Our spy shooters go wherever the target is, including it seems the higher security areas of Europe’s airports. Posing in front of some serious-looking barbed wire fencing, these images are the most revealing yet of the Saab’s ground-up new small sport utility, the 9-4X.
Though the SUV may share a platform with its Cadillac BRX cousin, we’re told that the 9-4X will be much more of a Saab directed product, unlike the badge-engineered 9-7X and 9-2X that came before it. The car’s design is a product of teams in both Germany and Sweden, and already shows a nicely aggressive stance with huge wheels pushed out to each corner. Cues from Saab’s Aero X can also be spotted in the glasshouse and front fascia of the mule seen here.
There’s a good chance that the uncovered 9-4X could show up for the Detroit Auto Show in 2009, and based on what we’re seeing here, we’ll be first in line for the reveal. Take a look at our gallery of images above or scroll down to read the photographer’s own words.
Here are the best and most revealing spy photos of the new smaller SUV from SAAB, the 9-4 X.
The 9-4 X will symbolize “the new SAAB”, and will be loaded with all that new SAAB-DNA design and technology. Instead of those “wanna be” SAABs like the 9-2X and the 9-7X, the 9-4X is developed from the start to be a SAAB.
The design is developed by the SAAB designers in Rüsselsheim/ Germany together with a smaller design group in Trollhättan/ Sweden, but it will still share some technical parts with its GM-family members like the Cadillac BRX.
The new 9-4X will be a sporty looking SUV with a lot of the Aero X look in the front, low side windows and short overhangs.
Rumours are saying that some dealers in the US already have seen the finished car and they were very excited over it. Expect the engines to be both petrol and diesel as well as E85. Maybe we even can expect a mild-hybrid.
When will it be official? Well our guess is in Detroit early 2009.