9-7X, SAAB’s FIRST SUV, BROADENS PORTFOLIO, EXTENDS
REACH INTO GROWING SEGMENT
• Significant extension of Saab model lineup targeting
one of the fastest-growing vehicle segments
• Styling, performance and driving characteristics
create a sporty, fun-to-drive offering in the SUV
segment
• Comprehensive standard equipment including all-wheel
drive, StabiliTrak, side curtain air bags,
leather-appointed seats, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels,
OnStar and XM Satellite Radio
• Two models – 9-7X with award-winning 290-horsepower,
4.2L inline six-cylinder; 9-7X V-8 with 300-horsepower
5.3-liter with fuel-saving Displacement on Demand
technology
As part of an aggressive and unprecedented product
development program, Saab is launching its first SUV,
the new 9-7X. Expanding its model offering to four
vehicle lines, Saab is now targeting one of the
fastest-growing market segments in North America. Sales
in the mid-luxury SUV segment increased from about
50,000 vehicles a year in 1997 to more than 483,000 in
2004. By 2010, the segment is projected to reach
850,000 in annual vehicle sales.
The all-new 9-7X brings unique Saab characteristics to
this growing segment, including sophisticated exterior
and interior styling; premium design features, safety
and quality; a chassis tuned to deliver sporty and
fun-to-drive performance; and the ignition cylinder in
the center console behind the gear lever. As a seamless
fit with the other products in the Saab portfolio, it
will appeal to customers looking for a driver’s vehicle
with the versatility of a SUV. The vehicle will be
built at GM’s Moraine, Ohio assembly plant.
“The 9-7X is a crucial addition to our lineup,
providing customers with Saab’s driver-focused
interpretation of an SUV and filling an important need
in our growth strategy,” said Jan-Åke Jonsson, Saab
Automobile AB managing director. “The Saab 9-7X
emphasizes the ‘sport’ aspect of the sport-utility
vehicle.”
Saab’s market research reveals that 39 percent of Saab
customers in the U.S. currently have a SUV in the
household. Furthermore, almost 30 percent of Saab
customers who leave the Saab brand purchase a four-door
SUV. “The new Saab 9-7X will provide our dealers with a
world-class SUV to satisfy existing Saab customers and
attract new ones,” said Jay Spenchian, Saab USA general
manager. “The 9-7X plays a crucial role in the most
aggressive product expansion in Saab’s 58-year
history.”
The Saab 9-7X comes standard with a newly upgraded
4.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 290
horsepower (217 kw) and 277 lb.-ft. (375 Nm) of
torque;* vehicle stability control; leather-appointed
seats; 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels; side curtain air
bags; all-wheel drive and a six-speaker, 275-watt Bose
sound system with six-disc CD changer; power moonroof,
navigation and rear-seat DVD system. The V-8 model adds
a 5.3L engine with fuel-saving Displacement on Demand
technology; xenon headlamps; headlamp washers and
adjustable pedals.
Refinement at first glance
“The exterior and interior design of the Saab 9-7X are
in line with the vehicle’s dynamic road behavior, and
convey the sporty refinement of a Saab rather than the
ruggedness of a traditional SUV,” said Saab senior
designer Simon Padian. “For example, the interior
features such Saab icons as the air vents with their
distinctive sliding plate design, the famed cup holder
like the Saab 9-5, and a center console ignition key.”
The 9-7X reflects Saab’s sporty and functional brand
character throughout its exterior design. Key features
such as Saab’s signature three-port grille, rear
quarter windows that visually appear to wrap around the
D-pillars and brand-distinctive wheels telegraph the
9-7X’s heritage even from a distance. Overall, the Saab
9-7X presents a very smooth, aerodynamic, sporty
appearance, with an excellent body-to-tire relationship
derived from the vehicle’s low stance in combination
with its standard 18-inch wheels.
The 9-7X’s profile is clean and uninterrupted, without
any big bumper offsets or protruding shapes and forms.
The tail lamps are vertically stacked with clear
acrylic lenses, reflector optics and precision-detailed
bezels combining to create a precision-crafted effect.
The Saab 9-7X’s cockpit-inspired interior features
high-quality materials and finishes. The new instrument
panel’s center stack and controls are angled toward the
driver and feature Saab’s trademark strong,
brand-distinctive design elements and cues.
Performance focuses on the driver
Like all Saabs, the 9-7X is designed to be a driver’s
vehicle. To help achieve its comfortable,
well-controlled ride and responsive handling, the Saab
9-7X uses a uniquely tuned double A-arm front
suspension with front coil spring and a five-link,
electronically controlled rear air suspension. The Saab
9-7X has been developed to deliver responsive European
driving characteristics and a low ride height with firm
front and rear suspensions, a thick front stabilizer
bar and stiff upper control arm bushings at the rear.
All shock absorbers have been tuned to help provide
firm body control for confident handling. The
P255/55R18 high-performance all-season tires were
specially developed by Dunlop for their road-gripping
capability. A quick 18.5:1 steering gear ratio,
together with stiff mounts, was designed to help
provide steering responsiveness and precision. The
steering gear itself is tuned for on-center feel and
smooth operation. The front part of the frame is
stiffened with braces to help increase steering
responsiveness and precision.
The Saab 9-7X features standard advanced automatic
all-wheel drive. Traction and handling performance are
further enhanced by a standard limited-slip rear
differential. Brakes are large, four-wheel vented discs
with front aluminum dual-piston calipers and four-wheel
ABS.
Customers can choose between two all-aluminum engines,
which are coupled with a standard electronically
controlled four-speed automatic transmission. The 4.2L
inline-six, elected one of the “10 Best Engines” by
Ward’s Magazine, delivers 290 hp (217 kw) and 277
lb.-ft. (375 Nm) of torque.* The 5.3L V-8 delivers 300
hp (224 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 Nm) of torque, and
includes fuel-saving Displacement on Demand (DOD)
technology.
DOD enables fuel economy gains of up to 8 percent in
certain driving conditions by reducing the number of
cylinders engaged in the combustion process. A
sophisticated, next-generation engine controller
determines when to deactivate cylinders, allowing the
engine to maintain vehicle speed in conditions such as
highway cruising. When the cylinders are deactivated,
the engine effectively operates as a four cylinder,
with every other cylinder in the firing order disabled.
The engine seamlessly returns to V-8 mode the instant
the controller determines that vehicle speed or load
requires additional power.
The newly standard StabiliTrak electronic stability
control system is an important crash-avoidance feature
that assists the vehicle in maintaining the driver’s
intended path by applying a brake force at any corner
of the vehicle independent of the driver’s use of the
brake pedal.
The system uses an accelerator pedal position sensor, a
brake master cylinder pressure sensor and a steering
wheel angle sensor as inputs to interpret the driver’s
desired path and whether to accelerate or decelerate
the vehicle. It also uses these sensors plus a lateral
accelerometer and yaw rate sensor to determine the
vehicle’s actual path.
If the difference between the driver’s desired path and
the vehicle’s actual path becomes great enough, the
system takes appropriate action to assist the driver
with maintaining the desired path. If the vehicle
begins to “plow,” or understeer, the system applies the
inside rear brake to help turn the vehicle. If the
vehicle begins to “fishtail,” or oversteer, the system
applies the outside front brake to straighten the
vehicle.
“The Saab 9-7X is an excellent example of Saab’s
expertise applied to achieve sporty, driver-focused
performance,” said Kjell-Åke Eriksson, Saab executive
director for future products. “Although it offers
excellent versatility, it is still a delight to drive,
with minimal body roll and a firm but subtle, quiet
ride.”
On top of its well-mannered vehicle dynamics, the Saab
9-7X features a comprehensive standard safety package,
including:
Dual-stage front air bags
Passenger Sensing System
Rollover sensing system
Head curtain side air bags
Front seat belt pretensioners with load limiters
Front seat belt buckle-up reminder
Room for people and their luggage
With a wheelbase of 113 inches (2,870 mm) and an
overall length of 193.2 inches (4,808 mm), the Saab
9-7X offers ample room for friends and family. It holds
up to 39.8 cubic feet (1,127 cubic liters) of cargo
space with the rear seatback up and 80.1 cubic feet
(2,268 cubic liters) with the seatback folded down. A
65/35 split rear seat is standard in all 9-7X models,
as is a trailer hitch receiver and hitch receiver
cover. Maximum towing capacity equipped with the V-8
engine is 6,500 lb. (2,948 kg).
* Horsepower and torque SAE Certified. A new voluntary
power and torque certification procedure developed by
the SAE Engine Test Code committee was approved March
31, 2005. This procedure (J2723) ensures fair, accurate
ratings for horsepower and torque by allowing
manufacturers to certify their engines through
third-party witness testing. GM was the first
manufacturer to begin using this procedure and expects
to use it for all newly rated engines in the future.