STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Forget the rumors you've heard about a neo-Sonett.

Saab planners are focusing on a much more down-to-earth product: a compact sport hatchback aimed at the Audi A3 and known internally as the Saab 9-1.

Company executives already are talking about the vehicle. In an interview with the Swedish newspaper TT, Saab Managing Director Jan-Ake Jonsson said the car will be built at Saab's home plant in Trollhättan and will be built on the same platform as the next-generation Opel Astra.

The 9-1, which is due in early 2009, won't be the only vehicle off the new Delta platform. Saturn also is looking to Opel to provide it with a successor to the Ion in 2008. Sensitive to pressure by fans to keep their cars unique, Saab officials told Inside Line that any similarities between the Opel and Saab vehicles that shared platforms will be under the skin and that both would be very distinct vehicles.

Work on the 9-1 began in earnest last year when it became clear that there would be no direct Japanese replacement planned for the "Saabaru" 9-2X, which runs through 2007. Saab reportedly is doing styling studies on its future small car, which will likely adopt design cues from the recent Aero X concept.

The company also is working on Opel-based replacements for its big 9-5 for late 2009 and the midsize 9-3 for 2010, according to European suppliers.

What this means to you: Opel will be the common thread that ties Saab to Saturn in the future. How much similarity will we see? Only time will tell.