In a few months, only 800 units were produced.
Saab is a beloved Swedish company that was dismantled in 2011. Although the brand was spiritually resurrected by National Electric Vehicle Sweden from China with a nine-speed electric vehicle, it is nothing like the original SAAB products.
Saab models are not considered “original”, as they were heavily based upon the platforms of General Motors. The 9-4X was the last vehicle to be engineered prior to Saab’s demise. It replaced the 9-7X in the SUV segment.
The crossover was based on GM’s Theta Premium architecture and was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2010. Production began in 2011 at GM’s Ramos Arizpe factory in Mexico. However, production was stopped a few months later by Saab’s bankruptcy. It was the only Mexican-built marque model in its history.
It is interesting to note that there is no information available about the number of examples produced. Some sources claim that only 614 units were produced, while Saab’s museum, Trollhattan in Sweden, says that 814 9-4X units have been assembled. Only 60 units are from the 2012 model year.
The 9-4X was only available in the United States. It came with two V6 gasoline engines: a 3.0-liter naturally-aspirated unit with 265 horsepower (198kilowatts) as well as a 2.8-liter turbo engine with 300 hp (284 kW) and 295 pounds-feet (405 Newton-meters). The possibility of a diesel engine for the European version was discussed but not offered.
Two V6 engines were connected to a six speed automatic gearbox. Power was sent to all four wheels permanently by the six-speed transmission. This setup allowed for acceleration of 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 8.3 seconds for turbo and 9.0 seconds (NA).