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Saab 9-7X
The new Saab SUV based off the GMT-360 platform (same as Envoy and company) will make its world debut at the 2004 New York Auto Show in April, 2004, and will go on sale about one year later. Initially, the 9-7X will be produced specifically for the United States and Canadian markets.
It will be very similar to the Rainier, coming in short-wheelbase only and offering the the inline six and 4.2L V8. It will be lowered a bit for a more sporting appearance, and may have an upgraded interior. This is just a stopgap model, plans are already underway for a true new model debuting much later in teh decade. Here's the initial sketch:

P.S.: It will have the shifter on the floor.
It will be very similar to the Rainier, coming in short-wheelbase only and offering the the inline six and 4.2L V8. It will be lowered a bit for a more sporting appearance, and may have an upgraded interior. This is just a stopgap model, plans are already underway for a true new model debuting much later in teh decade. Here's the initial sketch:

P.S.: It will have the shifter on the floor.
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Comments
To me if they are committed to proceeding with this brand slander, then turbocharge the 6 to be unique......
3.6 makes 245 non turbo- engineer a 35 horsepower turbo making 280 horsepower, five more than the 4.2 inline 6.
-A few internal improvements
-Some software changes
-A fuel economy improvement of 13%.
-15% quieter at idle
Hopefully they will have had more time and final approval input on changes with the 9-7X. Otherwise if it is a GM bargain bin Frankestein job they are going to get slaughtered in the press and in forums like this. I hope for the best, as we should be in the market for a car by 2005/6. I think/hope it will be a lesser SRX which is not a bad thing.
The 9-2X really needs an upgraded interior, the 9-3 needs to be as nice on the inside as it is out, with a competnet AWD system and all the new 9-3 bugs fixed. The 9-7X had better be right(interior, ride, features controls, relaibility) or they are going to get slaughtered. I am optimistic though.
M
This car will be a Saab throughout. And it will be a very nice Saab indeed. Infiniti has a big old truck in its line up. If it still sells the I, it still has a warmed over Maxima as well.
There is no reason Saab should be any worse off for mixing pretenders with the real thing.
but the interior has no 'scandinavian appeal' of saab's products. its obviously a japanese design.
no self respecting urban yuppie who wants a european car can go for something so obviously low buck middle market Asian. That ruins a huge part of brand image right there. Its a sport compact car dash for cryin out loud.
no saabs have had boxer engines. boxers are subaru engines. saab fans will notice and care.
people will buy this car for the car itself, not because it has any saab qualities to it.
this is just opening up a marketing channel to sell more WRX's is all it is. The brass may think it will broaden Saab's appeal, but the end result will be to water down the brand till it blends in with the rest of the GM fold. It doens't do anything to strengthen brand image long term. All it does is enable Saab dealers to have a little more revenue in the interim. What is sacrificed is snob appeal. Or as we call it, market position.
Saab would have been better off in the interim to broaden the appeal of the 9-3 even more.
The VERY LEAST they could have done is given the car an interior worthy of Saab design. Something all new. Something reminiscient of contemporary artful design and not your punk teen neighbor's fartcan winged compact car.
05 Uplander = Montana SV6, Terraza, Relay
Now with the TrailBlazer...OMG!!
04 TrailBlazer = Envoy, Rainier, Ascender, Bravada, and now 9-7X!!!!
Why so many forms??
I would LOVE to pop on a new 9-3 lease but i have never leased before and am a bit skittish about it. at the same time every dime you spend on car payments goes down the tubes anyways. you just dont get enough miles leasing.
M
seen it. it looks like the interior of a mid level japanese compact, not a european near lux car.
changing the seat color and adding some 'titanium' face panels doesn't instantly transform the interior into a euro lux car standard.
it might be fine for the fast and furious crowd. its not a saab interior.
Why disparage the WRX as just the F&F crowd. Yes it skews young, because it is a relative bargain price for the performance. I see young professionals driving the wagon everyday here in So. Cal. But I do know of two 40+ that have some of the most tricked out WRX's in Cali - M3 killers.
Again, this not an elegant fix but it is a needed stopgap. This is a great platform of a car regardless.
A DASH MORE IN LINE WITH TRUE SAAB LOOK AND FEEL, AND LEVEL OF MATERIAL QUALITY.
LESS DILUTION OF BRAND.
hey lets take an Mitsubishi Evo and Slap an Audi tag on it.
SAME THING. It won't say AUDI to the folks who want to buy an AUDI.