The Swedish carmaker Saab, with its new Spyker ownership seems to be working hard to recover lost glory, market shares and accolades alike. Though a new 9-3 is expected sometime this year, reports suggest that Saab is working on an all new 9-3 due sometime in 2012.

The new car might just be tagged as the 93, and shall be a direct competitor to cars like the Audi A3. The car is expected to be launched as a sedan, followed by a convertible and a 3 door hatch variants in the pipeline. Also Saab is trying to tag the car as a successor the original 900 and 9-3. Expect an estate sportback version also in the offing somewhere down the time line.

Saab might be using the Delta platform sourced from GM and engines might be shared with MINI Coopers thanks to their collaboration with BMW. Expect the 1,6L diesel and petrol engines to make appearances in respective variants. Hence, the Saab might be comfortably deemed powerful given the compact nature of the much used Delta Platform. Saab might be using front wheel drive as standard and an optional all wheel drive tranny powered by either a 6 speed manual or a dual-clutch semi-automatic. Come 2012, good times might be ahead for the Swedish firm while power monger enthusiasts are waiting for the day when the Aero X concept Saab showcased shall be a reality!

Popularity: 6% [?]

The much exclusive electric car maker Tesla had a nice box of chocolates at their recent conference which was open to prospective investors right before their first IPO. Their hot electric saloon car, the Model S is expected sometime this year or soon. So Tesla used this box of chocolates to lure further investors.

Now before further confusion, let me just break it up that this box of chocolates is three models to be based upon the Model S, a convertible, a cross-over and a van. Tesla showcased renderings of these concepts and given that the Model S is a very exclusively good looking car, these renderings raise hope in good numbers.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk spoke about the models and Tesla’s aggressive foray into the Automotive Market this year and their strategies. He said that they would bind to company-owned dealership franchisees and make the car ownership experience as good as it might get. He also remarked that presently this is one of the worst retailing experiences one has in any market and that Tesla is positive on changing it. He also hope they would be able to cash in on providing hassle free warranty and service facilities which is not the case with licensed but privately run dealerships who try to gain profits on service and repairs.

He also added that the Model S saloon shall be made exclusive and desirable in its segment with never before seen features like 4G internet access, touch screen multimedia interfaces, etc accompanying class leading build quality and design. The car is expected to go fly off 50 showroom floors when it releases and Tesla plans to make 20,000 models a year and are said to reach the break-even point by 10,000 models. Well, it’s safe enough to say that the hordes of fans Tesla gained by selling the Roadster are waiting!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Nissan’s much hyped and ground breaking electric car, the Leaf, has been reserved in huge numbers much above anybody’s expectations as latest reports made by Nissan suggest. The Automaker has given around 14,000 reservations of the car even before a nation-wide campaigning programme kicks off in fall this year.

The reservations could be made for $99 each, which is refundable based on the customers request as well as failure on the service part as to non-installation of a charging station at the customers requested site. Nissan’s proudly stating that 99 percent of these customers are entirely new to Nissan products, which reveals that the Leaf has bring in a lot of new audience to the brand.

The car is claimed to do a run of 180km on a single charge and features compact Li-ion batteries and a 90KW motor. It shot into the limelight for its claimed and tested driveability and range. By the end of 2010, Nissan plans to sell it full stream in North America and other select markets.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Porsche is taking the famed 918 spider which is already pulling in lots of interested customers to the, err famed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance coming up very soon. An inside source is said to have revealed AutoCar that the “car will be there”.

Quite a feat to call such a thing as merely a ‘car’ given its V8 engine pumping out 500 horses mates to two electric motors to take that figure up to 718. This car is well, much awaited for given almost as many as 900 customers have shown interest in it. Under these circumstances, Pebble Beach is quite the logical step for the manufacturer to showcase the car. They might as well pull in the last 100 interested customers to take the figure to a magical 1000.
Given this demand and confirmations of its outing at Pebble Beach, it’s only time before we hear Porsche stating to put the 918 into production. Talking about Pebble Beach, this years event is slated to be held on the 15th of August, and shall be specially hosting pre 1960s American Motorcycles, hot rods, a special focus on Bonneville Racers, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Pierce –Arrows and designs by Ghia. For what is essentially an event where the best of the tire takes to the best of the turf, at the eighteenth fairway at Pebble Beach, the 918’s presence shall be truly worthwhile.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Popularity: 2% [?]

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Popularity: 30% [?]

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Popularity: 2% [?]