Saab Won't Get a Version of the Pontiac Solstice

Bad news for Saab enthusiasts who were hoping to get their own version of the Solstice. Good news, perhaps, for those who want more choices in alternative-fuel vehicles.

TROY, Mich. — Saab USA general manager Jay Spenchian has told that a new Saab sports car spun off the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky is "not in the plans.
"Earlier this year, Spenchian hinted that a new sports car was under consideration as "maybe one of our upcoming concepts." GM insiders had said a Saab derivative off the Solstice's Kappa platform was a possibility.

The next Saab concept will be a 300-horsepower 9-5 BioPower sedan that will be powered by a 2.3-liter turbo engine and run on ethanol. It will be shown at the Los Angeles auto show and the Detroit auto show in January. Saab introduced a version of the 9-5 BioPower this year in Sweden and Germany.

Spenchian said the automaker is using the new concept to test consumer reaction. "We could offer it within the next year and a half in the U.S.," he said.

Spenchian said there are no "concrete plans" for a replacement for the 9-2X, which is scheduled to be in production only through the 2007 model year. Saab officials said the company has plans for a crossover vehicle but would not give any specific details.

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