Currently reading: Saab 9-5 and 9-3 in China

BAIC's Beijing Auto Works (BAW) division to unveil C71 Concept

This is the reworked Saab 9-5 and Saab 9-3, the rights to which were bought by Chinese car maker BAIC last year.

The cars, which will be sold through BAIC's Beijing Auto Works (BAW) division, were unveiled at Friday's Beijing motor show, and is billed as the C71 Concept.

See the BAW C71 concept picture

The C71 is based on the 9-5 and has been launched as electric concept car, which uses a drop in battery that can be replaced in around two minutes. It has a claimed 93 mile range, 110kW and 188lb ft of power.

The C60 is a more straightforward reworking of the 9-3 and will go on sale imminently.

BAIC paid $200 million (£130m) to GM for the previous generation Saab 9-5 platform, the pre-2006 Saab 9-3 platform, a third mystery platform, two engines and two transmissions.

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realdriver 22 April 2010

Re: Old Saab 9-5 resurfaces in China

WooDz wrote:
the 159 platform is essentially the same architecture the current 9-3 is riding on;which are unlike the original GM epsilon platform.

I remember that there was a platform that was being developped for the 9-5 (and 9-3 too ?) together with Alfa Romeo. The current 9-3 dates back to 2002 and I believe is significantly different to the one that the 159 is using. Only Alfa is using this platform. Maybe the Fiat Croma is also based on this (?).

WooDz 22 April 2010

Re: Old Saab 9-5 resurfaces in China

All new 9-3 is now in Phase 3 as far as I've heard so I'd guess we may just see it at either IAA Frankfurt 2011 or Geneva 2012.

HiltonH 22 April 2010

Re: Old Saab 9-5 resurfaces in China

WooDz wrote:
Anyone else seen the the c60 version. it looks more SAAB than a SAAB.
I think this is the re-worked 2003 9-3, which Beijing also bought the rights for. I hope Saab has got the new-gen 9-3 well on the way...