Saab 9-4X
Encyclopedia
The Saab 9-4X is a mid-size crossover SUV introduced by Swedish automaker Saab Automobile
at the LA Auto Show
2010. It is based on the all-wheel drive GM Theta Premium platform. The 9-4X will begin production in 2011 and is scheduled to be built at Ramos Arizpe
, Mexico
. The main challenge, according to Svante Kinell at the marketing department at Saab, is to find the right Diesel engine
s for the Europe
an market. As a result, the vehicle is V6-only.
The focus of the 9-4X took shape once the Saab 9-6X project was cancelled, after the divestment by General Motors
of its holding in Subaru
. The 9-4X replaces the larger U.S.
built Saab 9-7X
SUV, production of which ceased in December 2008. The 9-4X concept made its debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show
.
The Saab 9-4x crossover has entered production at General Motors’ Ramos Arizpe, Mexico plant. Per the report, 147 examples of the 9-4x were produced, 49 of which occurred the week of January 23, 2010.
The car was released at the 2010 LA Auto Show
as a 2011 model year vehicle. The production car is almost identical to the concept on the exterior and similar to the second generation Saab 9-5
on the inside. The car began selling as a 2011 model year vehicle in June in the US and in August elsewhere.
In November 2011 GM announced plans to cease production of the vehicle as Saab moved to Chinese ownership. Further production of the 9-4X by the Chinese is in doubt, as is the Saab brand itself.
Saab Automobile
Saab Automobile AB, better known as Saab , is a Swedish car manufacturer owned by Dutch automobile manufacturer Swedish Automobile NV, formerly Spyker Cars NV. It is the exclusive automobile Royal Warrant holder as appointed by the King of Sweden...
at the LA Auto Show
LA Auto Show
The LA Auto Show is an annual auto show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in late November/early December. The LA Auto Show is an OICA sanctioned international exhibition and also endorsed by the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association...
2010. It is based on the all-wheel drive GM Theta Premium platform. The 9-4X will begin production in 2011 and is scheduled to be built at Ramos Arizpe
Ramos Arizpe
Ramos Arizpe is a city and seat of the surrounding municipality of the same name in the Mexican state of Coahuila. Ramos Arizpe is located 11 km from the state capital of Saltillo. It is part of the Saltillo metropolitan area. The city reported a population of 48,228 in the 2005 census; the...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The main challenge, according to Svante Kinell at the marketing department at Saab, is to find the right Diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s for the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an market. As a result, the vehicle is V6-only.
The focus of the 9-4X took shape once the Saab 9-6X project was cancelled, after the divestment by General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
of its holding in Subaru
Subaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
. The 9-4X replaces the larger U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
built Saab 9-7X
Saab 9-7X
The Saab 9-7X was a Saab-branded mid-size sport utility vehicle based on General Motors' GMT360 platform, which also included the GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Oldsmobile Bravada, Isuzu Ascender, and Chevrolet TrailBlazer The Saab 9-7X was a Saab-branded mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) based on...
SUV, production of which ceased in December 2008. The 9-4X concept made its debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
.
The Saab 9-4x crossover has entered production at General Motors’ Ramos Arizpe, Mexico plant. Per the report, 147 examples of the 9-4x were produced, 49 of which occurred the week of January 23, 2010.
The car was released at the 2010 LA Auto Show
LA Auto Show
The LA Auto Show is an annual auto show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in late November/early December. The LA Auto Show is an OICA sanctioned international exhibition and also endorsed by the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association...
as a 2011 model year vehicle. The production car is almost identical to the concept on the exterior and similar to the second generation Saab 9-5
Saab 9-5
The Saab 9-5 is an executive car produced by the Swedish automobile maker Saab. The first generation was introduced in 1997 as the replacement to the Saab 9000 for the 1998 model year. At the time, the car represented a great leap forward for Saab...
on the inside. The car began selling as a 2011 model year vehicle in June in the US and in August elsewhere.
In November 2011 GM announced plans to cease production of the vehicle as Saab moved to Chinese ownership. Further production of the 9-4X by the Chinese is in doubt, as is the Saab brand itself.