Some final Djup Strupery
Accept no imitations!! There’s only one Djup Strupe. Actually, there’s many people in the Djup Strupe collective, but there’s only one collective!!
And boy, does Djup Strupe have a present for you today….. Let’s start with the Saab 9-4x, shall we?
Mail has come in showing that this vehicle is going to be aimed noticeably toward the aspiring Saab Soccer Mom (fellow Aussies, please pardon the spelling). For starters, there will be no manual transmission for the Saab 9-4x. An automatic is standard on both the base model and the Aero and from the preliminary info I’ve seen, there’s no option to select a manual if you want it.
The equipment list looks pretty good, too. The driver gets a 6 way power seat (w/memory), the car has leatherette seats, 18-inch wheels, keyless start, standard bluetooth, dual zone climate control and somthing that I think is a great sign - night panel. And that brief list is for the base model. The Aero adds real leather, XWD, 20-inch wheels, parking assist and a bunch of other features.
Saab 9-4x engine options have been covered here before.
The lack of a manual option in the 9-4x means that if you want a utilitarian, XWD Saab AND you want to row-your-own gearbox, then the “9-3x” XWD SportCombi (real name yet to be confirmed) is going to be your Saab of choice.
Seeing we’ve switched so seamlessly to the Saab 9-3 range, let me pass on some mail that arrived in the last few days stating that the Aero version of the Saab 9-3 for 2009 will come standard with 280hp and XWD in the US (i.e. there’ll be no 255hp FWD option). Basically, I’d expect the 2009 Aero to be very similar to the Turbo X, but without the wheels and with a choice of colors.
Of course, we’ve aready heard that the 2009 model year will see the XWD system trickle down to the 2.0T range. Exactly when is unconfirmed, but if I hear a definite date then I’ll probably be unable to resist letting you know.
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It’s not all about the US, though. Here’s some stuff for Europe. This is info is sourced from the German market, though I’m sure the majority of it will be applicable elsewhere, too. This isn’t so much the work of Djup Strupe as I believe the info has been made known publicly.
Germany will also receive XWD for 2.0T version of the Saab 9-3, though it seems the eLSD will be an option for both the 2.0T and the 2.8T models at a cost of around 500 Euro. The 2.8T will have 280hp in all versions including the Convertible, though there will be no XWD option for the Convertible.
The 2.0t Biopower and the 2.0T are available with an AERO spec equipment level and there will be two new colors available: Carbon Gray and Glass Gray.
An Aero Sport Package will be available with 18″ and 19″ wheels, with an Ultra Sport XWD Chassis, Carbon Fibre interior elements from the Turbo X, a tire pressure monitor AND the Turbo X Wheels (wow!)
There will also be a Salomon X Package for both FWD and XWD.
For FWD, this will mean a Sport Chassis, Sport Leather Seats, 18″ Alu 73 wheels, Carbon fibre interior and the shiftpaddles at the steering wheel for vehicle with the automatic transmission.
For XWD it will include eLSD as standard, on top of the features mentioned for the FWD version.
Saab 9-3s in Germany will also be available with chrome roof rails as an option, and all engines (except the 1.8i) will now have the 6-speed manual transmission.
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For the Saab 9-5 in Germany…..
All 9-5s in Germany will now have an electric driver’s seat as standard. There will be three new colors for 2009: Carbon Gray, Glass Gray and Nocturn Blue is listed as a new color even though it’s been around for a while.
There will no longer be a “Scandic” edition (I’m sure the people at the Scandic Hotel in Trollhattan will be disappointed 
)
But there will be a Scandic pack available for the Vector and Linear Range:
- The third hadreast in the sedan is standard
Headlampwashers as standard
Comfort Package as standard
Driving Package as standard
and all the Combis get the Combi Pack as standard
You can now order a black OR chrome roofrails.
The Infotainment 150 is standard
Driver/Passanger and back seats heatable as standard
The 2.3t Biopower is available for the AERO Range
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How’s THAT for some model news?!
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goin out with a bang i see
Have I said I’m going to miss this blog?! Where are we supposed to get this info from now on?
Autoexpress.co.uk took the 9-4X for a spin and they loved it! Here’s the link..
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/223029/saab_94_x.html
Can’t say the 9-4x has ever looked like my cup of tea, I’m just not in to SUVs, but ’slush box’ only? I’ll definitely pass. Sounds like what they call in certain parts of Oz, a Toorak Taxi!
Keyless start and blue-tooth. Wow, I like where that is heading. How many vehicles out there now come standard with blue-tooth?
Any word on how many gears the auto will be? I am assuming it’ll be a 6spd auto.
Wait.. keyless start.. So is it push button (ala Nissan) or regular keyless start (where you still have to turn a plastic key, like Honda?)
And if so, then will the button/plastic key be on the floor? Or will it be gasp! on the steering column?
I’m assuming the 9-4X’s autobox has paddle/rocker gear-shifting on the wheel or on the shifter itself ?
Will the “9-3x XWD SportCombi” be an All-Road/Outback/XC70 version in addition to a regular 9-3SC with XWD (or without) ? Or will the XWD-equipped version be the sole 9-3SC with no FWD version ?
Gents, you’re asking details that I don’t have. but I think it’d be fair to assume that in 2009, a Saab 9-4x automatic will have a manual shifting option, most likely at the shifter but maybe on the wheel for the Aero. That’s just educated guesswork, though.
Ken, on the Combi question, I’m wondering that myself. I’d have to assume the “allroad” version will be an extra option on top of an Aero Combi (which I assume that like the sedan Aero, will come standard with XWD). the FWD Combi could be limited to the 2.0T. Again, educated guesswork.
On your keyless start for the 9-4x question, jchan2 - I have no idea. I’ve just heard keyless start. The Aero will also get keyless entry, so that would infer a sensor system with something that doensn’t need to be inserted, but that’s once again my guesswork and applies to the Aero. Both will have some sort of keyless start, though.
So wait, will the US 2009 9-3 Aero with XWD definitely have eSLD?
Good stuff.
can just agree with everyone else. This blog will be missed.
Imagine that swades educated guesswork is accurate. from a sole business perspective it the SC and the cross over will be the same base, so not having 2 versions of the same base would just be stupid.
However, wonder if we will see this for the new 9-5 as well? XWD will come to it so why not also have a cross over version.
Think about it. the new 9-3 will be slightly smaller than the current one. Would leave enought room to have 2 cross overs. A slightly smaller 9-3 would have a hard time compete with the XC70 size, but a 9-5 cross over would be able to.
Just thoughts….
Leatherette sucks, I wish Saab would not take cues from BMW on certain things.
Everything else sounds great, though. Exciting times ahead for the brand!
Swade, the Djup Strup entries will be dearly missed.
I hope Saab doesn’t forget its utilitarian heritage in the quest to satisfy soccer moms. The auto-only is okay for a vehicle like this, but I hope they don’t just put folding rear seats in and call it a day. They need to get creative, like Peugeot with the 308SW. Take a look at the flexible seat arrangements in the Autoblog gallery. If you don’t need headroom, just fold the seats. Need headroom, take them out. Beautiful! If the 9-4X doesn’t have this feature, I won’t be able to talk my wife into one, she’ll say the Aztek is better—and she’ll be right.
Hey Swade, before you sign off on this blog, could you ask Djup Strupe to put me in his/their address book?
Good news! Unfortunately, No 4 cyl. in the 9-4x means terrible sales for Saab. Someone mentioned this is another post, but I’m afraid Saab is a little too late already, and not having a 4 banger will seal this car’s fate before it’s off the production line.
Bluetooth ehh….? Standard on the 9-4, any more details about the 9-3 getting it?
It’ll be standard on the 9-3 in 2009 too, Joemama. I think we’ve covered that, but I’ll check. - SW
Sounds great. If only they can revamp the interior a little, replace some those dodgy plastics the 9-3 would really be back in business.
XWD in the 2.0 range is a great start and i am now seriously considering delaying the decision on my next car.
I’d be very angry about that Aero Sport Package for the 9-3 if I were a Turbo-X owner in Germany. Buy the eLSD and an Aero and the only things different between your car and a Turbo-X are the lack of the badge, the torque limiters on lower gears, the “ready to launch” message in the SID, and that you have your choice of any color (including black). So much for the exclusivity.
With every new bit of news on Saab coming out I get more and more bitter, so I’ll bite my tongue to keep from pointing out how inept Saab management is. They’re killing this fine marque. If they were selling-out some of the spirit shouldn’t they at least see the payoff in sales? The sacrifice is there but not the payoff. More dilution of the brand. I thought the upcoming Saabs were supposed to be the “Saabiest” ever. Nothing about the 9-4X sounds the least bit “Saaby” to me. Okay, I really have to cut myself off now. Sorry for the negativity.
Keyless entry and keyless start. Some really great news!
If you look at the AutoExpress pictures, to the left of the steering wheel could be the push-to-start button. Or perhaps it’s the button to the bottom left of the shifter?
SAAB has a full-page ad in the Summer 2008 issue of the CAA-Quebec Magazine, announcing the “new Saab 9-3 Aero XWD Sport Sedan. It lists a starting price of C$46,330 + taxes so it looks like a V6 at this point; the text also indicates it’s a 2008 model. [This and the Turbo X is on the saabcanada.com page at C$54995 and the "base" 2.0T at C$35950 (all Cdn models are leather seat surfaces, etc.).] Nice to see Saab ads again in mainstream media read by people who like to drive.
Swade, we’ll miss you but I think I saw a hint that you might pass on a message or two if something exciting came your way. Best wishes to you as your last official day approaches here (and is half over in Oz)! We’ll be thinking of you.
Accept no substitutes. I guess that other “insiders” just don’t have what it takes. Watch it, pal.
For the german Turbo X owners its a little dissappointing that you’ll get the most of parts now for the “normal” Aero. But i think here in Germany the Turbo X wasn’t the big success. From the 90 delivered units you can get around 15 at the dealers. And yesterday Saab sended the company car list to the dealers which included 22 Turbo X. 11 Sedan and 11 Combis.
The 9-3x would be like the XC70 from Volvo some pictures showed the car with bigger bumpers ohter rims etc. The 9-3x is dated for the end of 2009 so it would probably come in january.
The 9-4X is obviously targetted at the US market. Those specks and engines are taylored for soccer-moms. For Europe I’m pretty sure there will be a 4-cyl Bio-power, diesels and manual gearbox. Start/stop button located between the seats. Look at pictures from the consept vehicle. I hope they use the interior from the consept car. I don’t see why they should offer a FWD version, it just dilutes the whole point of a Crossover and the intelligent XWD system. Salesman saying: “Oh yes, we have the worlds best 4WD system but you can save some money and buy the car with FWD, cause here i Florida we really don’t need it”. It’s like having soda in your 12 year old single malt whiskey!
Seems like the end of TS is well timed and planned, with all this info coming out.
I make a guess about final info or last post, must be about the forthcoming 9-1X, hybrid or not…
Swade, is the (pre-) prodcution 9-1 ready ?
is the 9-4x only in automatic worldwide or just in the US?
I’ll assume not worldwide but theres no info on Europe is there?
»Saab 9-3s in Germany will also be available with chrome roof rails as an option…«
Even worse! The 9-3 must not have this ugly roof rail as it destroys the whole design. It’s the same case on the Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. If you want to fix a Surfboardholder, then there are fixpoints for that already without roof rail. So why a roof rail? And now in chrome bling bling. Uuuuh.
Anyway, I expect the two new colours in Grey.
Cheers and now it’s friday, the end.
Opps sorry Swade, I should have clearified my question. Yes, you did cover it earlier about Bluetooth being in the 9-3 in MY09.
What I should have asked was how the integration is going to be? (the motorola work around, part of the SID, does it bypass Onstar, etc..)
Bruce,
Saab has been taking full page adds regularly in «l’Actualité», probably Québec’s most read magazine, for the past few years. They had one this winter opposite a great article on the biomass-based ethanol industry in Sweden and the potential for the same industry in Québec, which also has an important forest industry. Ironically, no mention of bio powered Saabs in the add, which is logical though, since they are not available here. Nonetheless, a lost opportunity to drive an important message. Also, there has been a lot of TV adds on prime time TV. Too bad all this advertising didn’t come with relevant new products. Surely XWD will create a buzz until the new cars arrive, but few sales until it’s available with the 2.0l.
On the invite I got this week to test drive XWD, the two models mentioned are Turbo X and 9-3 XWD Aero, both with the (gas guzzling) 280 hp V6.
The white eraser glued to the invite meant «to erase the bad weather» will be handy to rub away the chalking on the black mouldings of the 9-5. Beats every damn product I tried.
Viva la Djup Strupe!
TS, the most intelligent blog ever built.
I remember the first day I drove my black on black Viggen home and how wonderful those cushy sports seats smelled. Leatherette? Good for sweaty thighs (in the US South where it’s already over 90F) but not much else. I’d rather have upscale cloth. But, I’m not a soccer mom toting 2.5 kids to school with bags of juice and whatever else kids spill in cars these days.
Hey, don’t you guys know that “Leatherette” is an American safety feature? It keeps your arse stuck to the seat in the event of a crash…no seatbelt needed!
I am not really sure what Djup Strupe means, but I associate the name with news before its news. No other site has Djup Strupe and I will miss this in my daily routine. Thanks again Swade and remember, this blog is your hobby, not your job.
Brian,
Djup Strupe means “Deep Throat” in Swedish. If you’re American, I’m sure the connotations will be straightforward (though as I’m an Aussie, they might be a little misapplied - it’s basically meant to mean a secret inside source).
9-4X: 3,0l Non turbo and auto transmission.. Wow.. How Saaby… Not. Ofcourse the auto transmission is ok… But more Non turbo Saabs?
I thought that GM were going to emphesize on Saabs turbo herritage in adds from now.. Saab needs something that says “special”. With tubo engines Only aswell in the 9-4X, Saab would have something that sets it apart from the competition and maybe most important.. Be something else than the coming BRX Caddy in Saab clothing.
In europe I guess hardly any of the 9-4X´s sold will be a 3,0 V6. Look at the sales for the 9-3 1,8i…. Can´t believe that Saab makes a car with that option. I´ve only seen one on swedish roads.
And ofcourse the 9-4X will have a manual 6-speed in europe.
4-cyl diesel and 6-speed manual would be my choice..