New car news

19 October 2010 - 10:00

Saab unveils new 9-4X crossover

As jobs go, this car has quite a big one. It's the new Saab 9-4X, and it has to make Saab a lot of money. And where do you go to make a lot of money? America!

Saab, now owned by Spyker, confirmed to TopGear.com that this new 9-4X is pitched 'predominantly' for the petrol-hungry shores of the US, sharing its platform with sister car the Cadillac SRX. Both are built at the company's Mexican plant.

See more pics of the 9-4X

This means the funky crossover SUV will get a limited appeal for our small island as Saab has not confirmed any plans for a diesel model.

It gets just one engine, a 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with 225kW, good for a 0-100 time of 8.3 seconds, mated to a six-speed auto box and Saab's all-wheel-drive system. There's an electronic limited-slip diff and a trio of chassis settings, including 'Intelligent', 'Comfort' and 'Sport'.

As with any Saab you will ever buy everything is influenced by aeroplanes, so the cabin is 'cockpit-inspired', the windscreen is 'wraparound', and you even get an aircraft-style speed readout.

There's a reversing camera, a Bose 5.1 surround sound audio system, keyless entry/exit and rear screens for the passengers. You even ride on 20s.

The 9-4X will debut at next month's LA motor show and hit the good ol' US of A in May 2011, which is good because America is opening its eyes to the idea of crossover SUVs. It will come to Auastralia late next year, but will you want one?