Automotive News에서 발췌한 기사입니다.

Ferrari P4/5와 Maserati Gran Turismo 의 디자인 작업에 참여한 Jason Castriota가 Saab의 신형 9-3의 디자인을 진행할 것이라는 뉴스입니다.

디자이너는 생소한 이름이지만 (저에게는) Ferrari P4/5나 Maserati 같은 강렬한 디자인 작업에 참여한 디자이너가 진행할 신형 9-3은 어떻게 나올지 궁금해 지네요 ㅎㅎ.

미국 태생 이탈리안 디자인하우스 출신의 디자이너가 이끄는 네덜란드 기업 소유의 스웨덴 자동차의 작품이 어떨지 자못 기대가 됩니다.  Saab에 많은 관심을 가진 것은 아니었지만 예전에 900S Turbo의 강렬했던 기억이 있고 Saab라는 사라져갈뻔 했던 메이커가 화려하게 부활하는 모습을 꿈꿔봅니다.

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STOCKHOLM (Bloomberg) -- Jason Castriota, the U.S. designer known for creating the Ferrari P4/5 and Maserati GranTurismo, will head Saab Automobile's design team to help the Swedish carmaker take on BMW and Audi.

The first assignment for Castriota's design firm is to create an upscale version of Saab's current 9-3 model, scheduled for release in 2012, the 36-year-old said. Aerodynamics will be a focus of the new design, he said.

“It's absolutely vital we get this car right,” Castriota said in an interview. “This is Saab returning to its roots, not having to worry about being part of a much larger machine that they were before in the GM organization.”

Saab, sold by General Motors Co. to Dutch supercar maker Spyker Cars NV in February, aims to become profitable by 2012. The turnaround strategy includes releasing premium models more distinct and sporty in their design than when Saab was under GM, according to Spyker CEO Victor Muller.

Castriota will play a major role in fashioning the new 9-3 and other models, said Eric Geers, a spokesman for the Trollhaettan, Sweden-based Saab.

“The 9-3 design as made by him is basically done, and I can tell you it is spectacular,” Muller said by telephone, adding that the design will be completed within weeks. “It is truly aircraft-inspired and Swedish-clean.”

Benchmark cars

The 9-3 was first released in 1998. The second generation, still produced today, hit the streets in 2002. The new version intends to challenge BMW's 3-series and the Audi A4, Castriota said.

“Those are the benchmark cars,” he said by telephone. “They're true premium vehicles and the 9-3 also needs to be a true premium vehicle.”
Castriota started his career in 2001 at luxury-car designer Pininfarina S.p.A. in Turin, Italy, where he stayed until 2008. He then worked for Stile Bertone in Italy until September 2009.

Last December, he started his own firm, Jason Castriota Designs. The design house has five designers and is based in New York City and Turin.

"I literally started sketching Ferraris when I was about five years old,” he said. “For whatever reason, some kids might kick around a soccer ball, I picked up a pencil and started sketching cars.”

BMW talks

Castriota will become part of the leadership at Saab and will help “define the strategy for the new models,” he said.

Saab is also planning to introduce a smaller car with a tear-drop shape inspired by the 92 model that was in production between 1949 and 1956. Saab is in talks with BMW about using its Mini platform, as well as engines and gearboxes, for that model, two people familiar with the situation said last week.

“A small premium car from Saab is a very important vehicle and is something that could truly help the overall production volume of Saab in a great way,” Castriota said.