Saab 9-4X perfect for a small family

Over at Boston Herald there is a nice review of the  new Saab 9-4X. And according to the writer this car might be perfect for a small family:

For the well-to-do small family, this new luxury compact SUV might just be the ticket. Besides being stylish, comfortable and smooth riding, you probably won't hear a peep out of your backseat passengers thanks to the impressive entertainment center option that is available for this top-of-the-line model.

For the whole review visit Boston Herald. Below is their video review.  






Thanks to Curt for the link!

Two Saabs 50 years apart

Today two interesting test drives have popped up. First we have one from Octane. Writer John Simister has swapped his two-stroke Saab 96 with no other than Erik Carlsson's two-stroker and they go for a drive and talk about Erik's rally career and the great Saab rally cars. It's a very entertaining read.



Second one is from Motortrend. They have taken the new Saab 9-4X on a test drive and like so many test driver before them, they seem to like the car:

"Feels much more like a sedan than most other crossover SUVs."


"Great post-modernist Swedish styling is, and here, the 9-4x excels."

"...the 9-4x is possibly the best-looking vehicle extant to wear the sport/utility descriptor. It looks sleek and sporty, low to the ground for a CUV."

Check it out at Motortrend.

Consumer Reports first look video of the Saab 9-4X

Wednesday notes from the media

Lately the Saab 9-4X has gotten much attention in the media with the top score in the IIHS' crash test, the first cars arriving at the dealers and even the first car going out to a lucky new 9-4X owner in Ohio. So first let's continue the 9-4X news with a note from Dutch Autokopen which tells us that production of the 9-4X destined for Europe will start in August and the first cars will reach European dealers in October. I assume this means that model year 2012 production will start in August. As reported earlier, all production for the model year 2011 has already been spoken for.
Dutch prices are EUR 74,995 for the  Vector 3.0 V6 with 265 horsepower and EUR 89,920 for the Aero 300 bhp 2.8 turbo.


And let's stay in the Netherlands for the second note. Autozine tells us that the Saab 9-5 SportCombi will hit the showrooms in October. This assuming of course that the production in Trollhättan is restarted in August as planner.


Third and final note so far this day, is from Swedish media. Swedish media has had a talk with the FKG which is the trade association representing Scandinavian suppliers to the automotive industry. Svenåke Berglie, the CEO  of FKG, demands that the different players in the process of approving Vladimir Antonov as part owner of Saab, shows their cards. He is obviously, like the rest of us, sick and tired of the games the European Investment Bank and the Swedish Government are playing. 


"It's not fair what they are doing. Now is the time for those who say no to Antonov to show their cards. Neither the government or the European Investment Bank (EIB) has been able to say why they reject him," Svenåke Berglie said to Swedish Dagens Nyheter.

Anontov is scheduled to participate on a seminar held by the FKG in September, where he will be interviewed by Swedish TV4's reporter Lennart Ekdahl. Behind the initiative is Svenåke Berglie, who says that Saab must "bring in more resourceful ownership".

"It can be the Antonov," Svenåke Berglie says. 

EDP: Saab’s new soft-roader option

This is something I never expected. A British review of the Saab 9-4X that is actually very positive. And that's despite the fact that the car doesn't come with a diesel engine and a star, four rings or a blue and white propeller in the grille.

Here's some of what they say about the 9-4X: 


First a few words about Saab:

Saab is a combination of Swedish origins and a reluctance to follow the crowd – products that don’t slavishly follow the fickle finger of fashion hold a certain appeal.

And some about how the brand DNA is evident in the design:

Unlike some rivals the 9-4X successfully transplants the family DNA on to the sport utility vehicle template.

And the well designed cabin:

A modest climb into the cabin reveals a layout that follows a sound mix of prac`icality and style.

Performance as expected: 

The V6 turbo gives the kind of performance expected of a 300bhp powerplant.

And it's a nice ride:

There’s a good balance between comfort and handling, helped by the Drive Sense system which electronically adjusts damper settings to the driver’s needs.

So if you have a few spare minutes this Sunday, then check out the Eastern Daily Press' review of the Saa 9-4X.

 

Saab 9-4X arriving at dealers

Saab's all new 9-4X crossover is now arriving at dealers. Here's the proof:

 

"Our first vehicles are just hitting retailers and our first customer sale took place last weekend at Saab North Olmstead in Cleveland, Ohio," Tim Colbeck, President and COO SCNA said. "This is an exciting product, with a true Saab crossover that gives us entry into a new segment." 

PS: You can now build your Saab at www.saabusa.com 

Time to test drive the Saab 9-4X?

The Saab 9-4Xs are arriving at the dealer. The car has been awarded the Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. And this weekend there was even reports that the first buyers got their brand new 9-4Xs!

So what's better than checking out two more great 9-4X reviews?


First one's from Msn Autos Canada:

It's definitely a sportier package than, say, Lexus's RX, and it'll hold its own just fine against German rivals.

Second one's from Swedish car magazine Vi Bilägare:

Is the 9-4X a real Saab? Yes, there's no doubt that it feels like a Saab to drive. The driving position provides clear Saab vibes, with easy to read instruments and - of course, start button near the gear lever. Saab has a reputation of making good seats and the 9-4X is no exception. The driver sits comfortably and it's easy to find a good driving position.

The steering is precise and the road handling secure.

So if you are living in the US, maybe it's time to visit your locale dealer? If not for buy a car, at least to test drive a 9-4X. And of course let us know how you liked it :) 

Saab 9-4X earns IIHS' Top Safety Pick

The Saab 9-4X has earned a top score in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash test. The Saab 9-5 earned the same score last month.

To earn a Top Safety Pick rating the vehicle is required to get top marks in all crash tests (side, frontal, and rear-end, plus roof-crush and mandatory inclusion of stability control). The 9-4X made top scores in all tests.

The press release from Saab: 


Trollhättan, Sweden: The new Saab 9-4X crossover has earned ‘Top Safety Pick’, the highest rating for crashworthiness awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States. Only three weeks ago, the Saab 9-5 Sedan received the same accolade.

“To achieve two Top Safety Picks in three weeks is, of course, extremely gratifying,” says Per Lenhoff, Head of Safety Development at Saab Automobile. “Our main priority is always the protection of real people in real accidents, but the IIHS tests are a valuable guide for consumers and it is important for us to achieve good results.”

IIHS is a research and communications organization funded by auto insurers in the US. The test procedures include front impact (offset) and side impact crashes. Seat/head restraints are also tested in a simulated rear-end impact to assess protection against whiplash injuries and the roof structure is tested to assess vehicle rollover protection.

Performance is rated as ’Good’, ’Acceptable’, ’Marginal’ or ’Poor’ in each of the tests and to achieve the ’Top Safety Pick’ award, cars must achieve the highest rating in all four procedures and should also be fitted with ESP®.

Saab 9-4X - a family car

Swedish car magazine Vi Bilägare has had a talk with Mikael Jacobsson, who is product manager for the 9-4X.  Below is a translation.

Questions and answers about the new Saab 9-4X

Saab's new SUV is first and foremost a family car. That’s what Mikael Jacobsson, product manager for the 9-4X, told Vi Bilägare in an interview. At the test drive of the new 9-4X Vi Bilägare’s reporter Christian Ellmark got a chat with Mikael Jacobsson.

Who is going to buy the new Saab model?
- In Sweden we believe that the 9-4X mainly will be bought as a family car. Foremost among customers in metropolitan areas, which use a bit more money on their cars. We also believe in a high percentage of women as potential buyers.

- In general, we’re guessing that customers will be a mix of Saab's friends who want to try something new, there is a particular need for a new type of car from Saab, and a lot of SUV customers from Audi.

In the important US market then, who will buy the 9-4X?
- In the US it’s mostly highly educated families that we hope for, primarily those who drove a Saab 9-7X in the past. Many US buyers are looking at downsizing and want to get a slightly smaller car than before and we hope to offer the right car for them. In the US, the Saab brand is more premium than in Sweden and there is a great interest in this car. We have seen this at car shows around the world.

Why is there no diesel?
- The explanation I can give is that it's not technically possible right now. But of course we understand that it means a lower sales volume in Europe, where many buyers prefer diesel.

How many 9-4X do you think will be sold?
- The forecast is an annual sale of 12,500 cars, and of these, around 10,000 in the United States. In Sweden, we believe in 200-400 cars per year, although we may be able to sell more in the beginning when the model is brand new.

How long will the 9-4X live as a model?
- We expect a cycle of six years, but it all depends of course on what happens to the brand in the future.

The Saab 9-4X, one of the best crossovers on the market!

As previously mentioned, the first Saab 9-4Xs started shipping out from Ramos Arizpe, Mexico destined for US dealers Thursday last week. Several dealers have aklready listed the 9-4X in their inventory so it shouldn't be long until you can take one of the cars out for a test drive. But until then, let's take a look at the latest 9-4X review that has popped up. This one comes from MSN Autos.

First they comment on the design:

Placed squarely between the 9-3 and 9-5 in the Swedish automaker's stable, the 9-4X brings some unique Scandinavian style to a platform shared with the Cadillac SRX. As a crossover, the new model successfully merges utility and space with the ride of a passenger car. However, it may have a hard time getting anyone's attention, as the company seems to have dialed back the visual impact.

They like the interior:

The interior of the 9-4X is classic Saab, right down to the green-lit gauges and between-seat ignition, which is now just a start/stop button. It is evident that Saab took its materials, fit and finish seriously when creating the interior for this car. If any elements were found to be not up to Saab standards, they were redesigned or sourced elsewhere.

And the space:

No seat inside the 9-4X feels cramped or otherwise uncomfortable. A large rear cargo area offers either 29.2 cubic feet of storage space or 61.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Ambient lighting, not available on the base trim, adds the finishing touch to an already nice cabin.

The engine has enough power and the car handles well:

We recently had an opportunity to spend some time with the 9-4X's sporty Aero variant. It took actually sitting behind the wheel to appreciate this new crossover. It is fun to drive, all things considered. We were immediately impressed with the surge of power from the twin-scroll turbo.

The 9-4X's steering has a solid feel and ably communicates road subtleties to the driver. Another plus is the Sport button, which immediately and noticeably tightens up the suspension, making for decent handling around curves.

Overall MSN Auto proclaim the 9-4X one of the best crossovers on the market:

The Saab 9-4X is a solid package, not too remarkable or particularly groundbreaking, but capable nonetheless. In fact, it's a lot better than we were expecting it to be, and is easily one of the better crossovers on the market. If you appreciate build quality and technology, and you're looking for something with plenty of space but don't want to feel like you're in an episode of "Ice Road Truckers," you'll be pleased with the new 9-4X.

In other words, another great review for the Saab 9-4X! If you are in the market for this car, then you might want to check out the other reviews as well. And of course, call your dealer and book a test drive as soon as the car has arrived!

A day of analysis

Today seems to be analysis day. We have two articles that looks closer at Saab's Chinese affair, and one that takes a look at the importance of the new Saab 9-4X. A car that actually started shipping from Ramos Arizpe, Mexico yesterday and should be at the dealer later this month.


The China affair
Reuters has an analysis of Saab's flirt with Pang Da Automobile and what the chances are that this flirt can lead to marriage. The conclusion is that it will be a tough challenge to get the Chinese government to approve Pang Da's investment in Saab, but that Pang Da can be an excellent distribution partner for Saab. Victor Muller said himself that "In the worst case, we would have a fantastic distribution partner who would sell a tremendous amount of Saabs in this country."

Caixin Online also takes a stabb at  Saab's China deal. According to their sources China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country’s top economic planning body, said they would not approve any company’s plan to buy Saab, but they took no stance on possible joint ventures between Chinese firms and Saab to jointly produce cars in China. If Pang Da and Saab can find a big Chinese car manufacturer to join the joint venture manufacturing plans, that part of the deal may be a go.


The Saab 9-4X
Finally we have an article from Blomberg published in the Sidney Morning Herald about the Saab 9-4X and how important this vehicle can prove to be for Saab. The 9-4X is called a "lifeline from GM". According to Anders Svensson of Saab  “this vehicle is enormously important in helping us get our company going again. Since we're a small carmaker, we can't really afford to fail with any launch of a new vehicle. We must hit the spot with the 9-4X.”

Kurt Schirm, the president of International Motors Saab of Falls Church, Virginia, says that the 9-4X is “entering the right segment and has the right look. Saab's future is good, but it's not going to happen overnight.” 

  Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends at TrueCar.com in Santa Monica, California, which tracks sales and price trends, says that  “there's a lot of pent-up demand from loyal Saab fans who are waiting for new product. If this product does well, it can signal that the brand is alive and healthy.”

New Saab cars roll off the line! (in Mexico)

At Saab's manufacturing plant in Trollhättan Sweden, production has been stopped for almost 8 weeks. The reason being a liquidity squeeze that led to the supplies of parts and components being stopped by Saab's suppliers and subcontractors. With fresh money coming in the past two weeks, the aim is to restart production on Friday next week.

In Mexico however, Saabs are being built! General Motors, who manufacture the new Saab 9-4X for Saab, has not let Saab's recent financial challenges affect the planned production start of the 9-4X. The production started Monday 16 May and all 2011 Saab 9-4X are spoken for. They will start to pop up at the US dealers next month. Isn't that wonderful news? I believe that with the favorable reviews the Saab 9-4X has gotten, this may be the car that puts Saab back on the map in the US! The car that makes the public once again curious about this small Swedish car brand who is unlike all the rest.

Kudos to both Saab and GM!

Two more Saab 9-4X reviews

The Saab 9-4X reviews just keep coming in. There have been so many I have lost count! But that doesn't matter when most of them are all good for Saab, right? :)

Portland Cars Examiner seems to like the car! Here's some of what they write:

...the 9-4X does have handsome lines for a crossover.

...the 9-4X behaved remarkably well in both ‘SPORT’ and ‘COMFORT’ modes. No tire squealing, very little noise inside the cabin, and little body roll.

In the real twisties the feedback from the steering was good, even if extra effort had to be applied to keep the heavy rig on-line.Steering feel was good and brake fade was non-existent.

For a crossover targeted to enter one of the busiest segments in the automotive market, the Saab 9-4X is a big entry from a small company.

And Autoblog seems to agree:

Based on looks alone, and despite its tortured birthing and ill health of its parent company, the 9-4X deserves a chance.

...the 9-4X clearly skews toward the sportier end of the luxury crossover arena...

We spent a couple of days in a range-topping 9-4X Aero with Saab's XWD system on undulating country roads outside of greater Washington D.C., and we found it to be an agreeable dance partner when the traffic cleared – even when the rain picked up.

Thanks to the 9-4X's stout chassis, our drive time revealed that Trollhättan's tuners have been able to bake-in good ride compliance without sacrificing body control.

It all adds up to a surprisingly engaging drive experience – one that suggests a 9-4X high-performance model with another 100 or so horsepower wouldn't be just a hoot, but a handler as well.

There is no question that Saab has a great product. Now let's see if they have the dealers and the confidence of the car buyers. If they do, this car should sell like hot cakes! 

Another bulk of Saab 9-4X test drives

The Saab 9-4X test drives keep on coming in from around the world. Today we got tests from the UK and the USA. And we got both positive and less positive reviews


First off is HonestJohn from the UK:

...if anything the 9-4X shows that when it's not saddled with leftover GM technology there is still plenty of engineering and design skill at Saab and it has the ability to produce competent and innovative products. Whether it will be in a position to do so come the end of the year remains in the hands of the negotiators.

Now over the Atlantic to Left Lane. They have many nice pictures that are worth a visit. Furthermore, they seem to like everything about the car, but they don't seem convinced that it's better than the German rivals:

A competent, above average all around performer, the 9-4X won't scare the Germans – but it is worth a spot on your shopping list.

Finally MotorAuthority. They like the 9-4X better than the Cadillac SRX sibling:

...we can say that Saab gets the most appealing, tastefully appointed version of the so-called Theta Premium platform.

But compared to the other competitors MotorAuthority isn't that excited about the 9-4X:  

In all, the problem with the Saab 9-4X is that it just isn't very compelling; there's no 'killer app' to make the Saab much more desirable (or dramatically different) than any other brand.

The most interesting part about the MotorAuthority is how they in many respects have a totally different opinion about the Saab 9-4X'x engine, handling etc than most of the other test drives we have read. And this only shows how subjective a car test is. As always, if you are shopping for a premium SUV/crossover, then take the 9-4X for a test drive and check it out for yourself! Those who test drive a Saab, usually buys a Saab!

Aftonbladet test drives the Saab 9-4X

Swedens biggest newspaper Aftonbladet has tested the Saab 9-4X. Their reporter Robert Collin calls the car Suuper-Saab and writes that it's better than the Volvo XC60, it crushes the Audi Q5 and it's on par with the leader in the class, the BMW X3.

He continues saying that it's this good because for the first time under GM rule the people at Trollhättan got the chance make their own decisions and make the car a real Saab. The handling is the car's strength, the steering is quick and precise, but not nervous, and the car goes precisly where you want it to. Quick, efficent and comfortable. And the design of the car will always feel modern.

One more selection of Saab 9-4X reviews

This week has been Saab 9-4X test week in Washington D.C. The latest reviews to join the pack come from Swedish Vi Bilägare, British car buyer's guide WhatCar and American Burlington Cars Examiner.

Let's start with the Burlington Cars Examiner's test drive. The test driver liked how the engine and the transmission worked together for quick acceleration and quiet highway cruising. He also liked how the Aero model gave a comfortable ride that was not compromised by its good handling qualities. The car scores four stars out of five possible.

Next up is WhatCar. WhatCar calls the 9-4X a decent effort, limited by high costs. The tester doesn't seem to dislike anything about the car, except for the expected UK price and the missing diesel engine. And in good recent  British tradition, he gives the car only two out of five stars. And this is a car that so far has gotten very good reviews in both American and Swedish tests! WhatsUP with the British?


Finally we have Swedish Vi Bilägare, which only has a preview of their full test that will be available in their next issue. They like the design of the 9-4X, the comfortable front seats and the solid feeling of the car. The engine is reported to be enjoyable with a good power and the four wheel drive gives very good grip. They comment on the rear view visibility which they say is not very good and they also miss a diesel engine.

Swedish Saab 9-4X tests

The Swedish car magazines have been over the pond to test drive the new Saab 9-4X. And both Teknikens Värld and Auto Motor Sport have now published their initial impressions.

Teknikens Värld on the 9-4X:

Does the Saab 9-4X live up to your expectations? Absolutely. This might not be the world's best car, but it is definitely Saab's best car.
I'm driving on six-lane highways mixed with winding roads around the wine country here in Virginia and it feels like the car fits perfectly.
If you compare it to its competitors, it's not quite as good as the BMW X3, which is best in all categories, but it's definitely more fun to drive than the Volvo XC60.

Auto Motor Sport on the 9-4X:

It's feels well built and it is big.
You're sitting high and comfortable, as always in a SUV. So far we have mostly been driving on highways, where the car handles good.
It feels stable with high torsion stiffness and offers a compact feel, although it's quite large.

Some nice photos from the Saab 9-4X media launch

On Saab's facebook page there are som very nice pictures from the Saab 9-4X media launch this week. Here's a couple of samples.

Saab 9-4X on Winding Road

Earlier this week Saab hosted test drives of the new Saab 9-4X for the press. And now the first of those car magazines has published its review. The first I have come across anyway. And the reviewer is Winding Road. I guess a Saab should fit perfectly in on winding roads! And Winding Road seems to agree.

First they write a bit about Saab's recent financial difficulties, and they sum it up with this sentence that I just love:

"...you get the sense that the company is full of car people, not accountants and lawyers. That’s a good thing."

They also have a very interesting table where they compare the Saab distinctions to those of BMW, Volvo, Mercedes, Lexus and Audi. Winding Road writes that Saab is:

Social Branding: Alternative

Design Branding: Scandinavian

Drive Branding: Fun

Technological Branding: Real World

Lifestyle Branding: Active

Sounds good to me. To see how Saab compares to the other brands, check Winding Road. 

Now, over to the 9-4X test drive.

On fun to drive, Winding Road says the following about the 9-4X:

"For those paying attention, the driving dynamics of the 9-4X are positively brilliant. The 9-4X has a smoothness and stability going down the road that buyers will find hard to beat."

And the steering and brakes are also top notch:

"The steering has a well-chosen ratio with decent on-center operation. The brakes a firm, with a pedal feel that should be studied by some sports car makers. Best of all, the automatic transmission."

And the engines fits the car perfectly:

"The 2.8-liter turbo V-6 on the 9-4X Aero has a “just right” level of power."

And the comfort is also there:

"Finally, we also thought the 9-4X was attractively comfortable."

Versus the competition, the Saab 9-4X is on par or better:

"VS: Audi Q5: On the road, the Saab feels more connected and will please those who enjoy driving more."

"VS: Mercedes Benz GLK350: Handling on the GLK is excellent, but we would say the Saab is fully competitive."  

Wow! What a great 9-4 review start for Saab!! If you haven't headed over the Winding Road yet, then go!


 
  

Two chiefs speak

AutoNetwork has caught up with Saab's new COO of North America and Saab's acting CEO Victor Muller. It's great to hear Victor talk about the liquidity crunch at Saab with some humility. Also nice to hear the new chief of NA speak. I think he will be good for Saab. Now just get Hawtai and Antonov approved by all parties and Saab is back on the road to success!