This might be the first time you hear about a 9-3X from Saab. It is supposed to also be a glimpse of the production version 9-4x.
The name 9-3X was used for the first time like 7 years ago when the company unveiled a concept with this name. And now is time for the production version.
The 9-3X is a response to an Audi Allroad or a Subaru wagon. It’s raised by approx 30mm, is fitted with Saab’s groundbreaking Cross Wheel Drive (XWD).
The 9-3x is coming in Paris in October and the 9-5 is coming at Geneva in March, so, the only option for the 9-4X is the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
Stay tuned!
There were rumors on the internet saying that GM will move 9-3’s production to GM Europe’s Opel plant in Ruesselsheim, near Frankfurt, Germany, from Saab’s Trollhattan, Sweden, factory. But a General Motors Europe spokesman said today that production of the Saab 9-3 will remain in Sweden.
To compensate for not getting the 9-3, GM Europe will add production of the Saab 9-5 and a compact car at Ruesselsheim. "It is good news that Ruesselsheim will get an extra model, a third shift and that the 9-3 production will remain in Saab’s home country," said GM Europe spokesman Joerg Schrott.
GM Europe has not named the compact car that will be built in Ruesselsheim, but company sources say it will be the Opel Astra lower-medium car.
General Motors announced back in 2005 that the Saab 9-3 will be built in Opel’s plant from Russelsheim, Germany. But now the company announced that the future generation 9-3 will be built on a smaller platform, in order to reduce CO2 emissions, so the production will be moved in a Swedish factory.
The future 9-3 will be smaller and hence based on a smaller platform. This results in a potential shift away from the Vectra platform to GM’s Delta platform. Trollhatten in Sweden (the hometown of Saab) may therefore get back full production of the 9-3 range
The future 9-3 will go on sale in 2011.
Saab unveiled today a new 9-3 special edition, based on the 2.0T version. In addition to its Lynx Yellow paint and a long list of standard equipment, including XM radio and OnStar, this special edition features Aero look items such as 17-inch, five spoke alloy wheels and a subtle, yet effective rear spoiler while the premium audio system will be music to all ears.
On the road, the Convertible delivers all the fun-to-drive qualities of the widely-acclaimed 9-3 Sport Sedan chassis. The all-turbo powertrain line-up is led by a 2.8-liter V6 rated at 255 hp in the Aero model, while the 210 hp 2.0-liter four cylinder shines with great fuel economy.
The 2008 Saab Convertible Yellow Edition has a MSRP of $42,830, including destination charges.
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The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible have earned the 2008 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick Award in the midsize category. This is the fourth consecutive year that the 9-3 Sport Sedan has brought home IIHS top honors, an unique achievement in the luxury segment. For 2007 the 9-3 earned the Top Safety Pick Award, in 2006 the 9-3 earned the Top Safety Pick – Gold Award and received a Double Best Pick crash-test rating for 2005.
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