It’s been interesting (and more than just a little bit sad) to observe the movements of some of the people I used to work with at Saab. Many of them are still looking for new jobs but I’ve been pleased to hear about others who have landed good positions at other car companies, or other automotive-related companies.
One of the guys I met a number of times, but didn’t get the chance to work with closely, was a guy named Peter Dörrich. Peter was the guy you can say thankyou to if you own the very rare Saab 9-4x. GM moved him to the US a few years ago, where he led the team developing both the 9-4x and the Cadillac SRX. He also led the team that developed the Saab 9-2x a few years before that.
Last year, Peter was the recipient of a national managerial award in Sweden, voted for by all members of Unionen, one of the biggest unions in Sweden. I already knew that Peter was one of the most popular guys at Saab but that award showed just how highly he was respected within the whole of Sweden.
Today, Peter’s name popped up in my news feeds. It turns out he’s just been hired by Rolls Royce.
When I first read the headline I was hoping we might see a night panel button on the next Phantom Drophead Coupe. Alas, Peter’s joined the other Rolls Royce’s Marine division, where he’ll be the ‘SVP Global Engineering Services’. Sounds like a fitting title and the maritime world is better for his appointment.
It’s always nice to hear of people you like landing on their feet again. Some of the people I worked next to at Saab have landed at Volvo, of course, but we’ve also got people at Jaguar LandRover, Ikea, PoleStar, GM, Ford and other prominent companies within Scandinavia and around the world.
For those former colleagues who haven’t landed something yet, I hope your fortunes change for the better soon. Maybe they’ll change if there’s a good purchaser for Saab announced in coming days/weeks.
You’ve seen the three contenders and you probably should have seen a poll coming at the end of this. The results of the poll won’t influence my decision, but it’ll be interesting to see the distribution of votes.
How many secret RS Megane fans are out there? How many will I offend if I don’t buy the Saab 9-3 Viggen? How many hopeless romantics want a classic Alfa Romeo GTV6 to find a good home?
The good part about this situation is that there’s no bad outcome. There may be preferable choices, but there’s no bad choice. I’d be very happy to have any one of these three vehicles in my garage.
Swade here. I’d like you to welcome a mate of mine, Pete, to the pages of Swadeology. You might have seen him around before, with the title “PT”. Pete and I met via the shared Saab experience – he’s been the owner of several Swedes and currently has a 9-3 SportCombi in the family garage. He’s around my age, very well read, resides here in Australia and was one of the few wise counsellors who made up the unofficial SU Board back when things were going nuts at Saab in 2009. He also plays drums for the Rolling Stones in some of their rehearsal sessions. Actually thats not true but he would if Mick and Keith ever called.
When I posted Option 3 yesterday, there were a few who questioned the merits of the Megane RS being on my shopping list. I figured I’d best get someone with first-hand experience to talk about it a little. Pete’s perfectly placed to do so as he actually owned one until very recently.
I hope you enjoy Pete’s occasional contributions
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RenaultSport Megane: the ownership experience. Where to start?
My time with 2.0 litres of Gallic fury in a 225 Sport Cup was short and sweet. Short? Well, let’s just say that was my fault, not the car’s. But sweet? Well, there are many, many ways to explain that.
The stats & details. 165kW/300Nm. 2.0 turbo. 1361kg. Brembo. 225/40/R18. Its a lot of car, whatever you’re paying. Of course, your can always go aftermarket too (hello Henk at Fastchips!) and the numbers go up and up. All without hardware updates.
The utility. It’s a formula that any Saab devotee needs no convincing of. 3-5 doors with a hatch. Seating for 5. Ample boot (thanks to Le Derriere (youTube that to see possibly one of the best car advertisements of all time). Roof rack mounts. There is not much you can’t carry in a Megane – and you won’t sweat about it during the journey thanks to the durable and practical charcoal interior. Sure, the leather is nothing close to what you’ll find from Sweden or Italy but thats part of the charm. Its workman-like rather than luxurious. Not to mention space for bigger people than you’d think. I’m on the XXL size (think rugby forward) and never had an issue with space. Front seat or back.
The running costs. It seems Renault has learned a lot from Nissan. They often share service facilities here in Australia and from my experience, the approach to billing as well. Very un-European in that account. Running costs are modest from week to week and the servicing is the icing on the cake.
Safety and tech. 5-star NCAP (Renault were first in the world here with the Laguna. Seriously) 6 airbags, xenons, rain sensors, parking sensors, switchable stability and traction control, cruise control. The most intuitive steering-mounted stereo controls I’ve ever used and a fuel tank without a cap (the cover is the cap). This is a modern, clever car in every sense.
The clincher? The drive. The Megane RS has pickup and acceleration like few cars under $100k and quite a few over. Then you come to the corners. Turn-in, hold and exit without a hint of give or roll. Total trust and confidence. It is simply a magical drive which very few cars in my experience can match. Despite the comparisons, the hot Golfs don’t come close and the Focus turbo is off the pace too. The EVO/WRX twins are comparable but lack the simplicity and style of the Renault. They’ve got the numbers on paper but none seem to have the RS ability to transmit this into their driving experience in the same way. Perhaps its because the RS cars come from a dedicated facility and aren’t just another option on a regular production line. Whatever the source, succesive hot Meganes have held their class record at the NurburgRing and that doesn’t happen by accident.
My RS Megane 225 Cup was the best car I’ve ever had. The completeness of the car coupled with the direct links to Renault Sport and the vibrant online/car club communities are an irresestible combination. It’s only a matter of time until I get another one. Burnt Orange this time.
