SAAB debuted a concept car called the 9-3 hatch at the Munich auto
show in 2003.  They initially indicated they would build it for sale
by late 2005.  I have not seen any updates from them.  Are they going
to build the car, and if so, when do they say it will be available?

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 17 Feb 2005 17:21 PST

Please take a look at the 2006 Saab 9-3 Sport Hatch ("SportCombi")
here (about halfway down the page):

http://www.thesaabstory.com/futuremodels.htm

It appears that the 9-3 Sport Hatch will be available later this year.

If this is the correct car, I'll be glad to gather more information
about it for you. Just let me know.

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Clarification of Question by g2h2-ga on 18 Feb 2005 05:20 PST

It IS the concept car, the 9-3 Sport Hatch that I am asking about.  I
don't believe the "available in 2005" notation.  Pleae do pursue...

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 19 Feb 2005 04:17 PST

g2h2-ga,

You can see a bit of the history of SAAB statements and press releases
on the 9-3 Hatch at this link:



://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&c2coff=1&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2003-43%2CGGLD%3Aen&q=site%3Awww.saab.com+9-3+hatch


In general, a lot of the earlier releases have disappeared from their
site (though they are still available in the cached link).  The more
recent releases, such as this one from 2004:


http://www.saab.com/newsletter/GLOBAL/en/2004/01/


simply talk of the car as a concept in development, without mentioning
any specific release date, such as:

"This promises to be an exciting year for us, with the forthcoming
launch of the Saab 9-2X in the USA and Canada and the ongoing
development of the Saab 9-7X and 9-3 Sport-Hatch models..."



I think you're right...it doesn't like this model will hit the sales
floor any time soon.


What other information would you like to make for a complete answer to
your question.  Let me know.


pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by g2h2-ga on 21 Feb 2005 06:59 PST

If you're able to determine that SAAB is not disclosing a production
date, but that they are still discussing the concept car as a real
production venture, then I suppose there's nowhere else to go.  I've
never asked a Google queston before, so I don't know how I'm supposed
to say "OK - my question is answered."  It appears that your answer is
as complete an answer as it can be.

g2h2-ga,

Well what do you know...all of a sudden, here it is!

The SAAB 9-3 SportCombi Hatch will be announced to the world in March,
2005 at the 75th Geneva Auto Show.

You can see details at several links that I've provided:



http://www.salon-auto.ch/en/premieres/index_xsl.php?idIndex=1723&idContent=11239

Premieres  
Motor Cars - First World Presentations Index    SAAB
9-3 SPORT COMBI

A new high-performance V6-engined estate car.





This article from Automotive News (not available online without a
subscription) reports on the 9-3 and SAAB's plans:

Automotive News
January 24, 2005,

Challenged by disappointing sales, Saab hopes a new advertising
campaign and new products will do the trick, according to COO Debra
Kelly-Ennis.

Kelly-Ennis spoke of Saab's plan last week at the Automotive News World Congress.

Saab's ''State of Independence'' ad campaign starts Feb. 14 in print
and on TV. The message: ''distinctively designed, independently
inspired.'' Print ads will include statements such as, ''A license
plate should never be a car's only point of difference,'' and, ''For
those who consider conformity a serious road hazard.''

Saab, a unit of General Motors, will enter new segments in 2005 and
2006 with vehicles such as the U.S.-built 9-7X mid-sized SUV, which is
scheduled to arrive in showrooms in May. That vehicle is based on the
GM mid-sized truck architecture used in the Chevrolet TrailBlazer.

The 9-3 sport-hatch, which will debut at the Geneva auto show in
March, will have a new turbocharged 250-hp V-6. The engine is derived
from a CTS engine that it will share with the rest of the 9-3 line...




http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:dBbgJazAt2EJ:www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050217.wxwhsaab17/BNStory/specialMegawheels/+sportcombi+9-3+hatch&hl=en

Welcoming the hatch ... back

February 17, 2005 Updated at 11:23 AM EST

Globe and Mail Update


If nothing else, the debut of the Saab 9-3 SportCombi in the Canadian
market this fall should delight the purists who decried the demise of
the hatchback configuration with the debut of this model range in
2002...









I trust this information fully answers your question.  However, please
don't rate this answer until you have everything you need.  If you
would like any additional information, just post a Request for
Clarification to let me know how I can assist you further, and I'm at
your service.

All the best,

pafalafa-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by pafalafa-ga on 26 Feb 2005 16:44 PST

Here's another recent article, even better (I think) that the others:

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_sportcombi_expands_saab/

SportCombi Expands Saab 9-3 Family

DETROIT ? Saab Automobile expands its sparse lineup with a new body
style for the 9-3 family: the 9-3 SportCombi hatchback slated to go on
sale this fall in the U.S. and Europe, says Debra Kelly-Ennis,
president and chief operating officer of Saab Cars U.S.A.

The new vehicle will be unveiled next month at the Geneva auto show.
It is based on the Sport Hatch concept from last year?s auto show
circuit and is a nod to the 99 Combi Coupe hatchback introduced in
1973.


Saab 9-3 SportCombi
The 5-door will have a starting price less than $30,000, Kelly-Ennis
says at a sneak peek event here.

The front of the vehicle retains the same Swedish minimalist styling
as the 9-3 sedan, but from the B-pillar back, there are 695 new parts,
says Per Fjaestad, chief engineer for the 9-3 SportCombi program...

Complete responsiveness, including additional followup even after I
had already indicated the answer was complete.