SAAB Concepts

Michael Mauer introduces us to the Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept (2004)

Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept

Here’s an unprecedented video presentation from 2004, in which Michael Maurer presents us with a completely new concept – Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch (later known to us all as 9-3 Sportcombi or 9-3 Wagon).

So far we have mostly seen static photos of this beautiful concept or images from the Car Shows, but this is the first time we see a video shot outside the exhibition hall.

Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept interior

Continue reading after the ad

Michael Maurer, Since working with Saab, was responsible for the design of the Saab 9-X, 9-3X, 9-3 Sport Hatch, concept cars and the wheels for the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, the production version of the Saab 9-3 SportCombi and MY2004-2007 Saab 9-3 Convertible design, and the Saab 9-2X. Three years ago, he moved to Volkswagen where he was appointed chief designer, in charge of Group Design. So maybe some of you see some Saab lines in the new Passat models.

When you look at this presentation, you will see how much this car was ahead of its time, just like almost all Saab concepts:

Continue reading after the ad

With concept cars like that, its a shame the went out of business. Pay special attention to the details of this concept, Every detail is specially designed and then shaped. You can also see a digital instrument panel, internet access, a reversing camera, a glass roof, Aluminum hokey stick below the window, the tailgate is electrically opened…

Saab sportcombi concept

Powered by a high performance 250 bhp, 2.0-liter turbo engine, the 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept signifies Saab’s intention to enter the Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Conceptmid-size wagon segment with a sporty product that reflects Saab’s tradition for designing surprisingly versatile 5-door models.

Continue reading after the ad

“Just as the 9-3x occupies a position where coupe meets off-roader, this car represents a cross-over point between hatchback and wagon,” says Mauer. “It is the sort of product that should come from Saab and our customers will be able to buy a car very much like this.”

Goran Aničić
the authorGoran Aničić
For over 15 years, Goran Aničić has been passionately focused on Saab automobiles and everything related to them. His initial encounter with Saab cars took place back in 2003 when the first Saab 9-3 and sedan version were introduced. At that moment, he was captivated by the car's Scandinavian design logic and top-notch engineering, and everything that followed stemmed from that first encounter. Later on, through his work at the editorial team of the Serbian automotive magazines "Autostart" and later "AutoBild," he had the opportunity to engage more closely with Saab vehicles. In 2008, he tested the latest Saab cars of that time, such as the Saab 9-3 TTiD Aero and Saab 9-3 Turbo X. In 2010, as the sole blogger from the region, he participated in the Saab 9-5ng presentation in Trollhättan, Sweden. Alongside journalists from around the world, he got a firsthand experience of the pinnacle of technological offerings from Saab at that time. Currently, Goran owns two Saabs: a 2008 Saab 9-3 Vector Sportcombi with a manual transmission, and a Saab 9-3 Aero Griffin Sport Sedan from the last generation, which rolled off the production line in Trollhättan in December 2011.

1 Comment

Leave a Reply