BREAKING : Koenigsegg reaches agreement with GM to buy Saab

With General Motors selling out all their 'unprofitable' brands, like Hummer and Saturn, to emerge out of bankruptcy and called 'New GM'. Words now are all around the Swedish-originated, Saab. Well earlier reports were looming on China's Geely to buy Saab. However, with the help of the Swedish Government, the supercar maker Koenigsegg got into the bid, and won it.

Yes, it's official! General Motors announced that it has reached a preliminary agreement to sell the Saab brand to supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg. GM did not release any details on the price tag of the agreement, but said that the sale will include guaranteed financing by the Swedish Govenment.

“The sale, expected to close by the end of the third quarter of this year, includes an expected $600 million funding commitment from the European Investment Bank (EIB) guaranteed by the Swedish government,” GM said in a statement.

However, GM still has some stake in Saab. Therefore, GM will still provide Saab with platforms, engines, and technologies. Additionally, Saab plans to produce its next generation 9-5 models in the Saab production facility in Trollhättan, Sweden.

“Additional support is to be provided by GM and Koenigsegg Group AB to fund Saab’s operations and product program investments.” GM said in another statement

As for the new owner, Koenigsegg was founded in 1994, and has 45 employees and output of only a handful of cars a year. However with the match power of Swedish luxury and power, we'll probably see new Saab cars, that have some supercar inspiration.

Source : [General Motors]

GM branches: HUMMER purchased by China's Sichuan Tengzhong; Koenigsegg interested in SAAB; 16 buyers interested in Saturn; Holden safe from bankruptcy

It just been days, that General Motor announced that it's entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing, which should clear off into a "New GM", that should be into the new business within 90 days. Well, GM immediately headed off for new changes. It was earlier reports that GM will focus on less brands and less cars, to produce better quality and better service.

Well first up, Hummer. It was reported earlier that two Arab investors were interested in buying Hummer's stake. However, it was announced today GM and China's Sichuan Tengzhong for Heavy Industrial Machinery reached a deal into the purchase of Hummer. That right, Hummer is now fully-owned by a Chinese company! GM said that Tengzhong is a "privately-owned company and a leading domestic manufacturer of road, construction and energy industry equipment." On Tengzhong side, they announced that Hummer will still be manufactured in the U.S, which will secure more than 3,000 American jobs in factories and management. Tengzhong plans to produce more Hummer fuel-efficient trucks, and spread Hummer dealers worldwide. - [The New York Times]

In other GM brands, there's Saab. Saab was once asking their originated Swedish government to take loans for their independence from GM. However, GM is still considering any profitable bids from other companies to sell it to. Well, it was also once reported that China's Geely automaker is in fact interested to buy stake in Saab. Joining Geely, a report from the Swedish financial daily newspaper, Dagens Industri, Sweden's own supercar builder Koenigsegg, is now one of the parties interested in buying General Motors' Saab brand. GM announced that Saab's new owner should be decided by end of June. - [Reuters]

GM is also considering on selling Saturn. Saturn is the GM brand that ships Opel vehicles to the states. Well, now after GM have sold Opel to Canadian auto part Magna, Saturn is in a deep downfall. Nevertheless, 16 companies (GM weren't allowed to announce who they are) are bidding for the purchase of Saturn from GM. The sale of Saturn should help GM repay some of its debts. - [Detroit Free Press]

Finally, there's General Motor's Australian branch, Holden. Holden is responsible for such great cars like the Holden Commodore (Pontiac G8 in U.S. and Chevrolet Lumina in the Middle East), and the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro that shares platform with the Commodore. It was stated today that GM intends to keep its relationship with Holden, and that it's safe from any bankruptcy terms. "We don't anticipate GM's bankruptcy will have any direct impact on Holden's workforce, dealers, or suppliers," said Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss. GM also announced that Holden will be a big part of the 'New GM' after the bankruptcy Chapter 11 filing. - [Stuff.Co.Nz]

All 2009 Geneva Motor Show Reveals !

Missed anything of the Geneva Motor Show? Well this index is here to help. All new reveals that were held in the Swiss gates.

Although the show was mainly about environmentally-friendly cars, there were some ultra-supercars that were exciting.

Here's the list:

Alfa Romeo:
1)2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA Concept

Aston Martin:
1)2009 Aston Martin Lagonda Concept
2)2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
3)2010 Aston Martin One-77
4)2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Audi:
1)2010 Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet
2)2010 Audi TT RS

Bentley:
1)2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

BMW:
1)2009 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo Concept

Bugatti:
1)2009 Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire

Chevrolet:
1)2009 Chevrolet Corvette GT1 Championship Edition
2)2010 Chevrolet Spark (production)

Citroën:
1)2009 Citroën DS Inside Concept

Dacia:
1)2009 Dacia Duster Concept

Ferrari:
1)2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE
2)2010 Ferrari 599XX

Fiat:
1)2010 Fiat 500C

Ford:
1)2009 Ford Focus RS
2)2009 Ford Iosis Max Concept

Giugiaro:
1)2009 Giugiaro Frazer-Nash Namir

Honda:
1)2010 Honda Insight (EU Version)

Hyundai:
1)2009 Hyundai i20 3-door
2)2009 Hyundai ix-onic Concept

Infiniti:
1)2009 Infiniti Essence Concept

Kia:
1)2009 Kia No.3 Concept

Koenigsegg:
1)2009 Koenigsegg Quant Concept

Lamborghini:
1)2010 Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

Magna Steyr:
1)2009 Magna Steyr Mila EV

Mansory:
1)2009 Mansory Bugatti LINEA Vincero

Mazda:
1)2010 Mazda 3 MPS
2)2010 Mazda 3 i-stop

Mercedes:
1)2010 Mecedes E-Class Coupe

Mitsubishi:
1)2009 Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Air Concept

Nissan:
1)2009 Nissan Qazana Concept

Opel:
1)2012 Opel Ampera

Porsche:
1)2010 Porsche 911 GT3
2)2010 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

Renault:
1)2010 Renault Clio RS 200
2)2010 Renault Megane RS 250

Rinspeed:
1)2009 Rinspeed iChange
2)2009 Rinspeed E2

Rolls-Royce:
1)2009 Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept

RUF:
1)2010 RUF eRUF Greenster

Spyker:
1)2009 Spyker C8 Aileron

Tata:
1)2009 Tata 2009 Prima Concept
2)2010 Tata Nano Europa

Vauxhall:
1)2012 Vauxhall Ampera

Volkswagen:
1)2009 Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion Concept
2)2010 Volkswagen Polo

Zagato:
1)2009 Zagato Perana Z-One

New Reveal At Geneva : 2009 Koenigsegg Quant Concept

Just few weeks ago Koenigsegg released a teaser of the Quant. At that time we could only see the front and had no idea what to expect. We speculated that it could be a new generation of a supercar that has an enormous engine. We were totally wrong! Koenigsegg has made Quant official at Geneva and surprise of all surprises! It is a four-seater solar-power electric car. Yes, even one of the most "maddest" supercar companies of all have entered the electric car market.

Since the Swedish company only used to do 800hp CCX, the eclectic motor was done by NLV Solar AG. It also does the photovoltaic and accumulator technologies. Overall, NLV Solar AG commissioned the new environmentally-friendly supercar and asked Koenigsegg to come up with a design that would incorporate their technology.
The technology behind the Quant is astonishing. NLV’s technology features an advanced electric-power generation and storage system which will allow the Quant to recharge in 20 minutes while providing a range of 500km (311 miles). Additional power comes from a solar panels that cover the body of the car, further increasing the range potential. Quant uses rear wheel drive, with four-wheel brake regeneration, ABS and ESP.

So with the combined power, the Quant packs 512hp and 527 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph comes at 5.2 seconds, and will keep going all the way to 171 mph. It's the slowest Koenigsegg, on the other hand, it's one of the fastest electric cars ever to be produced!
Quant’s looks like a futuristic supercar at first, but it actually seats for, it lacks B-pillars and uses gull-wing doors for easy entrance. There is only one door on each side of the car. Windows on the other hand can be opened separately on the front and rear.

In the end, if Koenigsegg approves the aero dynamics of the design shape, and NLVcan mass produce the hybrid system, then expect it to move towards a series production in the near future.

Source : [Koenigsegg]

Teaser Shot : 2010 Koenigsegg Quant Concept

Since the Geneva Motor Show is only a couple weeks away, automakers are boring us with teaser shots of their new cars. Most of them are pretty boring enough, but Koenigsegg's teaser did interest us a lot. It's called the Quant, it's a concept that will probably hit limited-production line soon. We haven't got any information about it, only that it will feature a new infotainment system inside and should have around 800hp. So with ain't no information, we have to start speculating. What could this car be?
Well from the only picture we got, this Quant certainly is a next generation off the CC & CCX. Koenigsegg called the Quant "new creation for the future". So it should be something extremely powerful and fast. However looking inside, Koenigsegg's new infotainment system make the Quant way softer than the CC & CCX. The new infotainment system features satellite navigation, climate control and stereo system. It also has a new UI computer, which also allows drivers to monitor performance metrics with a G-force sensor, lap timer and torque meter, along with manipulating the chassis, and even traction control. We also noticed that it gets along in a automatic gearbox with paddle shifts. Yes, even Koenigsegg has went soft, because all of these goodies weren't featured on the CC & CCX, which were quite raw, vicious, and even exciting. So the Quant won't centennially be a successor to the CC & CCX.

What is this car then? Well, Last year Koenigsegg confirmed plans for a 4-door sedan, which would be available in 2011. So could it possibly be that 4-door Koenigsegg? We have a feeling that it isn't, but something sportier packing at least 800hp. Even if it is not the 4-door sedan, it could be GT-style 2+2. One thing is sure, Koenigsegg will likely steal the show in Geneva.

Source : [Koenigsegg]