NAIAS 08: Saab 9-4X Biopower

[AbsoluteSaab]

The rear lights on the 9-4x are wrong from what I remember.

See post 'saab goes to mexico to make small SUV' on the comments I made about the 9-4x there.


From what I have gathered the specs will be

2.0 Bio-Power running with 300hp / 400nm torque on e85
3.2 V6 gasoline
2.9 V6 Diesel... 250hp / 500nm torque

Car will be launched 2009 just before the all new 9-5.

Overall I like these initial pics.
There are some strong Saab cues in here.
I think it is easy to find faults if you want to.
I just remember when ever I've seen comments on other models.

Mose comments start really negative.
But by he time the official pics are released, people's views have changed.
Look through on this forum or any forum, and you see what I mean.

Some call it bland I think the word understated it a better. You want to show people that you got money, then buy the BRX or Mercedes GLX. Hard body lines and a good bit of chrome. Saab is more a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Saab's are not about 'look at what I've got.' They are practical, functional and innovative. This car does that. It's only when you get inside the car you think 'yep; I'm going to enjoy being in here for a very long time'. I just hope GM have allowed the budget for Innovation.

[paul8488]

I love how people say the Saab looks too much like the Caddy! They don't share a single body panel, and the greenhouse is ENTIRELY different for each vehicle. What else is similar? Wheelbase? Track? You can tell the vehicles are similar from that?

[Tiger]

Great to see this. Now bring it to market ASAP! Saab deserves it and will finally have a balanced portfolio.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by OrlandoGuy80

Kinda echoes the MKX a bit.
We know the ice taillights will never make it into the US market, which is disappointing to say the least. And I still don't know why that's the case.

The Saab "hockey stick swish" is echoed in the D-pillar, though I think it's a bit odd how it was implemented.

Integrated tailpipes are nice -- but seem to be carryover from VUE Redline. I would prefer traditional Saab cylindrical polished tailpipes.
Not happy that the Saab door handles are gone too. Oh well.

I wonder if this is the Aero version? I would hope Aero is more aggressive looking.

[MisterMe]

Originally Posted by zete

BTW, most of us here remember this as rebadging:




That's pretty blatant and not what GM is doing now. They're really trying to ensure each vehicle is sufficiently differentiated.

If this is what you remember as rebadging, then you have a very bad memory. The Chevrolet is a 3rd-Generation Chevrolet Caprice circa 1977-1990. It was Chevrolet's version of GM's first-generation of downsized RWD full-sized sedans. The Cadillac is 9th-Generation C-body DeVille circa 1985-1988. It is FWD.

With the possible exception of the odd nut, bolt, and screw, the two cars had nothing in common. Perhaps, you can explain how a FWD car can be a rebadge of a RWD car from a previous generation.

[MCGARRETT]

The above example as others have already chimed in is a perfect example as to why I believe that there should be a required automotive IQ test before allowing people to post, or will someone atleast start some sort of forum that we send people to when the just off on a "rebadge rebage rabadge" tangent? Some people just love to use that word without having the fogiest damn idea as to what the hell it means.

I do like the 94X and the Provoq /BRX, GM is really going to clean up with these, also, isnt there a Buick variant of the Premium Theta too? A 3 prong aproach.

The way I look at it is that each one has it's own flavor, the BRX is a navy blazer, the Buick one will be like a sweater and the Saab is a leather jacket. Or even better, the Cadillac is scotch, the Buick is congac and the Saab is vodka.

[newclasshero]

Originally Posted by zete

To my eyes, totally different.

I prefer the Cadillac. But then, I've never liked Saabs.

And, honestly, the Provoq is not a rebadge. Side-by-side the Vue and Provoq look nothing alike. It's just a bias in folks who know it's on the Premium Theta platform that are seeing similarities when none exist.

The Saab looks squatter and shorter. The Caddy has a higher front fender and sharper lines. Both are different and do not look like they're on the same platform. However, any car in this class will look very similar. Just look at how close the BMW and Lexus look!

You can only do so much within the limitations the vehicle type allows.

I think that the Cadillac has the all-out-techno-coolness factor on the Saab. The Saab however has a very minimalist look to it which I am sure will have it's buyers. It doesn't look old, cluttered or stodgey, but rather very clean sleek and, well, scandanavian. I am thinking kind of IPODish/the best of IKEA kitchen.

Oh, and I think that they did an excellent job of platform sharing!

[crooner214]

This looks great! I love the character lines around the c-pillar and wheel wells. The front end is not very daring, but it is nicely styled. This is my favorite SAAB interior yet.

Man, I love the "new" GM!!

[ChevroletRevived]

Man, GM is on a product roll. This is great, and I will agree long overdue but very well done both inside and out. That interior is what I espessially like, it's very modern and still retains what I feel is a distinctive Saab look. It should be the model for future Saab interior designs. Good things are coming for the brand. Oh, and BTW ANYONE that says the Provoq and this 9-4X are rebadges is out of their mind.

[newclasshero]

Originally Posted by AbsoluteSaab

Some call it bland I think the word understated it a better. You want to show people that you got money, then buy the BRX or Mercedes GLX. Hard body lines and a good bit of chrome. Saab is more a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Saab's are not about 'look at what I've got.' They are practical, functional and innovative. This car does that. It's only when you get inside the car you think 'yep; I'm going to enjoy being in here for a very long time'. I just hope GM have allowed the budget for Innovation.

I aggree!! Kind of what I was trying to get accross ^^

[Lichtronamo]

After looking more closely at the pictures of both, I'd retract my statement about the Saab and Cadillac looking too much alike. However, I think they should have changed one of them more between the C and D pillars and the Saab should have a clamshell hood.

[Quickening]

Looks pretty good. I'm really pleased with the different looks the Saturn, Caddy and Saab have. I see more resemblance with the VUE and Porvoq, because of the sweeping crease going down to the side vents. And I'm really glad the Saab is all alone in its styling.

I like it, but its nothing like I imagined. I really like the interior, even though its just CGI. The front is a little weak really, just seem flat especially compared to the 08 9-3 and the Aero-X which has a lot more sweeping back into the curves of the car.

I was really hoping I could get my sister into this car, but I'm sure she will prefer the look of the BRX. We shall see, since both are concept. Wish they were coming out NOW, instead of 09.

[GM-Joe]

I like the Cady a little more, though the 94 is a good start; personally, I'd prefer the grill to be about 20% longer.

[civilzues]

the front picture reminds me of a Nissan! I would say thats not good, but over all it looks good!

[Quickening]

I’m undecided. I like some parts but also feel its almost bland and fighting the rest of the Saab design we have seen in the past.


Where are the horizontal light pipes for the headlights? I was under the impression this was going to become a Saab trademark. I have now seen them in the flesh while driving around at night and they look fantastic. Why is the 9-4x missing that?


The front looks a little bland and its almost like they had a prescribed headlight shape and then just put in the headlights, etc at random. It doesn’t flow. It also seems to flat. The current trend with the headlights are sweeping back into the car. Look at the facelifted 9-5 and 9-3. Also look at the Aero-X and how the lights flow into the huge fender flares. Not of that is happening on this car. Also, everything looks to vertical for the front, and the grill looks straight up and down, which is just odd.


Rear taillights, I like and I don’t. The main shape looks like it was taken from the current MB C-Class. And really just doesn’t seem to fit with the car, but I don’t mind the light pipes creating the strip going across the back. It reaches back to past Saabs.
Interior. Love. Emphasized hockey stick. Love.


I’m just glad its not a BRX/Provoq clone. Thank God. Shows GM is willing to spend some money on Saab and give it unique sheet metal.


Also the curved materials underneath the Xenon headlight, really make it look an Audi or VW. And the front 3/4 view front make sit look scary alike the Tiguan or however you spell that. Makes me sad.