Checking in on Peter De Lorenzo over at AutoExtremist.com, and as usual, he has some interesting if not thought-provoking ideas. This time it's a "What if" scenario for a future GM, and this of course, is in a perfect world. By that I mean if franchise laws, etc., could be resolved to make this work.

Here's the short story version: The only divisions that would exist here would be Chevrolet, Cadillac and Hummer. Buick would only be sold outside the USA. GMC, Pontiac, Saturn would disappear altogether. Saab? It would be sold off or disappear. As usual, De Lorenzo makes a strong case supporting his ideas.

So, do you agree with him or not?

For the details check it out here.

Just a quick tease here as to some of what GM is planning on showing at NewYork next week:

• Pontiac will debut 3 new production models

• Saab's 9-x BioHybrid will make its North American debut.

• Buick reportedly to have some surprises—one of which is that their news will also be available in Chinese on the GM media site. Now that may not mean much to those not in the auto news business, but it just goes to show just how important Buick has become to China, and vice-versa. But you already knew that, right?

As if Michiganders haven't seen enough snow already this season, Saab was happy to dump a load of fake flakes from the rafters of Cobo Hall, providing the Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept's grand debut with a light dusting.

After GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner made it clear that E85 ethanol is the short-term fix for weaning us off our 1,000-barrel-of-oil-per-second habit, Carl-Peter Forster, President of GM Europe announced the arrival of the 9-4X BioPower.

Forster said the 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder 9-4X is the right vehicle for those who want to "embrace nature."

Nature, maybe. Snow in Cobo, not so much. -- Kelly Toepke, News Editor

Images of the Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept images have been leaked, thanks first to the Dutch auto site AutoTelegraaf, and then by World Car Fans and Autoblog. The vehicle is to debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week.

When the Mexican built production version hits the streets sometime this year, expect a 245 hp (with 300 hp possible using E85) Saab's 2.0 turbo. The car will also get Saab's XWD AWD.

Full story here and here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Leaked: Saab 9-4X

What? An American debut of a new vehicle at the Boston car show? Yep. Saab felt the New England International Auto Show, which is held in Boston, was just the place to announce their slick-looking AWD Saab turbo X to the American public. And, as to why Boston? Well, 40 percent of U.S. Saab owners are in the northeast; so when you think about that, it makes sense.

The Turbo X will come in both sedan and Combi (wagon). With apologies to Henry Ford, the you-can-get-it-in-any-color-you-want-as-long-as-it's-black car features Saab's new XWD AWD, and is powered by 280 hp 2.8 V6 turbo. The MSRP begins at $42,510. If you want one, better act quick as only 600 are coming to these shores.

Full story here.

Here's AutoObserver's take: Saab Turbo X Intro: A Precursor to a Big Year

Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 Saab Turbo X Launches, Driving School Included

General Motors kept the surprises to a minimum but continued to push its barrage of green technologies at this morning's press conference. Hydrogen, ethanol, diesels and hybrids all received playing time as Carl-Peter Forster, president of GM Europe, drove home his message that, “low emissions and price economy should not be exclusive.”

The HydroGen4 is Europe's version of the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell. A fleet of about 100 test vehicles will be on the road around the globe by 2008. Just don't expect hot-rod performance. It'll take 12 seconds to get to 62 mph and you'll have to drive down a sizable hill to get your top speed above the 100-mph limit.



Saab highlighted its continued commitment to ethanol, which it markets as BioPower. Then, to smack all of that green technology back into its place, it unveiled the limited-edition Saab Turbo X. Shown as both a wagon and a sedan and only offered in black, the Turbo X pays homage to the Saab 900 Turbo. The Turbo X features all-wheel drive and a 280-hp turbocharged V6 mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.



Chevrolet showed off an all-new Aveo hatchback with a gaping grille, low-profile tires wrapped around large wheels and a slick spoiler. While this Aveo is currently only marked for Europe, its fresh looks would serve as a welcome replacement for the dull five-door Aveo that Chevy currently offers in the States. Also for its European markets, GM unveiled the new Opel Agila city car and the wagon version of the small Cadillac BLS.



Globally, GM will offer 25 FlexFuel vehicle lines in 2008, producing more 1 million E85-capable vehicles. 2008 will also mark a ramp up in U.S. hybrid offerings with the introduction of GM's two-mode hybrid system. By offering eight hybrid models, GM will own the claim of offering more hybrids than any other U.S. automaker. -- Eric Tingwall, Inside Line Contest Winner and Citizen Journalist

Forbes has come up a list of the top 10 least expensive luxury vehicles to own over a 5-year span.

The figures include not only MSRP, but also depreciation, interest and opportunity costs, fuel, maintenance and repairs, insurance, and taxes and fees.

10.   Lincoln MKZ: $55,011
9.     Lexus ES 350: $54,585
8.    Acura RDX: $54,502
7.    Lexus IS 250: $53,220
6.    Volvo V50: $52,906
5.    Audi A3: $51,513
4.    Saab 9-3 SportCombi: $51,499
3.    Volvo S40: $51,484
2.    Saab 9-3 Sedan: $50,282
1.    Acura TSX: $47,084

Full story here at egmcartech.com. Slide show here.

 

The new 9-3 Aero sedan and wagon has a 280-hp turbo V6 engine and Saab's new XWD all-wheel-drive system.

Read the 9-3 Aero First Drive on Inside Line.

 

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

A visit to the Saab museum in Trollhättan, Sweden last week turned out to be much more than an opportunity to look at old cars. During a discussion with Kjell ac Bergström, president of Saab Automobile Powertrain (part of GM Powertrain, of course), it was apparent that Saab's commitment to ethanol remains strong, at least in Sweden, where 850+ out of 2,500 fuel stations total sell E85. However, Mr. Bergström acknowledged that something has to be done to lessen the fuel economy gap between E85 and gasoline. Accordingly, the next generation of Saab engines will employ:

-Direct injection, thus allowing higher compression and turbo boost
-Smaller engine displacements in the neighborhood of 1.4 or 1.5 liters
-Two-stage turbocharging -- a smaller turbo for lighter-load, low-rpm use and a larger one for higher rpm (that is, the same strategy BMW took with its twin-turbo inline-6, and Saab has already employed in on a 1.9-liter diesel engine for the European market.)
-In the event the company is unable to physically package in two turbos, they might substitute a supercharger in place of the smaller turbo (basically the same thing VW did its "twincharger" engine).
-Importantly, Saab plans to take all of the above steps before it considers adding hybrid technology to the mix.

After eating our greens, we walked the museum floor, passing by several examples of rally cars driven by Erik Carlsson, including this 93.

Also endearing was The Monstret (translated: "The Monster"), a 1959 concept car that aside from its low curb weight embodies none of the company's current environmental conscience. You see, The Monster, has twin, two-stroke, three cylinder engines for a cumulative 138 hp and a top speed of about 120 mph. It never saw duty on the rally circuit.

The next day something unexpected happened and Saab actually let us drive some of the old cars in its collection.

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The other day I reported on the some early spy images of the new 9-3 convertible (Spy photos: 2008 Saab 9-3 convertible). Now we have more info—and if the early images were a bit of a downer—the newly revealed specs should pick you up.

The AWD is called XWD, and is offered on the Aero versions of the SportSedan and SportCombi. It's an intelligent on-demand system that can shift 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels if needed. In addition there's an electronically-controlled rear limited-slip differential.

The new Aero V6 comes with an uprated 280 hp (206 kW), 2.8 V6 turbo engine which delivers almost 15% more maximum torque (400 Nm) to exploit the greater traction available. It comes with a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Finally there is a new rear sub-frame and suspension geometry to aid in delivering a more sporty ride. The cars should be in showrooms this fall.

Highlights of the Saab XWD AWD from the press release is after the jump.

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