Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept

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What is it?
Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept

What's special about it?
The question is not, "What's special about it?" but instead, "What took you so long?" A crossover Saab SUV has been about a decade in the making. At Detroit, GM's little Swedish buddy will unveil a near-production-ready SUV called the 9-4X BioPower.

While the 9-7X was technically a Saab and was certainly an SUV, the tarted-up Chevy TrailBlazer wasn't fooling anyone. Not even with the ignition relocated to the center console.

The hunt for a real crossover Saab began back when Cadillac was designing the SRX. Then GM decided its Sigma architecture should be Cadillac-exclusive. Then there were plans for a small crossover based on the Subaru Tribeca. But then the General ditched its share of Subaru's parent company and Saab was left out in the cold again.

Instead of giving Saab a version of its big and beefy Acadia/Enclave/Outlook, GM has done a sensible thing and given Saab a smaller, sportier crossover that is based on a new Opel architecture related to the 2008 Saturn Vue. How small? Well the 9-4X nestles between the BMW X3 and X5. It is, at least as a concept, a four-seater, although we would be amazed if it didn't seat three in the second row by the time it hits production in "about the next 18 months." Its size precludes the option of a third row.

The concept carries a direct-injection turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque while running on E85 ethanol. Because of E85's higher octane rating, Saab is able to boost the compression ratio to 10.5:1 to make extra power. Running on gasoline, the engine would make only 245 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque.

Compared to the lumbering 9-7X, the 9-4X promises a more satisfying driving experience. The concept is equipped with adjustable dampers that can be set in Comfort or Sport modes, and the XWD all-wheel-drive system from the recently launched 9-3. It can split torque between the front and rear axles like any all-wheel-drive system, but the electronic limited-slip differential makes it possible to transfer up to 40 percent of torque to the rear driveshafts.

Its relatively trim dimensions are required by European markets, where Saab will try to sell the 9-4X. Its biggest market, though, will be the U.S. and because of the weak dollar, Saab is looking for a place to construct the production car in the States.

According to Saab, the 9-4X is the spearhead of a product offensive that it has starved for. Next up will be a small Saab — likely called 9-1 — that would do battle with the Audi A3 and Volvo C30. And eventually Saab is going to have to replace the 9-5. One step at a time, though.

What's Edmunds' take?
Does the world need another luxury-brand crossover? No. Does Saab need a crossover? Absolutely. And this one's pretty decent-looking. — Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit