News came out a few days ago that General Motors had lodged a design patent on the defunct Saab 9-6x, which was to be a Saab SUV built on the same architecture as the Subaru Tribeca. It didn’t happen, of course, because GM sold their interest in Subaru, they probably knew that XWD was in the pipeline, and maybe the flak from the 9-2x was too much to handle.

So, which would you have preferred?

The 9-7x has been met with a mix of criticism and praise. On one hand, it’s the best of the GM360 vehicles and very much appreciated by all the people who have actually bought one. It’s been Saab’s second best selling model in the US, has given them a quick, inexpensive presence in a market segment they were absent in and the Aero model sounds like the running of the bulls and goes like stink! On the other hand, it’s about as Saaby as a labrador retriever.

The 9-6x could have seen a lot more Saab input than the 9-7x and had the potential to use a much more modern AWD system and a more contemprary look.

But before you get all 9-6x-ish on us, though, remember that whilst the 9-2x was a reliable and fun car, it was roundly panned for being way too much Subaru and way too little Saab. The photos we saw of the 9-6x in prototype form showed that it was potentially heading that way, too.

So if you were king, which would you have made?

The voting lines are open…..

n

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This is significant for Saab as the Saab 9-7x is built in Moraine. Like it or loathe it, it’s Saab’s second best selling model in the US and the loss of revenue if stocks run out will be a blow for SaabUSA.

I’ve written to SaabUSA seeking some more info, and will post it if and when it arrives.

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Here’s a good interview with Ed Wellburn, GM’s Vice President, Global Design.

Thanks to Sven for the link!

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I’ve noted a few comments about people attending the Geneva Motor Show next year and being willing to cover the 9-5′s showing there (or what we believe to be the 9-5′s showing there at this point in time) on behalf of TS.

Unfortunately for those concerned, I’ve already had discussions with a couple of past TS contributors about attending and it looks like that issue is sorted. As TS will be limited to one or maybe two passes, the allocation is now considered to be full.

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Saab concepts have been very well received in recent years, with the Saab Aero-X and 9-X BioHybrid both winning Best in Show awards at their respective Geneva Motor Shows.

Here’s some ominous words from Autoweek when discussing their Best in Show award for the Paris Motor Show, however:

…..or Saab’s impressive 9-X Air concept, which lost points because few of Saab’s impressive concepts ever translate into things you can buy.

The award was won by Lamborghini for their Estoque four-door.

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You can’t go to WAR with the USA on the back your car in Sweden. You can’t join the PKK or ETA. There’ll be no XXX or SEX, either, though you can have a F#K there if you want.

Here are some notes about acceptable three-letter combinations for Swedish number plates.

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Here’s a great, if somewhat basic, review of the Saab 9-3 Convertible from a news publication in San Francisco.

It’s another one of those reviews where it seems like the journo is maybe having his first experience in a Saab. I love reading reviews like this, as the words are often quite enthusiastic, not the jaded writings of some bitter and twisted anti-GM type (like, uh, me sometimes).

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TTAC asks Do You Like Hardtop Convertibles?

in principle, my answer is “no”, though apparently Mazda have done good work with the new MX5, a car I’m much more partial to since my brother-in-law bought one a few months ago.

And that seems as good a reason as any to have a perv at the 9-3 convertible in white!

I can’t say enough about how pleased I was to see that the 9-X Air is a soft top. It’s what a convertible should be.

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My main job for the weekend: write a TS WordPress userguide for our new correspondent, who’ll be on board soon.

Another thing to watch for – a great article on the Saab Safir airplane from Lance Cole, who’ll be visiting with us here in Oz very soon!

And the flu still sucks.

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Nowadays, Andy works at a Volvo dealership in Ohio and recently had the chance to take a 9-7x off the lot for a few days. My thanks to Andy for allowing me share his thoughts on what’s going to be one of Saab’s rarer models.

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Working at a car dealership has taught me several things. The first lesson is that you never know how long you will have a demo vehicle. It may last a month. It may last a day. You just never know. I’ve also learned that you should never put much gas in the tank of a demo vehicle. As soon as you fill-up the tank, the car will sell and for some strange reason the customer won’t refund you the money. Sure enough, after putting $20 in the tank last night, the SAAB 97X was taken from me. Therefore, my review of this ‘Swedish’ SUV will be limited to four days and less than 100 miles. Even so, I have some thoughts to share.

First Impressions

My wife likes the 9-7x. In fact, the first day home, she announced her approval of purchasing it should we need to replace the minivan. That says something about the vehicle as she normally doesn’t like foreign brands. As strange as it may seem, she never did like the SAAB 900s or either of the Jaguars we have owned.

Rather than question her tastes (at least for the moment), I think this may say something about a portion of the American market. Die-hard Saabisti may decry the re-badging of the Trailblazer/Envoy, but some people really don’t care. They actually like the way it looks. And to be honest, the black 9-7x I’ve been driving does look pretty good.

Performance

Last Thursday evening, I was handed the keys to the 9-7x. One of the first things I noted as I pulled out of the parking lot was the explosive acceleration of the 300 hp V8.

For instance, as I was preparing to turn right onto Mentor Avenue, another car was driving past. With every other car I’ve driven, it was appropriate to push the accelerator when the car was directly in front of my bumper. That usually allowed me to enter traffic without having to worry about hitting the car as it passed. Not so with the 9-7x. As I pressed the accelerator, I thought that I was going to hit the car driving past!

Acceleration on the highway was also impressive for an SUV. It doesn’t quite compare to a compact car with the same specs. But the fact that the 300 hp is backed up with 330 lb. feet or torque is quite notable at all times.

Interior

Several weeks of looking through the window of the vehicle produced in me a desire to test drive this vehicle. The perforated black leather seats, wood accents, and a tasteful amount of chrome trim made the 9-7x look like the finest car on the lot.

However, as I drove the vehicle home, I was quicky reminded that it indeed was a truck — especially on concrete roads. To make matters worse the driver’s seat back felt like (and on closer inspection looked like) square sofa seat cushions from a hide-away bed. They were not very comfortable at all. But I must admit that I had grown accustomed to the glove-like, comfortable seats in the Volvo S60 R.

Now take those comments for what they are worth. I have had a trouble with my back for the last twenty years. And driving any SUV over Tyler Blvd. is probably not going to be very comfortable. But then again … on the way back from church last night, my wife commented on how comfortable the passenger seat was. Go figure.

I did appreciate the accessibility of the rear storage compartment. The 9-7x comes with a two piece rear hatch. By pressing a large button underneath the hatch window, the hinged window itself can be opened. This is a nice option as it enables you to access smaller items without opening the entire hatch. Of course, it only takes a moment longer to open the entire hatch, but every little time saver is appreciated.

Conclusion

Overall, I enjoyed driving the SAAB 9-7x 5.3i. It is a nice looking, powerful vehicle SUV that allows five passengers to travel in style. While the seats may not be as comfortable as those in a 9000 Aero, you do get used to them after a while. And if you are not intimidated by the current price of gas, this is the time to buy. Leikin Motor Company has two in stock for under US $20,000.

Quite the deal, I’d say.

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* Bluetooth hands-free telephone connectivity
* Special Altitude Edition offered for 4.2i and 5.3i models includes DVD touch screen navigation radio, highly polished 18-inch alloy wheels, exterior finish choices include Carbon Flash (only non-Aero model availability) and Diamond Silver Metallic
* Two exterior colors: Diamond Silver Metallic and Desert Tan Metallic replace Titanium Metallic and Cocoa Metallic
* Side assist steps in black with chrome-plated edge available as a limited production option for dealer installation

9-7X RANGE INCLUDES NEW BLUETOOTH HANDS-FREE PHONE CONNECTIVITY

>Saab brings Scandinavian design sensibilities to the midsize SUV market with the 9-7X range, which includes the performance-oriented 9-7X Aero, the 9-7X 4.2i and the 9-7X 5.3i. All feature unique Saab brand characteristics that include sophisticated styling inside and out, premium design features, and the sporty and spirited performance inherent to Saab vehicles.

Enhancements for 2009 Saab 9-7X models include new Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity that interfaces with the vehicles’ audio system, as well as two new exterior colors, Diamond Silver Metallic and Desert Tan Metallic.

9-X Aero

For the 9-7X Aero, Saab’s accelerates the performance aspect of this already-sophisticated vehicle with a 6.0L V-8, 20-inch wheels and tires, unique exterior color and custom interior accoutrements.

The powerful, 6.0L small-block V-8 delivers 390 horsepower (295 kW) and 400 lb.-ft. (542 Nm) of torque. With 0-60 mph acceleration of less than six seconds, the 9-7X Aero is a treat for those who are passionate about the driving experience.

Like all Saabs, the new Saab 9-7X Aero is driver-focused, with a chassis tuned and tested to deliver responsive, balanced handling. Corner control and body roll control are improved with higher-rate front and rear springs and sport-tuned shock absorbers. Additional strength is provided by a heavy-duty rear axle with limited-slip differential.

It’s not difficult to put a stop to things in the more powerful 9-7X Aero. The front brake rotors are vented differently, cool more efficiently and have thicker “cheeks” (the rotor surface that the brake pads make contact with). The brake pads use high-performance linings for strong fade resistance.

ABS and automatic all-wheel-drive are standard on all 9-7X models as well as the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system that provides confident, sure-footed travel.

On the 9-7X Aero, the performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system delivers impressive on-road grip and enhanced “launch” feel on slippery surfaces. The always-engaged system uses a Torsen center differential to split torque between the front and rear wheels. It is a torque-bias system that detects low traction at one axle and directs more torque to the other when needed.

Also specific to the 9-7X Aero are 20-inch polished, aluminum wheels wrapped with P255/50R20 V-rated performance tires that provide the optimum balance between ride and handling. Complementing the refined and driver-oriented cockpit-inspired interior are “Aero” embroidered leather seats and embossed floor mats.

9-7X Altitude Edition

Saab’s popular Altitude Edition package returns for 2009. It is offered for 4.2i and 5.3i models and includes DVD touch screen navigation radio, highly polished 18-inch alloy wheels and specific badging.

Exterior finish choices include Carbon Flash (only non-Aero model for which this color is available) and Diamond Silver metallic.

Engines

Under the hood of the 9-7X Aero is the LS2 6.0L V-8 with a unique cold air induction package, rated at 390 horsepower (291 kW)* at 6,000 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque (542 Nm)* at 4,000 rpm.

The LS2 6.0L is based on the small-block V-8 architecture and delivers excellent low-rpm torque for strong off-the-line performance. Torque is inherent to the engine’s cam-in-block design, which features large, 4.00-inch-diameter (101.6 mm) bores and a 3.62-inch (92 mm) stroke. Response is crisp and immediate, thanks to the electronically controlled throttle.

The two other engines in the Saab 9-7X range include the 4.2L inline six-cylinder and the 5.3L V-8.

The 4.2L was named one of the “10 Best Engines” by Ward’s AutoWorld Magazine for four consecutive years. It delivers 285 horsepower (213 kW)* and 276 lb.-ft. (374 Nm*) of torque.

The 5.3L V-8 engine delivers 300 horsepower (224 kW)* and 321 lb.-ft. (435Nm)* of torque. It features Active Fuel Management technology that enables fuel economy gains of up to 5 percent in certain driving conditions by reducing half of the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process in certain low demand situation. The engine seamlessly returns to V-8 mode the instant the controller determines that vehicle speed or load requires additional power.

Transmissions and towing

The 9-7X Aero’s 6.0L V-8 is mated to the Hydra-Matic 4L70 electronically controlled four-speed transmission. The 4.2i and 5.3i all-aluminum engines are mated to a Hydra-Matic 4L60 four-speed transmission.

Maximum towing capacity on 9-7X Aero model is 6,600 pounds (2,994 kg). Maximum towing capacity on 9-7X models equipped with the V-8 engine is 6,500 pounds (2,948 kg).

Exterior: sporty yet refined

It is a tenet in the Scandinavian culture that form and function must ally to produce purposeful design. In the case of the 9-7X, the design articulately translates the sporty refinement of Saab while staying faithful to the qualities endearing SUVs to drivers.

The exterior reflects Saab’s sporty, functional character. Key features, such as Saab’s signature three-port grille, rear quarter windows that visually appear to wrap around the D-pillars and brand-distinctive wheels, telegraph the 9-7X’s heritage near and far. Overall, it presents a smooth, aerodynamic, sporty specimen, with an excellent body-to-tire relationship derived from the vehicle’s low stance and standard 18-inch alloy wheels. The 9-7X’s profile is clean and uninterrupted, without big bumper offsets, body-side moldings or protruding shapes and forms.

Trademark Saab interior

The Saab 9-7X’s cockpit-inspired interior is well-equipped, highly refined and driver-oriented. The center stack and controls are angled toward the driver. Like the exterior, it features Saab-traditional strong, brand-distinctive design elements and cues, including the distinctive sliding-plate air vents, the famed fascia-integrated cupholder found in the Saab 9-5, and the trademark center console ignition.

With a wheelbase of 113 inches (2,870 mm) and length of 193.2 inches (4,908 mm), the vehicle offers ample room for friends and family. It holds up to 39.8 cubic feet (1,127 L) of cargo space with the rear seatback up and 80.1 cubic feet (2,268 L) with the seatback folded down. A split rear seat is standard in all 9-7X models, as is a trailer hitch receiver and hitch receiver cover.

Versatile entertainment

All Saab 9-7X models are equipped with an AM/FM six-disc, in-dash CD changer with rear-seat audio controls as well as a Bose 275-watt audio system with six speakers. An in-dash, DVD-integrated touch-screen navigation system is available.

The 9-7X also features standard XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only), featuring more than 130 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original commercial-free music and premier news, sports and talk as well as advanced traffic and weather information for select major metropolitan areas nationwide.

A rear-seat, headrest-integrated DVD entertainment system is available.

Saab means safety

Saabs have long been associated with safety, and the 9-7X is equipped with standard safety features that include dual-stage frontal air bags; Passenger Sensing System (PSS); rollover sensing system; head curtain side air bags; front safety belt pretensioners with load limiters and a front safety belt buckle-up reminder.

The standard StabiliTrak system is a crash-avoidance technology that assists the vehicle in maintaining the vehicle’s directional stability, especially during emergency handling maneuvers.

Additional standard safety features include a tire pressure monitoring system.

The Saab 9-7X is equipped with the OnStar safety and security system, including one year of the Directions & Connections service that features Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers’ vehicles through their OnStar system. These audio directions automatically play through the vehicle’s audio system as needed, triggered by the OnStar system’s GPS capabilities. This enables drivers to be directed to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

OnStar also automatically notifies emergency personnel in the event of a crash severe enough to deploy an air bag.

Was I having a crack at the 9-7x?

Not at all. I was merely observing a documented fact, that the 9-7x doesn’t rate as highly as the Saab 9-3 or Saab 9-5 amongst safety tests conducted by various institutions.

The accident concerned was quite serious, involving the 9-7x flying 40 feet into a river, and yet the driver had only a cut hand as a result. As was mentioned by a commenter to the piece, that’s a real world safety result that you can’t ignore.

How does the Saab 9-7x rate in safety terms compared with other Saabs?

The IIHS gave the 9-7x an “average” rating for frontal offset crash protection, and a “marginal” rating for side impact protection.

The Saab 9-3 received a “good” rating for both tests and is rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The Saab 9-5 received a “good” rating for frontal offset crash protection and an “acceptable” rating for side impact, primarily due to the car not being updated for some airbag systems that have become common since the 9-5 was first designed.

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IIHS ratings come in four flavours.

From best to worst they are Good, Acceptable, Marginal and Poor.

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The Saab 9-5 is still rated as a five star vehicle for passenger safety by Euro NCAP, as is the Saab 9-3. There are no EuroNCAP results for the Saab 9-7x.

Swedish insurer, Folksam, also rates the Saab 9-5 and Saab 9-3 very highly for safety, as covered in an article on this site back on February 18.

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I’m as big a fan of the 9-7x as anyone and I’ve written about the car in very positive terms. I’ve taken a bit of flack for it too, on occasions.

I wasn’t have a go at the vehicle and I’m very, very pleased that the lady in the 9-7x escaped what looks like a very scary experience with so few injuries.

It’s due to maintenance and upgrades being performed by my server hosting company. Their advice to me is as follows:

We would like to remind you and the contacts on your account of an upcoming change we will be making to the (gs) Grid-Service platform. This will result in unavailability of your services during this Maintenance Window, which is 02-08-2008@9:00 PM to 02-09-2008@2:00 AM Pacific Time.

So don’t panic, we’ll be back shortly….

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You can get a Saab 9-7x for ten bucks in Colorado!!!!

OK, it’s only if you buy a ticket in a raffle being run by Colorado State University.

It’s being supported by Tynans Saab and makers of that evil impersonator of a cola, Pepsi.

You’ve got a 1-in-5000 chance of taking home a 9-7x. Not a bad use of $10 and maybe you’ll help the school a little as well. The raffle will be drawn on March 1.

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Saab came up prominent on Yahoo! today. This screenshot was captured by Tedjs.

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Is this going to clog up Ebay like…….. a really big thing that clogs up things?

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry’s top-selling manufacturer-certified used vehicle brand*, announced it has reached an agreement to collaborate in a variety of areas with eBay Motors (www.ebaymotors.com), the Internet’s largest marketplace for buying and selling all things automotive, to support the 3,900-plus GM Certified Used Vehicles dealers in the U.S.

As a first step, GM Certified Used Vehicles commits to list their entire national inventory on eBay Motors at no cost to dealers. The agreement provides exposure of GM Certified Used Vehicles dealer inventory in a classified listings format to more than 11 million unique eBay Motors visitors a month.

I guess it’s a good thing, but isn’t there multiple thousands of these things hanging around at any given time? I guess there’s thousands upon thousands of cars on there already. It just seems like a huge increase in one hit.

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And is my website really advertising giant bloomers?????

The aim is to find and photograph a Saab a day in 2008.

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One of the things I was thinking about seeing whilst in Detroit was The Heidelberg Project. Turns out I didn’t really have the time. Apart from the whole urban art thing, there’s this to see as well….

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I’m unsure as to how this would play out with Saab, but this press release came from GM and then appeared on my SaabUSA feed as well:

DETROIT — General Motors Corp. is further broadening its multicultural marketing efforts and today announced that it will add Sanders\Wingo Advertising, Inc., to its list of advertising agencies to provide African American, urban and youth marketing support for Chevrolet, and Carol H. Williams Advertising to provide African American, urban and youth marketing support for Cadillac, HUMMER, Saab, Saturn and the GM Corporate brand, effective at the end of the first quarter of 2008.

Sanders\Wingo, based in El Paso and Austin, Texas, will help the Chevrolet brand assess its current multicultural marketing activities and identify additional opportunities to evolve and elevate Chevy’s existing African American marketing efforts and increase its business in urban markets.

Carol H. Williams, headquartered in Oakland, Calif., will provide African American, urban and youth advertising creative work for GM’s luxury brands, Cadillac, HUMMER and Saab, as well as Saturn and the GM corporate brand.

In addition, Translation Marketing, a New York City-based brand marketing firm headed by founder and Chief Creative Officer Steven Stoute, will continue to consult with GM in support of the company’s multicultural marketing activities.

Any ideas on what will/could happen for Saab in this arena? I can’t help but think this would be more to do with the Caddy and Hummer divisions, but if there’s a Saab element then it’ll certainly be an interesting campaign to watch.

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An enjoyable and quick review of the Saab 9-3 from Saab’s former US hometown – Atlanta.

Also to be available is a 2.8-liter engine that will produce 280 horsepower.

Tell the guy with the tweed jacket to put that in his pipe and smoke it.

Love that.

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There’s also a good review of the 9-7x Aero doing the rounds.

The Saab 9-7X Aero is greater than the sum of its General Motors parts. It’s a nice combo of Swedish quirk and GM muscle.

Pure GM V-8 power driving rear/all wheels provides the Aero with the darn near ability to fly.

I think I found a large portion of the 9-7x’s market while in Detroit. It’s GM employees who are accustomed to driving SUV’s and enjoy the ability to trade up to the Saab tuned version at a good, GM-discounted price.

Still, I drove it myself while I was there and the Seven certainly knows how to get a move on. Nice interior job, too.

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A few of the cutaway Saab images I’ve amassed here at TS should be added soon to a great resource for cutaway images at a site called Cartype.

If you’re into X-ray car images, this site will knock your socks off!

There is a sign and drive lease program on all 2008 9-7x’s until March 3rd. Security deposits are waived on all 9-7x’s plus there’s no first payment on a lease.

In addition, there is a GM loyalty program on 9-7x for any owner of a GM car or truck, 1999 or newer. It is $500 on a 2008 lease or $1000 on a 2007 or 2008 purchase. This can not be combined with Saab owner loyalty.

As I mentioned, we’re not talking a multitude of four-figure sums here, but the opening up of a Saab Loyalty discount to be a GM loyalty discount is significant in itself.

I have a feeling 2008 is going to be a leaner year than we all thought in the US.

There are, of course, various schools of thought on the 9-7x. Purists don’t love it. Owners do. I thnk it’s filled the spot it was intended to admirably and the fact that it’s been the second best seller for Saab in the US since its release would seem to back that up.

David E Davis at Winding Road is a purist, though:

What we have here is the Chevrolet Trailblazer SS wearing Saab nomenclature. What we don’t have here is a Saab.

That’s the first sentence of the review and it pretty much sums things up completely from Davis’ point of view. Despite how good the vehicle is, and he does rate it as a very good vehicle, this is a vehicle that should have a GMC badge on it, according to Davis.

Some will agree, some won’t. But the one thing that isn’t in dispute is the quality of the vehicle, and 9-7x owners themselves will attest to that, too.

It’s a quick one-page read, worthy of a few minutes of your time.

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And while we’re here….

I’m not sure this is worth a post on it’s own, but here’s a quick 90-second review of the 2008 Saab 9-3 from some morning news show in the US. Nothing unknown here, but nice to see it’s got coverage.

And that’s a twin-scrolling turbo there, bud, not “two turbos”…….

It’s due for release in US theaters on January 25 and from the trailer they’re showing, it looks like a pretty decent thriller.