Saab History has recently been informed by multiple Saab dealerships in the United States tonight that they now have the ability to order the Saab 9-3x!

This is great news for the dealers, and for consumers. While the details are there and one I spoke to tonight, is ordering a few tonight, one in white, another in Nocturne blue, he said that the pricing is not yet available.

The dealers did indicate that if a customer wants to order one, they can take their order at this time. However if an an order is placed prior to closing of the Saab Spyker deal ( February 15th), that order will be submitted at the time of closing.

“I really want this car in Nocturne Blue, Navigation with a manual transmission and XWD with the 5-spoke double 17×7 wheels , as this would be a welcomed change from the ‘97 9000 with a quarter of a million miles on it”

As demand is expected to grow significantly following this news for 9-3x availability, Saab dealers encourage you to visit your local dealer to do the best thing you can do and get in line and place an order today!

Photo Credit: Auto Express

Auto Express, the folks that got the chance to test drive the Saab 9-4x BioPower concept car last year, have now compared the Saab 9-3x against the Subaru Outback.

I think the big question will be once again, if the Subaru can do both Diesel and AWD in one model both as an Outback and Legacy, then we’ll begin to see how the 9-3x can fair only offering both diesel and XWD on separate models.

The young pretender versus the established pro… it’s a familiar plotline, but not one usually applied to the crossover sector. In such a modern niche of the new car market, you might think old-timers are hard to find.

Yet Subaru has been making estates that think they’re SUVs since the Nineties, when its Legacy Outback became an underground hit.

Its success inspired a raft of imitators, and when Subaru unveiled its first diesel engine last year, the Outback could finally compete with its younger rivals. Now, the model has been heavily revised, and the latest version should make the most of its new powerplant.

Up against the Subaru is a car from another alternative brand with a loyal following. Saab has no real off-road heritage, yet that hasn’t stopped it developing a beefed-up version of its 9-3 Sport Wagon. The petrol 9-3X has 4WD, but this diesel sends power to the front.

Will its lower price be enough to compensate, or will the Subaru trample on the Saab’s crossover credentials?

Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/244666/subaru_outback_vs_saab_93x.html#ixzz0WZ9quMcu

Photo Credits: Saab Switzerland

As the 2010 Saab 9-3x had its global launch in Geneva this past March, so it was only time for a true media test drive event to be had in the rugged Swiss Alps with this cross-wheel drive rugged terrain vehicle.

On August 8th, 2009 that event came true for the press, with a number of objectives as illustrated with the photos above and the details below thanks to the folks at Saab Switzerland.

Event Objectives:

National press presentation of new 9-3X
• Cover all major media in Switzerland
• 9-3X testdrive in its favorite environment being a progressive allrounder
• Exclusive, „move your mind“ activity with excellent ROI and very personal approach

Agenda:

• Rendezvous at Saab Unlimited Dealer close to Berne
• Short presentation held by Marten Wahlstedt and Christoph Bleile
• Testdrive on motorway and main roads into rough gravel onto a Swiss Alp
• 30 minutes hiking to alpchalet
• Lunch, visiting cheese diary, enjoying the stunning scenery
• Return to dealership

Conditions:

• Five white 9-3X ready for event, perfectly prepared
• 9-3X POS Material like in- and outdoor-banners in place
• Kind support of Saab dealer
• Most important Swiss car journalists
joining our event
• 18.08.09: 10 pax
• 19.08.09: 6 pax
• Saab News about GM/Koenigsegg
deal arrived 5 min. before event start
• Perfect weather conditions

Feedback:

• Event very well received by press
representatives
• Appreciated informal atmosphere
• 9-3X delivers high comfort on motorways
• 9-3X feels like being a “normal” stationwagon
• XWD is perceived as state of the art all-wheel drive system
• Confidence in the future Saab Plan

Conclusion:

Perfect press event for the launch of the new 9-3X
• Max. output despite low investment
• Individualistic & personal ambiance linked to “move your mind”
• Saab is different – so was the event!

This past weekend, the Saab 9-3x was launched in Italy at an open house.

As part of this launch, there is website www.saab93x.it where users can access driving itineraries specifically designed to get the most out of the Saab 9-3x. It looks pretty impressive with beautiful routes, complete with appropriate dining and lodging accommodations along the way.

Here is a copy of their press release available here from source, translated by Google.

On 3 and October 4, 2009 open house to present the Saab 9-3X, a model that marks the debut of the Saab crossover segment

A “social competition” to anticipate the exit market

Presented in preview at the Geneva Motor Show last February, the new Saab 9-3X will make its debut to the general public at the door the weekend of 3 and 4 October 2009, at the Saab dealer network. Already since Monday 28 September, an interesting “social competition”, which in 6390 totaled just four days he visits, he anticipates the exit to the market.

The new entry Saab 9-3X crossover segment marks the debut of Saab and the Swedish company makes it quite innovative, in line with their own DNA. The Scandinavian roots, in fact, can not but be reflected in their cars: the harsh climate and the rugged nature of the territory of Scandinavia are the place where many manufacturers conduct trials on their car as Saab, here, the car produces.

The Saab 9-3X is a car that combines an attractive exterior design and surprising performance in the driving wheel-drive thanks to XWD (cross wheel drive, available in conjunction with the petrol engines), which allows the driver to always have top grip on any terrain and in all conditions, combined with a self-leveling suspension system for a more neutral attitude. The performance off road and in critical condition to drive can be optimized through the limited-slip differential with electronic control (eLSD), available as an option, which allows the dynamic allocation and optimal driving force between the rear wheels.

In Italy, the new Saab crossover will be available in the 2.0 TS petrol engine XWD, two-stage 1.9 turbo diesel with DPF and TTiD 2.0TS XWD BioPower, which combines the pleasure of driving a four wheel drive with the advantages of bioethanol E85. All engines are available with 6-speed manual gearbox. The petrol and diesel engines can also be equipped with one or Sentronic 6-speed automatic transmission.

Since Sept. 28, anticipating the release on the market for Saab 9-3X, the homepage of the site or directly at www.saab.it, www.saab93x.it you can access the original “social competition”: this is a contest in which users, having recorded, in addition to enjoy a range of itineraries specifically designed by Saab to appreciate the most of the riding abilities of the new crossover, can create their own routes, share them with friends and vote the best. The routes that will win the most votes will be rewarded with a weekend of adventure in an Italian village.

The initiative was conveyed on a variety of media tools, from traditional print to direct mail but the main peculiarity of this contest was the presence on the circuits of social networks, through viral video uploaded to YouTube and posted on

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

The Saab 9-3x Cross-Combi is seeing rising sales in Sweden says a local dealership in Trollhattan. It is my hope that when other dealerships receive this car, particularly in the United States, the same result will take place.

Of course, this car will not be able to be ordered by Saab dealerships in the United States until they receive and sign their new Koenigsegg Group dealer agreement.

In the meantime, here’s the article by TTELA discussing this increasing interest in the 9-3x in Sweden, loosely translated by google.

New Saab 9-3x, which among other things showed up in Bastad last summer, has attracted considerable interest at home in Trollhättan.

TROLLHÄTTAN The first came barely two weeks ago, and customers will continue to flow to. Ana has sold about twenty cars and it is clear that the Saab 9-3x has brought home district interests.

Since manufactured in Trollhättan Saab 9-3x was launched a few weeks ago, it quickly found its place in the market as a family car that can withstand tough conditions and has a higher ground clearance than its predecessor, 9-3.

Lennart Andersson is the sales manager at Saab in Trollhattan Ana. He is delighted and describes customers and interest in the new model as a whole.

- Absolutely. First we delivered already for almost two weeks ago, after the launch weekend. And there are many who want to look at it, “he says.

According to Lennart Andersson is the interest in the model is clearly comparing with launches of previous Saab models.

- To date we have sold about 20 cars, he says on Monday afternoon.

While there are many who come in to inquire about the forthcoming Saab 9-5, which recently was presented to the public show at the Frankfurt Motor Show. According to the company itself is the most advanced car they ever made.

- There we have already sold a few cars, even though we do not know what it will cost yet, “said Lennart Andersson.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

This is another Saab 9-3x Cross-Combi review from a journalist in the United Kingdom. I think the article was quite well written, but what I would have liked to read in addition to what we already know about this new addition to the current 9-3 lineup, is something about the TTiD model as well.

I realize this model is all about the the cross-wheel drive (XWD) and the ride height, but what I think would have been a bigger advantage is if this model could have had both a TTiD engine option for the torque in concert with XWD, but I understand that combination is not available with the 9-3x, unfortunately.

However, this is a great review and I hope to continue to see more just like it with the option of reviewing the 1.9 liter TTiD engine too.

All-wheel-drive with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine and you are guaranteed an action-packed, smooth, road-hugging ride full of thrills but no spills.

That’s exactly what’s on offer with the latest Saab 9-3 SportWagon, along with plenty of class-leading spec and great comfort levels.

Admittedly, the £28,000-plus starting price on this model is not cheap, but sometimes the value for money is all too apparent and this is such a case.

Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control with a chilled glove box, cruise control, a car computer, seven-speaker CD system, the Saab Information Display which incorporates outside temperature, fuel consumption and fuel range plus 18in alloy wheels.

The optional extras – which were included on the test car for a little less than £5,000 – added a DVD sat nav system with a 6.5in colour touch screen, dark tinted windows, leather heated front seats, dual electric seats with memory settings and plenty more.

So this car comes packed with incredible levels of luxury and when you add the outstanding comfort for driver and passengers alike, and all-round visibility, it really becomes a pleasure to travel in it.

But, for me, the real thrill is in the drive itself. Bursting with power, the 2.0-litre turbo-driven engine delivers plenty of pace and with that all-wheel-drive, you can be certain it’s grip will be reliable in all conditions on all surfaces. But I suppose you might expect that sort of quality from a Swedish-based manufacturer.

In and around town, the 9-3 was a pleasure to drive, but it’s out on the open road that it excels as you shift smoothly through the tightly-grouped six speed transmission.

Another fun factor of this vehicle is being able to watch the turbo needle soar up the dial as you press down on the accelerator – a small bonus, maybe, but still fun!

As one might expect, the Saab 9-3 comes filled to bursting with excellent safety features, including anti-lock brakes, electronic stability programme, active head restraints, numerous airbags and a first class alarm system to keep away any uninvited attention.

All in all, the Saab 9-3 SportWagon is great fun to drive, has eye-catching good looks, is supplied with an outstanding safety package, and is very difficult to put into a single buyers’ category – it would suit business, family or the image-conscious alike.

FAST FACTS

Saab 9-3 SportWagon Aero 2.0T XWD 5dr

Price: £28,751

Mechanical: 210ps, 1,998cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 143mph

0-62mph: 8.2 seconds

Combined mpg: 34.9

Insurance group: 15

CO2 emissions: 294g/km

BIK rating: 35%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles

Saab Automobile AB have released a series of Saab 9-3x Print advertisements. Each of the five print ads features, Power, Control, Fuel, Inspiration & Safety. Three of them are displayed above as I have requested the two remaining ads from Joe At Saab in Goteborg.

These print ads have been launched in concert with the television ad also recently published.

The ads look good, bu only appear to be just for the European market at this time, so we’ll see what happens.

Saab Automobile AB has just launched their latest tv commercial featuring the Saab 9-3x. This new TV ad is called “changing perspective”, complete with a soundtrack from Swedish Singer Asha Ali called “Time Is Now”

I wonder what market this will be played in, a quick guess tells me the U.K. with the voiceover, but then again, it would be great if this ad was played on tv as-is here in the United States.

This video is number 482 in the Saab History video archive.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

The Saab 9-3x Cross-Combi will be showcased at the 2009 Saab Owners Convention as I have been recently informed.

This particular vehicle, launched in the United States this past April at the New York Auto Show that I covered, will be on display and hopefully, even available for test drives.

This product will be the first 2010 model year that Saab Automobile will be launching as part of the new Saab Automobile-Koenigsegg era.

Photo Credit: Beherman European

Saab Automobile importer, Beherman in Belgium has provided Saab History with a nice photo of another 2010 MY Saab 9-3x that has been delivered to their facility for a customer. This photo visually illustrates the problem free ordering that Saab dealerships have in Belgium at this time.

On a side note, this photo was taken right outside of their facility, which appears to be an old aircraft hangar. This hangar, looks much like the one I identified as a great facility for Saab USA to relocate to at Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Wouldn’t it be suiting to get the big SAAB wordmark on this building too, and fit all of the Heritage Collection cars in it easily? Those cars will soon need a new home anyways. Here’s hoping the new Saab USA operations relocate to a facility like this and make it look like what Saab Belgium has done.