Saab 9-5 lives on in China's Volvo-inspired BAIC C70G sedan | CarAdvice

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Saab 9-5 lives on in China’s Volvo-inspired BAIC C70G sedan

VOLVO C70
By Tim Beissmann
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Saab may no longer be in business and the final Saab 9-3 may have been sold, but pieces of the brand’s DNA continue to live on.

The C70G sedan from Chinese manufacturer BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co.) is the new first vehicle to be produced on the platform of the first-generation Saab 9-5.

BAIC purchased the rights to the old 9-5 platform – as well as the platform and some engine and transmission technology from the 9-3 – in 2009 from Saab’s then-owner General Motors as the Detroit-based company struggled to keep the embattled Swedish manufacturer afloat.

The ageing platform was used to underpin the 9-5 between 1997 and 2010, although the mid-sized front-wheel-drive GM2900 architecture can actually be traced back to 1988 when it debuted beneath the Vauxhall Vectra and Cavalier.

BAIC has reportedly upgraded the platform significantly, renaming it ‘M-trix’, and has plans to use it to underpin a new SUV.

Unveiled at the 2012 Beijing motor show, the C70G has entered production and is set to reach Chinese showrooms in the second half of 2012.

At 4860mm long, 1820mm wide and 1641mm tall, the C70G is wider and taller than the first-generation Saab 9-5, and has an exterior design and colour palette that borrows from Saab’s compatriot, Volvo. The production model will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

Image courtesy of BitAuto website.

  • Noddy

    What was a risky, quirky design for a battling company, has become a bland, common design for a company that can afford the risk. That said, this and the Roewe have similar style, so maybe the Chinese like it like that.

  • Jacksheat

    The Falcodore’s design is so exciting nobody wants them and their profit is whatever taxpayer’s money they get from Carr’s clique.

    • Blair Waldorf

       What has this got to do with this article? hahah!

  • ABCDEFG

    Instead of 00 zero 00, Saab gets revived by the world’s largest auto market. That is definitely good for Saab.

    • carbine

       Yeah, I’m glad Saab’s hard work and resources hasn’t completely wasted. While not what I had in mind for one of my favourite quirky manufacturers, at least someone’s making use of their platform. I was truly sad to see Saab go. The second generation 9-5 looks fantastic – hope I can find one for sale in 2-3 years time when I might be able to afford it.

  • Westie

    “traced back to 1988 when it debuted beneath the Vauxhall Vectra and Cavalier”
    That’ll be the Camira replacement, then…
    Seems somehow fitting that the Chinese and (formerly known as) Daewoo should end up with this cast off cut price GM left over at various different times.
    One man’s junk is another’s Volvo (copy).

  • trololololol

    Saab will be back one day….maybe not for a year or two but they will be back!!!