Saab hires ex-Ferrari designer to compete with Bmw and Audi

As part of Saab Automobile’s efforts to compete with BMW and Audi, it has appointed Jason Castriota to head its design team.

Castriota is a US designer who is famous for having developed the Ferrari P4/5 and Maserati GranTurismo. In an interview at New York, Castriota said that his design firm’s first task is to conceptualize an upscale version of Saab’s current 9-3 model, which is set for a 2012 release. He said that the focus of this new design will be on aerodynamics. He said that it’s “absolutely vital” that he and his team get this car right.
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t_bone - 6/21/2010 9:53:25 AM

+3 Boost

Excellent. This is one the "good" designers at Ferrari. Hmm, having said that, will the downward spiral of Ferrari design get even worse?

B7FAN - 6/21/2010 12:37:18 PM

+1 Boost

The only thing with this is that I hope they dont rely on just design moving fowardto sell their product even though it would play one of the major factors as does the interior, performance, and handling. I wish they would bring the SAAB Vigen back and for those of you that are SAAB fans like myself know what the viggen is. The company I work for... a female just purchased a Viggen 9-3 in Pristine Condition it looks as if no one drove it and sounds great when she pulls off.

I hope this designer carries on the tradition of SAAB designs which are very unique and have their own character hence the NEW 9-5.

pennfootball - 6/21/2010 11:08:25 AM

+4 Boost

Well
the California is Fugly
the 458 italia is Fugly
the 612 Scaglietti is Fugly
the 599 GTB Fiorano is lukewarm
the 599 GTO is amazing
the F-430 is amazing

Joe_Limon - 6/21/2010 11:27:19 AM

-2 Boost

That's weird, my opinion is almost opposite

The F458 is amazing
The F430 is nice
The California is lukewarm
and the rest are fugly

B7FAN - 6/21/2010 12:29:19 PM

+1 Boost

599 is one of the top 2 best looking ferrari's IMO

rev1906 - 6/21/2010 11:19:43 PM

+1 Boost

I think they'r moving in the right direction. I want be impressed until they come out with something vigeness. If anyone is paying attention Acura/Honda, Toyota/Lexus, Cadilac, BMW x6 and Audi is chopping into the crossover/hatchback market. Hopefully Saab will come out of their snoozed state of mine an reign again.