Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

The 2010 Saab 9-4x Crossover specifications have now been posted on GM’s website.

It looks like right now the colors available in this model come in the following, Switchblade Silver Metallic, Gold Mist Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Black, Aqua Blue Metallic, Crystal Claret Tintcoat, Platinum Ice Tricoat, Ice White, Cyber Gray Metallic, Warm Mist Metallic.

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

Air bags, dual-stage, frontal, driver and right front passenger with passenger sensing system, Thorax side-impact, seat mounted, driver and right front passenger, head curtain, side front and rear outboard seating positions
1 - Head curtain side air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of head and neck injuries to front and rear seat occupants on the near side of certain side-impact collisions. Always use safety belts and the correct child restraints for your child’s age and size. Even in vehicles equipped with air bags and the Passenger Sensing System, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with an active frontal air bag. See the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.
Air bag Passenger Sensing System, sensor indicator inflatable restraint, front passenger/child presence detector
1 - Always use safety belts and the correct child restraints for your child’s age and size. Even in vehicles equipped with air bags and the Passenger Sensing System, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with an active frontal air bag. See the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.
Climate control, dual-zone automatic
1 - May be upgraded to (CJ4) with (PCK) Rear Passenger Package.
Armrest, front center sliding fore/aft
Armrest, rear center with dual cup holders
Audio system, AM/FM/XM stereo, single disc CD and MP3 player, Bluetooth phone interface compatible, voice recognition, auxiliary jack, Radio Data System (RDS), rear seat audio controls and 7-speaker center point system
Audio system with navigation, AM/FM/XM stereo, single CD/DVD player, 40GB Hard Drive Device, MP3 playback, Grace notes, HDD-based navigation, rear-seat entertainment compatible, rear-seat audio controls, iPOD support with digital streaming, media transport protocol, Bluetooth phone interface compatible, voice recognition, auxiliary jack, USB and Bose 5.1 Surround Sound 10-speaker system

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TTELA indicates that in two weeks, the 10 prospective buyers that have recently toured the Saab Automobile facilities in Sweden, will be reduced down to 1-2.

There is also more mentions of not only the next generation Saab 9-5, 9-4x, but also the next generation 9-3 as well.

Here is their piece below.

In 1-2 weeks, the 10 speculators will provide stakeholders a “bid” on Saab.

- The number should taper down to 1-2, says information director Eric Geers.

27 interested parties signed confidentiality agreements Saab. The ten hottest were invited to Trollhättan.

Spread over three weeks now Saab has had these ten stakeholders for a visit. They have had a deeper insight into the company, have seen the factory and have become acquainted with Saab’s new models.

So far, it is most concerned with Saab presented the company and its business plan.

Now the sales process into the next phase.

Now is the time for speculators to play his cards - to show how interested they are.

Next week should be those who are seriously interested to come in with a letter of intent, a kind of intent on how they would drive Saab also on the ports in the driver’s seat.

- We will meet next week and the aim is to taper it down so that we work on with 1-2 of them, “says Eric Geer, and continues:

- We can also assume that these stakeholders would like to meet government, and that even the government want to know what we have for candidates.

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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 :-)

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB / Saab 9-4x BioPower Concept Shown

As of today, we now know as indicated on the official court documents, that the Saab 9-4x Crossover, will continue to be produced in Mexico, and not relocated back to Sweden for production sometime next year as a 2011 model.

We also now know that this vehicle will be ready after it’s sister, the Cadillac SRX, because the SRX has now come to market first with Jalopnik which has given one of the first test drives.

The Saab 9-4x, that will be the third in a series of new vehicles being launched by Saab Automobile within the next year, will have its GM factory in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico closed from March 9th through the 17th and again on April 6th through the 10th.

Reutersindicates that this temporary shutdown is in anticipation to the slowdown for demand for their existing capacity.

Here’s hoping that production is uninterrupted when the Saab 9-4x is launched in the next year.

Photo Credits: Auto Bild

An internal satellite (IDL) video conference took place yesterday at Saab dealerships. In the video conference it was confirmed that the next generation Saab 9-5 and 9-4x vehicles that are 90% complete, will be shelved until financing comes.

It’s clear that General Motors are now positioning themselves to “hold future products hostage” from Saab Automobile AB unless Saab’s Board of Management and the Swedish Government meet the financial demands of GM.

Here was the original letter to dealerships below:

February 17, 2009

To: All Premium Channel Dealers

Tonight, GM will submit an updated viability plan to the U.S. Treasury as part of the long-term loan agreement. It discusses in detail a significantrestructuring of the company and demonstrates our detailed plan for long-term success as a global enterprise.

As you well know, we have been engaged throughout the last few months in a strategic review for both the HUMMER and Saab brands. While those reviewsare not yet complete, the viability plan covers a wide range of business decisions, including actions associated with HUMMER and Saab that will be of great interest to you.

To that end, I’d like to invite you to participate in an IDL on Wednesday, February 18 (EST). Steve Hill, Steve Shannon, Jim Taylor and I will discuss the highlights of the viability plan as it relates to the Premium Channel. Cadillac dealers are more than welcome to attend, but we will focus specifically on news regarding HUMMER and Saab. Please reference the details outlined below to view the broadcast:

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Photo Credit: Auto Bild

The Saab 9-4x is now almost fully revealed, with the grille and entire front face almost totally exposed as you see in the photo above.

We also know that in terms of the interior of this car that we’ve recently seen, the majority of you, according to the ongoing poll, still believe that the 9-4x BioPower concept interior is better than what was shown earlier.

Here’s hoping that the final production comes with a better interior, and that the XWD system and 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and TTiD engine also come with this car as originally indicated.

Lastly, there is a rumor that this car might be launched this year, but that’s just a rumor for now, what do you think?

Photo Credit: Motor Authority

The Saab 9-4x interior was spotted yet again with Motor Authority, this time Saab changed the steering wheel to one of an Opel, to confuse us, well it’s not working given that it was within the shell.

The interior is completely different than what we saw on the 9-4x BioPower concept in terms of first look appearance. I think that this interior, needs to be more two-tone for contrast, and I also think that the “clear zone” needs to be represented here like the concept car. What are your opinions?

Did you like the interior of the 9-4x BioPower conceptas shown in the video at 8 minutes 30 seconds, or the production version of the 9-4x as shown above?

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Photo Credits: Bil Norge

Although we’ve already seen the final production photo of the Saab 9-4x, it has shown up yet again, in what must be it’s double-digit spy shot appearance.

This time, TS has found the photos which originated on Norway Car.

If you look closely, you can basically see all of the details because the camo is pretty much non-existent. So at this stage, what is the point of camoflage since it’s already been exposed? One detail I liked was the use of proper directional snow tires, which is no surprise, but it was nice to see!

Here’s still hoping that the 9-4x comes delivered with nothing larger than a “right-sized” 4-cylinder Turbo engine, with a diesel variant for ALL markets, oh and this was supposed to be the halo car for E-85 in North America. We’ll see if this car comes delivered as promised.

My wife who speaks Norwegian read the piece, tells me that there is nothing new here to report aside from the photographs.

The winter season of 2008/2009 is clearly all about the Saab “Spy” Photos!

According to Autocar, GM’s Saab Automobile funding deal is getting closer as we begin to rapidly approach February 17th.

I was happy to see Carl Peter-Forster reference the 4 product rollouts clearly, those being the 9-4x, next generation 9-5, next generation 9-3 and a premium compact, presumably the astra based 9-1. For all intents and purposes, I might as well get that product listed here on Saab History as that material continues for reference sake.

It’s also nice to see him also mention publicly, “GM’s mistake” re-launching the brand too late which is honest and good to see,. My respect for him increases significantly admitting that was a problem, but now onward and upward to the future with all of these product rollouts and a positive result on February 17th within GM’s business plan for Saab being submitted to U.S. Congress.

GM is working at top speed to complete “the base outline” of a Saab funding agreement with the Swedish government before the end of the month, GM Europe president, Carl-Peter Forster, has said.

A plan for Saab’s future must be part of the overall viability plan for GM presented to the US government authorities at the end of the month, said Forster. GM, currently Saab’s sole owner, has sought Swedish government approvals and finance to give the loss-making company an independent, Swedish-based management, and to centre its manufacturing once again in Trollhattan.

The Swedish government has already agreed in principle to provide funding for the moves, but has no desire to take its own stake in Saab. Meanwhile, GM said it would willingly concede control of the Trollhattan-based company to achieve stability, while continuing to supply it with “architectures and technologies”.

“I still believe in the Saab brand,” said Forster. “Its traditional values of safety, understated design and care for the environment all fit today’s socio-economic climate and are very resilient. With the right model structure and a consistent, well implemented strategy, I’m convinced Saab could still be profitable.”

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Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB / Official Production Photograph

I have recently become aware that the Saab 9-4x has been rumored to be either shelved completely or will be relocated to Sweden for production, according to Autoblog and Edmunds, respectively. I have intentionally posted the production photos that were shown, both outside and inside, just so we realize that although the spy photos are great, we’ve already seen the final versions.

To put these rumors to rest, an insider has reported that the Saab 9-4x development will be maintaining course and speed for the United States market. It will still be produced at the Ramos Arizpe factory in Mexico as the production prototypes we’ve seen recently, were built there! Furthermore, there should be no reason to end this product made for the U.S. market, with the benefit of the dollar exchange due to where it is built. It will be delayed however, to debut next year 2010, as a 2011 model year.

Last but not least, I want to second a mention made in defence of the Saab Automobile brand by GM Premium brand’s Saab Communications chief, Jan-Willem Vester towards Autoblog’s aforementioned statements.

Responding to whether Saab might “just slowly slide off into oblivion,” Vester says:

The word ‘oblivion’ is certainly not in Saab’s vocabulary anytime soon, especially since the Swedish government has proven be to be very supportive of the brand as one of its best known products around the world and a main source of jobs for the region.

This is encouraging to hear from JWV, because as he also knows, it’s all about the new era of independence from General Motors and both the Swedish Government and the European Investment bank have indicated secured funding for the Saab Automobile brand’s future.

Photo Credits: Auto Motor & Sport

Although we’ve already seen the final production photo of the Saab 9-4x, there has been another sighting of it somewhere in Sweden as of late and Sweden’s Auto Motor & Sport have picked it up.

These photos are quite good even though there have been plenty of spy photographs taken over the past 3 months of the Saab 9-4x already.

What is even more interesting this time around is that we finally get to see the interior of the Saab 9-4x, which looks quite close to the Saab 9-4x BioPower concept we saw last January at the Detroit International Auto Show.

I am still hoping that like it was mentioned, this will be a 300hp 2.0 liter turbo rightsized engine powering this new product.