The GM financial news revealed earlier today has revealed that the Saab 9-4x won’t be seen until some time in 2010. Given that the 2009 Saab 9-7x is the last of that line (the plant that produces the 9-7x will close in late December 2008) it’s fair to assume that there will be a reasonable gap between the last 9-7x being sold and the first 9-4x coming landing on a showroom floor.
Enter the Saab 9-3x.
This is the car that Saab will need to plug that gap. The anti-SUV.
I want to take a moment to review the recent correspondence about this car as I believe there may be some misconceptions about when it may be coming. Right now, I’d suggest it’s ery much needed.
I’ve received several bits of Djup Strupe news about this car in the last few months. The problem is that they’re spread out over several entries and even updates within those entries, so I want to gather them all here in one place. We can’t get a definitive idea of when this car will come, but at least we might get a little clarity.
The first bit of bad news that came about this car was from a major-market Djup Strupe back in early October. At that time, he provided this information which was relevant to his market:
December 2008: We’ll get to see initial info and photos for the new Saab 9-5 sedan
February 2009: Motorshow appearance for 9-5 sedan
September 2009: 9-5 Sedan on the road
February 2010: Launch for the Saab 9-4x
September 2010: Saab 9-5 wagon and 9-3x launch
2011: Saab 9-3, written to me as being a facelift
2012: Saab 9-1 launch
And an update to that post contained the following:
A recent communication with Saab indicated that they were looking to the XWD 9-3 SportCombi to cross any gap between the 9-7x’s demise and the release of the 9-4x. I’d imagine the correspondent was referring to the 9-3x, which would make sense in that particular market (the US) and this would infer that the 9-3x would be seen some time in 2009.
Regarding the 9-3x info from Djup Strupe, above, it’s fair to draw the conclusion that the info doesn’t come from the US market and therefore, that the 9-3x might be released there first and in other markets at a later time depending on the demand they anticipate.
So, at that point we have the 9-3x coming to one major Saab market that isn’t the US in late 2010. There’s also the inference from another source that the car would still be seen in the US in 2009.
—
Later in October, I was able to share some intel from another Djup Strupe, this one being European based and verified, that the Saab 9-5 would be delayed. At that time, publications in Europe also reported possible delays to other Saab models and this was based on the same information I received from that Djup Strupe.
I wrote as follows:
Saab 9-3x: If anything on the horizon for Saab could be seen as non-essential, this is it. I’d already heard from Djup Strupe that the 9-3x was delayed until 2010. This could kill it completely.
In short, from what Djup Strupe had seen, the plans for the 9-3x had either been delayed or even cancelled. This is to say that in a scenario where he should have seen that information, the information had now been removed, which was unusual.
The European news reports about this issue drew a response from Saab Sweden’s Eric Geers in the Dutch paper, Auto Telegraaf, where he denied the delays, saying to them that they could “call him at the photo shoot”
—
Just this morning I spoke with Jan-Willem Vester from SaabUSA and asked him about the possible delay or cancellation of this model.
JWV was pretty guarded during the conversation in general, but when I asked about this car and any possible delay or cancellation his response was to the effect of “well, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense (to cancel it)”.
JWV said that the technology was there and the market was there for the vehicle and as far as I could tell from what he told me (not a lot) and the way he said it (a little more free than with the rest of my questions) I’d suspect that this car is a goer, for the US market in the near term, at least.
—
To that, I say a nice big hearty and well-meaning, non-blasphemous Hallelujah!
The 9-3x is now needed more than we realised. This slow leak of information hasn’t given us a full picture, but it’s given enough t see where the pieces fit in the puzzle. I loved the idea of the 9-3x when I first heard about it and was really disappointed the prospect of its loss.
It’s a car that uses existing architectures, existing mechanicals and interior with just a few modifications here and there. This truly is a car that shouldn’t cost much to bring to market and with the looming gap in Saab’s SUV line later next year, I really do hope that they can bring it sooner in the markets for which it’s needed.
In the words of those philophers from The Offspring: Give it to me, baby!
–
The 9-3 “Crosssover” is definitely needed as a stop gap. Then the next order of business should be the 9-5 with minimal delays. As to the 9-4x, a long delay could prove fatal for the car. SUV sales are on a steep decline. A late 2010 or early 2011 realese could mean that there’s little market left for it.
Why would they delay the 9-3x or even keep it a secret? It’s just an existing car with a few extra or different parts. Even though it’s not a new model, it is much better then spending money and time on developing concept cars that will never see production.
The 2009s are at the dealers but still not on SaabUSA.com? I think it was mentioned the excuse was they were working on a new website and it was delayed? This is a large automotive corporation, not a corner store. If they wanted to, they could have a new website within a week. It’s no rocket (or jet?) science.. It’s November..!
Sometimes I really want to know what’s going on behind closed doors.. I really want to write something positive about the current state of Saab but I have nothing.
With things as bad as they are now, anything that Saab could bring to market would be good.
I was talking to the GOOD PEOPLE at my local Saab dealer today, they are a bit nervous. but everyone is hoping for the best. The amount of Saabs sold were not even worth conversation.
What I find a little strange, with all of the bad news and needed cost cutting, I have seen more print adds for Saab, I just received the new addition of SaabMagazine and I just got a first look at the newest t.v. spot for the 9-3 with cross wheel drive.
I have seen much more web and print advertising as well, including a 4 page XWD ad in the latest issue of Automobile.
Saab Magazine??? Mike C, where do you live? I made several attempts to get that magazine (by contacting Saab) and was told it’s unavailable to me (in the US). Just curious……..
Yawwwwwnnnn….2010…..??? It just can’t get any worse, can it?
ZZZzzzzzzzzz.
Mark,
SAAB magazine does make it to the US, maybe you have to buy a new car to get it.
Like I emailed a couple weeks ago- is Pike’s Peak that far removed? This car would work well to fill a real niche and not just serve as a stopgap.
Sport Mode: You’re probably right it deserves to be more than just a stopgap, but nothing can disguise the fact that it should have been out at least three years ago and will have quite a short life.
As to filling a niche, Saab is very good at that. It’s only when it decides to go mainstream that it all goes to pieces, and that’s something about Saab that GM has never really managed to learn.
This variant would help a lot and would not cost too much in the scheme of things. Its a free kick ( free throw to you hoopsters) in my view. Just add some breadth to the range and bring in a few people who might normally go to Subaru or Audi. Seriously.
The 9-3X is needed now and there should not be any problems in launching it quickly. It´s basicly a 9-3SC XWD with different ridehight and some plasic bits and pieces + maybe some interior thingies.
How can a budget setback interfer with something that is ALL gain? They do want to make money don´t they?
The NG9-5 is ready for production.. The only thing stoping the NG9-5 now is the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia launch and the Insignia Wagon due for dealers in april. The NG9-5 not ready for launch? Thats a load of BS. The Insignia and NG9-5 have been designed and developed at the same time.
Why we can be quite sure that the 9-5 replacement is just around the corner? An example: My brother is getting his first ever company car in a few weeks.. A Beautiful black 9-5 SC 2,3t BioPower Linear Griffin. The Griffin models are the now the ones that can be ordered in Sweden and the 260Hp 2,3T can no longer be ordered due to one thing only.. The Griffins are the last of this generation of current 9-5´s.. The NG9-5 is ready and waiting to be revealed and produced. I can´t imagine that the germans don´t want to start production asap.
The 9-4X? Well, the 9-5 is the main concern now and if Saab will be sold or not.
Sorry if my writing seem a bit out of sync. I´ve slept about an hour and my head is pounding.
On the saab website in Belgium (which has recently been updated) the 9-5 2.3T griffin SE is still available for order.
I also heard that the plant in Russelsheim is so busy with the insignia (which sells better then expected) that there is currently no possibility to produce any other model. For the same reason, the insignia tourer can not yet be ordered.
On topic, I don’t know the budget needed for the introduction of the 9-3x, but if cancelling the 9-3x would make the 9-5 being introduced a few months sooner, I would give priority to the 9-5.
But what I really don’t get, is that the introduction of the Volt is still planned for late 2010. GM is thus putting all its money in a model of which GM self said that it won’t be profitable untill the next generation !!!
Can someone explain that to me ? (you know, from an economic point of view, not from “I’m a ceo, I have a big ego and I am always right”-point of view)
Not the biggest fan of edmunds, but some very valid points are brought up in this article regarding saab and volvo!!!!????
Worth the read.
http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/11/cash-crunch-simultaneously-prods-prevents-castoff-of-swedish-automakers.html#more
I know introducing a “new” car in this current market might not be the best idea in the world, but I think they should make an exception for the 9-3X. It’s a stopgap measure now due to the cancellation of the 9-7X and the delay of the 9-4X. It can be sort of a “bridge” car with very little overhead required to bring to market. It’d also throw dealers a bone.
The only problem is it needs to be at dealers NOW. I really don’t get what the delay is. Timing is often EVERYTHING. The northern hemisphere winter is fast approaching and this would be the time to be convincing people they “need” this car.
I gotta say I’m very disappointed that the 9-3X hasn’t even come out sooner. It should have been launched along with the Turbo X. What better way to showcase XWD & eLSD than those two models ?!? And it’s not even a “new model”, just some trim additions, suspension tweaks and voila.
Instead, Saab has focused its efforts on the 9-X concepts (regular and Air versions) that, while all nice and full of “ooooh” factor, are not the stuff people can buy.
Sorry for the rant, but Saab seems to have squandered (yet again) precious time and opportunities in the past 2 years with increasing energy prices and the impending economic downturn.
I couldn’t agree more with Ken’s comments. Yet again, Saab has lost an opportunity to introduce a car that dealers can sell and customers can buy. Instead, they choose to waste money on yet another concept. Wow, I sound like a broken record – I’ve complained way too much about the squandering of money and time on concept cars when that money and time should have been spent building production cars. My enthusiasm for Saab is quickly fading into pessimism.
Concepts are fine as long as you have sufficient product in the showrooms. Like Ken said, the 9-3x would have complimented the Turbo-X. The Turbo-X could focus on the performance oriented buyer and the 9-3X could have been marketed towards someone who wants a bit more ‘practicality’. Two birds with one very similar stone so to speak.
I’ve been pondering getting a new car lately and sadly, Saab is not really on the radar this time. I’d love to at least see the new 9-5 to see if I should hold out for a year or two. Instead all I’ve seen are cars that will likely never see the light of day. In the mean time, the competition has several new cars on showroom floors to choose from. Sad.
Being in Colorado, the 9-3X is the answer to more than you can imagine for the Mountain states and New England. The 9-3X will sell to people who would never have considered buying a SAAB and it will sell to people who are looking to replace their SUVs for better gas mileage and SAAB needs it now before the snow comes.
There are thousands of people here who rightly or wrongly will not buy a car unless it is AWD, 4×4, whatever. They are not car people and have no idea about, nor do they care about a TurboX. They have no idea that you can buy a 2009 9-3 2.0 XWD either and they wouldn’t get it because it does not look like a four wheel drive car.
The streets are full of Subaru Outbacks, but almost no AWD Legacys. There are thousands of XC70′s but almost no V70 or S60 AWD’s. Those are bought with front wheel drive normally.
So, for whatever reason, it is not enough to offer the technology, the car has to look the part and the Outback, Forester, XC70, Allroad, these look like four wheel drive.
So, for whatever reason, it is not enough to offer the technology, the car has to look the part and the Outback, Forester, XC70, Allroad, these look like four wheel drive.
It needs to have a good ground clearance too. That´s really important. 8″ is enough. It´s 2″ more than regular 9-3. Actually Outback 2008 doesn´t look too much like 4WD car. At least non US version. In my opinion.
I could not agree more.
I gotta say I’m very disappointed that the 9-3X hasn’t even come out sooner.
When we got first news that XWD is actually coming, I was 100% sure, that being Swedish car it will be designed to be used on snow and rough conditions. When we got first news – Turbo X and no diesel XWD, I though okay, let´s wait few months and we´ll get “9-3X”.But no. Nothing. Now other car makers start offering XWD (Haldex 4) on their cars – like Skoda Octavia Scout etc. And what does Saab – still no 9-3X. It´s now 1.5 years of releasing XWD.
I bought Subaru Outback Diesel.
I’m confused, not having kept up with the latest developments. What is the difference between the 93 turbo x and the 93x? One exists and the other doesn’t?
Arnold, the Turbo X is Saab’s halo-like car. It was their way of introducing XWD. Think of the Turbo X as an Aero with more power and AWD – a car with very sporty intentions.
Think of the 9-3x as the Saab version of Audi’s Allroad, Volvo’s Cross Country, and Subaru’s Outback editions. It’s the 9-3 with a higher ground clearance and some more robust body cladding. The 9-3x would not be considered sporty, but rather functional for those who traverse poor road conditions such as heavy snow or unpaved roads.
Yes, the 9-3x is currently not available. I think most people here are a bit disappointed with that decision because it appears to be an easy car to make (basically a pumped-up 9-3) and it would likely sell well in areas with heavy snow and/or where an outdoor lifestyle is prevalent. For example, the Turbo X could be marketed in areas that value performance and the 9-3x would be marketed towards more practical applications in areas with severe winters.
The 9-3 crossover wagon hopefully will get a different name than 9-3x. This car is the only Saab 9-3x!
Markac, you are right. But now everyone knows what model we are talking about, no matter what the possible name would be. My personal guess for the name is “9-3 XWD” for the raised combi wagon. It really shouldn´t be more difficult to make than Turbo X. Actually, where to start is raise the car and maintain driveability. Of course XWD has to be installed and eLSD should be standard. Then everything else would be bonus, like some body cladding and maybe different interior details.
Like the one we´ve seen on those spy pics. It would be really competitive in it´s class. Not everyone wants to have SUV even though they need a bit more road clearance and awd. 9-3 XWD would be just perfect solution.
GM/Saab…Release it! Now!!
I think Saab would’ve released it a long time ago, but it’s very hard to do anything with both hands tied behind your back.
A “typical” day at GM!
I forgot to add:
A “typical” day at SAAB!
I am so tired of Saab missing the ball on everything. really, really, tired of it. its a broken record now, really.
CWilson said: Arnold, the Turbo X is Saab’s halo-like car. It was their way of introducing XWD. Think of the Turbo X as an Aero with more power and AWD – a car with very sporty intentions
Thanks for that. So, there is a:
9-3 turbo x performance “SPG”
9-3 x which may have a turbo and is a soft off-roader
9-3 x concept car
9-3 plain version which may have a turbo, or xwd
Is this correct?
Please bury the Saab! There will be no future with delayed and outdated models. Let us enjoy former models as long as spare parts exist.
9-3 Turbo X is an 9-3 Aero XWD with all options, with some slight differences. The main difference between the Turbo X and the Aero XWD is that the latter during its first year wasn’t availible with the eLSD option. The Aero XWD is availible with the same engine as in Turbo X, the 280 hp B284L. From this year, the FWD Aero is also availible with that engine.
As for the name of this crossover 9-3, I doubt that it will be anything else than 9-3x, that being inline with 9-4x and 9-7x. The ’9-3 XWD’ already exist, XWD is simply an option for cars with the 280 hp B284L and the 210 hp B207R. Unfortunatly, the XWD option isn’t availible with the 180 hp diesel nor the BioPower range of engines.
Subaru killed the Legacy wagon since more people bought Outbacks. I can’t see having a regular ‘Combi AND a 9-3x in a struggling lineup. It would have made the most sense to have introduced the 9-3x as the alternative to the regular SportCombi THIS year since the technology is there already.
Yeah, offer the standard sportcombi as a primarily FWD, with XWD only available on the Aero’s. The goal should be fuel efficiency, and low entry cost with the benchmark to hit being a 30 mpg 2.0T FWD for less than $30k. The goal for the marketing campaign would be to try to win back some of the old hatch owners as well as conquer some of today’s CUV and prius owners.
To that end, the 9-3X would be a more rugged xwd car to go against the outback and the XC70, with the 2.0T being the only engine option. Even with XWD it should be able to hit ~26 mpg highway. This car would also offer all the luxury features that come on the Aeros, sort of being what the old SE trim level was for Saab in the 90′s. They wouldn’t be reinventing the wheel, for sure, but they’d definitely help Saab’s sales situation in the short term
This car would also offer all the luxury features that come on the Aeros, sort of being what the old SE trim level was for Saab in the 90’s.
But what if one needs to have rugged 4wd combi, but doesn´t like to pay premium and doesn´t want/need any extra luxury? Best way is to offer raised suspension as xwd option and some body cladding with it. Everything else should be selectable extra. Otherwise the price would be way out of competition. 2.8v6t should not be even an option.
For Europe: 1.8t engine available with xwd and also Linear line with xwd. eLSD option to every xwd model. Unless they don´t want to be competitive. Which really seems to be the case now…
Do we know for sure that because of the economic slowdown and the delay of the replacement model that the 9-7x/Trailblazer plant won’t continue to crank out vehicles for one more model year?
Kraig,
The Moraine, Ohio plant that produces the 9-7X and its GMT360 platform siblings is slated for closure in about 6 weeks’ time, on Dec. 23.
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f83/workers-gm-moraine-plant-close-dec-23-gmt-360-a-69872/
MarkoA wrote:
“For Europe: 1.8t engine available with xwd and also Linear line with xwd. eLSD option to every xwd model. Unless they don´t want to be competitive. Which really seems to be the case now…”
I totally agree with you.
I got my YM2009 Linear Sport Combi 1.8t about a month ago and if XWD would’ve been an option with the decent price, I might have chosen it.
In my opinion it wouldn’t take too much money & too long to build 9-3x. Volvo has already done it to its XC70 (or was it V70 Cross Country?). Still the “normal” V70 is offered also with XWD option. Easiest way to offer a cross country model without spending a huge amount of money to develop and build car brand’s own SUV.
I don´t think that Saab is “missing the ball” once more.. It´s GM´s fault. They want Caddy to sell well as a premium car abroad and they can´t have Saab stealing the show from them and Opel.. So they rob Saab from marketing money, technology, grease the German Auto union etc and then see to that Saab stay afloat but not successful. Yeah, I know It´s all in my head but sometimes it seems like it´s true.
The thing is.. If Saab in Trollhattan were to get the chance to deside themselves when to launch the 9-3X and the NG9-5.. They would have had the 9-3X out on the roads over a year ago and the NG9-5 right about now.
Saab deserve a better owner. Somebody that gives a damn.
Buick:
Enclave
LaCrosse
Lucerne
Cadillac:
CTS
STS
DTS
XLR
SRX
Escalade, +EXT +ESV
Chevrolet: (Not counting Chevy EU)
Aveo
Aveo SW
Corvette
HHR
Impala
Malibu
Avalanche
Colorado
Equinox
Suburban
Tahoe
Trailblaizer
Traverse
etc etc
Saturn:
Vue
Sky (Why at all since Saturn is the “second two car household drive to soccerpractise brand”)
Aura (Could have waited for the Insignia and saved money)
Astra
Outlook
Pontiac:
G5
G6
G8
Solstice (This is where the “Sky” do justice)
Torrent
Vibe
OPEL:
Agila (Why when there are small Euro Chevys?)
Corsa
Tigra TwinTop convertible (Moneyloss from the start)
Combo (Why allways do like the french? Drives like a fishtank)
Meriva
Astra in Family variants + convertible + Coupé etc
Zafira
Insignia
GT
Antara (Same.. Exactly the same.. as the EuroChevy Captiva)
Vivaro
ETC ETC ETC
Saab:
9-3 SS, SC and Convertible
9-5 SS and SC
9-7X in selected markets.. But not Sweden.. Why? Think twice…
Is GM a proper owner of Saab? How many models are realy necessary for each brand? How many of them are nescessary at all? How much money could be saved and a fraction of that money be transfered into a new Saab model or some marketing money for said brand?
Cheers/Tom
triple: Subaru killed the Legacy wagon in the US but it is still available & thriving here in Canada. In May, my wife replaced her 2001 Outback wagon with a Legacy wagon (4 cyl. w/AWD). By not being fooled (again) into believing that lower body cladding & higher ride height were necessary, even here on the east side of the Rocky Mountains, she saved $3,000.