As part of its aggressive product development programme, Saab unveiled the new 9-7X SUV at the New York Auto Show. Expanding its model range to four vehicle lines, Saab – the fastest growing European premium car brand in the American market – is now targeting one of the fastest growing market segments. The American mid-luxury SUV segment increased from around 50,000 units in 1997, to 290,000 in 2003. By the end of 2004, US sales in this sector are forecast to exceed 400,000 units.

As part of its product offensive, Saab has launched the new 9-3 Sport Saloon and 9-3 Convertible models in the last 18 months. In December 2003 the company revealed the Saab 9-2X, an early offering in the emerging American small premium car sector, with sales in US and Canada only due to commence on 1 July 2004.

The Saab 9-7X will bring unique Saab characteristics to the growing US SUV segment, including exterior and interior styling by Saab's Design Director, Michael Mauer, and his Swedish-based team, premium quality and design features, and a chassis tuned to deliver sporty and fun-to-drive performance. The 9-7X will appeal to buyers looking for a driver's vehicle, with the versatility of a SUV. The 9-7X is developed from GM's award-winning GMT360 architecture. Production is scheduled to begin in January 2005, at GM's Moraine, Ohio, plant.

"The Saab 9-7X emphasizes the 'sport' aspect of the Sport Utility Vehicle nomenclature," says Peter Augustsson, Saab's President and CEO. "It is a very dynamic vehicle that you want to drive."

Research conducted by Saab revealed that 39 percent of Saab owners in the USA also have an SUV in the household. Furthermore, almost 30 percent of American Saab customers who leave the Saab brand go on to purchase an SUV.

The 9-7X is designed to satisfy existing Saab owners, and attract new buyers to the marque. The Saab 9-7X will be positioned in the $37,000 to $45,000 (£23,200-£28,200) price bracket. The high-performance 5.3-litre V8, delivering around 300 bhp, is destined to be an attractive offer among mid-luxury SUVs. Product content will be comprehensive, including standard leather upholstery, 18" alloy wheels, all-wheel-drive and a state-of-the-art audio system.

The Design: Saab distinction at a glance

"The exterior and interior design of the 9-7X reflect the vehicle's dynamic road behaviour, and convey the sporty feel of a Saab, rather than the ruggedness of a traditional SUV," comments Michael Mauer. "For example, the interior features such Saab icons at the air vents with their distinctive sliding plate design, the famed Saab cup holder, and our traditional central ignition in the centre console."

The 9-7X reflects Saab's sporty and functional brand character throughout its design. Key exterior features, such as Saab's signature three-port grille, rear quarter windows that visually appear to wrap around the D-pillars, and brand-distinctive wheels, telegraph the 9-7X's heritage, even from a distance. Overall, the 9-7X presents a very smooth, aerodynamic, sporty appearance, with an excellent body-to-tyre relationship, derived from the car's low stance, in combination with its standard 18" wheels.

The 9-7X's profile is clean and uninterrupted, without the usual SUV big bumper offsets or protruding shapes and forms. The tail lamps are vertically stacked with clear acrylic lenses, reflector optics and precision-detailed bezels combining to create a three-dimensional, jewel-like effect.

The new Saab's cockpit is highly refined and driver-orientated. The instrument panel's centre stack and controls are angled toward the driver. Like the exterior, the 9-7X features Saab-traditional strong, distinctive design cues.

Performance: Sporty and driver focused

Like all Saabs, the 9-7X is designed to be a driver's car. To help achieve its comfortable, well-controlled ride and responsive handling, the Saab 9-7X uses a uniquely tuned double A-arm front suspension with front coil springs and a five-link, electronically controlled rear air suspension.

The car has been developed to deliver responsive driving characteristics and a low ride height with firm front and rear suspensions, a thick-gauge front stabiliser bar, and stiff upper control arm bushings at the rear. Dunlop has specially developed the P255/55R18 high performance all-season tyres for their road-gripping capability. A quick 18.5:1 steering gear ratio, together with stiff mounts, is designed to assist steering responsiveness and precision. The steering itself is tuned for on-centre feel and smooth operation. The front part of the frame is stiffened with braces to help make the steering more responsive and precise.

The Saab 9-7X features standard, on-demand, all-wheel-drive. Traction and handling performance are further enhanced by a standard preload-clutch limited-slip differential at the rear. Brakes are large, four-wheel vented discs, with front aluminium dual piston callipers and four-wheel ABS.

There is a choice of two all-aluminium engines, coupled to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. The 4.2-litre in-line 6 delivers 275 bhp (205 kW) and 275 lb.ft. (372 Nm) of torque. The 5.3-litre V8 is rated at an estimated 300 bhp (224 kW) and 330 lb.ft. (447 Nm) of torque. This V8 is derived from GM's new Gen IV Vortec engine, but is distinguished from other Vortec units by its cast-aluminium engine block. It has pressed-in iron cylinder liners, similar to the LS6 alloy Corvette V8 unit, and fully dressed, weights 100 pounds less than a comparable iron-block V8. The 9-7X V8 is also equipped with high-flow, cast alloy cylinder heads common with the famous LS6 Corvette engine.

"The 9-7X is an excellent example of Saab's expertise applied to achieve sporty, driver focused performance," says Kjell-Ake Eriksson, Saab Executive Director for Future Products. "Although it offers excellent versatility, it is still a delight to drive, with minimal body roll and a firm but subtle, quiet ride."

On top of its well-mannered dynamics, the Saab 9-7X features a comprehensive standard safety package, including:
Dual-stage frontal airbags
Passenger sensing system
Rollover sensing system
Head curtain side airbags
Front seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters
Front seat belt reminder

Versatility: Plenty of room for people and their luggage

Saab 9-7X buyers are likely to pursue an outgoing and active lifestyle. With a wheelbase of 113 inches (2,870 mm) and an overall length of 193.4 inches (4,912 mm), the 9-7X offers ample space. It holds up to 41.0 cubic feet (1,161 litres) of cargo room with the rear seatback up, and 80.1 cubic feet (2,268 litres) with the seat folded. A 60/40 split rear seat is standard, as is a tow bar receiver and cover. Maximum towing capacity is an estimated 6,500 lb (2,948 kg).

Peter Augustsson concludes, "The 9-7X is a crucial addition to Saab's North American product offering, providing buyers with Saab's driver-focused interpretation of an SUV, and filling an important need in our growth strategy."

The Car Enthusiast comment

At present there are no plans to bring the Saab 9-7X to the UK. We believe the market is here for it, but perhaps not enough to justify the cost of conversion to right-hand drive. Time will tell. It looks like the 9-7X could give the new Land Rover Discovery a run for its money in the States though.

Saab news release - 8 Apr 2004