Alastair's BLE 2 Blog: LA 2010: Saab 9-4X is another glimpse of good fortune for Trollh�ttan [w/video]

2010年11月19日金曜日

LA 2010: Saab 9-4X is another glimpse of good fortune for Trollh�ttan [w/video]

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Saab, Luxury

LA 2010: 2012 Saab 9-4X - Click above for high-res image gallery

Saab is looking to move forward after its long relationship with General Motors. Saab CEO Victor Muller quoted Winston Churchill today at the LA Auto Show saying "If you're going through hell... keep going." Muller says that Saab has gone through hell and is seeing the light on the other side. The 2012 Saab 9-4X is the latest taste of what Saab now has in store for us.

The 9-4X takes aim at the luxury crossover segment and is prepared to do battle withs some heavies, such as the Audi Q5, Lexus RX and BMW X3. The Cadillac SRX platform-mate arrives chock full of upmarket goodness like eight-way power adjustable seats, Bluetooth connectivity and a tri-zone climate control system; all part of the standard features list.

The exterior styling stays true to what we see with the Saab 9-5 sedan, and clearly states that the vehicle comes from a line of sporty cars. To match this style, the under-hood offerings come in two spirited flavors: a naturally-aspirated 265-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 and a direct-injection, turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 that pumps out 300 hp. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox that feeds all four wheels through Saab's XWD system.

It wasn't just the 9-4X on the menu at the 2010 LA Auto Show. We learned that the 9-5 wagon is set to make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next March, Saab is expanding distribution into China and Russia and all operations have officially been moved to Trollhättan. It's also the first time in Saab's history that the 9-3 convertible has been built on Swedish ground.

Hop the jump to find out more about the 2012 Saab 9-4X including a chance to watch the model's first commercial, and stay tuned for more from this now-independent Swedish automaker in the near future.

Gallery: LA 2010: 2012 Saab 9-4X