| Update 2008-01-09: Saab released first pictures of the Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept
Again an embargo break, this time the Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept falls victim to the ever-more cut-throat automotive industry. The Dutch AutoTelegraaf have either found these (low res) images on the net or have themselves broken the embargo.
The 9-4X BioPower concept looks production ready, and the newspaper claims that the Saab 9-4X BioPower will go into production this year at GM's plant in Mexico and should go on sale in the USA not much later, Europe will follow in the following months.
The 9-4X will have four-wheel-drive (hence the X) and the concept is powered by a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder turbocharged engine producing 245 hp and 353 Nm torque. If the engine is fueled with E85 Ethanol power increases to 300 hp and 400 Nm torque. The 4WD uses a central placed differential which directs drive power to the front and rear axles, the rear axle also has an intelligent rear-differential to spread power to which ever wheel needs it most.
Update 2007-09-20: New spy pictures of the Saab 9-4x. Saab will present the new 9-4x at the Detroit motor show in january 2008.
TROLLHATTAN, Sweden — Saab is working on a new, smaller SUV-wagon instead of the Subaru Tribeca-based 9-6X crossover, which was canceled in the wake of General Motors' pullout from a Subaru alliance.
The new crossover will be called Saab 9-4X, and it will be positioned between the Saab 9-3 and Saab 9-5 models, according to the U.K. Web site 4Car. The Saab 9-4X is to be based on the Theta platform, along with the Cadillac BRX sport-utility, and both likely will be built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.
The Saab 9-4X will be sold worldwide, but Saab thinks it will be most appealing to European buyers. The large, seven-seat Saab 9-6X would've been pitched to the U.S. market, and Saab will continue to offer the Chevrolet-based 9-7X sport-utility to satisfy U.S. demand for a big off-roader.
The Saab 9-4X may make a swift debut as a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show next March. Jan-Ake Jonsson, Saab managing director, hinted that Saab will show another concept vehicle in Geneva, possibly the "new Saab Sonett," a long-rumored roadster based on the same running gear as the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters.
GM is still in the process of selling its minority stake in Subaru, less than half of which was bought by Toyota.
Pictures courtesy: Av: Hans Hedberg Illustrationer: Larson/Delusi/Fox Syndication via: http://www.teknikensvarld.se/.......
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