The Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept
More about GM’s biofuels partnership with Coskata, on the FYI blog
By Jan √Öke Jonsson
Managing Director, Saab Automobile
Saab is on the move.
I hope with what you have seen today that you agree.
Sixteen Swedish aircraft engineers showed the world their remarkable innovative spirit when they introduced its first automobile concept more than 60 years ago, now know as the Ur Saab.
That same innovative spirit endured when Saab introduced the industry's first turbo-charged engine for regular cars 30 years ago.
And here we are today at the North American International Auto Show proudly showing our innovative Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept. Our ambition as you may know has always been to expand our global portfolio and, although realizing we're not the first, I believe the timing is right to share with you our vision of what a premium Swedish Saab Crossover could look like.
A little less than two years ago the Saab Aero X Concept Car surprised car enthusiasts around the world and showed more than words could say where we wanted to take this unique Scandinavian brand. It is therefore not a coincidence that the 9-4X Biopower Concept shares a lot of the Aero X design language that so many of you have come to appreciate. It's neither a surprise given today's discussion on climate change that this concept vehicle features our unique BioPower concept making it capable of running on E85 while at the same time delivering more power. Typical Saab, I would say. And it's not without success; The Saab BioPower range has made us the No. 1 selling brand of E85 flex-fuel cars in Europe.
Of course this business is all about people. Anthony Lo (who led the design team for the Aero X) brought together a group of designers and engineers and worked with the Saab Brand Center team in Sweden to develop this crossover. I hope you, like me, are excited about the result, which clearly expresses our Scandinavian values and DNA. A concept that we believe will resonate with our potential customers.
So what makes it Scandinavian? What sets it apart from other vehicles? It's the simplicity of form, with clean and uncluttered lines and a characteristic 'ice-block' surface and lighting themes. The progressive interior design elements also draw inspiration from Saab's Aero X concept.
But we stretched a bit further and hosted "guest" designers on this vehicle. The innovative load-carrying solutions, including a unique ski equipment stowage system, was developed in co-operation with mountain sports specialists Salomon. I can tell you this comes in quit handy in my country that for a large part of the year is covered with snow…
Efficient use of our resources and respect for our nature are deeply rooted in the Swedish culture. For 30 years Saab has been seeking out the highest levels of performance from smaller, more efficient engines without sacrificing power. It's part of our thinking as Swedes and this leadership position now gives us a huge competitive advantage as many of our competitors currently are looking for ways to 'right-size' their engines.
The 9-4X BioPower Concept has a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter BioPower turbo engine that delivers an exceptional level of power efficiency - 300 hp and strong torque of 400 Nm (295 ft.lbs.). In combination with our state-of-the-art Saab XWD ('cross wheel drive') system that is developed in Sweden, this advanced powertrain promises to make driving to your destination as enjoyable as the impending adventure itself. And you can do that with a clean conscious…
The 9-4X BioPower Concept is a first and important signal of our ambition to expand our product range. But it's more than that. It shows where we want to take our brand. And we'll take it beyond many people's imagination. Expect a lot more from us. Perhaps even sooner than you might think….
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Jan √Öke Jonsson,
I just had to visit the Saab Car Museum in Trollhättan during my holidays last August! Not only did I fall in love with your beautiful country and the beautiful Västra Götaland Region, but I got to see the whole history of my favourite brand under one roof!
I wish the Saab brand the very best as its product portfolio develops. Hopefully the World will see the rumoured 9-1 concept in London, and the new 9-5 later in the year.
‘Tack s√• mycket’ for all your work in keeping Saab alive and well.
Regards,
Pedro
SAAB seems to be surviving, though it is clearly drifting away from it’s core buyers with products such as the SUV’s and the SAABaru 9-2x. It seems to have also been demoted from a company to merely a brand. What’s up with that?
A lot of people like me are truly in love with Saab, the idea, ideals, and individuality. Even the name Saab conjures images of Scandinavian villages, fjords, and yes of course skiing. But to do it all without the crossover package was just too much to ask.
Trust me the Crossover and Saab is a marriage made in heaven. You will be dead on to connect the Saab brand to the crossover and to skiing. Like Saab, skiing is the type of pass time that truly does spark our imaginations now, finally we have the type of vehicle from Saab worthy to get us there.
On anyone’s next trip to Aspen, tell them, don’t even think about showing up in anything else but the Saab 9-4X.
Now lets get Pontiac a sports car.
Didn’t the Corvair have a turbocharger option more than 40 years ago?
Jan, I like the look of the 9-4X and it is the right size Cross-over for my needs and I will give one a test drive and consideration when they are available.
Great job on the engine 300 HP and MUCH MORE IMPRESSIVE is the 295 lb-ft of TORQUE from 2.0L!!!! Proves what I have been posting here – when engines are “optimized” for E-85’s higher octane engine power will go up dramatically resulting in higher MPG without giving up performance.
AND for optimal MPG a smaller 1.6-1.8L engine can be used (all things being equal a 1.6L version would max at 240 HP with up to 25% better MPG). Even if the numbers don’t work out that well (as it does sometimes in the real world) the 1.6L would still be enough for most drivers.
Can’t wait to see it one the road – now if we can get more E-85 pumps….
GM is really the “American” innovator at this point.
saab wasn’t the first with a regular production turbo. that would be buick/oldsmobile in the early 60’s with the all-aluminum 215 cubic-inch V-8. then buick again in 1978 with the turbo coupes (regal, century and lesabre). you would think for being part of GM you would know this stuff..but then again you would need to be a car guy and not a marketing exec!
The turbo comment is refering to regular road cars and in constant production every year since. Olds only turbo’ed cars for a shot time, same with Corvairs. SAAB has had available a turbo option every year since 1977. The rightsizing is a great term. It makes a 4cyl turbo feel like a small v-8 or a v-6!
GM has been in the turbo business for longer than SAAB overall. From the 50’s on up GM has had turbos or superchargers on a variety of GM makes from GM Truck and Bus to the Buick Regal. Just the 3800 series motor itself (roots in ‘61, I believe) has spawned more turbo and supercharged variants over its’ 45+ year run than SAAB in their whole history.
Guess the talking heads at GM don’t know the history of GM anymore.
Previous to Saab, turbocharged models were one-offs that weren’t reliable or very useful, or manufactured in large numbers.
Saab did not invent turbocharging. They did invent the method of making turbocharging reliable enough for mass production, then they mass produced it in huge numbers and brought it to the forefront of consumer attention. Saab has continually done this for nearly 30 years.
GM knows its own history just fine Mr. 3800.
I visited Detroits Saab 9-4x display and was underwhelmed by the floor presentation.
Maybe it was the colour or the lighting , but the 9-4x concept didn’t look all that attractive or special.
I was also surprised at how few visitors were admiring it. Show goers seemed to like the look of a nearby 9-7x Aero more. The 9-7x Aero had an appealing heavily metallic black finish looked much better under the auto show lighting. The 9-7x Aero also received noticeable positive comment from show goers. Despite my general dislike for BMW, even the somewhat weird X6 looks sharper than the 9-4x. Ironically its avant garde styling is closer to the Aero X than the 9-4x is.
I hope the 9-4x gets the attention it deserves between now and the official on sale date. I hope it translates as more attractive on the street and in the dealerships than it does in concept form.
Here we go again, as if we needed another Hummer…H3T Truck. We seem to want to spend money challenging ourselves. What a waste, we do not make money on low volume vehicles, lets put it where it counts, Toyota does!!
Response to Chris R: Au contraire, mon ami! Case in point: the 2006 Aero X Concept Car drew a line in the sand and set the standard for future Saab design/product. Example 1, the new 2008 Saab 9-3. I’m not going to regurgitate the press release, but just look at the two, side-by-side, and you’ll see many similar characteristics. Example 2, the 2008 9-4X BioPower Concept. Again, taking cues from the Aero X it’s a solid indication of where Saab will go when it enters the growing entry-luxury crossover segment. Examples 3 and 4 … can’t share that with you now, but keep an eye out and you’ll see soon enough.
I for one love the 9-4X. The style and fit of the vehicle is what I’m looking for. I had an Infiniti FX and really liked it. This is not so radical in appearance but the shape and flow of the vehicle gives it motion even when sitting still. That’s the sign of good design. I was at the Detroit show and thought the lighting was good for the 9-4X. I was disappointed that I couldn’t get any information on the vehicle since I was there during Industry Days. Odd since everyone there was “car” people. Anyway, as soon as I get word that this vehicle will be built, I’m getting my order in.