disc CD changer, dual power seats, and front fog lamps. The sedan and the convertible also get a rear deck lid spoiler.
The 9-5 Aero sedan and SportCombi get the Visibility package: Saab parking assistance, rain-sensing wipers and xenon lights. The SportCombi models also get chromed roof rails.
The Anniversary Edition is available as an option on the 9-3 models for an additional $1,825 (MSRP $2,823), and on the 9-5 models as a $1,595 option (MSRP $2,245). These are considerable savings for the consumer.
It is a vigorous and competitive automotive world these days, especially in the categories that these cars compete, but I feel that the Saab model line remains true to the basics, with cars that don't have do-it all computers, and don't have push-button starting systems. They remain true to what a Saab car is, with true Scandinavian design, high performance eco-friendly engines and world-class handling. But in this competitive automotive world this just might not be enough.
That evening I fell asleep easily due to an extra comfortable bed (I swear I have never slept in a more comfortable bed), and dreams of checkered flags and of world rally race car champion Camilo Alfaro taking on Ferrari's in the 60th Anniversary 9-3.
As always, these dreams end too quick, and the alarm provided a reality check, so I got up to drive the 60th Anniversary models parked in front of the hotel. Still with the rally car dream floating in my head, I jumped in the 9-3 sedan. Inside we find the standard 9-3 layout, with the ignition in the middle console.
“The reason the key is in the center console is because the cars are derived from airplanes,” explained Spenchian.
Driving through the San Ysidro Mountains, the 9-3 is nicely balanced, and doesn't seem shy to take on aggressive curves.
Arriving at a glider airport, I saw an array of vintage Saab's from the GM heritage museum waiting for us to start them up just one more time, and a joyous 78-year-old Carlsson already pushing the limits on the air field tarmac in his red 1959 93B. The entire Saab production line was present.
I started out in the first Saab, the 1952 Saab 92, so that I could further understand the evolution of Saab cars. Developed by a team of 16 Saab aircraft engineers, and designed by Sixten Sason, it is said that the green paint was used due to a surplus of army paint. The 92 is powered by a two-cylinder two-stroke engine producing 25 horsepower. This was the first time I had ever driven a vintage car with the manual shifter located on the steering column. It was produced from 1949 to 1956.
Next in line we have 1956 Sonett “Super Sport.” It was originally named after the Swedish expression “sa natt,” which means “so neat.” It is powered by a three-cylinder two-stroke 58 horsepower engine. It is a right hand drive car with the transmission lever located on the lower right doorsill. This is one of six ever produced, with chassis No. 2 finished in a period orange. The car was originally sold to Swedish Saab distributor Philipson, and then brought back to the states by Bob Sinclair, former president of Saab USA. Driving this car was an unbelievable experience, especially with Sinclair riding shotgun. He urged me to step on it and not be afraid to let the engine breath. The power was linear and the exhaust screamed through the open top.
The model where I started to see the most Saab evolution was the 1960 Saab 93F GT 750. The interior expresses a lot of what we used to see in the 900s. The model was not just sporty, but also luxurious, with chrome accents throughout the car. It is powered by a three-cylinder two-stroke engine producing 45 horsepower and was built from 1958 through 1960.
Carlsson's model came next, and yes, I drove shotgun with him tearing up the 1960 Saab 96 rally car through the tarmac. He must have hit 50 mph at which time he looked at me and said, “Let’s have some fun!” It was unbelievable how well he drove, and how happy he felt to be in his world champion racecar. I certainly shared his happiness.
The model that grabbed my attention the most was the 1970 Sonett III. It reminded me of a 1976 Lancia Scorpion. The shape was sporty and elegant, something a Swedish James Bond should drive. Powered by a V-4 engine producing 68 horsepower, it is distinguishable by a bulge on the hood. Inside the Sonett III was tight. It would be great if Saab could bring back a Sonett model.
After riding in the Sonett III, I jumped into the 1970 Saab 99. Here you can see the completed evolution of the Saab line. The 99 is a primal version of the Saab 900. It is completely drivable and I actually saw one or two in the San Diego area while driving to the event. They also had a 1978 Saab 99 Turbo. The layout was very 1970s, and I would love to have one as an everyday driver.
I also had the opportunity to drive more recent cars like the 1986 900 Turbo convertible, 1987 Saab 9000 turbo, 1990 900 SPG (didn't we all want to drive that car) and a 1995 900 SE.
The evolution of Saab cars seems so linear, especially when starting out in the 92 and finishing in the 900. Just like the evolution of the Porsche 356 to today's 911,the 9-3 model has a heritage that goes way back, and is seen in each car. It is even evident how similar the 9-5 is to the 9000 series and its close ties to the earlier vintage cars.
The experience of driving the entire Saab product line was unbelievable, and the Anniversary Editions are great. The 9-3 and the 9-5 are fantastic cars, but I am curious to see how Saab is going to handle this extremely fiercely competitive atmosphere it is currently in and only hope that they will come out on top.
