Saab “9-3x” to show in London?
Djup Strupe has been in touch again and there’s talk about some dealers receiving invitations to see/drive a new Saab production vehicle in May this year. I don’t know where it’ll be happening, nor what they’ll be getting into, but I have a theory….
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When the 2008 Saab 9-3 launched last year, there was talk about the US that Saab would be doing something to keep in the news around every 90 days or thereabouts. So how’s that working out?
- The 2008 Saab 9-3 launch for the US was in August.
A few months later came the US launch of the Turbo X.
Jump ahead to January and the Saab 9-4x concept was unveiled in Detroit
Coming up in March we’ll see the 9-1 concept car in Geneva
Now we hear there could well be something to see in May/June as well - and it’ll be a production vehicle.
According to my crystal ball, there should be four ‘new’ Saab vehicles in showrooms by the end of the year. These include the Turbo X, the XWD Aero version of the Saab 9-3, a special edition of the Saab 9-5, and the 9-3 SportCombi crossover vehicle that’s rather tentatively being referred to as the 9-3x around these parts.
So with those choices to mull over, what might it be?
Many dealers would have driven XWD versions of the Saab 9-3 SportCombi, basically set up to Turbo X specification, last year in Sweden after the worldwide launch of the MY08 car. That puts a dent in the possibility of it being that particular model.
The source of this info finds it very difficult to believe that they’d be gathered anywhere at a significant cost for another Saab 9-5 limited edition.
So that leaves the “9-3x” - a raised and XWD version of the Saab 9-3 SportCombi with some added ‘tough bits’ to make it a little more rugged, to the eyes at least. Saab USA chief Steve Shannon all but confirmed that this vehicle would be arriving in my interview with him last month in Detroit:
Swade: Does that, as a company, give you a bit of pause….we had heard that there was going to be a crossover version of the SportCombi, raised up a little with cross-wheel drive and some ‘cladding’ …..does that give you pause on doing that sort of thing?
SS: We think it’s worth a shot. Cross wheel drive adds a lot more to that concept, with a little higher seating position, we think it’s worth giving it a try. There are some that…..you know, Subaru with the Outback…
Swade: Very popular in Australia
SS: Yeah, they’re big here too, especially in pockets like the north-east. So, it’s worth doing, but today’s SportCombi without AWD is seen as just like a sedan with a little backpack, and that’s just not quite enough to get people to make the jump. But we’re working actively with the folks in Sweden on what this alternative 9-3 Combi might be like, and …
JWV: …..we have the basic ingredients now, thanks to cross-wheel drive. We never could do it, but we have that now, so let’s explore it a little…
They’re well past exploring it. Dealers saw this vehicle, along with the 9-4x concept and a model of the next 9-5 at a gathering in the latter half of 2007. I couldn’t say anything at the time, but they were in the building in the background of this photo.
Back then I received some advice about all of these cars, as well as the Turbo X, all of which has turned out to be right on the money. With regard to the 9-3x that was shown there, our source mentioned:
- It will be based on the Combi with XWD
Raised by 30mm
Chrome roof rails
Audi allroad look front and rear bumpers
Twin pipes
Chrome strips on the lower door sections
Unique half cloth and leather seats
It will be shown in London
The car magazines and websites were all going nuts over the possibility of the Saab 9-1 concept showing in London. This has turned out to be untrue, and rightly so if you ask me. No disrespect to the Englishmen frequenting this site (I’ll save that for the cricket) but London isn’t the appropriate stage for such an important concept as the 9-1 for Saab.
But the “9-3x” is another matter all together. It’s not as much of a ground-breaker and would provide a great point of interest for Saab at the London show.
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Bottom line, the invites are out there and something’s on it’s way.
I’ve thrown this in with the best info I’ve received so far, including witness recollections of the vehicle and Steve Shannon’s tacit confirmation that it’s coming.
It ain’t quite bullet proof yet, but if it does come to pass then you know where you heard it first…..
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I think a 9-3X sport-combi would do well here in New England, as long as Saab can get the word out about this model. Saab used to “advertise” on PBS and I wonder if this would be worth considering in this case, especially to reach New Englanders who would appreciate such a model?
By the way…has anyone heard from Eggs?
Swade, isn’t the new 9-5 scheduled for MY09? Shouldn’t we be seeing it introduced at a show soon also?
June, eh? Sounds like yet another case of too little too late. If they’re showing it in June…
The Turbo-X was shown in September/October, right? We’re going to actually see it on showroom floors in May/June (maybe even later!)
That means the crossover, if it follows the same trend, would be shown in June then released to the public around March… Doesn’t sound like the right timing for such a vehicle. Seeing as you’re offering it almost exclusively to the safety/CUV/snow market, what’s the point in releasing it at the end of the snowy months?
If they’re going to show the 9-3X in June, it had better already *be* in production at that time so dealers have it by November as an ‘09 model. Otherwise they might as well wait on showing it until June of ‘09 for a ‘10 model.
Onlye 4 years of delay…….mmmmmmmm
Steven did you know anything from djup strup about the ************************ Saab is developing?? xDDDD
regards
“It will be based on the Combi with XWD
Raised by 30mm
Chrome roof rails
Audi allroad look front and rear bumpers
Twin pipes
Chrome strips on the lower door sections
Unique half cloth and leather seats”
Gosh, these mods sound like they could have been done overnight by Hirsch ! I know SAAB is “busy” these days, but I would have imagined after introducing XWD, the 9-3X would be the natural extension of the 9-3 line, since it was conceived as a concept back in 2002 as the 9-3 SportHatch.
Bring it on SAAB, I don’t care which city you introduce it, just bring it on !
“No disrespect to the Englishmen frequenting this site” lol but you are trying to sell them big knickers lol
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/653/knickersgk4.jpg
Don’t know how it is in Europe, but the Audi Allroad = fail. It was pulled from the states, and it converted a lot of buyers to a proper luxury crossover wagon, the Volvo XC70.
Wishing the 9-3x the best of luck!
Great timing on this post. I was just wondering whatever happened to plans for the 9-3x.
About time! It will sell in Sweden. Period.
It may be coincidence but our dealer principal has just been invited to a GM dealer meeting in Dusseldorf and Cologne to be held in May. Apparently this will be with other Vauxhall/Opel and Chevrolet dealers, but no details have been given as to content.
Also at a national (UK) meeting yesterday they were shown an image of the new 9-5 which is due for launch as a saloon in 2009 for 2010 model year. Disappointing timescale but apparently it looks stunning.
This should sell well, all they have to do is offer it with more horsepower than the anemic 3.2 in the new XC70 makes, but for less than the $38k asking price for that car. If they can get a ~220-230 hp version to market for ~35k they’ll have a winner. Just place it halfway between the outback and the XC70 and they’ll sell like hotcakes in the northeast.
What I’m REALLY curious about is the new shape for the 9-5, If they have a pretty drfinite design for it I’m hoping that we’ll see it sometime in the spring or summer. The 9-1 and the 9-5 are the two cars that I’m most interested in right now, I just hope they end up looking more like the Aero-X or 9-3x concept than the 9-4x.
I’ve heard that (at least in the US) it will be the “9-3 Active” … but isn’t there already a 9-3 package available in other markets that uses that terminology?
I like the thougth of reserving the “x” after the numbers for the Saabs that really aren’t Saabs (9-2x, 9-7x and concepts) and I hope the 9-4x drops the “x” before it hits the streets.
I’m curious what the performance of the 9-3x will be like relative to the regular 9-3. Hopefully, the raised profile and cladding won’t adversely impact the pleasure of the drive.
chaaalie, actually the X would refer to ALL WHEEL DRIVE. Hence the 9-4x will most likely keep the x, as well as the 9-3X.
In keeping with that theme, you see why the all wheel drive system is known as XWD.(cross wheel drive)
LP - Unless they make the cladding out of diamond plate, I don’t see how it could affect the drive at all. As for being raised an inch…I dunno. I would assume it wouldn’t affect it too much, especially with the XWD.
dan -
That theory might be valid, but only if the beefier, “off-road” 9-3 had another name - because there are going to be regular 9-3s with XWD too (like the TurboX) … then again, the TurboX may be the preview, with their being a 9-3 ActiveX (the “off-road”), a 9-3 XWD, and because the 9-4x will ONLY be available with XWD, it gets the x as a part of its base name.
I guess that makes sense as well, with the 9-7x being the only produced model of the X series that isn’t AWD of some sort. (There are Xs all over the concepts.)
The 9-7x has an x in its name because it has AWD. It is a different AWD system from the 9-3x XWD system, but it is AWD.
They can call it 9-3x “Alla-Vag”
My bad … didn’t realize that the 9-7x was AWD standard … I just figured it was a TrailBlazer, and the vast majority of them (historically) have been 2WD …
Nah, the 9-7x has an awd system based on a center torsen like audi’s old ones were
Calling the Sport Combi XWD a 9-3x is pretty confusing as people will think of it as the 9-3X concept car, which it most certainly isn’t even if it has moved a bit more in that direction. Whilst I think that the 9-3 Sport Combi is the best car in the 9-3 range, I was dissapointed when it arrived as the 9-3X concept was so dilluted that all we really got was a somewhat overdue wagon variant, albeit a slightly more clever one.
I hope a little more 9-3X and 9X DNA filters in to the 9-1?
We probably don’t need a specail 9-5 version unless it’s a commemorative one? A hand over to the new 9-5, much like what happened when the 9000 was phased out. The 9-5 ran alongside the 9000 for while, perhaps that’s what Saab intends to do with the new 9-5?
The new 9-5 really needs to be here for MY 2009!
Markac - No one besides Saab fans remembers the 9-3X concept car, because no one pays attention to Saab besides us.
:p
Jeff -
Raised profile is a question of center of gravity. As for the cladding, it’s aerodynamics and weight (not much of an issue, I know). Plus, if they go for a semi-off road ride to the car, the suspension, etc. could be softened. Not losing sleep over it, but I’m still curious.
Jeff: “Markac - No one besides Saab fans remembers the 9-3X concept car, because no one pays attention to Saab besides us.”
I agree with Jeff.
Jeff and SaabKen you’re probaly right, but I’m sure some motoring journalist will dredge something up!
Horrified if the 9-5 is now a 2010 MY entrant - the current 9-5 (whilst we all know to be a good allrounder) is actually becoming an embarrassment - sooo many people who know I drive a Saab ask me ‘ what do think of that 9-5, you know, the one with the weird front end’. Now I have always quite liked the new front end (hate the rear) but can’t disguise the fact that it has had 2 mid-life (third-life?) faces and rears - it is fast becoming the automotive equivalent of Peter Burns! http://www.awfulplasticsurgery.com/archives/000253.html
Mark, MY 2009 is only six months away. I don’t think it’s realistic to expect the new 9-5 in August. Why:
-There hasn’t been any sightings of test cars (apart from some Vectra mules, which really can be any GM vehicles).
-To be launched in August, it should be shown in a major international motor show before that. Geneva seems to be booked for the 9-1 concept. It has been anticipated that 9-5 would be introduced in Paris in some shape, which is too late for MY 2009. (Sorry for not counting London as a major motor show…)
My guess is that it will be shown in Paris (2008), Detroit or Geneva (2009) as a MY2010 (almost-)production car, to be launched in summer of 2009.
Therefore, if there is a 9-3X underway, 2008 London would be a proper place (and time) to introduce it.