9-4x spied by Priddy
If you haven’t seen them yet, there’s three spyshots of the Saab 9-4x over at Autoblog.
It’s wearing plenty of cammo but the impression through the grille cover is that this indeed could be the 9-4x they’re looking at.
I’ve contacted Priddy to see if there’s some more shots available as I can’t reproduce the Autoblog shots here. I’ll also be doing a bit of an examination piece shortly.
Thanks to Mo and Sean
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So it looks like we may not be getting that futuristic concept interior after all?
I feel quite fearful that that might indeed be the case.
I think the interior is the thing that confirms that this trully is 9-4X. Look at those air vents and the passanger’s door’s handle. They are just where they were in those official CGA pics (and they also look exactly same). That passanger’s air vent is quite unique looking, can there be any mistakes on that one? Also there seems to be green lcd-screen just below the middle vents, just where it should be if it is 9-4x.
The interior looks similiar, but since this is a mule I would not draw too many conclusions.
I think the general layout of the interior remains from what little bits we can see. What the 9-4X needs is a futuristic exterior as I still see Ford Edge everytime I see a pic of the 9-4X.
Very exciting. All details like exterior door handles, the dash, trim etc look finished. Maybe it’s closer to production than we think. Could it be ready as a 2009 model?
The vehicle has Michigan plates and it looks like that could be the Milford Proving Grounds. I’ll keep my eyes open.
it’s not a “next-gen” saab. absent a lucite-ish, 3-d instrument cluster, i would think the next-gen saab would have, at least, side mirror turn signals.
What’s with all the covering? It’s not like the car hasn’t been revealed yet.
Just what we need, another stupid SUV. Why anyone would buy this thing, when the fabulous and unique 9-3 SportCombi is available, is beyond me.
SaabBob,
While you may think it is stupid, crossovers (9-4x is a crossover, not SUV) far outsell wagons and they also have some of the highest growth in a declining vehicle market. That is why this is not a stupid development.
Additionally, I would suspect slightly more practicality with the 9-4x due to more room (assuming), DI ignition 2.0T has been rumored with more HP, torque, and 23-24 combined MPG (better than (9-3 SC), and talk of the diesel engine.
The Center Grill…
What we all didn’t like on the concept was the middle center grille going too high. It was clearly destroying the typical horizontal saab-line coming from the front lights.
In the spyshots I might see (through that white cloth) that this is still so on the test-vehicle…
I hope they will look again on the 9-X front and then putting a straight line on the 9-4X also.
Anyway, it’s an very important car for Saab to offer something in this segment. The main thing is that this car has an earth-friendly alternative engine-concept to put Saab in this segment in a responsible and therefore very scandinavian role.
But SaabBob: I also prefer my 9-3 SC. You sit so close to the ground and the feeling is very close to my old NG 900.
Matt;
I do realize that this vehicle is important to SAAB’s survival but that is a direct result of the North American consumer. Call it what you want, the fact is that most people don’t really need such vehicles.
I was in Europe in 2005 and again last Christmas and you seldom see vehicles of such size. Of course gas prices and narrow roads help to dictate that but our European friends haven’t been fooled into believing they need such vehicles. Here in North America, the sheep continue to follow by purchasing these rigs (from 9-4 size up to ultra-ridiculous Suburbans & Hummers) when most are only used to commute to work with no one in the passenger seat. They seem to think they’re important as they look down upon the rest of us while talking on their cell phone and drinking their latte. How clever.
What I’m saying is that if people used their head for a change they’d realize a car the right size of a 9-3 SC / 9-5 SC is more than adequate for everyday use. For that occasional 2-week excursion cross country or when moving Grandma & her furniture, why not just rent a big vehicle?
I’m with you, Olaf. The first thing I looked at the pictures for was the grille. And yes, you can see it through the white covering and yes, it is that same awful, awful grille from the concept.
I guess at this point I can only hope they fix it in the next iteration like Subaru quickly fixed the Tribeca.