The missing link in Saab’s lineup
For decades, Saab enthusiasts have pointed to the absence of a true subcompact in the company’s portfolio. The original Saab 92, introduced in 1949, was a lightweight teardrop-shaped pioneer that helped put Sweden on the automotive map. But in modern times, especially during the GM years, Saab never delivered a proper successor in this segment.
Instead, the market saw attempts such as the Saab 9-2X, essentially a rebadged Subaru Impreza wagon, which failed to convince Saab purists and US buyers alike. Around the same time, there were whispers of a Saab 9-1 hot hatch, supported by internal design sketches and concepts like the 9-X BioHybrid. Yet none of these projects reached production. The gap remained, leaving Saab dependent on larger models and limiting its reach in Europe’s competitive small car market.
An enthusiast imagines a revival
Reader James Stevens has recently shared his vision of how a modern compact Saab could have looked if introduced around 2008. Using AI design tools, he created the Saab 92 Revival Concept, a small hatchback that reinterprets Saab’s heritage with contemporary proportions and details.
What makes his work stand out is not that it reinvents the brand from scratch, but that it remains grounded in Saab’s actual design language. The proportions clearly echo the last generation Saab 9-3, only tightened into a shorter wheelbase and more compact hatch profile. Surfaces are smooth, free from excessive creases, while details like the grille and lighting respect Saab tradition without drifting into fantasy.
Unlike many speculative renders circulating online, this one feels like something Trollhättan designers could have realistically proposed at the time—had Saab been allowed to pursue a small car project seriously.
Technical imagination with Saab DNA
James didn’t stop at the visuals. He also outlined a full technical brief, imagining the concept riding on GM’s Gamma architecture with typical Saab tuning touches. The proposal included:
- Engines: turbocharged petrol, BioPower E85, and a small diesel, all tuned for strong low-rpm torque.
- Drivetrain: standard FWD with optional Haldex-based XWD for the Aero trim.
- Suspension: MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear with compound bushings, and sportier setups for Aero.
- Safety: SAHR active head restraints, Night Panel, and a high-strength safety cage—features Saab was known for.
While purely fictional, these specifications were carefully chosen to reflect Saab’s values at the time: turbocharging, cold-weather reliability, safety engineering, and driver-focused ergonomics.
Heritage references without exaggeration
Another notable aspect of this concept is how it nods to Saab history without lapsing into retro gimmicks. The teardrop inspiration of the original 92 is visible in the clean roofline and tapering tail. James also imagined heritage trims like “Aircraft Green” paint or optional wheel spats—small but clever callbacks to Saab’s aircraft roots and post-war beginnings.
Inside, the renderings show a driver-centric cockpit with green illumination and center console ignition, very much in the Saab style. The design is contemporary for 2008 yet restrained, avoiding the over-styled dashboards common in many fan concepts.
Why this vision resonates
In reality, the Saab 92 Revival Concept will never change the company’s history. It is, after all, the personal project of an enthusiast. But it resonates with the community precisely because it feels believable.
The proportions, surfacing, and technical outline are aligned with what Saab might have plausibly engineered in 2008, rather than straying into unrealistic territory. For many fans, it is a reminder of what could have been if Saab had managed to bring a true compact back into its lineup—a model that might have helped attract younger buyers and secure stronger sales in Europe.
A Saab that never was, but could have been
The Saab 92 Revival Concept by James Stevens is not an alternate history, but it is a thoughtful homage to a missing piece in Saab’s story. By anchoring its design in real Saab cues and scaling down the proven 9-3 language, it comes across as more than a casual rendering. It’s a credible vision of a car Saab enthusiasts wished for but never received.
In the end, this project underscores the enduring pull of Saab design. Even long after the factory in Trollhättan shut its doors, the brand’s DNA continues to inspire enthusiasts to imagine how the Saab spirit might live on—in teardrop shapes, turbocharged drivetrains, and interiors built with the driver at the center.
Wtf is that? Maybe that is the reason SAAB is dead. It was bad enough the 9-2 was a re-added Subaru. This thing looks like a Kia or Hyundai product.
Surprisingly believable with the exception of the iPhone 4 screen
Every vehicle rebadged as Saab 9-2 or the awful 9-7x were only successful in killing the purity of the Saab brand. 🤮
No more accurate statement could have been said! The company was lost when GM took over. They had more failures than successes, with the exception of a few of their own vehicles.
I remember going to the Saab showroom in Reading and a salesman telling me to get excited, there would be a small Saab coming….it never did. This would have been brilliant had it actually been real
I thought this kind of thing only happened to me in my country. The sellers promised that new models would come out every year — from little cars to big SUVs. My mom was pretty excited. In the end, reality was a bit disappointing, but looking back, it really was a fun time.
Should have done this rather than the NG 9-5 , the world was in recession in 2009/10 and a compact like this would have been better placed than a big 9-5
With this outdated interior, it was already doomed to commercial failure. It needed a more technological interior with the latest market trends to win over new customers, because the brand would no longer be able to survive on charisma alone.
most likely you are even very right………..most people are now on the “zeitgeist wave”…….but for example personally I am looking for a car that is technically ( mechanically ) modern and high-quality and durable, but has a minimum of unused functions……..which are now stuffed into new cars ( for example, electric power steering, LCD screen, tire pressure sensors……….not to mention when the car itself reverses into a parking space ). ….I understand that there are not many old-schoolers like me…..🙂😎🙂…..
I’m just looking for a small car………it would be an ideal choice for me…….conceptually minimalist, simple, and also inside without a “LCD movie theater”…….as much as a person really needs……
Lindo carro! A SAAB , deveria voltar a fabricar seus carros, uma das poucas marcas que preserva seu design próprio no seu estilo !
Omg I’d love one of these
Nah, looks like a Tesla/Mazda. The only thing resembling of a Saab is the grill. A small Saab concept should look like Saab 92, 93 or 96. Like Renault have done with their new 4 & 5. That would be really cool. And even better ..a retro 95.