AMS score 9-4x spypics
Auto Motor and Sport in Sweden have unearthed some new Saab 9-4x spyshots today. Click through to AMS to see the full size shots.
Click to enlarge
This interior shot shows much of what we’ve seen before with the dash vents and instruments remaining faithful in their basic form to the concept vehicle. The dash materials seem to be different, however, and more generic. I also note in this shot that the seat doen’t look like a Saab seat with the active SAHR headrests (see the AMS shots for the seat detail).
The car is wearing the usual padding disguise, the same wheels we’ve seen previously and it seems to be towing some sort of trailer with some unknown equipment on it. Load testing?
As mentioned before, click on through to AMS for all three photos, which are so huge I’m amazed the internet is big enough to hold them 
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Did the 9-7x get the Saab Active Head Restraints? From what I can gather it didn’t. Perhaps it’s replacement won’t get them either?
I agree with Swade. The seats look kind of generic, with non-Saabish controls (Saab always had the “2-piece” controls) and the headrests don’t appear to be SAHRs.
Maybe they’re helping one of Saab staffers move house (with the trailer)
Some Google translator bits…
They aren’t optimistic about rear seat room:
“a side effect that emerges here in the form of worse-term outside world for rear seat passengers. Exakt hur illa det är, det påverkas ju exempelvis av sitthöjd och liknande, får vi återkomma till efter att själva ha provsuttit men för barnfamiljer bådar det onekligen lite illa. Just how bad it is, of course, it is affected, for example, by sitting and the like, we may come back to after having provsuttit but for families with children is undoubtedly a little bodes ill.”
And they aren’t excited about the massive a pillars:
“we can not fail to mention the wide a-pillar, which may contribute to the passive safety but also teaches cause some accidents because it, at least in the picture, seems to be broad enough to hide a freight trains.”
I wish Saab could engineer their own platforms again. The 99/900 probably had the strongest a-pillars ever, but yet they were thin. Although thin, they housed a strong profiled beam. I once cut up a Volvo 144 which was reputed to have very strong a-pillars, only to find thin sheet metal which took about 15 seconds to cut with a hacksaw. Took several minutes to cut through a 99’s pillars.
Unfortunately for me, when I think “Saab”, the first thing I think of is the platform. I just don’t see Saab anymore with their current offerings, or even my 04 9-3. I see more Saab when I look at an Alfa 159 because Saab did most of the platform engineering. Sure wish that had been the next 9-5 as originally planned.
Again, those tail lights. I know they have been discussed before, and someone mentioned that these might not be production lights. However, why not put the production lights on, if you build the rest of the car the way it’s going to be, even for testing. Hence my thought that again, like with the 9-7X they went for generic taillights. Straight from the GM stable.
Arghhh the horror, but then again, is GM still going to build the 9-4X?
The concept taillights, both from the 9-4X and 9-X BH are magnificent.
Weird shots, the two front seats are a different colour. Perhaps not the final version.
And yeah, less rear leg room than on my Turbo X! They absolutely have to fix that, or the reviews and consumers alike will dismiss this vehicle before it even hits the showrooms.
I’ll go out on a limb and say we’re probably going to see the concept rear lights make it thru to production. If you look at the way the fabric camo is sitting on the tailgate, it appears the side-to-side reflector strip is there above the number plate, and the general placement of the stop, reverse and indicators mostly mirrors the arrangement on the concept. All the lights currently fitted are standard trailer lamps you can buy from most motor supply stores.
As to why they haven’t fitted them I can only assume that testing with the production version would probably give the game away a little too much (as would be running it without camo on the front grille and light clusters), if the rear lights are all LED (don’t know, haven’t paid much attention to the 9-4x) then it’d be a pain to disguise the fact that there’s LEDs under there (light intensity and shape). Sticking some temporary generic lights on there gives us a little more of a surprise when it’s unveiled.
As for the trailer, by the looks of it it’s loaded with 2 standard heavy duty water containers (we use them on building sites that are lacking mains water or wells), usually 750-1000 litres, so it’s probably a test of towing capacity. The trailer will be in the 600 - 800kg region, if they’re two full smaller containers then it’s pulling a 2100kg load. If they’re larger containers and a heavier trailer it sould be 2800kg. not too shabby, good for the European market - that’s a loaded twin horsebox or a flippin big caravan. The X5 can manage 2700kg and the ML 3500kg, if memory serves correct…
And the headrests look like they’re straight out of a Vectra to me. Hope we see something as comfy as the 9-5 Aero seats in there.
the saab 9-2x had normal looking headrests and also had SAHR.
It’s not the rear seat room what AMS is worried about but visibility from rear seat because of high waistline.
Also, it’s normal for a test mule/prototype/pre-series-vehicle to have parts from various sources and state of finish. So I wouldn’t make too serious conclusions about interior parts (seats, steering wheel) and materials (+colours) or taillights. You don’t really need all the final production parts to test trailer towing capability, engine cooling, brakes etc.
There can be several reasons why some parts aren’t there yet: with about one year to go to the SOP all the production tooling is not finished yet and, in the case of lights, the final lights just might not have the DOT or E-certification yet. (Injection molded) interior parts may be have been molded with prototype tooling without proper grain and not given any surface treatment (such as paint).
Is their complaint about the rear visibility in regards to motion sickness? If so, the rear-seat height is higher than the front seat height which will dramatically help with this.
I HATE those generic GM round instruments!!!! Looks just like the Envoy I was driving last December.
Why why why??? Saab has always had an open instrument configuration, like Merc and BMW has.
Interesting stuff on the 9-4x. I followed the link to the Swedich source, and there were more articles there. One was about pricing. It states that the Saab is going to be priced like the BMW X3, but be the size of the X5. This has confused me a bit as I thought the Saab would be smaller that the X5 and also (hopefully) cheaper than the X3. Does anyone else have any info on this?
BMW’s X3 starts at $45,300CDN and can quickly top $60K. I sure hope the 9-4X doesn’t share this pricing as that would pretty much mean it’s demise.
NineTwoX,
Why are you pessimistic about the 9-4X’s prospect in Canada ? The X3, while somewhat ubiquitous, isn’t exactly the “Ultimate Driving Machine”, more like the “Ultimate X-5-wanna-be Machine” with none of the traits that defined the X5.
I think the 9-4X will compete very nicely against the Volvo X60, Acura RDX, Infiniti EX, Lexus RX, Merc GLK and Audi Q5.
NineTwoX, if you want a good quality interior and and a Saab made in Sweden, well then guess what - it’s gonna cost you money. I do realize the 9-4X is gonna be manufactured in Mexico (or the U.S.), but the same principle applies. Good materials, motivated line workers and proper QA don’t come in for free.
Seriously, anyone who thinks CAD 50K for a well-equipped European CUV is too much should really be in a different market category. I don’t want to sound elitist, but that’s how it is. I very much like a Koenigsegg, and I think it’s ridiculously overpriced because I can’t afford one. Heck, even a run-of-the-mill Lamborghini would be fine.
I doubt that the interior will remain exactly the same when it goes into production. As Korum mentioned, the two front seats are different from each other, and also the back seats are different from either of the two front seats. If they would go this far in changing aesthetics inside, i would guess they would do the same with the center console. i am sure that these people know that at one point or another spyshots will be taken, so they might be using cheap plastics so they won’t give out anything.
That rear seat legroom looks fine to me - I think the angle of the shot exaggerates the matter and if you saw an in-line view it would appear normal. If this an X5 size vehicle and it does appear to be fairly big, then there wil be no excises for lack if interior room, I doubt they would get that wrong as it has not been a Saab strength in the 9-3 and always attracts negative comment.
I very much doubt there will be a 9-4x. If there is, it looks like it will be a financial disaster if the Wall Street Journal are correct about the likely future of crossovers.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121780463828708359.html?mod=loomia&loomia_si=t0:a16:g2:r5:c0.0686712
SaabKen - If I had to choose between the Saab 9-4X and the Infiniti EX35, it wouldn’t even be fair. The Infiniti EX35 comes with more standard features (297HP V6, AWD, etc..) and for cheaper.
I’ve been recently went shopping with my Mom for a SUV. We looked at everything from Lexus, Acura, Benz, BMW, Infiniti, Cadillac, etc… Basically all the upper-end offerings. Based on the current information we have of the 9-4X (base being 3L V6 with FWD) and the comments about the 9-4X’s pricing is comparable to the X3, imo, it’s too expensive for what you will be getting. This is what I mean when I say I hope that the 9-4X pricing isn’t comparable to the X3.
The Infiniti EX35 is hardly a CUV, let alone an SUV. It’s a G37 wagon with the cargo capacity of a 9-3 convertible, not to mention it’s ugly.
Of all the CUVs you listed, I’d go for the Acura RDX, or even the VW Tiguan. I think the 9-4X and the upcoming Audi Q5 will be the closest to my personal “ideal CUV”.
First off, you’re comparision to the 9-3 convertible is incorrect. The EX35 offers 527L cargo capacity where-as the 9-3 convertible only offers 351L (top up) or 235L (top down). Secondly, the EX35 is a CUV and not a SUV.
Ideally, the FWD 9-4X should be priced high 30s and the Aero starting mid-40s. This pricing difference matches the pricing between the 9-3 2.0T and 9-3 Aero. IMO, this is where the pricing should be. Would you pay $45K for a base model 9-4X with FWD & a 260HP V6 engine? Even as much as I love Saab, I know I wouldn’t. I would much rather get the 9-3SC Aero with XWD than a FWD 9-4X.
That’s precisely my point. Edmunds reports 16.8 cubic feet (which equate to roghly 475 l.), but that also includes the underfloor spare tire space. I can only tell you I was shocked at how tiny the cargo area in that car, erm Cute Ute, was when we drove it. For a CUV to offer just 100 extra liters of space to a three-door convertible is plain ridiculous, where is the utility in that?
Anyhow, we don’t know yet how the base and Aero 9-4X are going to be priced (or equipped, for that matter), so we are just criticising Saab based on assumptions. I am sure they have the people to do their market research and come up with the right price, or at least what they feel is the right price. A lot of the CUVs you mention run well into CAD $50K once properly optioned. E.g. the EX35 base price is 42K with freight and PDE - want dual zone ACC and - whoa! rear seat AC vents? Check the Premium package box at $3,100. Fancy auto headlights? Right - $1,600 for the Journey package.
NineTwoX: “I would much rather get the 9-3SC Aero with XWD than a FWD 9-4X.” The 9-3XC (or whatever it’s called) will be released before the 9-4x. Perhaps that might be a better choice?
Kroum - The writer for that Edmunds report must be dyslexic as the correct interior volume as per Infiniti’s website is 18.6 cubic feet not 16.8 listed in the article. This matches the 527L value I listed before. In comparison, a G35 sedan only has 13.5 cubic feet and a 9-3 sedan has 15cubic feet. The EX35 may not have tons of cargo volume but it is still more than both the G35 and 9-3 sedan, hence the added utility but in a smaller size than the FX35.
My opinion still stands that Saab won’t sell many FWD 9-4Xs if they price it too high and $45K (as mentioned) is too high. Lets hope that they did do their research and price the 9-4X accordingly.
Tim: I’ve always thought 9-4x sales might prove to be an embarassment, but after reading that report you could be right, it could prove to be a sales disaster for Saab.
When I think of the money that’s been wasted on the 9-4x it makes me angry. That money would’ve been far more wisely spent on a car like the 9-1x, a car Saab really needs now far more than a new SUV/CUV. But I guess it was just GM trying to milk that SUV cash cow to the last drop.
Late next year might be a horrible time to release the 9-4x. Maybe it would be more prudent to let the 9-7x die and not replace it? Saab could be wiser to just concentrate on it’s 9-3XC version instead.
You guys make the wrong assumptions in regards to CUVs and SUVs. Sure sales are down, but in the premium market they still move, and at a hefty profit margin. I can only tell you how many brand new premium brand CUVs I see on the streets of Toronto every day - and their estimated fuel consumption is probably at par with my Turbo X.
Bottom line is the 9-4X may not be our ideal Saab, but if it sells moderately well and adds to the bottom line, then it will in turn enable the development of the 9-1 and/or 9-2. No matter what “piston-heads” think, CUVs will continue to sell - they are just raised cars, at the end of the day, and milfs love ‘em.
“and milfs love ‘em.” Gotta keep em happy, Kroum.
Kroum: I don’t know about Tim, but I didn’t make any assumptions, just predicted a possible scenario and it’s not a good one. SUVs/CUVs are a declining market and it’s probably only going to get worse.
You could be right and maybe the cashed up husbands of those “milfs” you mention might still buy them, but they will likely end up being a shrinking minority.
I was just saying that fifteen months from now when the 9-4x is released (probably 18 months here in Oz.) could be a dreadful time to release such a vehicle. With luck it might do moderately well in the US and perhaps Canada for a time, but I’m highly sceptical about the rest of the world. It’ll probably just be the wrong product at the wrong time.
Markac,
Oz sales to date: medium SUV sales up 8.1%, large SUVs up 7.4%. Most other segments down. Light cars up 1%, small down 3.1%, medium down 2.4% and large down 9.7%
As I said, gotta keep the milfs happy in which case they become mifs.
turbin: You might be right be right at the moment, but in 18 months time I doubt if the 9-4x will add more than a pimple to Saab sales charts here in Oz. Saab is an unknown quantity in that sector of the market and there are far more capable 4WDs available.
Anyway try trading in a used SUV. I hear it’s pretty horrendous unless maybe if you’re trading somethine like a Porsche Cayenne!
Marakac, trading anything is horrendous and has been for ages. I actually didn’t do too bad 2 years ago getting 60% on my 3yr old 5.4l XR8 ute. That was a benefit of getting my Saab through a Holden/HSV dealer as they are not scared of V8 utes.
Providing the 9-4x comes with good usable space as per the 9-3 combi then its should do as well as it needs to.
“and there are far more capable 4WDs available”
I’m not sure that’s ever factored into SUV purchases. ; )
turbin: I know that, I tried trading my 97 900s Talladega on my 99 OG9-3 Monte Carlo two years ago and only got offered a fith of what I paid for it after 15,000 kays and two years of ownwership.
I ended up selling it privately for 2.5 times what they offered.
Have a look at the 9-3 combi XC version when it’s released. I reckon it could have more useable space than the 9-4x. As to the FWD 9-4x, I’m sure it’ll be a shining success on the Aussie market. (sorry just being glib!).
“and there are far more capable 4WDs available”
I’m not sure that’s ever factored into SUV purchases. ; )
Why buy a vehicle that’s about as aerodynamic as a brick, has very average handling, questionable safety standards and below average fuel economy if you don’t get at least reasonable off road ability? Sorry I’ll never understand that one!
Usable space in the combi is good, have fitted a complete, fat ‘Jason’ style recliner rocker in there. If the 9-4x can use it’s dimensions well then I’d be happy.
As for your characterisation of SUVs I think the Territory is excellent. If it could be built to higher standards then I’d think about it. If the 9-4x has the handling, space and practicality of the Territory but with safety, corrosion resistance, style and luxury of a Saab then I’d love it. It is no secret that the 9-5 wagon was very influential on the design of the Territory by the way.
I once considered buying an SUV, but after being bounced around in the back of a Mitsubishi Pajero
half way around Australia as part of a TV film crew and then having to drive the thing half way back,
I changed my mind about them. To be honest I could have fitted more equipment in the C900 I owned at the time and it was a lot more comfortable and economical.
Turbin, when the 9-4x is released here you should also have the choice of the new 9-5 wagon and the crossover 9-3 sport combi. Choose wisely!
I think this discussion leads nowhere. A lot of speculation and noone knows what exactly he is talking about.
Most people are way better of with a normal wagon in stead of a CUV/SUV.
So if you need a car right now, go out and buy yourselves a 9-3 or a 9-5 wagon/estate/combi.
All the space you need.
Oh you needed towing capacity? No problem, they all tow 1.600 kg’s without any problem.
This discussion leads us to the point where 9-3XC starts it´s journey
To me it will be the ultimate Saab if there would be a choise of diesel engine + XWD. I´m VERY sceptical about 9-4X and I truly hope to be totally wrong with my thoughts and opinions. But we´ll see. Production version details are yet to be released so we have hope. If the car weights more than 1800kg then it´s too heavy. Even 9-3 is already too heavy for it´s size. I´d be glad to sacrifice some comfort and “premium” to get a bit lighter car. I wish Saab could´ve continue collaboration with Subaru. Their new Forester for example would´ve been ideal base of SUV/CUV for Saab. Think of it with Saab interior, seats, lightning, AC and some minor tweaks outside..
9-3XC and it´s specs seem to be light years away…