The Saab 9-3 Phoenix, which we first saw via a few low quality photos a while back, is the near-production-ready example of what was to become Saab’s sales booster. Sadly, it never had the chance to see the light of day, and while there still is interest for the Saab brand, nothing seems to be happening.
Now, we have come across more photos of the 2013 9-3, which actually make it look a bit less awkward than it did in the first batch of shots. The car looks quite pleasing, especially from behind, and while it’s still just a bit too long for the kind of hatchback shape it’s going for, we’d have forgiven it, since the rear looks exactly like the rear of a Saab should.
We would even go as far as to say it is even more handsome than the larger 9-5, a more toned down interpretation of the same styling direction. Still even the 9-5 did a great job of hiding the fact that it was an Opel/Vauxhall Insignia underneath, with a longer wheelbase and very different proportions – this 9-3 just took that same idea a bit further.
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: Saabworld via Automonthly
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