SPORTY LOOKS

The Saab 9-3X project team was led by the Head of Advanced Design, Anthony Lo. His task was to ensure that the unusual application of a coupe format did not conflict with the ‘real world’ requirements for such a vehicle. “The car had to look desirable as a sporty coupe for the road,” he says. “But this is not a cosmetic exercise – the looks had to be backed up with true functionality. That is the Saab way.”

That Saab signature, wraparound windscreen; the high, wedge-shaped waistline and strong, curving C-pillar instantly identify the 9-3X’s lineage. The disguised A-pillars, the clean, smooth lines and bold frontal styling are also characteristic of the 9X concept.

“We wanted to create a look that clearly links the two concepts,” adds Lo. “The lines of the 9-3X are extremely clean and uncluttered and, despite the relatively high ride height required for this type of vehicle, we wanted to disguise the higher stance. Having a relatively long 270-cm wheelbase helped.”

Conventional features denoting a vehicle’s all-terrain credentials would have no place in the design language of the Saab 9-3X. Three pre-requisites were therefore essential for the Saab 9-3X to achieve its exterior styling goals. There would be no roof bars or bumper appendages of any sort, no extra cladding down its flanks and no unsightly wheel-arch clearances.

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Facts 9-3X: Technical specifications and performance

Body:
Two-door cross-over coupe with floor-mounted rear tailgate, steel body

Engine:
Lightweight “Ecopower 2” 2.8-liter V6 turbo engine with 60-degree configuration, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, direct ignition and variable valve timing. Saab Trionic engine management. Front, transversely mounted
Maximum power is 280 bhp/206kW at 5,500 rpm.
Max torque is 400 Nm (available from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm).

Transmission/driveline:
Adaptive, five-speed. semi-automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted manual gear shifts.
ESP-controlled Haldex AWD system.

Suspension:
Front: Struts, lower A-arm, separate gas-filled shock absorbers, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear: Independent, four-link, gas-filled shock absorbers, coil springs, anti-roll bar

Steering:
Rack-and-pinion, power-assisted. 2.5 turns (lock to lock).

Brakes:
Front: 350mm, ventilated/drilled steel discs, 4-piston Brembo calipers
Rear: 330mm, ventilated/drilled steel discs, 4-piston Brembo calipers

Wheels:
20x 8.5 inch, five-spoke alloy

Tires:
Front and Rear: 245/40 R20 Michelin Sport Pilot

Curb weight (projected):
1550 kilos

External dimensions:
Length: 4380mm
Height: 1498mm
Width: 1826mm
Wheelbase: 2700mm
Track width (f): 1580mm, (r) 1566mm

Load space:
Volume:     320 liters (rear seat up),    
950 liters (rear seat folded)        
Length:     690mm (rear seat up)    
1550mm (+ rear seat folded)    
2335mm (+ front and rear seat folded)   
1395mm (+ tailgate down / rear seat up)
2255mm (+ tailgate down / rear seat down)
3040mm (+ tailgate down / rear and front seat folded)

Performance (projected):
Top speed: 250 km/h (limited) 0 – 100 km/h: 6.2 sec. (figures are projected).