Following in today’s parade of official image leaks from General Motors, we now have the first image of the road-going Saab 9-4x. Based on the same platform as the upcoming Cadillac SRX, the Saab version gets its own unique styling and will be the Swedish automaker’s first true foray into the crossover segment.
Codenamed GMT168, the Saab 9-4X will arrive in time for the 2010 model year. Sharing the platform with the upcoming Cadillac SRX, the Theta-Epsilon based Saab will be built in at the Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico. And unlike the 9-7X, this will be sold globally.
Styling – as you can easily see - will be very close to that of the concept, and powerplants will include a range of gasoline, as well as a new 250-horsepower diesel. The 9-4X will also offer Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system.
The 9-4X is essentially Saab’s first true crossover SUV. It will effectively accomplish what the cancelled 9-6X was intended to do — compete with the Volvo XC90 and other European mid-size crossovers. It will be built on the Theta Premium platform, which will also be used for the Cadillac SRX. The architecture features four-wheel independent suspension and a mix of components from the Theta and Epsilon II architectures.
The vehicle will replace the Swedish automaker’s 9-7X, which has been on the market since 2005. The 9-7X rides on the GMT 360 truck chassis, which also underpins the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy. All the GMT 360 vehicles are expected to be discontinued by 2009.
Saab boss Jan Ake Jonsson said the 9-4X will get GM’s new diesel engine co-developed with VM Motori, which puts out 250 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Jonsson also said that both models will be made in Mexico and will be exported to the U.S. and Europe. Engine choices will include a range of gasoline powerplants as well as the aforementioned diesel.
The 9-4X is also slated to be equipped with Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system.
Official image leak
