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UPDATE 1 – Added info on the start/stop button
UPDATE 2 – Added info on the light-pipes at the front
UPDATE 3 – This article is now followed by the complete set of press releases for the Saab 9-4x concept.
——
You probably know already, but let me tell you a little about how Auto Shows work.
You have a huge number of huge displays and a huge press pack moves around from display to display. The company executives come out and make their presentations, which typically revolve around the most important thing they’re doing at that time.
There isn’t a bigger presentation at the Detroit Auto Show than the GM presentation. It was climbing-room-only. And Saab was right in the middle of it.
GM used their address to announce a major partnership with Coskata, an ethanol group working on a new cellulosic production method that will significantly reduce the cost and physical resources consumed in the production of ethanol. You can read more about that here.
To accompany this announcement, GM also revealed two ethanol-fuelled vehicles – the Hummer Hx concept and the Saab 9-4x BioPower concept. It didn’t quite sink in at the time, but to have GM’s primary presentation of the show, with Rick Wagoner, Mark LaNeve and Carl-Peter Forster addressing the crowd and having Saab right at the center of it really put a spotlight on the 9-4x – and you could tell it worked.
This is the first view we had of the Saab 9-4x:
As I mentioned earlier, the press pack typically moved from stand to stand with the presentations. Today, there was one particular thing that worked to Saab’s advantage – lunch. I joked about it earlier, but the lunch break meant that people hung around, they looked at the 9-4x and in great numbers.
I can hear you – “Don’t bore us, get to the chorus!”
So let’s take a look at it.
If you’ve read this site at all in the last week you’ll know that I wasn’t too excited about this car. The Swedish media might report in the next day or so that I’m still not excited about the car. I spoke with Auto Motor and Sport as well as Aftonbladet about it very soon after the car was first shown.
The CGI images never excited me and I’m not excited by SUV’s anyway, but after a full day spent wandering in, out and around this vehicle I can tell you that true to form, it’s much better in the metal.
The main problem area for many was the front grille:
Click on the image above, or the one before that, and you’ll see that the rise into the hood isn’t nearly as offensive in person as it was on the CGI. Actually, that’s damning it with faint praise. The center grille actually looks much better proportioned in person and you don’t notice the cutaway into the hood at all until you look for it.
I still have some problems with the outer grilles being so far away from the center, however.
I spoke at length with Anthony Lo (video coming later tonight) and he explained that dues to the vehicles larger proportions, everything had to be bigger than usual. There were two ways Saab could go with that center grille – down further (like Audi) or up just a little higher. They definitely didn’t want to go the Audi route, so they set the front bumper as a lower boundary for the grille. Going up just a little into the hood area gives it a good proportion and trust me, it looks a LOT better in person.
And please allow me to just say this: Anthony Lo rocks! I had such a good time chatting with him. Par Brandt from AM&S pointed it out to me and I’d never seen it come through before, but A-Lo really, really loves the Saab brand. I actually made him laugh a little by suggesting that he and I go over and trash the Cadillac stand 
. Of course, he couldn’t as he’d get in trouble, but I think I saw a twinkle in his eye there…..
To the headlamps:
One notable thing about these is that they’re not on show as they should be. Whereas the 2008 Saab 9-3 has a light-pipe accross the top of the headlamp, the 9-4x concept will have a light-pipe going from the corner and down below the lamp.
The lamp wasn’t working today, however. I’m unsure if it will be working at all during the show.
Saab 9x asked for a shot of the rims. Ask and you shall receive
Chunky versions of the turbines, sort of……
Moving to the back.
The rear is dominated by this strip of red light – a direct homage to the Aero X. It looks good, though points off for the Saab lettering instead of the griffin badge. The lettering is just too hard to read and won’t work as an identifier for the car.
The other donimating feature of the rear is the tail lamp assembly. Although in red, they do resemble the curvature of the old 9-5 headlamps in a way. I’m not sure that this configuration will make it through to the production model. I need to get a better photo of the rear tomorrow. This one’s way too affected by the lighting conditions present at the time.
When the rear opens you have a sizeable storage are that’s been very well designed.
The floor extends outwards on a set of tracks to create a loading area outside the car, and revealing a storage area underneath. This area has been designed in consultation with Salomon and some individual extreme skiers as well.
Under the sliding tray is a heated compartment to store your ski gear, in particular a space for ski boots. The chromed ’square’ in the floor area itself actually folds upwards to reveal a ski rack. Fold down the middle section of the rear seat and you can rack your skis and they push through the middle of the vehicle.
So let’s move inside, then….
The interior of this car is what had me most excited, and from the photos to the real thing it only gets better.
This is a very, very attractive driving environment. They have a video screen in the dash at the moment playing skiing videos but this would likely be replaced by satnav and a user interface for the entertainment and climate control features.
The switchgear is hard to photograph, but it’s all very elegant, soft touch and looks brilliant. I’d love to see what it all looks like at night. In fact, the whole acrylic panel can be set up with soft lighting, which would be great to see as long as it doesn’t detract the driver like the light panel in the latest Toyotas.
Here’s the gearshift area of the console. You can see some buttons to the side.
From the bottom up they are as follows:
- Start/stop. The diagonal bit acts as a safety against accidental starting/stopping. You flip it up and get access to the button.
Parking brake
Night Panel
Hazard lights
The seat and interior materials are all very soft. This concept vehicle had a white leather interior, though the production version will likely feature the usual grey, black or sand colors.
Par Brandt from Auto Motor and Sport set the front driver’s seat to his usual position and then got into the back seat to check out the rear leg room – a handy test. He’s about my height, and as you can see below, there’s quite good room in the rear with a six-footer at the wheel.
I asked the vital questions about whether or not we’re going to see more of this interior. The Saab people were non-committal in some respects.
The good news is that we will see more of it in the 9-1 concept interior in Geneva in March. As to whether we’ll see it in production, Saab are still developing it to production standard and it’s not quite there yet. It uses an acrylic as well as some sophisticated lighting and getting it all to a point where it’ll go the dinstance in a production vehicle without wearing or fading is the challenge. The Aero-X used a similar system, though this looks much more advanced. The Aero-X’s interior acrylic looked dated already when I saw it in Sydney, and that was less than a year after it’s launch.
——
That’s about all I’ve got for now as I’m meeting Greg Abbott for dinner. After a small breakfast and skipping lunch all together, I need it. After dinner I’ll be writing some more and processing some video that I shot with Anthony Lo.
Hit the comments (27 already prior to me finishing – I think there’s some interest in this car) and let everyone – Saab included – know what you think.
76 responses so far ↓
1 robin m
// Jan 14, 2008 at 7:33 am
Swade, you do it in your own time. I’m waiting for your report, I’ll refresh in 2 mins, only kidding.
2 Ross
// Jan 14, 2008 at 7:36 am
Great news. You can give us the in depth story so we know what to look for when the public showing begins.
Were you impressed with any of the other automakers showings? I heard the Dodge Ram unveiling was amazing.
Can’t wait ’till the public showing starts on the 19th.
3 robin m
// Jan 14, 2008 at 7:40 am
Do you know Swade, I can just picture you casually walking around in your t-shirt and shorts while everyone else is in a mad rush, lol.
4 eggsngrits
// Jan 14, 2008 at 7:41 am
Mobile internet rocks, let me tell you.
5 Edonis
// Jan 14, 2008 at 7:52 am
I’m looking forward to reading your full report!
What did you think of the 9-4X in metal?
6 aeronaut
// Jan 14, 2008 at 7:52 am
nice pic swade. i want one.
7 aeronaut
// Jan 14, 2008 at 7:59 am
i am not minding the big grille at all. makes it clear that what follows is a big rig.
8 Mark_Belfast
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:01 am
Looking better for a few reasons:
-chrome strip (or is it LED) round the headlamps
- black wing mirrors
- 3 LEDs in the foglamp surround
- bonnet badge is retained
SO far so good
9 saab9x
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:03 am
it’s better than the embargo pics, but it’s not next-gen saab; at least that’s what i hope. and i still prefer joti’s grille work.
10 saab yurk
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:04 am
Video of intro on Youtube
11 joemama
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:06 am
Unimpressive. That front grill is so big it throws everything out of proportion.
I can’t wait for the interior shots.
12 aeronaut
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:09 am
i really like the black ‘a’ pillars and mirrors – looks really sharp.
13 Carlos
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:09 am
Swade, thank you for your information and pictures.
I like a lot the 9-4x. Where I can order one?…..lol
14 TimJ
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:13 am
Thanks Swade – any indication about how much of the 9-4X is just conceptual vs. coming to production?
Ross – it looked like that Dodge Ram unveiling was accompanied by a bunch of BS
I’m curious to hear more about more European diesel passenger cars coming to the US market and the deal GM announced with an ethanol producer that doesn’t have to use corn. I hope GM doesn’t bet the farm on ethanol alone, so to speak.
15 dan9-1
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:17 am
looks jam hot 2 me.. bring it on!!
I really like the metallic white colour as well
16 joemama
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:20 am
Did I mention it looks like a Buick Rendezvous?
http://www.saab.com/main/GLOBAL/en/94X_bioconcept/index.shtml
17 Tedjs
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:23 am
An inspiring headline there – sounds like the 9-4x got the recognition it deserved. Cool. I look forward to reading the full report.
Hopefully by the time it hits the road Saab accepts GM card earnings.
18 robin m
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:26 am
Swade, I like it more and more and can’t wait until i get the chance to see it for real. I agree the grill doesn’t look as bad. Not forgetting the old 96 had a grill which went higher into the bonnet.
19 cj
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:34 am
The more I see it the better it looks. Takes time to get used to, especially if you are ‘used to” something, and then you expect that it will look in a certain way. for 99.999% of the worlds population this is not the case as they do not have the perception of “what it should be”. The important thing is that it looks good (and that no one will say that they try to copy Audi).
Any info on the 9-3 crossover? Will that be presented on a different show not to take the attention away from the 94 and turboX?
20 Richo
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:38 am
Hectic!!!! Looks cool Swade, i reckon GM are going to give you one…….for around 65k
21 jeff k
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:38 am
i love it (so far). also my g/f is filling out her imaginary order form now.
22 PT
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:40 am
Nice coverage Swade & glad to hear you enjoying yourself. Just remember what Lester Bangs told Cameron Crowe in Almost Famous:
” These people are not your friends. They will take you out, there will be drinks, drugs & girls…..god, its gunna get ugly……”
The car looks alright, like a SAAB designed for America. The sill-lines are pretty high. I know this is a trend for both safety & aesthetic reasons but if little kids can’t see ouit the backseat windows theyt get frustrated and car-sick. Result – family holiday hell. I’m sure that the car industry’s solution to this is the DVD player but I hope some consideration is given to the design before it gets to production. Maybe booster seats like Volvo?
Saabs have always managed to feel like very “human” cars to me and its a feature I’d like to see continue. Can you discuss with JAJ, A-Lo and the crew when you’re sucking back margaritas tonight Swade?
23 Mark_Belfast
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:43 am
SAAB>COM website has full GM vids and gallery – I’m really liking what I see!
24 aeronaut
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:46 am
so … didja get any pics of the interior?
25 Mark_Belfast
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:49 am
Frosted white rear lights!!
26 Ross
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:53 am
TimJ- Hahaha…yes I’d imagine so. Not a terrible looking truck, neither is the Ford F-150.
This car will compete directly with the GLK, I’d imagine, and hope…both great looking cars, with the Saab having the slight advantage, but whoever said that the Saab, and all Saabs for that matter, are more human, is so right. They have the personality that just radiates individuality and class. It’s a great car.
27 cj
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:00 am
And AMS is out online (in swedish). Anyone who has a translator? They like it alot, but end the article with saying that geneva will reveal big things….
http://www.automotorsport.se/nyhetsmall.asp?version=70622
28 cj
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:01 am
And AMS is out online (in swedish). Anyone who has a translator? They like it alot, but end the article with saying that geneva will reveal big things….
http://www.automotorsport.se/nyhetsmall.asp?version=70622
29 cj
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:02 am
The more I see it the better it looks. Takes time to get used to, especially if you are ‘used to” something, and then you expect that it will look in a certain way. for 99.999% of the worlds population this is not the case as they do not have the perception of “what it should be”. The important thing is that it looks good (and that no one will say that they try to copy Audi).
Any info on the 9-3 crossover? Will that be presented on a different show not to take the attention away from the 94 and turboX?
30 MarkoA
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:06 am
Looks now much better than those CGI´s. Any pics of trunk? Or was there even possibility to look in there? I´m really interested to hear the volume of trunk and also it would be nice to know loading heigh. These are very important details for me. Although I´m not going to buy 9-4X.
..but I must tell you, that my wife asked me when looking at those pics: when it will be for sale? – with sort of a tvinkle in her eyes.. :O
31 MarkS
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:17 am
Thanks for the coverage Swade! I’m sure it looks a bit better in the metal than it did in the renderings. I just have to admit though…the exterior seems uninteresting and looks to me like so many other SUV/CUV’s on the market. Without getting a look at the front end I might be inclined to think it was a Ford. I guess I had hoped for something more like the very interesting 9-3X concept from several years ago. I know this is a bigger vehicle, etc, but still. What about the interior? Is the interior of any particular interest? Saab has always been known for excellent interior designs and I’m assuming this vehicle doesn’t disappoint? I’m hoping potential customers will find some reason to pick this particular SUV over the competition. Has Saab been allowed to work its magic with regard to safety? I know it’s not common practice at GM to slam cars and trucks into simulated moose at high velocity. Any word about Saab safety engineering on this thing? Anyway, getting back to the cosmetics…how could we NOT be disappointed? For years Saab fans like myself have been tantalized with beautiful designs and then bitterly disappointed. We had the 9-X and 9-3X dangled in front of us, then we got a re-badged Subaru and a doctored up Chevy Trailblazer. More recently we’ve been treated to the Aero-X and told it’s the future of the Saab design language, blah blah blah…but is this going to be it? I’m glad it’s a Saab-developed vehicle rather than a badge-engineered vehicle (it is, right?), but I guess I just expect something a bit more interesting and innovative from my favorite automaker. Sorry if I’m being a real buzz kill folks. I’m just trying to be honest.
32 MarkoA
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:21 am
OKay, now there was a pic of trunk. Great. Although it seems as it´s not much roomier than the one of 9-3SC.
Thanks Swade for all the info and pics! It´s truly great (once again!) to see revealing the new model almost live. And to get to read real Saab enthusiast´s comments about the show and 9-4X.
It was truly great idea from Saab to send you right there. So thanks to Saab also!
33 Frank A
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:21 am
I expect this SUV to do well in the USA. We like trucks in America and that is not going to change no matter how high gas prices go. What will change is what type of mileage we are willing to accept from our trucks. Now I am not an SUV owner however I do understand the appeal of them. They are versatile, roomy, and safe. This is not aimed at the traditional Saab buyer, Saab has to get more buyers into the fold. The way to do this is to give them what they want. It is not a surprise that the 9-7 has sold well, this will probably sell even better. More sales and profit for Saab. This means even better CARS for us enthusiasts.
34 swade
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:23 am
Thanks for all the comments and questions. I’ll try and address all your questions in another post after dinner, so load ‘em up. I couldn’t write everything here in this post due to time constraints and wanting to get as many pictures up as possible in a limited time.
Fire away….
35 MarkoA
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:28 am
Swade, please when you have a look at the car again, could you quickly check what is the loading height of trunk? Use your own leg when standing next to car, higher than knee, mid thigh?
Hey, you are really a professional for what you do. Not many journo´s can do it as quickly still maintaining style and approach. Keep up the good work!
36 Joe
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:32 am
Anyone else see a GMC Arcadia when they look at the 9-4x?
37 WillyD
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:37 am
Thanks for the coverage Swade – hope you’re having a great time. The car definitely looks better and it’s encouraging to see Saab on GM’s center stage. Look fwd to seeing the car in person some day, but I’m more anxious about the next 9-5!
38 WillyD
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:39 am
I may have missed it in the last week or two, but where will the 9-4X be built?
39 Frank A
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:48 am
I believe Edmunds reported it may be built in the Americas, probably Mexico with the Caddy BRX. That interior is very well done. I hope they can keep the acrylic center panel.
40 Nico
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:52 am
Hi Swade,
Thanks, as everybody else, I am very happy to see this launch in real time on your website. And as mentioned before, I truly like the 9-4X, I for one liked the grill from the beginning. I am wondering though where the spare tire would be. I don’t ski, and I am not planning on starting now. So all that stuff is hopefully extra and doesn’t come standard. I agree with you regarding the rear badge. That would be only one of two things to change. The emblem should come back, and above the red rear light beam, as well as on the steering wheel. Each Saab needs seven, hood, steering wheel, rear, four wheels. The other would be the flashy rims, still don’t like ‘m.
Question though, you mentioned in your post that the 9-1 would see the light of day in March in Geneva, is that for real? Is Saab really that close to another concept?
41 Charles
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:54 am
Light pipes?
42 David Blumberg
// Jan 14, 2008 at 10:06 am
Well I’m impressed. I wasn’t at first but this car is actually growing on me. Altho I still don’t like the rear, and the grille. But that might change as well!
Good work Swade, as always I enjoy reading your reports
43 Frank A
// Jan 14, 2008 at 10:10 am
After studying the interior shots my favorite features are how the vents are integrated into the dash. That and the steering wheel. I would love that wheel in my 9-3.
44 aeronaut
// Jan 14, 2008 at 10:20 am
the interior looks fantastic.
that is a big vehicle – see how small swade looks posed in front of the 9-4x. he reminds me of the travelocity roamng gnome, kind of.
45 MarkoA
// Jan 14, 2008 at 10:30 am
There´s no measurements available yet? Nico, I guess that the ski rack is only for show ~ concept only and not even available for production car. At least it´s very typical concept stuff. Like the bikeholder on a Saab 9-3 SportHatch concept ´03.
The more I looke those pics, more I like what I see. I still have problems on sideview. The windowline is too high. It´s the main reason why it looks so american.
But if I compare it to some competitors, I think it looks actually very fresh and cool overall. Even the front grille with hump is almost good.
But try this, take a good look at the front for a some time and then take a look at 9-3 MY08 front. Interesting. Actually they have quite a lot in common?!
Rearlight still remind me of a Subaru..
46 PT
// Jan 14, 2008 at 10:42 am
Overall I quite like the concept but some of the details are odd.
The ski rack is a useless novelty, I don’t care if 100 extreme skiers were consulted in the design process. Reminds me of the kind of thing that my buddies & I would dream up during my days as a ski-tech in Canada. I just don’t like the idea of having the skis right through the middle of the car. They are usually wet & dirty as well. Plus – how easily does it adapt for boards?
A great product has already been invented for carrying skis & boards: roof racks.
Don’t like the gearshift. It would look great on a boat or 747 ( ?deliberate aviation connection?) but it just doesnt’ suggest that driving is the focus of this car. I know there is already a similar one on the 97X but that leaves me cold too. Given that there is a manual override option on the gearbox, something more tactile and ergonomic could be used.
47 DP
// Jan 14, 2008 at 11:10 am
Joti’s front end still looks better–cleaner lines which I think will only look better with time, especially if the center chrome name plate is deleted. Tail lights need work: look very cluttered, over-designed — the work of a committee which never met. Skis belong on the roof, not inside where they might could be hazardous in a collision. People inside know it is a SAAB, so dump the name plate on the steering wheel while also cleaning up the wheel & instrument stack between the seats, both of which look like something from 1950s sci-fi. Dump the ID in the rear light strip, and go with a trunk badge. Finally, crossovers will soon be tripping over each other, so Lutz et al should put most work into standard XWD with eLSD system and increasing mileage to really give the 9-4 its own niche in an increasingly crowded, very competitive market.
48 Adam
// Jan 14, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Sorry guys, I don’t see any reason to get excited about this thing. Nothing new or innovative, and a sign that the brand continues to be genercised.
49 mo
// Jan 14, 2008 at 12:13 pm
where do you put the key? any info on that?
Good question, mo. Will update the post.
50 saab9x
// Jan 14, 2008 at 1:17 pm
a “rim shot” (a picture of the rims)? thanks.
51 zippy
// Jan 14, 2008 at 1:36 pm
You are right, the front doesnt look anywhere near as awkward as it did in the CGI. They need to put the Saab griffin emblem on the tail of the car as well. That white leather rocks and I adore the interior, more like this please! My overall impression is that it isnt very “Saaby” but judging by some of the comments here – its already interested enough people to have them wanting to venture to their local dealer!
Thanks Swade, I think Saab should employ you as a PR guru. We all appreciate your passion and dedication.
52 1985 Gripen
// Jan 14, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I do hope they redesign the front license plate depression. It appears to be set-up for a European aspect ratio plate, but as this car is going to be manufactured in Mexico and expects a lot of sales in the U.S. it’s going to look funny with an American (meaning the American hemisphere, not just the U.S.) aspect ratio plate hanging down into the air dam opening. Some states require a front license plate.
I still hope it looks better in the metal than in photos. It’s a bit underwhelming to me. The exterior design looks like someone didn’t take any chances and is pretty uninspired. It’d look right at home in a sea of crossover/SUVs. I wish it was a little “edgier”, or should I say “quirky”. But of course, they’re not targeting me with this vehicle. What happened to the info I was given by a Saab insider that Saab has realized that they’ve lost a lot of distinction in recent years and plans to correct it?
On a positive note, I do like the functional red light pipe and reflector across the entire rear of the car.
Someone has a crush on Anthony Lo! Watch out, Swade. Pretty soon you’ll start saying, “you know, the Opel Flextreme wasn’t really THAT bad…”
Hey, I thought this was “shorts day”! I see you in pants in that last pic (and even wearing a fleece)!
MarkS: I agree with much of your sentiment.
Joe (comment 33): yes. But more so a Chevy Equinox. Amazing how this allegedly wasn’t designed by GM North America Exterior Design, huh?
WillyD: Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, along with its GM TE platform-based Cadillac “cousin”.
Nico: I snowboard on occasion and that rack doesn’t seem to fit snowboards. Also, even if I skied I’m sure the heated bin/special rack option in the back is WAY more expensive than just putting a Thule rack on the roof. I’m almost SURE that this rack will only ever be seen on the concept, and doubt it will even be offered as a very expensive option. I do like the sliding floor and Saab did offer a sliding load-bearing floor like that in the early 9⁵ combi. I hope the sliding floor and/or the 9⁵ combi’s innovative cargo tracks make it into the final product with a spare tire under the floor.
53 swade
// Jan 14, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Rimshot now added, 9x.
I’m in America now – service is my middle name
54 Peter
// Jan 14, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I hope the rear liftgate is simply not finished in this version. Otherwise we are looking at FJ Cruiser-like rear visibility. The glass portion of the liftgate should be full width and hopefully wrap around all the way to the back of the very wide sheetmetal behind the C-pillar.
Also hope the parking brake works better than the pushbutton operated Passat parking brake. That one is or at least was problematic.
A nice touch is that the front lightpipes look to be hockey stick shaped when lit. Also the rear seat looks to have substantial legroom. I think the 9-4X will find a market.
Thanks for the effort Swade.
55 SaabKen
// Jan 14, 2008 at 2:40 pm
You Da Man, Swade !!
Where are the Saab Ladies ?
I’ve named this SaabCentral thread after you:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1141198#post1141198
56 DREWZ AIRFLOW SE
// Jan 14, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Nice pictures man! I reported for another saab site a few years back for media days. Totally sweet experience! Did you eat at the saab booth?
57 WillyD
// Jan 14, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Thanks Gripen.
Can’t get used to the rear lights. I think clear – with that middle stretch taken out – would complement the car nicely. I recall a shot of the 9-5 biopower 100 concept w/ clear rear lights and it looked great.
Swade – any talk of travel to Geneva? I’d be glad to buy a couple of shirts to contribute!
58 Bill P
// Jan 14, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Thanks Swade for the wonderful coverage ,great pic’s too.But the front grille doesn’t work ,looks more like a MACK Truck than a SAAB. Joti’s grille does work. The rest of the 9-4X looks fantastic,the Interior especially .
Will the 9-4X be sold in Australia?
59 Edonis
// Jan 14, 2008 at 7:22 pm
From Automotorsport.se:
Steven Wade, som driver entusiastsajten TrollhattanSaab.org, finns på plats i Detroit och som den svårflörtade australiensare han är så har han svårt att gilla allt:
- Mjaaa…. säger Steven tveksamt. Jag gillar vissa detaljer, men den är inte riktigt snygg. Bättre än på bild, men inte snygg.
Två timmar senare kommer Steven tillbaka och erkänner att han gillar bilen allt bättre:
- Den växer liksom fram, säger Steven, nu gillar jag den betydligt bättre. Men jag har ju svårt för suvar, det kan vara det som är felet. Men inredningen är ju fantastisk!
—
As I’m not Swedish, I won’t be able to translate it perfectly, so I’ll leave it up to someone else. But roughly, it says that Steven Wade, who has the enthusiastwebsite Trollhattansaab.net is in Detroit, and said that he liked some details, but it wasn’t good looking. Better than on the pictures, but not good looking.
Then, two hours later Swade comes back and says that he likes it better; “It grows on you, I like it much better now. But I don’t like SUVs, so maybe that’s the problem. But the interior is just fantastic!” (Roughly translated(!))
60 ctm
// Jan 14, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Edonis, I translated it yesterday. Look for it in comments at
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/01/am-i-late-or-something.html
61 mark_belfast
// Jan 14, 2008 at 7:40 pm
PD, you’re right, those rear lamps are needlessly overengineered – on the SAAB.COM site, they appeared slightly more opaque or white and this suited them better. These appea to pay homage, not to the Aero-X, but rather to the excesses of the original 9000 model which had the gaudy colour strip board running full height and width across the back – ugh! Please simplify!
62 Ying
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:11 pm
About the interior. I was actually semi-disappointed. I thought the acrylic part will be dark, and with under panel lighting to show necessary information – kinda like OLED displays.
However, this looks like a simple and cheap coloured (metalic green?) panel sheet under a clear acrylic? My home build PC with an OEM Tawainese case uses the same, ahum, technology – I’m going to try to snatch a few pictures for compare. This design makes the LCD monitor’s border stand out a bit too much.
I also hope they will develop the material to stand the wear and tear for the car’s lifetime.
Also, the all silver buttons make reading and identify buttons a bit difficult, I hope they add some colour or textures to differ between primary and secondary buttons.
Finally, with all that shiny surface, they *may* have hella of a problem with reflections for driver.
I understand this is just a concept, I will hold my judgement until the official launch.
63 Vector220
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Nice one. But I think it is way to long to have to wait until october 2009 before I can buy one.
That’s what Collin over at Aftonbladets blog is telling….
64 ctm
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:23 pm
About that interior… After all, a car is a car, and in a concept like this (almost ready for production) there are not that much they can do with the exterior design. The interior, though, is the place to have fun and make things look really futuristic. But when it comes to make reality out of it, I think it will settle down a bit. Material will change, colors will change, buttons and dial will be more suited for everyday use. But the big picture with the lines and layout in general that stays the same.
65 Jürg
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:51 pm
This car has a really good chance to become my next car, I like it!
66 detroitsaab93
// Jan 14, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I like it and so does my wife! Unfortunately it won’t be out when her lease is up, so 9-3 Sportcombi here we come………..Great write Swade, you are one hard working man and your love of all things SAAB shows!
67 Kaz
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Looks much better than the CGI pics, the nose looks better, but, I still prefer Jotis version. I need to see this car in the flesh. Hopefully at this years Brit motorshow.
But, if it is confirmed that the 9-1 will be shown at Geneva, I may well go there too.
Thanks for all the hard work Steve, we all appreciate it a great deal!
68 Arild
// Jan 14, 2008 at 9:43 pm
In the Auto Motor & Sport article, Anthony Lo tells us to keep our eyes open for Geneva, where Saab has a long tradition of presenting exciting news.
I guess that means 9-1!
69 Hansi
// Jan 14, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I like it more every time I see it, I think the main picture on the SAAB site makes it look the best.
But the 9-1 should be a lot more interesting, let’s hope SAAB sends Swade a few plane tickets for Geneva
70 No.9
// Jan 14, 2008 at 11:30 pm
The good, the bad and the… good
Like some of you, I am not thrown off my chair by the styling. Looks like a Hyundai and Ford Edge duo trying to imitate a Saab. The Land Rover concept, ironically, very much inspired by recent Saab concepts, is much more exciting. This being said, styling is relatively unimportant as long as it doesn’t look like an Aztec, which is far from the case here. Interior design is much more important and it looks very promising on that front. But what strikes me much more is that although, like our valiant mate Swade, I am not naturally attracted to SUVs, CUVs and the likes, I will actually go see this vehicle as a possible replacement for our aging 9-5. The fact that it has a turbo four banger is a big plus for me, although my next vehicle will certainly be hybrid. I am sure Saab will get to that also. I also want a practical vehicle, and this one certainly fits the bill. So, all in all, could be good for Saab.
Keep up the good work Swade, and enjoy.(you should have kept the first class airline tickets !)
71 DAVID
// Jan 15, 2008 at 12:03 am
I said it for the CGI pics, and I will say it again (even louder) that I love the 9-4X! I have my 9-3 convertible and I can easily see this replacing our Subbie Forester. I think it makes a much better addition to the SAAB family than the 9-7X did. Now, if I can only get it with a diesel…
72 DAVID
// Jan 15, 2008 at 12:03 am
Also…Thanks Swade for doing a great job!
73 triple
// Jan 15, 2008 at 1:33 am
I like it.
I’d like it even more if it came witha 5 or 6 speed gearbox. That would really set it apart from all the other luxo-SUV’s in the segment.
I’d keep liking it if it really does comes with a turbo 4 making upwards of 300 hp with good fuel economy. To me that means at least 20/28. It needs to beat the RDX, the CX7, the X3, the new Infinti EX, etc, etc.
If the interior took it even a step further, I wouldn’t mind. Expose some stainless steel, some screws….let us know that acrylic isn’t glued in place. Is the surround real metal, or plasticized?
Needs a roofrack. Preferably not painted– a clearcoated aluminum would be a nice touch with real crossbars..
I don’t really like the 2-tone paint— it doens’t flow with the front lights, cuts them in half, whereas I’d think it should go up higher.
anway, overall… I’d buy one.
74 ctm
// Jan 15, 2008 at 2:02 am
Gallery with 23 pics if someone want to see:
http://www.teknikensvarld.se/nyheter/080114-saab-9-4x-bilder/index.xml
75 1985 Gripen
// Jan 15, 2008 at 5:46 am
This car has a button for the parking brake? I guess no movie-inspired stunt handbrake turns for this vehicle. I hope this isn’t something that makes its way to the other Saab cars. I’ve never done a “handbrake turn” in my life, but I like the idea that it’s there if I ever wanted to!
If it’s a pushbutton handbrake, does that mean that the brakes are electronic (”brake-by-wire”) rather than hydraulic? If that’s the case I wonder how the brake pedal feedback feels. I would imagine that’s got to be hard to get used-to.
76 1985 Gripen
// Jan 15, 2008 at 12:01 pm
This technology from Coskata sounds really promising. Hopefully they can deliver.
The 100 million gallon ethanol plant due in 2010 compares favorably with Range Fuels’ cellulosic ethanol plant (to manufacture ethanol from wood waste) currently under construction in Georgia (USA). They expect 20 million gallons out of that plant in the first phase later this year, but plan to ramp-up to 100 million gallons a year.
I guess the DuPont/BP and Virgin Fuels partnerships will have some stiff competition. This can only be good for the consumer and the environment! Kudos to GM for backing Coskata with their money.