2009 Saab 9-3X off-road wagon spied
February 10, 2009 by George Skentzos
Saab is putting the final touches on its 9-3X off-road wagon, conducting the final stages of winter prototype testing under the cover of darkness in Sweden.
With European buyers losing interest in the traditional SUV, models such as the Audi Allroad, Volvo XC70, Subaru Outback and Skoda Scout are quickly gaining momentum in the market with Saab keen to join in.
The Saab 9-3X wagon represents a more ‘mild’ SUV, featuring the brand’s XWD all-wheel-drive system, raised suspension and flared fenders.
This prototype was equipped with the 157kW petrol engine from the 2.0 XWD, although several diesel options are almost certain to join the range including a flagship 1.9-litre TTiD producing 134kW.
The official debut of the Saab 9-3X is slated for the 2009 Geneva motor show next month.
Doesn’t look bad, don’t mind it at all. Damn, the snow is still bucketing down in Scandinavia. I was in Norway for Christmas and damn it was cold, minus 15 each day. brrr.
Saab really needs more decent models like this, lets hope the price is competitive with the likes of Subbie Outback.
I like the photo of the guy taking a photo of the photographer, plus note the number plate rego is JET 715, not bad for a company that made planes!
This is more true to the Saab DNA than that American monster we saw yeaterday, but it’s still too little, too late.
Sad, but Saab is going to go the way of Studebaker, Hudson, Kaiser, Austin, Talbot, Simca, Plymouth, Oldsmobile, Hillman, Jowett, Singer, Wolseley, Riley, Humber, Morris, MG, Nash, DeSoto, Riley, Packard, Willys, Rover……..I’ve only mentioned volume brands and I bet I’ve forgotten a few.
I’m sure that in 10 years or so we will have gotten over it.
It does look good but Saab, why? Why don’t you stay out of niches for now and make some impressive and good looking cars in conventional shapes? Take the opinion-dividing BMW X6, I quite like it because it’s different but I would have hated it if BMW didn’t already have the vast model range that it does. Meanwhile Saab have the most vile executive car on the market and a compact sedan that is now officially less advanced than Vauxhalls competition. The only car they sell that I would even consider is the 93 convertible but why wouldn’t I just buy a C70? You can’t release and AWD station wagon until you at least have a conventional hatchback on the market. It’s like they’re asking to go bankrupt.
Also, somehow I think that Europe would be a little more interested in a Luxury supermini that looked good and was made for that environment than an AWD 93.
^ i pretty much agree with everything you’ve said there Alex.
Alex, the new 9-5 Is being revealed at Frankfurt in September (finally), there are spy pics of it all over the net. I posted links to the guys here but it seems they aren’t too interested in this all important new model.