The Saab 9-4X will arrive by 2010

There has been much news about Saab in recent weeks, most of it economic news about Saab’s new owners and about what they hope to do with the Swedish company. Given the complicated financial situation, there were fears that some launches, such as the Saab 9-4X, would be delayed.

But according to GM’s chief executive, Steve Shannon, the Saab 9-4X will arrive next year and go on sale in 2011. Saab’s new crossover will share elements with the Cadillac SRX and will try to improve on the sales the Saab 9-7X had in the USA, which were not very good.

The 9-4X will be similar in size to the BMW X5 and its prices will be closer to the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60, two of its future rivals. As for the engine range, it is expected to feature a 284 hp V6 petrol engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. For Europe there will also be a turbodiesel engine producing around 250 CV.

According to Motor Authority, Saab could present the 9-4X before the new and very important Saab 9-5, with the Saab 9-3X following later. Saab is staking its future on these new models: alongside the important new generation of the Saab 9-5, having a luxury SUV on a par with the Volvo XC60 or BMW X3 is vital for a brand that considers itself premium. Either way, we will have to see what the final result of the 9-4X is.

Via | Motor Authority