Electric 9-3 drives closer

If it looks rather like an old Saab 9-3, well, that's because it is based on the old Saab 9-3, writes Brian Byrne.

But this NEVS showcar from China is all-electric, and previews what the company that bought the bankrupt Saab technology but not its name will be showing at the Shanghai Consumer Electronics Show this month.

The saloon and an SUV derivative will feature all-electric powertrains developed by NEVS, as well as modern connectivity and remote control applications.

The company has made a deal with Chinese car leasing company Panda to provide 150,000 of the production models up to 2020.