Saab to Show a New Hatchback Concept as well as Updates on 9-3 Range at the Geneva Salon

For Saab, 2011 will be a crucial year, one that could make or break the company’s success. In a statement made in January, Chairman Victor Mullen said he's confident that the automaker will be able to pick up momentum and achieve the projected sales volume of 80,000 units. But for that the Swedes need new models and it seems that they’ll deliver.

According to a press invitation sent out today, aside from the already confirmed and teased 2011 9-5 Sportcombi, Saab's Geneva Motor Show stand will host the premiere of a brand new concept model and either facelifted or special edition versions of the 9-3 range.

As previously reported, Saab wants to revive the 1950s 92 model, so it’s possible that the concept car will announce just that. Furthermore, a report on the Saabs United website claims that the design study will also showcase the brand’s new design language under Saab Design Chief Jason Castriota.

The enthusiast site also asserts that the updates to the 9-3 could be a special edition version of the cabriolet called “9-3 Independence Edition” to commemorate one year from the day Spyker bought Saab from General Motors (February 23, 2010), and a Griffin-badged variant of the sedan model.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Saabsunited & Saab via Autoblog

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Mitsubishi Flexis Concept Study: David Cardoso’s Ford C-Max Rival

The current generation Mitsubishi Grandis is a good representation of the Japanese automaker as a whole. Plastic-y interiors, underdone ride and handling and anodyne looks combine to make the Grandis a poor substitute for the vastly superior and better selling Toyota Tarago [Australia]. With its South Korean competition having long ago stepped up to the plate, it’s disappointing to see Mitsubishi lagging so far behind.

David Cardoso, the artist who in the past has brought us design studies such as Renault Twist MPV and Audi Hydron, has envisioned a possible successor to the Grandis in the form of the Flexis. Appearing to be smaller than the Grandis - with seating more likely for five instead of seven - the Flexis takes it’s styling cues from the Opel Meriva, Peugeot 3008 and 2012 Ford Focus.

Overall it’s a good expansion on Mitsubishi’s current design language, and a far sight better than when Mitsubishi tried applying its new corporate face to the aging Colt. You can check out our full gallery below or voice your opinion in the comments section below.

By Tristan Hankins

Designer: David Cardoso

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New Lancia Stratos: 40 Buyers Interested in Ferrari-Based Supercar, Price Estimated at €400,000 or $545,000

A small series production of the Lancia-badged New Stratos seems increasingly likely as time passes by and more people learn about the supercar created by Pininfarina for German businessman Michael Stoschek.

According to the latest announcement, so far 40 potential buyers from Europe and other regions have registered their interest in the New Stratos, but Pininfarina and Stoschek believe that this number will continue to increase after the massive exposure from test drives and presentations in a variety of car magazines in their February and March issues.

The original cost of development of the New Stratos is rumored to be around €3 million but the company believes it can sell the supercar for somewhere around €400,000 or $545,000, which includes €100,000 for a Ferrari F430 donor car and €300,000 for the conversion.

The New Stratos, which pays homage to the legendary 1970s Lancia rally car made with parts borrowed from the Ferrari Dino V6, was designed and built by Pininfarina. Underneath its carbon-fibre body clothes lays a cut-down Ferrari 430 Scuderia chassis complete with its 4.3-liter V8 engine churning out an improved 540 ponies and over 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of peak torque.

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