VIDEO: Chris Bangle Butts Heads with Jason Castriota at SAAB's Geneva Motor Show Stand

You might think watching two world-renowned designers talking cars would be entertaining . . . and you'd be right on the money. Rising star and Saab's current hot shot design director Jason Castriota penned the PhoeniX concept. Chris Bangle, known for turning BMW on its head with his flame surfaces and unique rear ends, was hanging around Geneva and decided to chat with Castriota about his "aero" style.

Check out the video below for a minute and a half of a little (friendly?) banter between two polarizing designers as they discuss what makes the PhoeniX a Saab.

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First Photos of New SAAB 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition

On Wednesday, February 23, SAAB will host a special party at its Trollhättan plant in Sweden to celebrate what it describes as "the first anniversary of Saab’s rebirth as an independent carmaker".

I'd argue if Saab is really independent given that the company heavily relies on GM for its current portfolio (one example is the new 9-4X which is based on the Cadillac SRX and is built at the Detroit automaker's Ramos Arizpe factory in Mexico) and is actively seeking help to develop its future models having already sealed a deal with BMW for the supply of 4-cylinder engines, but that's another story for another time.

Case in point is that at the birthday party, the Swedes plan to debut a commemorative edition model based on the 9-3 Convertible, the first pictures of which were spilled on the internet today. According to Saabsunited, the 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition will be built in a limited run of 366 units, apparently one for each day that passed since Spyker Cars took over the company from GM.

The special edition model gets a 220HP 2.0T Biopower engine and will boast several unique features such as the bespoke Sunset Red color, new 18-inch alloy wheels, gray leather seats with a center strip and piping in orange, numerous Hirsch interior appointments and an orange-colored turbo instrument needle.

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SAAB to Celebrate its own...Independence Day on February 23rd

A little over a year ago, Saab's future was very much in doubt. GM was looking for a buyer for the Swedish brand and even contemplated closing down the Trollhattan plant. On the other hand, investors weren't exactly anxious to put their money on what they thought was a sinking ship. But, on the 23rd of February 2010, Saab's fate took a surprising turn for the better as GM sold the company to Spyker Cars, saving thousands of jobs and decades of tradition.

To celebrate the first anniversary from the sale, Saab will throw a massive party on February 23, 2011, turning its factory in Trollhattan into an entertainment arena. All 3,800 employees will have the day off and will be joined by dealers, suppliers, VIPs and media in celebrating Saab's rebirth as an independent carmaker.

The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of a special edition model, most likely the “Independence Edition” of the 9-3 Cabriolet. It might also be a good occasion to show the employees the concept car that Saab will premiere at the Geneva Auto Show. This car will be the starting point for the future compact Saab hatchback, which will be positioned beneath the 9-3 model range.

But Saab has other reasons to celebrate as well. “We’ve triggered the biggest new product offensive in Saab’s history with the launch of the 9-5 Sedan and the 9-4X crossover, the introduction of the 9-5 SportCombi later this year, and the arrival of a new generation 9-3 range next year,” said Saab's CEO Jan Ake Jonsson. Who would have dared thinking about that a year ago?

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First Saab 9-4X Rolls Off Assembly Line in Mexico

It's been a rough ride for Saab's 9-4X, but the very first production model has now rolled off the assembly line at General Motors' Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, just three months after the compact crossover was unveiled last November at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.

“This is a great day for Saab,” said Jonsson. “The arrival of the 9-4X is another important step in the fulfillment of our business plan. This sporty and distinctive product will significantly broaden the appeal of our brand and give us access to an important new vehicle segment that is still growing, particularly in the United States.”

The first vehicle bearing the chassis number 00001, is a 9-4X Aero model finished in an Ice Pearl metallic and powered by a 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine. According to Saab, it bound for a media test drive event in the United States before being shipped to Sweden for display at the Saab car museum.

Based on the Cadillac SRX, the new Saab 9-4X is will arrive in U.S. showrooms in May 2011, with sales in Europe and other global markets due to begin from August.

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Saab to Show a New Hatchback Concept as well as Updates on 9-3 Range at the Geneva Salon

For Saab, 2011 will be a crucial year, one that could make or break the company’s success. In a statement made in January, Chairman Victor Mullen said he's confident that the automaker will be able to pick up momentum and achieve the projected sales volume of 80,000 units. But for that the Swedes need new models and it seems that they’ll deliver.

According to a press invitation sent out today, aside from the already confirmed and teased 2011 9-5 Sportcombi, Saab's Geneva Motor Show stand will host the premiere of a brand new concept model and either facelifted or special edition versions of the 9-3 range.

As previously reported, Saab wants to revive the 1950s 92 model, so it’s possible that the concept car will announce just that. Furthermore, a report on the Saabs United website claims that the design study will also showcase the brand’s new design language under Saab Design Chief Jason Castriota.

The enthusiast site also asserts that the updates to the 9-3 could be a special edition version of the cabriolet called “9-3 Independence Edition” to commemorate one year from the day Spyker bought Saab from General Motors (February 23, 2010), and a Griffin-badged variant of the sedan model.

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New Saab 9-5 SportCombi Spotted Strolling Out in the Open

Saab recently gave us our first taste of the new 9-5 SportCombi with the release of a single teaser photo, but today, Saabsunited member Djup Strupe spotted the station wagon model out in the open, apparently somewhere near the firm's headquarters in Trollhättan, Sweden. The specific example is said to be an Aero TTiD model, which probably means it's powered by the same 190HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine found on the sedan version. The more practical and dare we say more Saab-ish version of the 9-5, which will also be known as the SportWagon in some markets, will receive its world premiere at next month's Geneva Salon before it arrives in dealerships this Fall.

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