Comments on: Saab 9-4x concept – first pics

By: turbo saab

turbo saab — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:50:30 +0000

oh and one more thing…Saab needs to bring back a retro version of the classic 900 like we saw with Mini bringing back the Cooper. I mean they have to do it right mind you, but I think it can be done. Maybe the 9-1 will be just that ?? I doubt it. Hey – and also, I understand production costs and all but lets see Saabs continue to come from Sweden instead of Mexico…IMHO.

By: turbo saab

turbo saab — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:46:34 +0000

Jesus – there is alot of interest in the 9-4x – that can only be good news. I am happy to see that GM has come up with something new. They didn’t get it 100% right but its pretty good. The front is too Subaru but what can you do (sorry for the rhyme!!). As long as it has a console ignition, a 6speed manual transmission, and a turbo-diesel option in Canada – I will buy one.
Cheers everyone.

By: Yerk Boy

Yerk Boy — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:55:09 +0000

Saab should be a leader for GM as caddy is.
Saab = Sporty, Caddy= Lux.

this is too bland needs for curves, and rounded off, not squared for unless Saab is planning on being Gm’s Old People Carriers.

By: JD in NY

JD in NY — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:16:08 +0000

Is it too late to scrap this design and give us our hatchback back?

By: WooDz

WooDz — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:00:53 +0000

The 9-4x will have to be cheap enough to have someone not buy a premium brand vehicle.
And worth the extra money to get the Mainstream Buyer.

Most will not study the vehicle to see whether the hockystick is defined enough or that the wrap around windscreen isn’t curvy enough. Basically they will not give a rats … if it’s Saaby enough at all.
They’ll buy it because the 9-4x will be better value for money to the alternative they are thinking of buying.

Unfortunately that’s the way it is.
Saab are not market leaders.
Great cars, appreciated by the few
Lets hope GM can afford for it to stay like that. Otherwise we’re back to the 9-2x.

By: Tubokar

Tubokar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:44:17 +0000

What did you all expect? Since GM has been involved with SAAB it has bled it dry of its core ethos and identity. If GM off load it would there be any takers? I doubt it. With the shackles now off and no GM crap to put up with just look how bright the future is for Fiat and Alfa. I have not owned a SAAB for many years and although I desparately want to own one there is not a car in its range that makes me want to own one. Not even the Turbo X which should have had a highly developed 2 litre 4 with a min of 300hp. I agree with the concept of Bio fuels but where I live no one sells E85. The only SAAB that excited me and would have encouraged me to buy one was the 9X but GM wouldn’t spend the dosh and that car was a reality where as the Areo X was not.

The 9-4x yet again is an almost car which seems to be the way with current SAAB’s are. Looks American nasty from some angles like the head on front shot but not quite as offensive from a front angled shot. The rear angled shot looks clean and European but I can’t decide on the hockey stick pressing in the C pillar. I think the final judjment will have to be reserved for the final production model and what it looks like in Black.

By the way I have edited this comment a number of times and toned down my rant that was sounding vehemently anti GM and almost anti American. However I love the Chrysler 300C, though the wife does not, but isn’t that the point. If I want an American car I would buy an American Marque even if its made in Austria!! SAAB’s creed is European na Scandinavian and its design philosiphy should follow that path.

By: Tiago do Vale

Tiago do Vale — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:44:01 +0000

Saab shouldn’t be Tata -or Chevrolet, to name a cousin (“price and price alone”)…

By: WooDz

WooDz — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:54:15 +0000

LOL… this is absolutely the best post ever!

I’m really looking forward to see so many people eat there words when the see this car for real.

the same spits and coughs were made when the 9-3 MCE spy shots were made available and now the majority like it.
Maybe because this is an SUV and I underline that SUV not CUV that It will not appeal to the masses that call themselves the Saabisti. Main because in all Saab’s original history they never needed to enter the Off-road segment.

100% the interior is perfect from what we can see and that’s fine by me as that is where you’re going to spend your time. Exterior has a lot of Saab design cues. I too would like to see a clamshell hood, But after reading an article by Brian nesbitt It could well be that it’s not possible or as these are CGi’s that the vehicle will incorporate it. The rear lighting does not look how I remember it when I saw a picutre of the 9-4x back in July 2007, But seeing these pictures again reminds me of how long ago that was.

On the whole the car has been executed well; understated and functional and is a good interpretation of what a modern Saab off-roader should look like. It is not doomed because they don’t have indicators in the mirrors aka Chevrolet Captiva, Mercedes MLK and tens of other cars on the market right now. It won’t be doomed because the Side panels are not defined enought aka Chris Bangle…

What will effect the sale of this car is price and price alone.

By: ctm

ctm — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:40:17 +0000

166 comments… New record?

By: 1985 Gripen

1985 Gripen — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 03:31:00 +0000

Saab 9X: I understand your frustration and hear your points, but I think once you realize that this is a CONCEPT and will likely vary quite a bit when it hits production, you might feel better.
On the point about the indicators in the side mirrors I remember hearing somewhere that this adds nothing to the overall safety of the car and makes it extremely expensive to purchase a replacement side mirror should yours become damaged. Maybe they’re opting-out of it for that reason.