This is an interesting one and I’m intrugued for a couple of reasons.


I got an email today from a person who created an email account under the name Djup Strupe. When I get other Saab insider information, I generally have an idea of that person’s position and therefore their credibility as a source. I generally write my article in a way that describes my level of caution about the material.


In this instance, with the email coming in the name of Djup Strupe, I have no idea who it is. It could be a genuine Djup Strupe or it could be someone knowing that I use the name Djup Strupe for inside sources and trying to fool me.


That’s the first piece of intrigue. Djup Strupe, who are you?


Now, on to the contents of the email. Here’s what Djup Strupe had to say:


<blockquote>Heard from some reliable sources that there is talk, (or already even determined?) that there will be no v6 in the 9-3. Low volume and emissions being the reason. Originaly planed to be updated to the v6 today in the insignia. Now, its scratched. Is this the last year you can order a v6 in the small Saab?

</blockquote>
So that’s it.


Low volume: Around 70% of Saab’s sales in the US are 9-3s and of these, around 70% or more are 2.0Ts. That’s low volume for you.


Emissions: This is something I don’t know so much about, but naturally, it’s a concern in this ever greening world.


The bigger picture for me is what impact that might have on Saab’s image.


Saab only got the V6 in 2006 and it’s something that people had been asking for for some time. Bob Sinclair himsled said it was something they were clamouring for since the late 1980s. Now that Saab have got a (superb) V6, it’s regarded more as being underpowered (mostly by people who don’t have one or haven’t driven it) than it is as one of Wards’ top 10 engines of 2006.


Can they afford to lose that option in what is their best and biggest selling vehicle right now?


Well, maybe in 2009 they can.


The new Saab 9-5 will come eventually, and it’ll be bigger and I’d donate a kidney to my neighbors cat if it didn’t come with a V6 option. With the majority of Saab sales being turbocharged fours, would they still need the V6 in that line, or would they be better off concentrating that option in the 9-5?


It’s an intriguing thought.


Unfortunately, given that I don’t know this Djup Strupe at all, I can’t give you any idea as to the credence you can place on this info.


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http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/trollhattansaab/ceTX/~4/421460207