2011 Saab 9-4X first production vehicle rolls off the line

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By Tim Beissmann | February 17th, 2011

The first production model of the Saab 9-4X SUV has rolled off the assembly line in Mexico ahead of its introduction into the Australian market either at the end of 2011 or early in 2012.

The first vehicle – chassis number 00001 – was an Aero model finished in Ice Pearl metallic paint with a Holden-built 221kW/400Nm 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 engine.

It will be driven by the media at a test event in the US before being put on display at the Saab museum in Sweden.

Saab Automobile President and CEO, Jan Åke Jonsson, was joined at the Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico by Saab executive director vehicle lines, Anders Svensson, and 9-4X product manager, Mikael Jacobsson.

“This is a great day for Saab,” Mr Jonsson said. “The arrival of the 9-4X is another important step in the fulfilment of our business plan.

“This sporty and distinctive product will significantly broaden the appeal of our brand and give us access to an important new vehicle segment that is still growing, particularly in the United States.”

The 9-4X goes on sale in the US in May, followed by the UK in the fourth quarter and other world markets progressively from August.

The 9-4X will join a reinvigorated Saab line-up in Australia in around 12 months, which will include the new 9-5 sedan (second quarter 2011), 9-5 SportCombi (fourth quarter 2011) and new stock of the current model 9-3.

bob

Easily one of the best looking SUV’s out there. Can’t wait to see these on Aussie roads!
delux

When I was young my dad worked next to a saab dealer, this would have been in the early 90s. I remember seeing the 9000 and being totally in love with it from the beginning. It had a turbo badge, leather and wipers for the lights. The staff were always happy to let the grubby kid from the factory next door come in to the showroom and oogle the cars. fond memories. long live saab. may the 9-4x be a smashing success.
Crummydore

You know what, I have always liked the quirkyness of the SAAB designs, and even though its more normal looking at the front, rather than quirky, the roof line, windows and back end are individual in appearance to make up for it.
And I really like the dash, good work.
Hopefully SAAB is on its way back… perhaps they should call their next car the SAAB Phoenix!

bob

Well their next car will be the new 9-3 and the platform its being built on is called Phoenix, so in a way your wish has come true!
filippo

Or the Saab Lazarus.

Octavian

No offence to any Saab fans, but are Saab cars really good at anything apart from being black convertible turbos but in the early 90s?

JP

Drive one and find out….i am on my second one, a 2009 93 Tid wagon, and I cross shopped this car against the Germans and it was better in most ways that count such as comfort, YES handling (BMW’s give me arm pump from the stupidly heavy steering), RELIABILITY, Features and most impotantly $25k cheaper.

Saab have just been re-launched, go and drive one, then pass judgement.

samp

saab are NOT better than the germans, nor are they as good..thats a silly & unbelievable comment..the people have voted & bought german cars while saab went bankrupt..if there were many many more people with your opinion they may have survived instead of being bought out.
bangel

Yes there are fairies at the bottom of the garden , and a 2009 saab is an opel in disguise made up of various bits of GM rubbish from across the globe , handling no , build no , reliability no .

t39

Saabs are below the average at everything, but we still like them as they add the variety to the motoring scene.

Roadtard

No reason we can’t have a range of turbo-charged V6 Commodores. Bring ‘em on!

bangel

Thats the big let down that old rattly crummerdore motor , they had better do a deal with a euro supplier quick smart , economy wont suit .

The Voice of Reason

Saab engineers (when the company was run by engineers) had a worthwhile vision and the aero themes, applied to their cars, gave them that quirky “Swedishness” that set them apart and appealed to many.

Along came GM and the accountants and thoroughly screwed the brand.

Inept management by people who had no idea on how to nurture and grow what was perceived as a premium brand, guaranteed Saab’s place in the dustbin of history.

Contrast that with where Audi was, as a brand, 15 years ago to where they are now – the total opposite.

Let’s hope that with better guidance, we will see a long term future for another player, to help keep the other premium brands honest and, at least, offer some kind of alternative….

Disclosure: – I once owned a 9000 Turbo which I purchased new and loved. Like many, I was badly scalded by Saab’s legendary depreciation. I made a vow then never to purchase one again, and I intend to adhere to that vow.
Shak

Considering how big of a success the not so handsome Buick Equinox/Chevrolet Twins have been, i can only imagine that Saab should do very well with this stunning car in the US and other world markets.
Mike

Either those blokes are pretty tall, or the 9-4X is going to be the shortest SUV on the block. While I like the look of it, it seems it’s more a raised wagon (in the vein of the Subaru Outback) than it is what I think of as an SUV. Knowing what my better half was looking for when we were shopping, the lack of hight may do it a disservice.

PROJET – L

They are tall.
The car is 6″ taller than a BMW X1.
It overall height is 1679mm tall.
They are big Vikings.

Paul84

Its size is deceiving looking at the pictures when you see the two men towering over the car in pic one.

Does it share the chassis of the Subaru Tribeca?
Stoney

The 2.8 turbo would be a nice gutsy engine in this vehicle. Would also be lovely in the commodore but is a little thirsty, the 3.0 direct injection twin turbo that replaces this engine will I’m sure be good in the saab, and will be great in the commodore when its released.

Stoney!
Paul

I’d Love one, but I am not yet rick enough to throw 95% of its value over 5 years to the wind, the depreciation is woeful.

GM really bugged Saab and this one has a GM engine, at least it should be able to run on E85 or LPG.

Lovelly design cues, I wonder what the build quality will be like from Mexico, maybe similar to the Beetle or PT Cruiser, gee I hope not.
David

YUM… hot hot hot
Pat`

To those talking about Saab’s depreciation…look at this car.

It’s one of the most practical cars Saab has ever made. Not only that, but its arguably one of the most unique and stylish looking cars entering the market.

This one has the potential to go mainstream, quite easily….

It will do great on the second hand car market.