SAAB News: Castriota Saab 9-3 in the media

In Sweden, Saab is in the media. Jason Castriota's design for the 9-3 successor first appeared today at Swedish Radio, later at Auto Motor Sport. The friends of Saabsunited, they are in direct contact with Castriota, will soon deliver even better pictures in higher quality.

Castriota Saab 9-3 successor. Typical Saab hatchback.
Castriota Saab 9-3 successor. Typical Saab hatchback.

It does not seem to be a coincidence that the Castriota designs are published at the present time. According to sources, the designer wants to talk to him again, and he should also be in contact with the Saab investors. Although Saab-NEVS acquired the Phoenix platform and the rights to the old Saab 9-3, it did not purchase the Castriotas design.

Saab 9-3 successor to Castriota
Saab 9-3 successor to Castriota
Castriota Saab Cabriolet
Castriota Saab Cabriolet

Saab internally, the Castriota draft was not undisputed. The car is too American, too little Saab, it was said in Trollhättan. Simon Padian's alternative design from Saab Design Studios was, in many eyes, the more harmonious solution. No matter how the story ended, we would finally get our hatchback back.

Saab 9-3 successor. Design Simon Padian
Saab 9-3 successor. Design Simon Padian

The cards are now reshuffled. For Castriota, who has always designed supercars, it would be a new challenge. And Simon Padian is also only 70 kilometers away in Gothenburg. A lot of Saab spirit and design experience is gathered there at Hareide Design. Everyone has to decide which design would have been better. The new Saab owners are faced with a difficult decision.

Text: tom@saabblog.net

 

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Thyl Engelhardt
Thyl Engelhardt
11 years earlier

A hatchback that is as flat at the back as the Padian design no longer has any practical utility and is just a caricature of the concept. And the so-called “pontoon” structure for car bodies actually had the idea that you no longer needed stupid, flared fenders. Definition of kitsch: wrong place, wrong time, wrong material. Here: wrong time. All-round visibility is also lost.

The Castriota design has larger windows and, to my taste, more aesthetic side surfaces that are less crumpled. But too much. In addition, the windows are larger and the trunk looks more useful. However, he has the already known from the 9-3 I rump effect. And from the front he looks grottig like a BMW (stupidly silent for this, the Padian image).

Overall, both designs scream for attention, lacking suppleness and flow. But you have to see the things in real.

Anddeu
Anddeu
11 years earlier

Well ... But still nice that you could / could see the 9-3 successor variants.

Mountain goat
Mountain goat
11 years earlier

I would buy the SAAB from Padian immediately! It shows me more Scandinavian design and takes up the “all-round” cockpit more clearly. Of course I would prefer the hatchback!
The design from Castriota is based on too many “known” vehicles - no independence / copied. I also lack elegance! Even if the study should be “more American” and would like to offer itself to the American market, I would like to point out that the American market, which is so important with Scandinavian design, has grown and been successful! If already SAAB, then please the roots should also be recognizable!

Ded2
Ded2
11 years earlier

I'm having a hard time with the pictures of the Castriota design. Part of it looks like a mix of different stylistic elements from Saab. But I'm missing the context somehow, it seems a bit pieced together. Possibly. but that is also due to the quality of the pictures.
I really like the Padian design. Takes notes on the 9-5-II, associated with a hatchback. This is a modern interpretation of the Saab spirit for me.

Size0 Ded2

Ulrich
Ulrich
11 years earlier

The Simon Padian design is significantly more SAAB.

Greetings Ulrich

Saabfan
Saabfan
11 years earlier

The Simon Padian design design is my favorite. It has a lot in common with the current, last built 9-5II model and is a typical SAAB car.

saabvandale
saabvandale
11 years earlier

Hm, I personally do not like the design by Castrioata. This looks like the indefinable car of Ssang Yong (rear view) and would cause not to buy this car even though it is a Saab.
The Padian design is very successful for me, I would be very excited about the Cabrion and SC variant ...
But I would buy it as a soda….

saab_owl
saab_owl
11 years earlier

Something could have been made out of the Padian draft. At the back a nicely drawn, arched rear window ... I would have bought something like that. Like. The Castricota design, development stage and image quality or not, on the other hand is an inharmonious mix of styles from Ro80, Porsche, Subaru, whatever ... The convertible is a me-too A5. Too bad.

hkk9-3c
hkk9-3c
11 years earlier

I can see in the design of Castriota synonymous only relatively little SAAB and more Audi (front) and Porsche (rear). Especially in the convertible is little saabypisches available, it could also come from the competition. On the other hand, in the design of Padian you recognize the SAAB immediately, so I personally like it a lot better.

Luis rocha
Luis rocha
11 years earlier

BOA!! Força! novos investidores da Saab! força e kind!

Marco
Marco
11 years earlier

So personally I have to say that I liked SAAB as a child, as it was something special (is!) To see a SAAB on the street. These two designs fit in this direction again and I would be very happy, no matter which one is built. The main thing is work for the people in Trollhattan and we can all order new cars again. But I also have to say that I would very much like to continue to drive a station wagon. Since I would probably stay with these drafts but first, until further notice in my good 9-3 SC.

Greetings from Lusatia and a nice weekend. Marco

till72
till72
11 years earlier

What we definitely need to include in the Castriota design is the fact that the three images are from an early design stage. The prototype has become even more harmonious afterwards.

Ulrich Krebs
Ulrich Krebs
11 years earlier

So the spoiler (Castriota draft) is safe to discuss, I don't like it, otherwise a lot of SAAB quotes, maybe a bit clumsy, will there be better pictures soon?

The Padian design is more pleasing, partly because of the better picture quality. However, the rear wheel arches are too strong for me.

Saabansbraten
Saabansbraten
11 years earlier

The Castriota design seems to me to be quite sketchy:
Taking in the idea of ​​the rotating aircraft cockpit, and then letting it run out with a thoughtless bend upwards, looks a little listless, just not thought through to the end - the other example design does that much better.
Such a Saab window line consists of more than just black A-pillar.

I think the draft is chic, but the SAAB quotes are executed so unimaginatively ... what is possible, the 9-5II clearly shows.
http://www.dieselstation.com/Saab/9-5-Sedan-2010/Saab-9-5-Sedan-2010-widescreen-wallpaper-ds08-i2811.html

So I can not fully understand the Castriota design.

Peter Witzel
Peter Witzel
11 years earlier

For my personal taste is the rear of the Castriota design not at all.
The red light strip and above it the rear spoiler - woe!
And why the sloping side bend?
Completely inharmonious - kind of Asian.
On the other hand, the vehicle from S.Padian - a little more stretched - has something chic.
An 9.5 in medium.
But friends, please do not argue now.
Happy weekend to all SAAB lovers.

9.3Wolfgang
9.3Wolfgang
11 years earlier

I basically would not care, both designs are saabypisch, namely just different. If I had the choice, it would be the Castriota design. This is a modern 900 he Saab, my dream car. Hopefully the NEVS officials read our opinions.

red99
red99
11 years earlier

A comparison between Padian and Castriota alone is therefore difficult, because the vehicles are based on different platforms. The Padian design is likely to build on the GM platform (Astra), so it looks much more compact. The Castriota design is based on Phoenix and thus on obviously much larger wheelbase.
The Castriota rear is great, I'm not so sure about the sideline (Audi A5?) ... but the main thing: The Hatch Comes Back !!!

Zsolt
Zsolt
11 years earlier
Reply to  red99

Not sideline Dear red99, “FRONT” !!! And from this perspective !!!

Richard
Richard
11 years earlier
Reply to  red99

Correct ! A hatchback must be here otherwise Saab can pack again.
There is hardly any talk of a smaller Saab. Saab is not only to build cars for the American market, but also those that could afford the younger generation.
Greetings from Japan

Zirkoski
Zirkoski
11 years earlier

What a hitch, that's reminiscent of 901, 902 and 9-3 I. Since I would smoothly give my 9-3 family suit in payment. Can you pre-order and where?

HeWo
HeWo
11 years earlier

With the Padian design no one can finally look backwards - it seems to be a new fashion ...
I like Castriota ...

phibo
phibo
11 years earlier

So ... from what you see here, I have to say, I like the Castriota design a lot better, it quotes the 900-I in a contemporary way. And the convertible also looks great, SAAB doesn't have to hide from BMW.

The Padian design is too clumsy advised to me, just the rear looks too heavy and so does not fit at all to the front.

On the subject of “too American”, the USA has always been a very important market for SAAB. Drawing a car in such a way that it is recorded there is not reprehensible ... and there can be no question of too little Swedish if (certainly not only) I feel reminded of the 900 at first glance.

Thomas
Thomas
11 years earlier

I also see SAAB rather than PORSCHE, the sideline has something classic and something of the 9-4 x (roofline) I think. Would I possibly buy so if he goes from the front in this direction.

Perret
Perret
11 years earlier

The rear is pretty much the same as the 99 CC - and accordingly largely to the 900 CC ... - very fine - as far as the photos allow an assessment - see http://www.saab99.de/99CC75.jpg

Tampere
Tampere
11 years earlier

Building, whether Padian or Castriota. I buy everything, main thing again SAAB :-).

till72
till72
11 years earlier
Reply to  Tampere

That's what I call a good, pragmatic attitude.
But I'm like that too.

Ziehmy
11 years earlier

The reintroduction of a coupe would in any case be a real step in the right direction again! Hopes are rising!

Gunnar
Gunnar
11 years earlier

Don't think I'm completely nuts or a so-called fan boy, but I'm so starved I would take all three carts ...

X900
X900
11 years earlier

Exciting! The Castriota design is slightly Subaru-like with a strongly contoured hood. The tail is typical SAAB. Reminds me of the 900 :-).

Zsolt
Zsolt
11 years earlier

In Castriota's design, the front looks very much like A5! At least from this perspective I mean ...

Zsolt
Zsolt
11 years earlier
Reply to  Zsolt

And from the back it's a blend of the 911 and Panamera. Maybe Mr. Michael Maurer helped? ...; _)))

Zsolt
Zsolt
11 years earlier
Reply to  Zsolt

It remains clear who my favorite is ...

Mountain Saab
Mountain Saab
11 years earlier
Reply to  Zsolt

my first thought was: what makes a 911er here ?? where I find the rear good

cabriote
cabriote
11 years earlier

the two pictures do not allow a fair evaluation.
the pixelated b / w images castriotas against the finely rendered color image padians distort the comparison.
no matter - for both designs, the typical Saab tailgate would be required.

LG from the spring-east of Austria.