New 2010 Saab 9-5 Configurator Goes Online

Saab has opened up the doors to customizing its new 9-5 with a configurator, albeit a bit of a teaser version. With only colors and wheels available to choose from at the moment, there's only so much fun to be had.

As soon as the full configurator gets online, buyers will be able to get a better look at how they're going to justify a $50,000+ Saab. With a model that looks as funky and feels as Swedish as this, I can't wait.

By Phil Alex

Link: Saab

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China-Made Saab 9-5 by BAW: First Photos and Video

Earlier today, we showed you a bevy of pictures of the Beijing Automotive Works' (BAW) Saab 9-3-based C60 mid-size sedan. Now we have the first photos of the Chinese firm's reworked Saab 9-5, the C71 saloon, as well as a video showing both cars as they were being transferred to BAW's Beijing Motor Show stand.

As with the smaller C60, the most notable differences between the C71 and its Saab stablemate concern the styling of the front and rear ends.

As a reminder, in late 2009, BAW's parent company BAIC brought the design rights for the previous generation Saab 9-5 and certain 9-3 models along with some powertrain technology and tooling equipment from GM for about $200 million.

Both the BAW C60 and C71 are pegged to go on sale in China early next year.

Via: Bitauto & Che168

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China's BAW Redoes the Saab 9-3: New C60 Sedan Snagged Ahead of Beijing Show

These are the first pictures of BAW's (Beijing Auto Work) C60 sedan that was caught under GLAD wraps just a few hours before its world premiere at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show that runs from April 23 to 27. It's not hard to see the similarities between the C60 and the Saab 9-3 sedan.

However, before you utter the words "another shameless Chinese clone", learn that BAW's parent company, BAIC, paid Saab's previous owner General Motors $200 million dollars late last year to acquire the intellectual rights for Saab's outgoing 9-5 and certain 9-3s as well as some powertrain technology and tooling equipment.

Details remain sketchy on the C60 sedan but the Chinese media reports it will go on sale next year with a 1.8-liter petrol engine in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions.

BAW will also reveal the Saab 9-5 (previous generation) based C71 mid-size sedan at the Beijing show.

Via: bitauto & che168

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BAW's Chinese Saab 9-5 Clone Teased in Beijing Auto Show Poster

At the end of 2009, Saab, in an effort to recoup some dough back when it was a part of GM, sold BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. Ltd.) the rights to use some old models/designs. Basically, BAIC will be able to use older 9-3 and 9-5 models' designs and their respective tech.

Thanks to that deal, BAIC sub-brand Beijing Auto Works (BAW) will be debuting at least one Saab-ish model this year at the Beijing Auto Show.

This one appears to be the first new (yet aged beyond its years) Chinese-version of the outgoing Saab 9-5, code-named the C71. Anyone else for automotive "lipstick on a pig"?

Hopefully, some live shots will show up to prove me wrong.

By Phil Alex

Via: Sohu

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SAAB 9-5

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