Officially Official: 2012 Saab 9-4X makes its digital debut ahead of LA Show

Much like the 2010 9-5 sedan, the fate of Saab’s 9-4X crossover hung in limbo during General Motors’ sale of the Scandinavian automaker. Now that Saab is safely under the umbrella of Spyker Cars, the new 9-5 is trickling out on the road and we’ve just received the full host of images and data detailing the production-spec 9-4X, set to be publicly revealed at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

While the 9-4X’s styling is clearly the evolution of Saab’s Aero X concept, the Cadillac SRX provides much of the crossover’s groundwork – this vehicle was wholly developed during the GM era, after all. This means that both the Caddy’s 3.0-liter V6 (265 horsepower) and turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 (300 horsepower) are on hand in the 9-4X, mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. The base engine can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive, while the turbo engine is solely offered with Saab’s torque-vectoring XWD all-wheel-drive system. Saab has also fitted its DriveSense adaptive chassis system to Aero models, which offers three different drive setups: Comfort, Sport and Eco.

Saab 9-3 Sedan & Estate: Official?

We’re pretty sure that you too have had about enough with theSaab 9-3 leaks the past few months, so let’s just skip the blah-blah and get straight to the story. These allegedly official teasers CGI’s (computer generated images) were sent this morning to the mailboxes of several “John Doe’s”. Coincidently, some of those “John Doe’s” were members of Saab forums (Saabscene & Trollhattansaab) –need we say more? While one should be cautious about their authenticity, there shouldn’t be a doubt on whether Saab would actually send CGI’s instead of real images; let us remind you that the Swedes did the same with the Aero X Concept last year. We’ll know for sure next week when Saab officially releases the 9-3 facelift press kit. 

Saab 9-4X Compact SUV Renderings

Our little chit-chat with a Saab PR last week wasn’t only about the facelifted 9-3 that’s coming this fall with a new AWD version fitted with a 290Hp 2.8 V6 Turbo engine, as we also learned that Saab will debut its first-ever compact SUV, the 9-4X

Although not officialy confirmed, it’s rumored that Saab’s 9-4X will be based on the next-gen Opel Vectra / Saab 9-3 / Cadillac BLX platform. Talking about Cadillac, the American car-maker will also produce their versions of the Saab 9-4X, both of whom will compete against the likes of BMW’s X3 and the upcoming Mercedes MLK, Volvo XC60 & Audi Q5 SUV’s. Back to Saab, GM’s Swedish-arm will probably tease us with a prototype version of the 9-4X in the upcoming months but until then; check out a bunch of computer-generated renderings from the swedish mag, Teknikens Varld

Used Saab Prices Drop in the UK, but Experts Say it Won't Last Long

It’s only logical that consumers either turn away or are more cautious price-wise when it comes to buying a used car from a brand that has an unsure future like Saab. And while many people are patiently waiting to see what’s going to happen with the Swedish carmaker, “Used Car Expert Magazine” says that used Saab prices in the UK have been falling for the past 18 months.

As an example, the magazine says that the average price for a two-year-old Saab 9-3 2.0t has dropped from close to £14,000 in the January ’09 to just over £11,000 in January ’10.

“The Saab brand has long been under-supported by GM in the UK and dealers have been discounting stock to get rid of it – most notably Stratstone who have been advertising a half million pound Saab stock clearance,” said the magazine’s Editor, Matt Tumbridge.

However, Tumbridge believes that the price drop is only temporary and that used Saabs will go up again.

“Prices won’t be soft forever, even if they close it down. Rovers, which are nowhere near as good, are now very firm in terms of used car residuals. Saab have a following, are close to BMW in terms of style, performance, comfort. It’s lunacy that prices have been so soft so long and as soon as Saab’s future is clear, prices will firm up. Now is the time to buy,” Tumbridge said.

According to the magazine, a 2008 Saab 9-3 2.0t with average mileage of 12,000 can be yours for £11,000 – £14,000 (more than £10,000 down from a new one) while 2006 year model with 40,000 average miles can be had in the UK from as low as £7,000.

In comparison, the magazine says that a £7,000 budget will only buy you a 2003 3-Series at best. For a 2006 BMW 320i ES (2.0-liter, four cylinder model with 150HP) with average mileage of 29,000, prices are said to start from around £11,500 but the magazine claims that £14,000 is a more realistic price.

Source: Used Car Expert – Today’s exchange rate: 1 British Pound = 1.62 USD

Saab Enthusiast Launches "I Won't Buy From GM" Campaign to Deter GM from Shutting Down the Brand

While not large in absolute numbers, Saab followers are a truly feisty bunch that will do anything to see their beloved brand surviving to see another day. And even though some may not always agree with their positions, if anything else, they do deserve our respect for their tireless efforts to save Saab.

Today we discovered that Steve Wade, a fellow Aussie from Tasmania that runs the Saabsunited enthusiasts’ website, has launched a new campaign to put some pressure on General Motors to sell the brand at any cost by keeping the Detroit automaker on the media spotlight.

The site is called “I won’t buy from GM” and according to Steve, the purpose of the campaign is “for people to declare to GM that if Saab is closed down, rather than sold, then those people signed up will not consider the purchase of another GM vehicle in the future.”

Steve rightfully -in our opinion- notes that, while GM couldn’t care less about a few thousand Saab fanatics not buying its cars, the Detroit automaker may be concerned about the media backlash if the word spreads around.

Whether or not this move will actually have any effect on GM’s decision, is another story.

Since the site was launched on Christmas eve, more than 2,130 people have answered to the call.

Link: iwontbuyfromgm

2011 Saab 9-5 SportCombi: Estate Version Pictured Undisguised?

The boffins over at the Swedish news site ‘Aftonbladet’ have posted this photo of the estate version of the new Saab 9-5 without any camouflage whatsoever. We’re not entirely sure if it’s the real deal or not as while the shades and lights on the body suggest it’s a static picture, the alloy wheels appear to have been shot on the move. We don’t know.

But with Saab’s future on hold for now, it may not matter as unless GM closes a deal with a potential buyer for its Swedish unit, chances are that neither the new 9-5 sedan nor its estate sibling will ever see the light of production.

Source: Aftonbladet