Autoblog

2012 Saab 9-4X confirmed for LA debut in November

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Saab, Luxury

Saab 9-4X Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've been expecting this announcement to come sooner or later, though we didn't exactly count on it coming from the LA Auto Show's own Twitter page. But there it is anyway, straight from the horse's mouth: "Saab has confirmed that the 9-4X Crossover will make its world debut at the LA Auto Show this Nov."

We're also expecting some sort of official word that the new crossover 'ute, which will share its Theta Premium underpinnings with the Cadillac SRX, should hit the market sometime in the spring of 2011... perhaps around April.

While we're on the subject of expectations, we'd also imagine that Saab will offer its premium crossover with the same powerplants as the recently released 9-5, which means we could see a 2.0-liter turbocharged four and a 2.8-liter turbocharged six, both likely mated with a six-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive. We'll apparently find out for sure soon enough.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept

[Source: LA Auto Show's Twitter]

2012 Saab 9-4X confirmed for LA debut in November originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Saab 9-5 sales will start in U.S. in the second quarter

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:41:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Saab, Spyker, Luxury

Coming to a Saab Spyker dealer near you by Spring - Click above for high-res image gallery

We had an interesting chat with a Saab mechanic in Hollywood yesterday. Naturally, he was overcome with great joy over the fact that Spyker saved Saab. What made the conversation interesting was his asking us if there will be a 2010 Saab 9-5? Dunno. Er, didn't know. But that was then. Today we feel pretty confident that there will not be a 2010 Saab 9-5. kind of exactly how there's no 1983 Corvette, minus the haggard sales saga.

However, according to a report by Edmunds Auto Observer, there will in fact be a 2011 Saab 9-5. Spyker is set to ramp up production of the new car in April and begin selling Saabs to us American types at some point during the second quarter. Did we say Saabs? We meant to say Saab Spykers, as the new cars may be called. Regardless, anything introduced to the market during May or June of a given year will be labeled as next year's model. Hence, the 2011 Saab Spyker 9-5.

The Auto Observer is also confirming that the Saab (Spyker) 9-4 will also go on sale at some unspecified future date. The 9-4 and 9-4X are based on General Motors' Theta Premium architecture - the same platform used by the Cadillac SRX. Since so much parts sharing will be going on (the 9-5 will come with at least three General Motors engines), GM will continue supplying parts to Saab Spyker for many moons, and as such have a vested interest in the new company doing well. Not too well of course, as Saab will now be free to compete head-to-head with GM brands Buick and/or Cadillac.

One last thing, and this is a plea from our Saab mechanic friend more then anything else: here's hoping Saab Spyker has the good sense to remount Saab motors longitudinally and backwards, rather than sideways, especially when a new 9-3 shows up, as that set up really is a trait of the Griffin.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Saab 9-5

[Source: Auto Observer]

Report: Saab 9-5 sales will start in U.S. in the second quarter originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab 9-5 and 9-4X in low-volume production?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Saab

Saab 9-4X Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The question of whether General Motors will go ahead and sell Saab to Spyker seems no closer to getting a real-life answer today after newly self-appointed GM CEO Ed Whitacre held a press conference without naming a new owner for the troubled Swedish automaker. Perhaps then, reports of Saab's production numbers offer a renewed glimmer of hope for Saabophiles the world over?

According to Automotive News and its DealerTrack report for the week of January 23rd, in addition to a small number of 2010 9-5 sedans, Saab produced 49 new 9-4X crossovers last week, bringing the total number of completed units to 147. Wait a second, when did GM ever officially announce the start of 9-4X CUVs?

Answer: It didn't. As such, we're guessing that these are preproduction models and pilots destined for crash testing and whatnot (according to GM Inside News, that status has been confirmed), but it still may portend interesting things to come from the Saab brand moving forward.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Saab 9-4X Concept live reveal

[Source: Automotive News via GM Inside News]

Saab 9-5 and 9-4X in low-volume production? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Spyker would preserve Saab product plans, could sell own supercars in select dealers

Chris Paukert — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Concept Cars, GM, Saab, Spyker

2006 Saab Aero-X Concept - click above for high-res gallery

In a far-reaching interview with AOL Autos this morning, Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller revealed some interesting tidbits about his company's plan for Saab if they can successfully negotiate for its purchase from parent company General Motors.

In a product plan that sounds distinctly like those previously floated by Saab executives in Sweden, the Dutch supercar builder would have Saab rebuild its brand around the 9-3, new-for-2010 9-5, and the 9-4X crossover. An entry-level 9-1 model would not be a consideration, although Muller admits he'd still love to build a production version of 2006's celebrated Aero X concept (shown above). If Saab were to go that route, Spyker's experience in building low-volume supercars would clearly be an asset in bringing it to market.

In news that will surely be welcomed by Saab dealers and customers, Muller says Spyker has decided it would not pursue plans to winnow Saab's U.S. dealer network from 218 showrooms to 137. In fact, the Dutch businessman suggests that it would be reasonable to expect Spyker to sell its own cars within Saab showrooms in the future (they are presently distributed through Bentley and Lamborghini outlets). Down the road, Spyker's supercars could benefit from Saab's all-wheel drive expertise, among other things.

Naturally, all of this future product discussion will be moot if Spyker and its investors can't get GM to hand over the keys to the perennially embattled brand. A newly extended deadline for sales negotiations to be completed was set by GM on Wednesday, and we should know not long after January 7 what fate awaits the brand.

Gallery: Saab Aero-X Concept

[Source: AOL Autos]

Report: Spyker would preserve Saab product plans, could sell own supercars in select dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM sees no buyers for Saab

Chris Shunk — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: GM, Saab

General Motors' precarious cash position and a dire automotive market means that some blood-letting will occur to some of GM's brands. The General has mentioned that Saab and HUMMER are up for strategic review, which Maximum Bob Lutz told Automotive News was "code for we realize they're not working and something needs to be done." Many are expecting GM to sell Saab, but unfortunately you need a seller and a buyer to strike an accord. And sources are telling AN that the General doesn't have the latter.

Tight credit markets could be part of the problem, and any would-be buyers that have ample cash on hand are likely to be hesitant to part with it. That's especially true when considering the fact that Saab's sales declined at nearly twice the US industry decline in 2008, with only 21,000 units sold. The Swedish government may make it a little easier to keep Saab after it offered up $3.1 billion in loans to aid its industry (including Volvo). GM likely needs as much short-term cash as possible right about now, but the fact remains that the Swedish brand hasn't brought much success in the past 20 years, and the near-term prospects don't look very good, either.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

GM sees no buyers for Saab originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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