Saab 9-3 hardcore fans, get ready! The once-famous Swedish saloon, which the Swedish brand's bankruptcy caused to disappear, may be about to come back to life, albeit heavily transformed — no longer Swedish but Turkish, and no longer with a combustion engine but, most likely, an electric one! Basically, as a starting point for the future debut model of the car brand that the Turkish state remains determined to create.
After buying production licenses for the 9-3 from the then owner, National Electric Vehicle Sweden, about two years ago, Turkey remains determined to move forward with what will be its first national car brand. Behind these plans is a consortium of Turkish companies, including Anadolu Group, Kıraca Holding, BMC, Turkcell and Zorlu Holding, all of which are already involved in car manufacturing, albeit for other brands.
The first prototype could be ready as early as 2019, starting production of the final version of the model two years later, in 2021.
Saab 9-3 electric with range extender
As for the car itself and despite the age of the model that will serve as its base, the news indicates that it will be an electric saloon, with a range extender. Something, moreover, has already been reaffirmed by the Turkish minister of Science, Industry and Technology, when, about a year ago, he publicly guaranteed declarations to that effect. The 15 kWh battery guarantees autonomy in electric mode in the order of 100 kilometres.
Remember that Turkey's idea of launching its own national car brand has been around for some time. Having started to grow in 2000, when several car brands decided to set up factories in the country. Even ending up leading the Turkish government to bet on the purchase, in 2015, of manufacturing rights to the then disappeared Saab 9-3.