2011 Saab 9-4X SUV Revealed: High Res Image Gallery and Full Details

Saab's rejuvenation continues with the presentation of the production version of the long-anticipated 9-4X ahead of its world premiere at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show. One of the last projects developed under the ownership of GM, the 9-4X shares its Theta platform and major drive components with the Cadillac SRX, and like its American brethren, it will be built at GM's factory in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.

The 9-4X's shape and styling will familiar to most as the crossover model was previewed by the 9-4X BioPower concept at the 2008 Detroit Show. On the outside, changes over the 2008 study concern some minor details such as the smaller front fog light openings, mirror caps, tail lamp color combos and smaller (and less impressive) alloy wheels.

The same can be said about the interior, with differences limited to the air vent designs and the less flashy decorative trim.

The Swedish automaker says the 9-4X "is aligned in looks and size between the 9-3X all-rounder and new 9-5 sedan."

At launch, the 9-4X will offer buyers on both sides of the Atlantic two V6 engine choices, a naturally-aspirated 3.0-liter with direct-injection tech producing 265HP and 223 lb-ft (302Nm), or a 2.8-liter unit with a twin-scroll turbocharger delivering 300HP and 295 lb-ft (400Nm). Both V6 powerplants are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions under adaptive, electronic control.

The base 265HP V6 is available with front-wheel drive or Saab's XWD all-wheel drive system. With front-wheel drive, it propels the 9-4X from zero to 60 mph in just 7.9 seconds or 8.4 seconds with XWD and is expected to enable estimated city/highway combined fuel consumption of 20 mpg or 19 mpg with XWD.

Saab notes on its European press release that the FWD model goes from 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds - apparently one of the two numbers is wrong as there's no way we can have a 1 second difference between the two sprint times.

As for the 300HP V6 which is available exclusively in Aero specification with XWD, It delivers zero to 60 mph [96km/h] acceleration in 7.7 seconds and estimated city/highway combined fuel consumption of 18 mpg. Again, the acceleration figures don't match with Saab's Euro press release saying 0-100 km/h acceleration comes in 8.3 seconds.

Furthering the confusion, Saab N.A. says both the 265HP V6 and 300HP V6 models achieve a top speed of 130mph, equal to 209km/h, while Saab Europe says the 265HP model goes up to 210km/h [131mph] and the 300HP version 230km/h [143mph]. Unless it's something we're not aware of, it looks like someone messed up the numbers on one of the two press releases.

"The 9-4X significantly broadens the appeal of the Saab brand," stated Saab CEO Jan Åke Jonsson, "It gives us entry to the fast-growing crossover segment with a vehicle that reflects our brand values in key areas, such as progressive Scandinavian design and sporty, responsible driving performance. The 9-4X is an exciting package and we're confident it will appeal to many existing Saab owners, as well as win new customers for the brand."

The 9-4X is scheduled to arrive in North American dealerships in May next year, with sales in Europe and other global markets due to begin from August. Prices and more detailed specs will be announced shortly before sales start next year.

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Cadillac Recalling 2010MY SRX Crossover to Fix Power Steering Line

General Motors said on Thursday it is issuing a voluntary safety recall of 3,996 Cadillac SRX crossovers from the 2010 model year due to a possible damage to the power steering line. According to the company, if the line is damaged, power steering fluid could leak and make its way onto hot engine parts resulting in a fire. GM said it is aware of one such fire in an unattended SRX related to this condition.

"Based on GM analysis, the issue is believed to exist in only two or three of the recalled vehicles," the company said in a statement.

The affected vehicles were built in December 2009, with 3,460 of those sold in the United States, while 341 were exported to China.

The Detroit automaker said it will notify owners of the recalled SRX models and schedule an appointment for inspection with any necessary repairs to be performed free of charge.

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Cadillac wants to "Conquer" the European Luxury Market - Again...

Those folks holding the reins over at General Motors are a funny bunch. Every so often then they announce some grand scheme to enter Europe's extremely competitive premium automotive market with their Cadillac brand.

After GM's most recent fiasco with Kroymans, a Dutch distributor that sold Cadillacs in Europe before declaring bankruptcy last year, the U.S. automaker will now establish its own organization, called "Cadillac Europe" that will import, distribute and market a selected range of models specified for the Euro market.

"Europe is an important market for Cadillac," says Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. "Re-establishing distribution of our premium offerings is good news for those who seek import exclusiveness".

Of course many Europeans have associated Cadillac's "import exclusiveness" with products such as the now discontinued BS BLS that was essentially a re-skined Saab 9-3 which in turn was heavily based on the Opel Vectra, but anyway.

At the Geneva Motor Show, Cadillac will give Europeans a taste of their newest products including the CTS Coupe that's sated to arrive in North American showrooms this summer and this fall in Europe as well as the new CTS Sport Wagon, CTS Sport Sedan, the range-topping 556HP CTS-V, the SRX crossover and the "oh so European" Escalade Hybrid.

No word on any diesel or small displacement gasoline engines. That said, we suspect that Cadillacs will continue to be a more rare sight than pink-colored Aston Martins on European roads.

2010 Cadillac SRX Crossover Priced from $34,155

Cadillac has revealed that it's all-new and more compact sized 2010 SRX Crossover will hit U.S. dealerships this summer with pricing starting from $34,155, which is about the same as the entry-level RWD Mercedes GLK 350 ($33,900) but undercuts the BMW X3 xDrive30i by around $5,000. The 2010 SRX will be offered in North America with two petrol units, a new 260HP 3.0-liter direct injected V6 and a 300HP 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 that are both matted to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The SRX gets front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as optional.

Latter in the summer, the compact crossover will be joined by another new Cadillac, the CTS Sport Wagon. GM has yet to announcing pricing but expect it the Sport Wagon to be priced a little higher than the sedan variant of the CTS. The new Sport Wagon includes the same 260HP 3.0-liter Direct Injection engine that serves as the standard engine in the new SRX, returning an estimated highway fuel economy of 28 mpg.

2010 Cadillac SRX: GM Releases New Pictures and Details

This is the second generation Cadillac SRX crossover that will be making its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week. Cadillac had offered us our first glimpse of its mid-size luxury crossover in August, 2008, but now, the American automaker has released detailed information as well as new photos. According to Cadillac, the new and more compact sized SRX will compete against the Lexus RX, Acura MDX, BWW X3 and X5. Due to go on sale in the second quarter of 2009, the SRX will be offered in North America with two petrol units, a new, 260HP 3.0-liter direct injected V6 and a 300HP 2.8-liter turbocharged V6.

Both engines are hooked up to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Cadillac has yet to issue any specific figures, but the automaker supports that fuel economy will be in the mid-20s on the highway.

Unlike its rear-wheel / all-wheel drive predecessor, the new SRX gets front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as optional. The AWD system includes an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that distributes torque as needed from side to side along the rear axle, as well as from the front to rear axle

"The 2010 SRX will deliver excellent, balanced driving dynamics in all types of weather," said Bob Reuter, global vehicle chief engineer. "The all-wheel-drive system with electronic limited slip effectively transfers torque not only from front to rear, but also along the rear axle. This system sets a new benchmark for all all-wheel-drive systems, giving the driver control and confidence on any road surface."

Among the new photos released by Cadillac is the first picture of the SRX's interior that bears many similarities with the CTS. "Inside the new SRX, technical precision blends with old-world craftsmanship," said Clay Dean, Cadillac global design director. "Hand-cut-and-sewn coverings on the instrument panel and ambient lighting details convey a finely tailored cabin."

The 2010 SRX's highlights include a "pop-up" navigation screen with three-dimensional imaging; adaptive forward lighting that swivels the headlamps in synch with vehicle steering; power liftgate with adjustable height setting; integrated hard disc drive for audio storage and a dual-screen system for rear entertainment.

Other features include standard head curtain side air bags, front seat-mounted pelvic/thorax side air bags, front safety belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters, rollover mitigation sensors, a pedal release system, trailer stability assist and OnStar.