I thought it these photos might make for an interesting quick comparison.
It’s amazing how some wheels, suspension and a bit of body kit can transform a car. Of course, the light and dark colors of the vehicles make the effect seem more pronounced, too, but all in all I think you’ll get the picture.
What you’re seeing here is the 2008 Saab 9-3 SportCombi in Aero form compared with the Saab 9-3x pictures that we got last week. I’ve tried to pick similar angles where possible so it’s an apples vs apples scenario.
They really do look like two different cars and you can see that Saab are intentionally toughening up the 9-3x to position it in that upper-Subaru wagon and Volvo markets. It looks a lot taller, a lot more rugged and nothing like the hunkered down form of the Aero.
I guess what’ll determine it’s success in that Volvo/Suuby market is the price. The Suuby market might find it a bit expensive though the smaller Volvo types might find it appealing.
The things we don’t know about the 9-3x that could make a big difference: levels of equipment and engine options. The base model 9-3 SportCombi with 2.0T and XWD comes in at $37,810 in the US. I can’t see the 9-3x being any cheaper than that.
I’m really interested to see this car in the metal. My tastes tend to skew towards the more sporting elements of the Saab range, but this one fascinates me to a degree, possibly moreso than the 9-4x at this point in time.
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Any Photoshop expert out there that can give the 9-3X a green or grey color?
The big tail lamps work very well with the raised/rugged look. I always thought they looked a bit heavy on the 9-3 Combi (compared to the tail lamps on the 9-5 Combi).
Off topic… After consulting Google Earth, it looks like that last 9-3 picture is taken at Alameda Naval Air Station in San Francisco. Right?
I actually like the slightly raised stance of the “standard” XWD compared to the normal FWD 9-3s. On the other hand, I’ve never been a fan of all these plastic 4WD body kits. Will be really interesting to see this one anyway!
Oh, and some off topic here: not sure if this has been mentioned here before (if it has, I’m sorry), but a nice Turbo X review is available on the ‘tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgpDLX5YAYY
Handsome indeed, but I wonder how likely we will actually see the 9-3X given the status of Saab at the moment. It truly would be a shame to see the Saab marque fade into history with such interesting and relevant products on the horizon.
I will venture to guess that if a 2.0T SporCombi w/ XWD costs $37K ish, then the 9-3X version will come in at around $38K; maybe at $38,500 or so.
Regardless, the base model has to come it at an MSRP below $40K. Even the Acura RDX and BMW X3 have base MSRPs under $40K, and the X3 has a 6-cylinder.
The XC70 3.2L 6-cyl starts at MSRP US$37,250, the OutBack 2.5L 4-cyl starts at MSRP US$22,960 . The OutBack 3.0R Limited starts at MSRP US$32,095.
So to me a 9-3X 2.0T should be around MSRP US$35,500 while the 9-3SC 2.0T XWD “should” be lowered to around MSRP US$34,000. Assuming the 9-3X will even come in the 2.0T. But even if it only comes in the 2.8T, then it should be priced around MSRP US$37,500. The XC70 T6 starts at MSRP US$39,500 but it’s a bit more 9-5 sized.
Ken….that is going to require a drastic reworking of Saab USA’S pricing line -up.I already weighed in on this last week.Based on the wildly optimistic point of view that we will ever see this vehicle,under the current ’09 pricing 2.0T XWD Comb as currently configured with Monnroof and the equivalent of the ’08 Premium pkg. has to top $38K……Skys the limit on a 9-3X.
SaabKen is right… this car won’t have a chance to get many Subaru buyers unless it can sell for 35 grand or thereabouts… and it actually needs to be LISTED for that, not as 40k with thousands taken off after the fact.
The Outback Turbo 4 or the Outback 6 cylinder both come in at around 32k… so 35k is already quite a bit more. And it’s not like these are strippers… they seem to have roughly the same standard equipment… and HEATED SEATS STANDARD (cmon Saab!).
According to the USA websites the price difference between a Subaru 2.5XT and a Saab 2.0T comes at around $ 4.000. To me it’s quite clear that I’ll choose the Saab. You know: prices are made by the market.
Dear swade,
Please note that the aspect of the 9-3x pics makes it look shorter and taller than it really is. It’s clearly visible when looking at the wheels of the top image. One could argue that the angle of the shot, and position of the car, would have that same effect, but it wouldn’t make up for that much aspect distorsion, or for the over all tippy-toe appearance. I noticed this the very first time I saw the images, and sitting beside the Aero, it becomes even more obvious.
By the way – really dig your site.
Yep, the pictures look stretched (or compressed, depending on how you see it
)
And some of the effect depends on the distance. The 9-3x pics are probably shot with a tele lens from far away. That “compresses” the car and makes it look narrower than on the publicity pics shot from a few meters with wide angle lenses.
But there will probably still be some “stance alterations” from the cosmetic stuff.
I talked to my dealer about the 9-3X. All they could tell me was that there will be no TTiD.
I guess we’ll have to wait some more….