Hooniverse Asks- What Do You Want to See Spyker Do With Saab?


Spyker’s motto is “Nulla tenaci invia est via”, or “No road is impassable for he who perseveres,” and they managed to overcome Russian investors, brusque GM lawyers and their own financial instability to apparently come out the winner (using that term loosely) in the contest for the gold ring that is Saab.
Now, Saab has recently claimed to be born of jets, and Spyker’s propeller-fronted badge is also evocative of machines which ply the skies, but short of actually building a flying car, what should they now do together?
Saab’s new Dutch overseers are famous for their land speed records and the amount of polished aluminum in the 300 or so road cars they have built. Not being familiar with series production may prove a hindrance, but then Saab has never been a company that taxed the limits of production line capacity either.
So, now that these two, seemingly disparate companies have joined in wedded bliss, what do you want to see in their first born, even if it’s not of jets?
Image sources: [Autoblog, drivingsports.com]

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29 responses to “Hooniverse Asks- What Do You Want to See Spyker Do With Saab?”

  1. Smells_Homeless Avatar

    I don't really care if they're the fastest thing around, or that they're Bjorn of jets. I'd like to see Spyker inject a healthy dose of Art Deco into the stream of new autos. I think that, in current auto offerings, the engineering is in place and the performance is in place, we're just missing out on style.

  2. Maymar Avatar

    I want them to do something so weird, so out of left field, that I can't begin to imagine it. But more importantly, I want it to seem blatantly obvious when they do it. I want Saabs to be odd, and quirky, and sensible in a way that Camry drives can't possibly comprehend.
    Also, more hatchbacks.

  3. engineerd Avatar

    This.
    <img width=400 src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Saab_95_V4_1974.jpg"&gt;
    They need to do this. But with the engine planned for the new 9-5. Or a V4. Nothing in between.

    1. W. Kiernan Avatar
      W. Kiernan

      They need to make something in that size and price range. Not a $30-40K midrange sedan, not a supercar, but something small and uncomplicated like a Scion, except better suited for driving on snow. Simple, compact and entertaining.

      1. engineerd Avatar
        1. JeepyJayhawk Avatar

          I'll take one…

      2. Tim Odell Avatar
        Tim Odell

        I think that's called a Suzuki SX-4

  4. Kogashiwa Avatar

    One word: direct injection two-strokes.
    OK so that's three or four words.
    Something lightweight, FWD (yes really), two-stroke. The styling I'm not worried about at all. We already know what both partners are capable of if given free rein. The new direct-injection two-stroke tech is so clean-burning that very soon it could be ready for road cars given a little more development. KTM and Rotax are already working on it for street bikes which need to meet similar emissions standards. And of course the two-stroke is capable of a lot better power-to-weight than an equivalent four-stroke, not to mention being a big part of SAAB heritage.
    Everyone is rattling on and hand-wringing about SAAB not being able to compete with BMW and Mercedes but that was never what the real SAAB was about at all.

  5. Tim Odell Avatar
    Tim Odell

    Spyker Driving stunt team.

  6. Tripl3fast Avatar

    Build that car in the first picture. Saucy.

  7. scroggzilla Avatar

    1. Build interesting, well engineered, stylish cars at a reasonable price.
    2. Employ the finest Swedish booth professionals.
    3. Go RALLYING!
    4. ?????
    5. Profit

  8. Tanshanomi Avatar

    I'll just cut and paste this from [Redacted], where I originally posted it…
    A sub-2,000 lb., FWD two-seat sport coupe.
    • A longitudinal , front mid-engine design.
    • A high-revving 1100cc turbo three-cylinder that puts out about 120 HP would be about the right mix of lightness, fuel economy and fun.
    • Manual six-speed gearbox with electronic dual clutch and equal-length half-shafts.
    • ESC, ABS and LSD standard.
    • Style it to look like across between a Z3 Coupe and the Simca-Gordini 20S (pictured).
    <IMG SRC=""http://www.velocetoday.com/images/march%2007/p1.jpg"&gt;
    Should be good for about 26-28 combined MPG and a sub-9 second 0-60 time.
    Oh, and sell it for $17-19K.

    1. W. Kiernan Avatar
      W. Kiernan

      When your dream comes true, I suggest is that you draw a straight line from where I'm standing to the nearest dealership, and then make sure you're not standing on that line, 'cause if you are I'm going to run right over you.

      1. Tanshanomi Avatar

        You mean, it's not just me? &gt;sniff!&lt; I'm not crazy after all?
        This is a beautiful day…

    2. Rockford_Brodie Avatar

      So, basically a Sonnett IV? I can totally get behind that.

      1. Tanshanomi Avatar

        Well, now that you mention it, yea…that's exactly what it would be.

  9. carplanetzone1 Avatar

    Nothing, in another six months they'll have to be bailed out by the Dutch Government.

  10. joshuman Avatar

    Pretend the last 18 years of badge engineering did not happen. Instead, pretend an alternate reality of quirky but fantastic car development happened and start from there. Oh, and they should go rally racing.

  11. LTDScott Avatar

    I feel like a poor excuse for a car guy by saying it, but I honestly can't think of any redeeming features of current Saabs. They're not even weird for the sake of being weird anymore. I wouldn't have been sad if Saab did go away forever.
    And this sentiment is completely independent of the fact that I raced with Saabs Gone Wild twice.

  12. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    Give all Saabs the Spyker shifter, modern high reving two-stroke engines (V4=V8), and I like the aluminium dash.

  13. Bret Avatar

    Spyker creates bespoke cars that look almost steampunk in their interior styling. I think Saab could benefit from a little deco/steampunk/airplane-esque interior styling.
    And make a new 99 turbo priced less than the bimmer 1 series.

  14. Quintus Avatar
    Quintus

    Dirty, dirty things that would make Marilyn Manson blush.

  15. RacinG73 Avatar

    I think they should inject a little 'Swedish' back into the mix.
    <img src="http://www.whattofix.com/images/SwedishBikiniTeam.jpg"&gt;

  16. smokyburnout Avatar

    What? Nobody has said "build the Aero-X" yet?
    Though I agree with the above posts… Bring back hatchbacks, two-strokes, innovative engines…
    Also, send the 9-4X to China and stick Buick badges on it.

  17. YEAH_THAT_POLAR Avatar

    I would like Spyker to include a lifetime supply of hallucinogens with my Saab.
    At least enough of them to convince me my Saab's a Spyker.

  18. jeremy![™] Avatar

    i dont care what they do with exterior, powertrain, dimensions, top speed. just make that interior in a sub 35k car an i will be swoon to ecstasy.

  19. muthalovin Avatar

    Turn a profit. That would be really something to see.

  20. CptSevere Avatar

    Weird. Saabs are supposed to be freakin' weird. Cool weird, but weird nonetheless. C'mon, you can do it.