This close association and GM’s precarious financial state had many worried that the 9-4X could be delayed, but according to GM's executive director of product and marketing for Cadillac, Hummer and Saab, Steve Shannon, the new model will be launched next year as a 2011 model. Speaking with Automotive News, Shannon explained that the 9-4X will be positioned as the replacement for the poor selling 9-7X.
Shannon also revealed that GM has sent new dealership agreements to owners of Saab's 220 U.S. dealerships. Under the agreement, the dealerships would continue selling vehicles under the new owner, a consortium led by tiny Koenigsegg.
The 9-4X will be similar in size to BMW’s X5 but pricing should be closer to that of the X3 and Volvo XC60 – two of the Saab crossover’s prime targets.
According to previous reports, the 9-4X will run a 284hp (209kW) petrol V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. It will also get 18in alloys shod with 255mm tires and a Haldex-sourced AWD system with an electronic differential. For European markets GM is also expected to offer a turbodiesel unit delivering 250hp (184kW) and 550Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque.
While development work on the 9-4X appears to be almost complete, Saab will be introducing two models before the arrival of the new crossover - the smaller 9-3X crossover and the all-important 2010 9-5.
