NEVS 9-3 TURBO PROTOTYPE - 2014
« Reborn from its own ashes like a phoenix ». Nobody can affirm with absolute certainty how a great brand like Saab had declined through the years but everybody agrees that it needs a third chance. After the failed attempt of Spyker Cars in 2010, it’s the turn of NEVS to become the savior in 2012. The take-over by the National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB was not a long calm river and if you want to know more about SAAB’s buyout, I suggest you typing “NEVS” on Wikipedia. We are here to talk about the Saab Nevs 9-3 Turbo Concept of 2014 and not about financial bla-bla.
Strangely, even though it has been labelled 9-3, it’s still a 70’s Saab 99 turbo tribute. The color, the side decals, the rims and of course the “Turbo” were inherited from the first Saab ever to “wear” a turbocharger in its engine. The tribute goes on with the fact that Nevs offered this prototype to the Saab Museum at Trollhättan to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Saab 99 turbo in 2017. Then what’s left from the 9-3? Mainly the body, it’s a restyled version of the previous 9-3 sedan. Under the hood, you can find a 2.0L turbo4 that develops 270hp (versus 145hp for the 99 turbo of 1978).
It was not meant to be a concept car but like many of Saab’s dreams, the reality differed from the plan. The 1000 units that should have been manufactured will never see the daylight and it’s kind of sad because many workers contributed in this project in a record time (only five weeks and no budget!). The expected price was 407 005 SEK (Swedish crowns), why was it so precise? 40 for the forty years of the turbo, 70 for the seventy years of Saab and 05 for five years of Nevs, this is genius.
By losing the right to use the Saab brand name, Nevs buried the project and focused on electric vehicles but it was without counting on the determination of DNA Collectibles.
Richard Birkett –
Love all the models such great detail Now need a Datsun 240Z to celebrate the 50th anniversary Would sell really well I’m sure