Photo Credits: Cherry Hill Saab

Saab History site sponsor, Cherry Hill Saab of New Jersey has recently received their first 2010 Saab 9-3x. This vehicle in the 9-3 lineup, follows their previous delivery of 2010 Saab 9-3 convertibles that arrived earlier last month.

The Saab 9-3x is the most recent model in the original lineage for the Saab brand that represents all of the brand values that the company has been known for over the years. This model comes equipped with everything a Saab enthusiast could want, including cross-wheel drive complete with the electronic limited slip differential.

Having recently driven one of these, I must say that with the increased ride height, this vehicle is long overdue for the Saab portfolio!

If you have test driven one of these vehicles, please let us know what you think about it as most Saab dealers should now have them.

Simon Padian, Saab’s Brand Design Chief along with Kaj Zackrisson, Saab-Salomon’s professional skier are featured in a new video urging people to get out and test drive a new Saab 9-3x.

This video is currently shown on the global Saab.com website and should be applicable for most markets, excluding the United States as those vehicles won’t ship until the deal is closes this coming Monday.

For more information about Simon Padian & Kaj Zackrisson, please check out the interviews I did with them in Frankfurt & Detroit respectively. For more details on the Saab 9-3x, please visit the Saab History archive.

In the meantime, enjoy the video!

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.

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.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

I just heard that some people have been receiving e-mails from Saab Automobile USA about the 2009 Saab Owners Convention that is just 2 weeks away.

Here it is below, it looks like some cars from the Saab USA Heritage Collection will also be present including a never seen before “99′ 92 Viggen”, but I am guessing they meant to say “9-3 Viggen”.

I am most excited to see the 2010 Saab 9-3x though, perhaps there will even be test drive opportunities?

As we weave our way through 2009, we anxiously await the one weekend where we can get together and celebrate all things Saab. The Saab Club of North
America’s annual Saab Owners Convention is coming. And we’d love for you to join us.

Held at Copper Mountain Resort – among the twisting, turning roads carved into the Rockies – this year’s convention takes place August 13-16. Highlights include a rare gathering of Saab heritage vehicles – a ’64 Wagon, a ’52 92, a ’56 Sonett I, a ’78 99 Turbo and a ’99 92 Viggen. These classics will also be joined by the 2010 9-3X, which is destined to join the ranks of the cherished. The festivities will conclude with a five-day road rally touring four national parks. Get the details.

Hope you can make it. See you in the Rockies.

Thanks for your continued interest in Saab,

Saab Automobile USA

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

The Saab 9-3x, or the 9-3x Cross-Combi as I like to call it, is planned on becoming available at dealerships worldwide this fall.

This vehicle will be the next vehicle available for consumers to purchase, and I hope that I will some day get the opportunity to own this vehicle.

I love the idea of the 9-3x through and through and had it been introduced in 2002 as it was supposed to be, it would’ve been an incredible sales opportunity for Saab Automobile then.

However, fast forward seven years later and the year is 2009, and Saab Automobile is now being relaunched with it’s new owner, Koenigsegg. The branding of the company appears to be continuing in a systematic way, emphasizing the outdoorsy and independently minded owners and the 9-3x shall be the vehicle that best represents Saab’s brand pillars today as their effective transition vehicle into the new era for the company.

The Saab 9-3x, utilizes a recently available & proven cross-wheel drive system abbreviated as XWD. The 9-3x compared to its counterpart SportCombi sibling, stands a bit taller, more agressive exterior styling and thus has better positioning to outsell the competition such as the Subaru Outback, Audi Quattro Wagon & the Volvo All-Wheel Drive Cross Country Wagon.

Fortunately, now living in New England where all of these cars are ubiquitous, we will see the real test for Saab, a vehicle that should serve this demographic well. So it’s all up to the funding and an all-out marketing blitz to get former Saab loyalists as well as conquest sales behind the wheel of the 9-3x this fall & winter 09/10 season.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, the North East has historically been the hot bed for Saabs as we know, and should do well with this XWD equipped in a recognizable raised wagon form as an option for those sick of the typical Subaru/Audi/Volvo or SUV/CUV options. While the Turbo-X was the halo vehicle for the technology packed in a performance oriented product, the 9-3x will be the renaissance vehicle for Saab’s XWD, reflecting all of company’s virtues, most notably, utilitarianism outfitted in a right-sized, and Swedish designed yet agressive form.

I have test driven many cross-wheel drive Saab vehicles beginning with a 9-3 XWD prototype, then later, the 9-3 Turbo-X, and more recently a 9-3 SportCombi with XWD & eLSD and I must say the latter was by far the best, but I don’t see it ending there. It is my hope that I can test drive the 9-3x Cross-Combi this winter season here in the North East through some real snow and inclimate weather and send the message that Saab is here, their products are ready for the consumer and they’re on the move as they say in Sweden.

If I start seeing Saab 9-3x Cross-Combi’s in my neighborhood here in the next year, then I’ll finally be able to convince myself, that people are listening, learning and responding to this new era for the company. The specific region that I live in here in New England is all about the outdoors and all-wheel drive, so if this vehicle is not a hit here, Saab’s marketing in the United States has failed because the car is a winner, period. Here’s hoping this year’s marketing blitz sets the tone for the best advertising we’ve seen yet.

So, here’s hoping we begin to hear more about the 9-3x arriving at dealerships this fall, specifically what options they will come with, when exactly they will be here in the fall and so forth. I am hopeful that one of my site sponsors will receive one of these in the not-so-distant future and could provide me the opportunity to review it here on Saab History.

I am excited and eager along with my supportive Wife as we have our Gary Fisher Mountain Bikes & our recently acquired LL Bean tent, ready for a weekend real-life test drive & Saab adventure to report on here on Saab History.

For more information on the Saab 9-3x, please visit my archive, there are nearly 50 posts related to this product alone.

Saab Automobile AB recently published photos of their advertising arm, Lowe Brindfors, filming their new advertising campaign.

In these photos you can see the Manager of Interactive Marketing and Advertising Johan Grundin, Simon Padian, the Saab Brand Design Chief and Kaj Zachrisson all in the studio amongst other staff preparing for the filming of yet another tv ad, promo or some other content.

If you have not already seen the first tv ad in this campaign’s launch that debuted back on March 13th, please take a look at it here.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile France

It looks like the Saab 9-3x launch event at the Jardin Garden in Paris went over quite well according to the Saab Newsroom blog.

I encourage you to take a look at the other photos below from the three links for more details.

Here are some highlights below.

Jardins Jardin is an event that took place in the heart of Paris last weekend in the famous garden Jardin des Tuileries. “Jardins, Jardin” is a unique and original event associated with the values of creating the landscape, environmental protection and sustainable development.

The theme for this year´s event is the latest trends in outdoor design and temporary gardens are created by landscape architects, artists, creators.

Surrounded by trees, plants, water and flowers the all new Saab 9-3X was exposed in France for the first time. This green BioPower car in white fit very well in the garden!

Click on these articles to find out more and see pictures
JardinsJardin
Eve-Auto
Xelopolis.com

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile France

It looks like Saab Automobile France have launched the Saab 9-3x in their market at a Parisian garden in the heart of Paris this past weekend, emphasizing sustainable development can co-exist in nature.

The focus of this 9-3x launch will consist of their E-85 BioPower Engine range.

Saab introduced the Scandinavian garden from 5 to 7 June at “Gardens, Garden.”

* The Swedish first present the Saab 9-3X in the middle of pure nature.

Saab is now for the third consecutive year to “Garden Garden” (from 5 to 7 June 2009 at the Parc des Tuileries, Paris), the event ephemeral Parisian garden in the heart of Paris where the red wire is sustainable development.

The Saab stand, designed by Bruno Fortuner, landscape architect of the Jardins de Gally, presents its latest model, the Saab 9-3X, at every turn in a whole declined in white and transparency: the white pots and the cosmos, the transparency of water and mirrors, the color symbolic of Scandinavia. The presented car, the Saab 9-3 X first Cross-Hatch (all paths) flex-fuel, changes in the white world without degradation, trace its path in the flowers without damaging them, because it has a BioPower engine that works E85 fuel, consisting of 85% ethanol from the distillation plant. This technological choice justifies the presence of the Swedish manufacturer, which was entirely in line with the philosophy of “Gardens, Garden” event held itself in the heart of a metropolis.

Bruno Fortuner, Jardins de Gally: white, symbol of purity

Bruno Fortuner is the head of the Research Gardens Gally. For 37 years, he creates worlds plants. He is delighted to work for the third consecutive year with Saab on the stand for Jardins Garden. “It’s nice to be able to work on the marriage of the automobile and plants. Today, in the car shows, there is never a plant, “he said.

“During our discussions, Saab has announced that he would present a white car. And immediately I got the idea of a white garden. We talked about the values of the brand, its Scandinavian roots, his commitment to nature. So the white seemed obvious, and water well. From there, I had the idea of a large pond, which symbolizes water fjords. The interested me for its water and shimmering lights that could create. To accentuate the reflections, we put mirrors at the bottom of the basin. And large white pots emerge on the stand. White is the symbol of purity, it means that one does not degrade nature: the edges are white, the pots are white, even wood chips are treated in white. For flowers, I chose white cosmos, flowers and light enough fields that reflect the spirit of simplicity of Saab. In this universe springs the car. What interested me was to evoke the notion of movement, to show that the car is in a world of reality. So I chose to place it at an angle as if it appeared at every turn. And she moves by tracing his route in the flowers without damaging them. ”

This bold and original approach of the Swedish automaker is commented by Philippe Van der Meulen, Director Sales and Marketing Saab, which explains how we can now reconcile the nature and mobility without sacrificing anything.

A car brand in a room devoted to nature, it is a daring choice from a builder?

Philippe Van der Meulen: “Saab is where we did not attend. The brand has always shown originality, while championing causes that are worth it. Saab does not adopt all forms of thought made: the brand follows its path, and this allowed him to be right in many areas long before the others. That is why we feel perfectly at ease as part of “Gardens”, an event held at the Tuileries, in the middle of Paris. The car is now called into question not for its usefulness, but for its impact on the environment. Saab is here to say that there are solutions to be implemented immediately for the planet and created the BioPower engine, using fuel from the distillation of plants to move the vehicle. If one refers to the study of the ADEME, the wheel wells for oil and scope to the wheel for bioethanol, we come to an immediate reduction of 40% of CO2 emissions. This is the meaning of Saab’s approach: go against the ideas, seek solutions and viable. ”

How Saab is part of Gardens Garden?

Philippe Van der Meulen: “For us, the lines of” Gardens, Garden “are exactly those of the philosophy of the brand Saab: promoting fundamental values, nature, beauty, creation. This is the third year that we set out to “Gardens”, and this time it’s not a convertible, but an all-road vehicle. The Saab 9-3 X works with a BioPower engine, and manages to reconcile the world of those who enjoy recreational vehicles for their safety and functionality, and the essential awareness of the conservation of resources. Expose the Saab 9-3X to “Gardens, Garden, that is our demonstration of the value of our technology, and the correctness of our views that go a little against the mind-made. This is a fundamental Saab, and we like this way of communicating. ”

How did you transcribe it wanted on the stand?

Philippe Van der Meulen: “We sent it to the design of the stand Gardens Gally, and everything was done very naturally. We explained the philosophy of Saab, its bias, its originality and its anchorage outside of forests, fjords, rain, snow. This is our way of working at Saab we let a lot of freedom in creation. And that’s what we have done in this case, leaves the team with Jardins de Gally. They had the idea to integrate the car on a plant in a stand composed primarily of water. Everything is very white, it is mainly of the mineral and water. We just wanted the car to be the rock in the middle of the lake.

Saab 9-3 X: first to “Gardens”

* This new model will be proposed Scandinavian manufacturer diesel and flex-fuel, two or four wheel drive with a single trim level high-end

Saab exhibiting Gardens Saab 9-3X, a novelty that will enrich the Saab 9-3 range in vintage 2010. The Saab 9-3X is an adventuress knowing the nature preserve by the opportunity to obtain a BioPower engine fueled mainly plant. With this 2.0-liter BioPower 210 hp to drive the E85, the Saab 9-3X has become the first Cross-Hatch (all-paths) flex-fuel. This flex-fuel engine is neutral in terms of bonus-malus, like all Saab flex-fuel.

With the versatility that gives him break his body and raised a sophisticated AWD (BioPower on), the Saab 9-3X is simple and spacious, and can handle any kind of terrain. It will be available in France at the beginning, and offered with a single trim level and several luxurious engines: the Saab 9-3X will also receive the 1.9 engine TTiD 180 hp turbo double floor. The turbo version is classified as very positive in terms of emissions, with 144 g / km of CO2 per 100 km.

The finish will include, in addition to the chassis by 35 mm, shields and special wheel, a navigation system, a leather upholstery with sports seats, the hands-free Bluetooth, a 150-watt audio system, rear windows surteintées and roof bars chrome mat. XWD versions will also support the limited-slip differential Electronic ELSD.

Rates in 2-wheel drive is 38,200 euros in 1.9 TTiD manual gearbox, 40,100 euros in automatic. The 2.0 TS BioPower full XWD transmission will be offered at 40,000 euros. Deliveries of the 9-3X will begin in September in french showrooms.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

Saab Automobile United Kingdom announce pricing on the Saab 9-3 Cross Combi, and I have been able to show some currency conversions on their prices to United States Dollars, and believe that these could be the price ranges we could expect on the models.

I’m still very frustrated that the 9-3x does not have a TTiD/XWD combination, apparently it was an impossible engineering feat. The price looks like it will be about the $39,999 range I suspect for the United States market.

Anyways, here’s the press release.

24,995.00 GBP=37,836.38 USD
27,506.28 GBP=41,643.18 USD

2009-05-05

NEW 9-3X STORMS UK CROSSOVER SECTOR WITH SUB-£25K ENTRY PRICE

* Price announced for 9-3X, from £24,995 OTR for the 1.9TTiD model
* Premium design and leading technology across the range
* On sale from May 2009

Competitive pricing has never been more topical, and the good news for Saab customers is the much-awaited new 9-3X has stormed the crossover sector with an entry price of just £24,995 for the 1.9TTiD model.

The newcomer, revealed at the Geneva Motorshow earlier this year to rave reviews will arrive at Saab dealers in August 2009.

The 9-3X is available with a choice of two engines: the punchy 1.9TTiD diesel engine produces 180PS and 400Nm of torque, or the 2.0-litre petrol turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 210hp, with the additional benefit of Saab’s technically advanced Cross Wheel Drive system (XWD). This model costs from £25,995.

Saab’s bold, dynamic design language is visible throughout the 9-3X, as well as a host of technology that provides more safety and improved dynamics for drivers including ESP and ABS, with cross wheel drive (XWD) available on the 2.0T engine.

All models also come with high levels of equipment, including leather & textile sport seats, heated front seats, cruise control, 9-speaker audio system with MP3 compatibility, sport leather steering wheel, dual-zone electronic climate control, car computer, matt chrome roofrails and 17” alloy wheels.

The 9-3X will also spearhead Saab’s campaign in the SAAB Salomon Trail Running Series 2009, which kicks off on May 15th at the Keswick Mountain Festival.

A full list of prices follows below:

Engine Trans CO2* P11D OTR Price
1.9TTiD Diesel MAN 144 19% £24,995.00
1.9TTiD Diesel AUTO 182 27% £26,366.28
2.0T XWD Petrol MAN 207 29% £25,995.00
2.0T XWD Petrol AUTO 242 35% £27,506.28

For detailed model by model pricing information, Saab customers should either refer to the Saab website www.saab.co.uk or contact their nearest Saab dealer.

For more information on the SAAB Salomon Trail Running Series please visit http://www.saabsalomontrails.com.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

The 2010 Saab 9-3x Cross Combi and all of the rest of the Saab 9-3 lineup specifications have now been posted on GM’s website.

It looks like right now the colors will be in snow silver metallic, arctic white, nocturne blue metallic, black, titan gray metallic, laser red, jet black metallic, fusion blue metallic, carbon gray metallic and glacier silver metallic.

For more details, please check out this adobe pdf document for the full details.

Photo Credit: Adam H

Adam H of Saab Automobile has recently provided Saab History a wonderful photo of the Saab 9-3x on a billboard outside of the Landvetter Airport in Gothenburg, Sweden.

This billboard is also very close to where Saab Automobile AB’s advertising, marketing, sales and design office is located in nearby Mölnlycke, Sweden.

I am guessing this billboard was in plain view to all of the prospective visitors as they departed from the Landvetter Airport in Göteborg as they headed North to Trollhättan? If so, good planning over the past three weeks?

A thank you to Adam for the photograph, it must be exciting times at Saab Automobile Sweden at both this office and the main facilities in Trollhättan.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile Belgium

The Saab Automobile importer in Belgium has been kind enough to e-mail Saab History some excellent photographs of the Saab Automobile traveling roadshow that is traveling throughout Belgium. This roadshow, completely organized by Saab Belgium has recently started at their headquarters and it will continue to some other dealerships in the area following this event.

On the car carrier, there was what she indicated, a 9-3x, 9-4x BioPower Concept and many Saab 9-3 convertibles on display for people to look at and get excited about.

I wonder if there will be a road show in the United States as well at some point, this is a very good idea.

A thank you to Sofie for providing the photographs and the following information to Saab History!

The roadshow is still going on in Belgium!

Yesterday evening, 6 of our 33 dealers invited their guests at our headoffices, where we exposed the 9-3X, the 9-4X Concept and several 9-3 Convertibles. People were offered a glass of champagne and a walking diner.

We had a great attendance!

(The other dealers invite their guests at their own dealership, on other days)

That’s me in black and my colleague Myrth in purple on pic 414

Saab Automobile AB’s President, Jan-Ã…ke Jonsson, as part of the Saab 9-3x promotional activities in Northern Sweden (Jukkasjärvi), discussed the future of what an independent Saab will look.

Another thank you to Jan-Ã…ke Jonsson for this insight, your leadership, management style and information, it is very comforting to hear about the future of Saab Automobile from you.

In this video, Saab 9-3x Project Manager, Jan Tammpere & Kaj Zachrisson discuss the new Saab 9-3x‘s utilitarian capabilities inside and out. Enjoy!

Another thank you to Saab Automobile for providing this video to Saab History.

Saab History has recently received some videos from Saab Automobile that showcase this vehicle in some truly positive promotional material.

This particular video features Bengt Dahl of the Saab Performance Team taking the Project Manager, Jan Tammpere of Saab Automobile to the 9-3x where Jan Tammpere discusses the technical aspects of this new addition to the 9-3 product range.

The new Saab 9-3x Cross Combi has been up in Jukkasjärvi near Kiruna in the North of Sweden during it’s launch this past year and this is one of many videos promoting it. I hope you enjoy it!

A thanks to the folks at Saab Automobile AB for providing this video to Saab History.

Film Credit: Saab History

At the North American debut of the Saab 9-3x Cross-Combi at the 2009 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), I had the opportunity once again with the help of colleague Todd Agostini, to interview Steve Shannon, Executive Director of GM Premium Brands (Saab/Cadillac/ Hummer).

Last year, I interviewed Steve Shannon with Jan-Ake Jonsson, Managing Director for Saab Automobile USA at the NYIAS, this year, I worked with Todd of Cherry Hill Saab in New Jersey on this interview, which I must saw was quite nice in terms of the questions we asked and the answers we received.

This month of April marks the two-year anniversary of Steve Shannon’s tenure managing Saab Automobile since he replaced Jay-Spenchian back on April of 2007. I was delighted to hear his response when we reminded him of this.

A thank you to Todd of Cherry Hill Saab as well as Steve Shannon & Jan-Willem Vester of Saab Automobile USA for making the necessary arrangements for this interview to take place.