Topic: Hatchback are hot and Saab does not have one??

[kard00d]

I'm slow, so this just dawned on me... wasn't it sort of their thing, but now they're missing out??

Actually Honda made the same bonehead move when they killed the Civic hatch, and not long after the Protege5 came along and revived the segment somewhat... but at least they're making up for it with the Fit..

[tpl]

All SAABs used to be hatches IIRC

[gta_driver]

The Saab 9-1 will be coming next fall as a 2010 model. Its based on the GM delta platform which will underpin the next generation Opel Astra. It will carry a lot of the elements of the Saab aero x design study that hit the car show circuit a couple of years ago. It will likely also be sold in a "volt" version sometime in late 2010.

[Brig]

(Noobs are fun.  Noobs are fun.  Noobs are fun.) 

[vdk]

 

I hate Honda for not bringing over the Euro Civic hatch... 

[UmroAyyar]

Whats his name, where is he? Mr. Hondasalesguy posted stats that the Civic hatchback was discontinued because the sales tanked compared to the sedan/coupe.

[dr_spock]

Saab still has station wagons.  Not quite a hatchback but close enough for practicality. 

 

[initial_D]

There is still the Mazda3 Speed, WRX265 5 door, Volvo C30, Mini Cooper S, ...

[Mitlov]

The Saab 9-1 will be coming next fall as a 2010 model. Its based on the GM delta platform which will underpin the next generation Opel Astra. It will carry a lot of the elements of the Saab aero x design study that hit the car show circuit a couple of years ago. It will likely also be sold in a "volt" version sometime in late 2010.

That was the original plan.  Now the plan is that the 9-3 will downsize and be Astra-based, and the 9-1 will be Corsa-based (Mini Cooper sized).  Here's the concept for the 9-1, the "Saab 9-X" (the Aero X was a supercar):





I'm hoping that the new 9-3 has a more Saab-ish silhouette to the hatch (less efficient use of space, but distinctive for the brand), and it might if it platform-shares with the Astra.

[Wolfe]

I hate Honda for not bringing over the Euro Civic hatch... 

Whats his name, where is he? Mr. Hondasalesguy posted stats that the Civic hatchback was discontinued because the sales tanked compared to the sedan/coupe.

Perhaps but I think the current Euro Civic would have worked well as an Acura CSX rather than the tarted up North American Civic that we actually got. (Think Euro Accord -> TSX.) It would have separated the brands better too.

Judging by the cars I see on the road every day the CSX doesn't seem to be anywhere near the sales success that the old EL was.

The last gen Civic SiR hatchback was bound to be a small niche seller. It only came with two doors and was manual transmission only so it didn't have much practicality appeal. And the larger 2.0L engine had a 6500rpm redline so it didn't match the fun of the 8K rpm screamer of the previous SiR coupe. The new engine didn't even make up for that by being more powerful than the old one either, IIRC both had 160hp. Oh, and it looked like a shrunk down minivan and that sickly-bile yellow colour they had could induce vomiting from 100m away.


That Saab 9-x concept looks cool from the front, silly from the back.

[unctuous]

(Noobs are fun.  Noobs are fun.  Noobs are fun.) 

kardood69

Please ignore this.  Welcome to the forum.

[Brig]

kardood69

Please ignore this.  Welcome to the forum.

You're absolutely right.  Apologies to kardood69 and one big smack in the head to me. 

[ArticSteve]

The last gen Civic SiR hatchback was bound to be a small niche seller. It only came with two doors and was manual transmission only so it didn't have much practicality appeal.

The main problem with the British assembled SIR was the cost.   Great car though particularily in gold. 

[mrthompson]

Fool's Gold?

[ArticSteve]

All depends on what you pay.  In this case it was 20K including PDI/freight, tint, brand new.  It was a great car for the $$$.  Not so good for $26K plus PDI/freight.