Saab joining the World Rally Championship in 2012?

Saab joining the World Rally Championship in 2012?

It has long been a two horse race between Ford and Citroen, but the World Rally Championship could be looking at a revival. With MINI/Prodrive joining the fray next year, Saab could be joining the WRC by 2012, according to reports.

Autosport magazine says that Saab-Spyker CEO Victor Muller has met top officials from the WRC, quoting sources at the WRC claiming that the saved from death Swedish brand will make a partial entry into the 2012 season and full entry in 2013. “We could have four, possibly five manufacturers competing in the WRC in 2012. People are realising that they need to advertise their way out of the tough times we’ve been through,” WRC promoter Simon Long told Autosport. The mag’s insider added that “Saab is looking at the World Rally Championship as the perfect platform to launch a new product and to rebuild the brand.”

This could be the new small Saab that the company is finding a partner for, and BMW’s MINI platform and drivetrains are being eyed, according to the rumourmill.

Saab was active in rallying in the post-war era, with the 92 and 93 models regularly taking chequered flags. The company quit the sport in 1980.

Source

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Jacob Alexander

Jacob Mathew Alexander has been a motoring nut for as far as he can remember and has recently turned his passion into writing. After spending some time in the same industry in the UK, Jacob's work is from a slightly different perspective.

 

Comments

  • good news… no, make that great news!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • raybrig on Aug 10, 2010 at 6:51 pm

    Good to hear that finally Saab will be returning to WRC championship, it will more interesting…I hope Mitsusibshi & Subaru will be joining the fray..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Jaybond on Aug 11, 2010 at 8:55 am

      Certainly, but Mitsu & Subaru might still be wary of Citroen, wiping out the oposition again like hell..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Anti Proton on Aug 10, 2010 at 11:01 pm

    welcomeback saab

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • teamsleepnine on Aug 11, 2010 at 12:05 am

    i seriously dun give a rat about mitsubishi or subaru rejoin wrc….after all that two japanese company able to win is because LANCIA PULLOUT…

    BRING IT ON LANCIA DELTA EVOLUZINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    make it with martini livery please.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Ford_GT on Aug 11, 2010 at 8:27 am

      Former Lancia owned by Fiat group who currently running another rally works Fiat Abarth Grande S2000 in IRC. It’s very difficult to predict inside crystal ball whether they would want to involve in WRC affair again.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Jaybond on Aug 11, 2010 at 8:49 am

      You must be kidding. At the end of Lancia involvement in WRC, the Deltas were consistently losing out to the newer Celica ST205, and that’s when Mitsu was still running the Galant VR4 and Subaru running the Legacy.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required