Head on over to Autoblog and check out their podcast for this week. It’s a 14mb download.

After 5 minutes or so of them rattling on about Chrysler they cover the release of the 9-7x Aero.

For me, it was a heartening but reasonably frustrating exercise. It’s always good to hear coverage of Saab that mentions a Saab model being the best of its breed, but there was so much more that could have been contributed and a bit that was somewhat inaccurate, IMHO.

It’s frustrating, because a while ago I was swapping emails back and forth with one of the Autoblog guys and he mentioned that it’d be good to get me involved with a podcast when it concerned Saab. Naturally I’d love to do this in order to get the message out there a bit more and this would have been a perfect opportunity.

So if I’d been involved, here’s what I would have highlighted.

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Autoblog, next time you’re covering Saab, please get in touch.

A lot of press outlets just post the Saab press release when something like the 9-7x happens. The more interesting ones post the news with some commentary and insight as to how they’re thinking about the new release.

And so it goes with the 9-7x Aero.

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Car and Driver: C&D ask the same question many others are thinking with regard to the 6-litre Saab – Why? But they seem to be keen to give it a try nonetheless:

All Saab 9-7Xs already come standard with all-wheel drive, and the Aero uses an automatic Torsen center differential that routes power to the front only when the rears can’t handle it. The TrailBlazer SS only comes with a manually selectable part-time system as an option, but so equipped, it can hit 60 in 5.5 seconds. We’re looking forward to trying the same trick in the 9-7X Aero, as well as finding the limits of the Aero’s beefed-up suspension and brakes.

Edmunds Inside Line: IL completely ignores the Torsen diff thing but there’s this I hadn’t retained from the press materials:

The 9-7X Aero version of the engine has a composite intake manifold that GM says is unique to the Saab.

Cars.com: After chanelling Pete De Lorenzo in his opening remark, Dave Thomas wonders if anyone will look at the Aero at it’s MSRP given that relatively few people buy the 9-7x anyway.

The 9-7X is by far the worst selling GM SUV on the market. It managed to sell just 558 units last month. The more expensive, and more loathed by the public, Hummer H2 sold 825 units.

I’m not sure he realises that those 500-odd units a month mean pure gravy for Saab, and over it’s life the 9-7x has been the second-best selling Saab out there. In addition, it’s widely regarded as the best of the GM360 SUV’s so I think the low sales are more a matter of exposure than lack of interest.

Motor Trend:

The old adage “there’s no replacement for displacement” is obviously something Saab engineers had on their minds when they decided to spice up their GM-based, 9-7X SUV.

I’m sure there’ll be some interesting reviews to come with regard to this vehicle. What sort of red-blooded motoring journalist wouldn’t want to get hold of a 390hp LS2 powered vehicle??

The Saab 9-7x Aero is aimed at your more premium SUV buyer. At $45K it undercuts the X%, for example, by around $10K and that’s before you tick anything on the BMW options sheet. It undercuts other premium SUVs like the Range Rover Sport by even more, though it’s offroad capability in that company would obviously be in question.

The underlying problem is that it is still around $10K more expensive that the Trailblazer SS, whose engine it shares. The exterior is better IMHO and the interior is much better (again, MHO). I’ve covered the tweaks made by Saab to the ride of the 9-7x and it’s consistently been reviewed as being the best of the GM360 vehicles.

But as much as Saab might lure some X5 customers away, and as good as the 9-7x is in Aero form, some savvy shoppers that don’t need the looks or the ride are going to look at the in-house alternative.

Here’s ‘FAMU92′ in comments earlier today:

I own a 2007 TrailBlazer SS and I must admit the 9-7x is what brought me to purchase the Chevy.

I have always had an on-again-off-again love relationship with Saabs. So, when I found one used for around 32K and then saw a TrailBlazer SS for the same price, for me it was a no brainer.

I like speed….i like hauling stuff….I, sad to say, am American and I like my rigs BIG! With that, would I buy my TBSS in SSSaab cladding? If the price were right, maybe….but at $11K more for some leather, tricked-out ignition key location, and “Euro-handling;” I’ll stick with the “Bow Tie.”

Besides, the TBSS was proven at the Nürburgring long before it was ever badged a Saab. I am not hating on the Saab 9-7x, I am just stating facts…..it is built in Moraine OH on the same line as the TBSS & Envoy Denali. They need to get up extra early to get this one past me.

Sorry, but unless I can trade my TBSS to get the SSSaab 9-7x Aero AND get full price for the trade [laughing hysterically to myself] ….. I pass.

The 9-7x Aero will still sell and hopefully it’ll do the thing it was designed to do and lure a few people into Saab showrooms that would have gone elsewhere, especially those 30% of Saab owners who were said to leave the brand for an SUV. But this does show that some will indeed cross-shop the 9-7x with other GM products, and that differentiation, especially with a brand like Saab, is crucial.

I like the 9-7x a lot, but the 9-4x will be a welcome addition to the lineup in the next year or so.

Imagery of the new 9-7x Aero has finally “landed” on the GM Media website.

I’ve also heard this morning that the ‘limited’ nature of this Aero model runs to 500 units, and with just a $3,000 premium over the 5.3 I think that should make it a very interesting proposition to shoppers looking at this sector of the SUV market. Let’s hope that Saab gets the word out effectively so that it reaches the buyers it needs to.

If it does sell well, then I’m sure that 500 unit total will be extended.

Here’s a selection of pics that you can click to enlarge.

Gotta credit Jalopnik for that headline. How I wish I’d thought if it.

Naturally there’s been some mixed reaction to the announcement of a 6-litre Saab, and I can fully understand why. It does seem to go against type a little, doesn’t it. But then again, the 9-7x always has. The whole idea of a Saab SUV was born out of necessity rather than a real desire for one in the brand portfolio, I’m sure.

Be that as it may, I’m pretty sure that this will find its market in the home of the SUV. I guess we’ll see in the 9-7x sales figures over the rest of the year and beyond. Perhaps it’ll turn out to be the touch of agro that Saab needs. The press release alone is getting pretty widespread coverage and aside from the initial questioning of the brand fit, it seems to be getting an OK reception.

Part of the reason for that is the LS2 engine, which is a pretty well respected donk. Having a Corvette heritage isn’t going to lose you too many fans over there.

Of course, there’s the issue of price. At $45K the 9-7x Aero is around $10K more than the Chevy Trailblazer SS, which uses the same engine. Commenters have already noted this and wondered why anyone would pay it.

That’s a question that’s a bit difficult for me to answer from here where we don’t have 9-7x’s or Trailblazers. The only 9-7x I’ve seen in person was in the rear carpark of the Saab Museum in Trollhattan. Perhaps someone who’s seen both together can comment as to the interior quality of the two vehicles.

In terms of ride, the 9-7x has, since it’s inception, been consistently described as the hands-down best of the platform siblings. For those of you who may be unfamiliar, this isn’t just a badge job and relocation of the key. Saab guys actually worked on tuning the ride of this vehicle and made some pretty extensive modifications. If you’re unfamiliar with the extent to which the basic platform was modified, I highly recommend that you check out this post and have a look.

I’m looking forward to reading the reviews of this one.

Right about the time you’re reading this, Saab will be releasing the Aero version of the 9-7x SUV at a small airfield near Detroit.

Sub 6 seconds 0-60mph sound interesting? Read on…..sometimes a 5.3 litre V8 just isn’t enough.

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DETROIT — Saab takes SUV-performance to a new altitude as it announces the Aero performance version of the Saab 9-7X today. The limited edition 9-7X Aero will make its way to dealer showrooms early this autumn.

The Saab 9-7X brings unique Saab brand characteristics to the midsize SUV segment, including sophisticated styling inside and out, premium design features, and the sporty and spirited performance inherent to Saab vehicles. Since its debut two years ago, more than 12,000 have been sold in the U.S. and Canada. For 2008, Saab adds the Aero model – the symbol of serious Saab performance – to the 9-7X lineup. The limited edition 9-7X Aero takes Saab’s interpretation on the midsize SUV to an entirely new level accelerating the performance aspect of the sophisticated vehicle with a 6.0L V-8, 20-inch wheels and tires, unique paint and custom interior accouterments.

“The 9-7X Aero is one great SUV to pilot,” Shannon said. “We are excited to offer enthusiastic drivers an increased level of performance with the Aero, a symbol of Saab performance, in the midsize SUV segment.”

The new 9-7X Aero features a powerful, 6.0L small-block V-8 delivering 390 horsepower (295 kW) and 395 lb.-ft. (542 Nm) of torque. With 0-60 mph acceleration under six seconds, the 9-7X Aero is a treat for those who are actively passionate about the driving experience.

The 9-7X Aero will be easy to spot as it wears a paint color all its own: Carbon Flash Metallic. The charcoal metallic paint nicely enhances the SUV’s clean lines. Specific to the 9-7X Aero are 20-inch polished, aluminum wheels wrapped with P255/50R20 V-speed-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.

Under the hood of the 9-7X Aero is the LS2 6.0L V-8 with a cold air induction package, rated at 390 horsepower (295 kW)* at 6,000 rpm and 395 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 down-low 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.

Unique to the 9-7X Aero’s version of the engine is a composite intake manifold adapted to the LS2 engine to help produce balanced torque and horsepower. Maximum towing capacity on 9-7X Aero model is 6,600 pounds (2994 kg).

Like all Saabs, the new Saab 9-7X Aero is driver-focused, with a lowered chassis tuned and tested to deliver responsive, balanced handling. Corner control and body roll control are improved with front stabilizer bars that are approximately 10 percent larger in diameter. Additional strength is provided by a heavy-duty rear axle with limited-slip differential.

With a four-wheel disc braking system enhanced with larger, 12.8-inch (325 mm) front disc rotors and iron twin-piston calipers, it’s not difficult to put a stop to things in the more powerful 9-7X Aero. The heavy-duty iron calipers are stiff and retain their shape under high-pressure/high-heat braking conditions, providing a more linear feel and reduced pedal travel in high-energy stops. 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. The performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system delivers impressive on-road grip and enhanced “launch” feel. 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.

Like all 9-7X models, the Aero model represents a terrific value with a high-level of standard equipment. In fact, the 9-7X boasts the most standard features in its class while offering a very competitive starting price at $39,935. The limited edition 9-7X Aero will start at $45,690, which includes a $745 destination fee and will begin arriving at dealerships this fall.

Oops!

I miscalculated my time zone differences and actually let a post slip through prematurely.

Check back in about 90 15 8 0 minutes. (10am Tassie time.)

Stick a fork in it. It’s done.