We haven’t heard much about the Saab 9-4x compact crossover since early 2009, but Saab’s new owner – Spyker – apparently has the project back on the production path.
Saab quietly announced in a press release detailing its new advertising campaign that the 9-4x will finally make its production debut later this year. No specific launch date was given, but the Los Angeles Auto Show seems logical given the vehicle’s U.S.-market focus.
Saab CEO Mike Colleran recently told Leftlane that the 9-4x will go in sale in April of 2011 – but now we know that the crossover will debut much earlier.
The 9-4x was originally slated to receive General Motors’ 250 horsepower clean diesel, but that mill now seems like a long shot, especially given Saab’s recent divorce from GM. Instead, look for the base model 9-4x to come with a version of Saab’s 2.0T engine, with the range-topping Aero model using the same 300 horsepower 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 used in the Cadillac SRX.
A few Saab 9-4x models have reportedly already rolled out of GM’s Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, plant, so it’s possible we could see the 9-4x in dealer showrooms before the calendar flips.
