Whatever happened to Saab?
**Ok, I’ll be honest: I never really lived for Saab. The kinda looks I could go for - quirky and just odd enough to be cool. Yet, the drive never q...
Whatever happened to Saab?
Ok, I’ll be honest: I never really lived for Saab. The kinda looks I could go for - quirky and just odd enough to be cool. Yet, the drive never quite felt like it lived up to the luxury aspirations they were selling. Still, I’m always for the underdog and I think that Saab was done wrong, but let’s not point fingers. What was that about GM? Major side-eye.
Who was Saab and what happened to them?
Saab was founded in Sweden in 1945 by Saab AB, an aerospace company. Then through the various marriages, divorces, and custody battles - including a stint under Spyker Cars - Saab ended up under National Electric Vehicle Sweden or NEVS. Fate would have it though, that NEVS lost the rights to produce cars under the Saab name, which was retained by Saab Aerospace. Saab Automobile went defunct in 2011, and a few examples are now museum pieces in Sweden. The spiritual descendants, however, were reborn as all-electric vehicles in 2014, under the NEVS moniker based on the Saab 9-3.
Before the ‘saabotage’ of this unique marque, Saab brought us:
1970 - The first production car with headlight washers and wipers 1976 - The first production car turbo engine with a wastegate to control boost 1978 - The first passenger car compartment pollen air filter 1991 - The first manufacturer to offer CFC-free AC
So when you see a fine example of a Saab - any Saab - take a minute to respect what Sweden gave us. Volvo, IKEA, Robyn, and Saab. Exhibit A: this Saab 9-5 Aero. I saw this on my morning run, while minding my own business counting the sheer number of Model 3s infiltrating my neighborhood and had to have a paparazzi moment. A pristine condition example of a GM-era designed Saab.
Standard features on a top trim 2010 thru 2012 model year U.S. spec Saab 9-5 Aero like this one included:
Bi-xenon SmartBeam headlights Sport-tuned suspension with Real-Time Damping Dark titanium accent interior trim Leather-trimmed sport seats Color central infotainment display Aluminum sport pedals 18in 15-spoke alloy ‘Rotor’ wheels
Have you ever driven in a Saab?
- JustCleo
#ModernChassis #Saab #GM #SpykerCars #NEVS #Sweden #Robyn #Volvo #IKEA #Tesla
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