2011 Saab 9-4X

The new Saab 9-4x luxury crossover enters a segment ripe with competition, with the best from Europe, Japan, and the U.S. battling for supremacy. The question is, can Saab regain its mojo with a product based on the Cadillac SRX?

Certainly the 9-4x, which will make its debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, has an elegant design, but it takes more than just quality styling and an ignition switch located between the front seats to make a Saab. Whether engineers were successful in making the driving experience significantly different from the Cadillac SRX will be crucial to the 9-4x's identity and consumer reception.

In concept form, the 9-4x was powered by General Motors' direct-injection turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4, which produced nearly 300 horsepower when running on E85 ethanol blends. We wouldn't be surprised to see such an engine make its way into the final product to make it more Saab-ish, but given the 9-4x shares its Theta Premium underpinnings with the Cadillac SRX, it may also be offered with a 3.0-liter direct-injection V-6 or a turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6. Regardless, expect engine offerings to be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and Saab's Haldex-sourced XWD all-wheel-drive system.

Although the EPA has yet to officially certify the 9-4x's fuel economy, expect the finalized MPG figures to resemble those of its Cadillac cousin. A base SRX gets 18/25 mpg city/highway, while an all-wheel-drive model with the normally-aspirated V-6 is rated at 17/23 mpg. The top-end turbocharged all-wheel drive SRX achieves a 15/22 mpg rating.

In production trim, the 9-4X concept’s BioPower pretenses have fallen by the wayside, but the turbocharged engine has not. Just as with the Cadillac SRX, buyers will have their choice of a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V-6 producing 265 hp, or the 300-hp, turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6, which will be exclusive to the top-spec Aero model. All-wheel drive is standard on the Aero trim and optional on the otherwise front-wheel-drive 3.0-liter. The Aero also includes Saab’s DriveSense adaptive suspension. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Expect performance to match the Caddy—a 2.8-powered SRX we tested hit 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, and a 3.0-liter all-wheel driver took 8.4.

Our first in-person sighting of the 2011 9-4X will come at this year’s Los Angles auto show. The crossover will hit U.S. dealers in May of 2011, with European deliveries commencing in August.

The luxury crossover segment attracts a lot of buyers and accounts for loads of revenue—and, while we don’t love the Cadillac SRX, consumers are snatching it up. Saab is certainly late to this red-hot game, but the 9-4X’s unique look could make it the sales hit the company needs.

The 9-4X goes on sale in North America in May next year, with sales in Europe and other global markets due to begin from August. Prices will be announced shortly before sales commence.

The new Saab 9-5, while basically designed and developed under GM's aegis, is a wonderful, more American car than the previous edition. It still retains its Saab-ness, which is Saab's unique character. The production of the 9-5 is a strong indication of Saab's health under Spyker and its prospects for the future.

Replacing a 9-5 that was on the market for 13 long years, the new 9-5's high-tech features include keyless entry with a pushbutton start, which makes its placement on the floor symbolic, as you can't impale yourself on a push button.

The car will be available in the United States with two engines. At launch, we’ll see the 9-5 Aero with the turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6 that’s also fitted to the Cadillac SRX, making 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. This engine drives all four wheels through a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic transmission and Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system. XWD uses a Haldex clutch pack with a standard rear electronic limited-slip differential. In September, Saab will offer a 2.0T model powered by a direct-injection version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s used in the 9-3. It will make 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque in this guise. The 2.0T will be available with front-wheel drive, mated to a standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive in the 2.0T will be available in other markets but is not yet confirmed for the U.S.

Saab Automobile is taking its first step towards developing an all-electric vehicle with the Saab 9-3 ePower. Making its public debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Saab 9-3 ePower is the prototype for a test fleet of 70 vehicles which will participate in extensive field trials in Sweden in early 2010.

Although the majority of the car appears to be a stock 9-3 Sport Combi, its engine, transmission, exhaust system, and fuel tank were stripped to accommodate the electric drivetrain. A 135 kW (184 horsepower) electric motor drives the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. According to Saab, the driveline can reportedly propel the electric-powered wagon from 0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds, and ultimately to a top speed of 93 mph.

Power is provided by a 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which is nestled into the space beneath the cargo floor previously occupied by the fuel tank. Since Sweden is prone to long, frigid winters, the engineers at Boston Electric paid special attention to the battery's performance in cold temperatures. Saab says the air-cooled battery pack can still deliver its full power at negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit, roughly 18 degrees below most other lithium-ion packs. A full charge provides roughly 124 miles of range, and if using a 220-volt supply, a full recharge can be accomplished in six hours.
The Swing cell utilizes cobalt and manganese on the cathode with graphite on the anode and is based on an oval-shaped prismatic cell design. The external dimensions are nearly equivalent to two 18650 lithium-ion cells, but testing has proven that the Swing 4400 cells are quite robust and Boston-Power claims that the cell specs include:

• Energy density of 180Wh/kg
• Volumetric density of 420Wh/L
• 1,000+ cycles at 100% Depth Of Discharge (DOD)
• 2,000+ cycles at 90% DOD
• Constant power of 440W/kg
• Pulse power of 1,500 W/kg (2s pulse)

If Saab gives the nod to the 9-3 ePower, then Boston-Power will be ready to deliver. So, let's hope that showgoers in Paris drool over the model and urge the automaker to give it a go.

The Saab boss speaks

Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab CEO, said: ‘By 2015, annual global sales of electric vehicles are expected to reach 500,000 units and Saab is determined to be represented in this important, growing segment.

‘The 9-3 ePower programme is our first step towards developing a potential production vehicle that will deliver the sort of advanced performance our customers expect. We now look forward to working with our technical partners in developing such a product.’

 

Limited edition. Unlimited performance

An extreme performer, the new Saab 9-3 Turbo X evokes the spirit of the iconic Saab 900 Turbo of the 1970s and ‘80s. On board is the innovative XWD, the new generation all wheel drive which keeps you firmly on the road.

The fastest production Saab ever

Unleashing 280 hp from its 2.8 litre V6 Turbo engine, this is the fastest production vehicle we've ever built. And with 400 Nm of torque, it'll take you from 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds. *

Descended from thoroughbreds

Paying homage to its iconic predecessors, the Turbo X boost gauge replicates that of the original 900 Turbo. And though available in black only, you can choose your Turbo X in Saloon or SportWagon body shapes. Numbers are limited however, so book your test drive now.

Saab Turbo X Technical Specifications
Engine:
2792cc. V6. Aluminum cylinder heads and block. Twin-scroll turbocharger, intercooled. DOHC, 24-valve. Variable valve timing (inlet). Dual-mass flywheel. Bosch Motronic ECM
Max power: 280 hp (206 kW) @ 5,500 rpm. Max. torque: 400 Nm @ 2,150 - 4,500 rpm
Bore/stroke: 89.0/74.8 mm. Compression Ratio: 9.5: 1. Max. Boost Pressure: 0.8 bar.
Transmission:
Saab XWD, all-wheel-drive. Electronic rear limited-slip differential (eLSD)
6-speed manual or automatic gearbox
Suspension:
Front: MacPherson struts and gas shock absorbers. Anti-roll bar. Hydroformed sub-frame.
Rear: Indep, four link, incl. toe-link. Coil springs and self-levelling shock absorbers. Anti-roll bar. Sub-frame.
Steering:
Rack and pinion, hydraulic power assistance. Turning circle (curb to curb): 11.7m.Lock to lock: 2.75 turns
Wheels, Tires:
18 x 7.5" , 235/45R18,
19 x 7.5" , 235/40R19,
Brakes:
Hydraulic, dual circuit, vacuum booster. Discs: 345 mm / 292 mm (all ventilated)
Performance Data (preliminary figures)
0 - 100 km/h:
Sport Sedan: 5.7 secs (manual)
SportCombi: 5.9 secs (manual)
80 - 120 km/h (5th gear):
Sport Sedan: 7.9 secs
SportCombi: 8.3 secs
Top Speed:
Sport Sedan: 250 km/h (manual)
SportCombi: 250 km/h (manual)
Fuel consumption/CO2 (combined cycle, L/100km):
Sport Sedan: 10.9 / 259 gm/km (manual)
SportCombi: 11.0 / 263 gm/km (manual)