Comments on: Poll wrap – what should we call the Saab 9-3 replacement

By: Craig Kolb

Craig Kolb — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:08:00 +0000

You can’t rely on that type of poll due to self-selection bias. You need to run a proper market research survey where respondents falling within the target group (however defined) are selected by the research company using a random process.

By: Zachery Scott Friend

Zachery Scott Friend — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 04:38:00 +0000

Yes, perhaps when the brand regains its strength they can release the 9-3 Viggen once more, and they can forget about trying to make it an overpriced M3 fighter and give us back a fun, efficient, torque monster

By: Marc Lalumiere

Marc Lalumiere — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 23:48:00 +0000

Maybe the character (trim) should comes first.

Aero3
Aero4
Aero5

Viggen3
Viggen4
Viggen5

That’s it. Put an X or S at the end if you really want.
I know it sounds quirky.

But thats the essence of what I will look for in futur Saabs. And remembering your first look at the 2012 in the hotel room, Steven, you were not destabilized enough. And that scares me more than the name.

Maybe not enough back to the roots enough SAAB 37 would. (27, 37, 47 57?)

By: Anthony Woodruffe

Anthony Woodruffe — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:24:00 +0000

Personally I’d like to see the successor to the 9-3 get smaller and enter the sub-compact segment. it would be lighter, more agile, more efficient and be closer to the 99, which is where it and the 900 stems from. I’m not sure 99 has been mentioned so far and I’m sure fans would like the thought of a new 99 especially if SAAB were to add a stripped-out trim level EMS for people who want a non-fuss vehicle that drives like the DBs. I don’t see a problem dropping the hyphen on models.

By: Steven Wade

Steven Wade — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:52:00 +0000

Oooh, I like that…….

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:47:00 +0000

I’m one of those who voted for retaining the 9-3 name for this model, but within this range, I’d like to see a resurrection of an EMS model…more sport than Aero and a little less lux. That model could easily play on Saab’s rally heritage and could take on the WRX/STI and EVO.

By: Frank Wulfers

Frank Wulfers — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:29:00 +0000

Yes, it must be used consistently if it is used. Other manufacturers are using different names as well like BMW with X3 and X5, Audi with Q5 and Q7 and Volvo with their XC models.

By: Steven Wade

Steven Wade — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:12:00 +0000

I tend to think it still has some value to differentiate a certain type of vehicle IF it’s used consistently for one reason (which, personally, I’d select crossover vehicles). I can see the mental argument in the list you set out there, but I don’t think it leads to any material amount of confusion in the marketplace. I don’t think anyone’s ever come to me, for example, asking “what does the X stand for on these models” without actually being able to name all of them. So they know the models, the contention seems to be with the different application, which is seen as inconsistent. If we can make the application consistent, problem (kinda) solved.

By: Frank Wulfers

Frank Wulfers — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:01:00 +0000

The X has been used for:

XWD cars (Turbo X and 9-3X)
AWD cars (9-2X)
SUVs with AWD (9-7X)
Crossovers with FWD and XWD (9-4X)
Concept cars (Aero X)

Drop the X altogether, it has been misused.