New car news

25 February 2009 - 16:00

X box

Told you it was the season for jacked-up, plastic-bumpered pseudo offroaders. Last week we saw the Audi A4 Allroad, and today brings the Saab 9-3X.

It has a two-litre petrol engine putting out 154kW, and a four-wheel drive system (which makes it only the second Saab to ever get all-wheel drive – the 9-3 XWD wagon was the first, unbelievably).

Predictably, the 9-3X gets a lovely set of wipe-clean plastic bumpers and wheelarches, along with a shiny new skid pan. Saab has raised the ride height by a heady 3.5 centimetres, too. Vertigo is a very real risk.

“The 9-3X is an efficient all-rounder for anyone who doesn't want or need an SUV- type vehicle,” says Saab designer Simon Padian. “Simply put, we are offering a trekking shoe that will do what's required in more comfort and style than a heavier mountaineering boot.”

The 9-3X goes on sale this summer, but if you can’t wait that long, we’ll see it in the metal in Geneva next week.