THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 2002
- Body style
- Berlina
- Engine
- 3.0-litre V6 petrol · Drive-by-wire controls
- Type
- Concept
- Displacement
- 3,000 cc
- Power
- 200 hp
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR
Coachbuilding, design & conversions
PRICE & SALES RECORD
Vehicle value
- Original price
- Not documented
- Latest recorded sale
- Not documented
01 / THE STORY
History & context
The Saab Novanta was Bertones celebration for its 90th anniversary. The Novanta was a concept car that combines advanced design and pioneering technology. was born out of a vision of the imminent future, it also recalls the philosophy that characterised the life and work of Nuccio Bertone, a philosophy still at the heart of Bertone today: always striving to push back the boundaries of what is possible. A moving showcase of news ideas, Novanta returns to a classic Bertone theme that of an executive saloon. Novanta relies on drive-by-wire technology from SKF, for the control of all major driving systems. This new technology has had a major influence during the design and architectural development of the Saab Novanta. Eliminating many of the constraints imposed by traditional mechanical systems, by-wire technology has allowed the designers to rethink all of the structural elements of the interior and to make new information technologies accessible. This re-evaluation is an evolutionary step from their design work on the Bertone-SKF Opel Filo. However, the use of new technology is not confined to the drive-by-wire systems. A variety of electronic devices transforms the Saab Novanta into a “knot” of nerve endings in constant communication with the external world, covering the needs of both driver and passengers.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production type
- Concept
- Mechanical platform
- Saab 9-5 platform/drivetrain
Engine & performance
- Engine configuration
- 3.0-litre V6 petrol · Drive-by-wire controls
- Displacement
- 3,000 cc
- Power (hp)
- 200 hp
- Specification notes
- ASI Bertone identifies Novanta/Saab 90 as Bertone's 90th-anniversary prototype on Saab 9-5 platform and the first practical application of drive-by-wire in the collection. Contemporary technical data list a 3.0-litre V6 with 200 hp and dimensions 4450 x 1800 x 1450 mm.
Dimensions & accommodation
- Length
- 4,450 mm
- Width
- 1,800 mm
- Height
- 1,450 mm
Design & manufacture
- Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
- Bertone
- Designer · Candidate
- Giuliano Biasio
- Manufacturer · Documented
- Saab
04 / INDIVIDUAL HISTORY
Chassis & provenance
Ownership & provenance
- Ownership & history · Legacy attribution
- Car Collection
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 2 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| Car Design News — Bertone Saab Novanta (2002) www.cardesignnews.com | Design trade press |
| Auta5P — Bertone Saab Novanta technical specification auta5p.eu | Specialist technical catalogue |











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