2008 Saab 9-7X

9-7X RANGE BRINGS SOPHISTICATED SUV CAPABILITY TO SAAB

The Saab 9-7X brings unique Saab brand characteristics to the midsize SÚV segment, including sophisticated styling inside and out, premium design features, and the sporty and spirited performance inherent to Saab vehicles.

The 2008 9-7X lineup consists of very well-equipped 4.2i and 5.3i models.

Engines that mean business
The Saab 9-7X features two different engines, including the 4.2L inline six-cylinder and the 5.3L V-8.

The 4.2L was named one of the '10 Best Engines' by Ward's AutoWorld Magazine for four consecutive years. It delivers 285 horsepower (213 kW)*, and 276 lb.-ft. (374 Nm*) of torque. The 5.3L V-8 engine delivers 300 horsepower (224 kW)* and 321 lb.-ft. (435Nm)* of torque.

The 5.3L powerplant features Active Fuel Management technology that enables fuel economy gains of up to 5 percent in certain driving conditions by reducing half of the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process. A sophisticated 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.

Both of these all-aluminum engines are mated to a Hydra-Matic 4L60 electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)

Maximum towing capacity on 9-7X models equipped with the V-8 engine is 6,500 pounds (2,948 kg).

Design: Saab refinement inside and out

The exterior reflects Saab's sporty, functional character. 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 near and far. Overall, it presents a smooth, aerodynamic, sporty specimen, with an excellent body-to-tire relationship derived from the vehicle's low stance and standard 18-inch alloy wheels. The 9-7X's profile is clean and uninterrupted, without big bumper offsets, body-side moldings or protruding shapes and forms.

The Saab 9-7X's cockpit-inspired interior is highly refined and driver-oriented. The center stack and controls are angled toward the driver. Like the exterior, it features Saab-traditional strong, brand-distinctive design elements and cues, including the distinctive sliding-plate air vents, the famed fascia-integrated cupholder found in the Saab 9-5, and the trademark center console ignition key.

With a wheelbase of 113 inches (2,870 mm) and length of 193.2 inches (4,908 mm), the vehicle offers ample room for friends and family. It holds up to 39.8 cubic feet (1,127 L) of cargo space with the rear seatback up and 80.1 cubic feet (2,268 L) with the seatback folded down. A split rear seat is standard in all 9-7X models, as is a trailer hitch receiver and hitch receiver cover.

Safety is a Saab essential

Saabs have long been associated with safety, and the 9-7X is equipped with standard safety features that include dual-stage frontal air bags; Passenger Sensing System (PSS); rollover sensing system; head curtain side air bags; front safety belt pretensioners with load limiters and a front safety belt buckle-up reminder.

The standard StabiliTrak system is a crash-avoidance technology 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.

StabiliTrak 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. StabiliTrak 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, StabiliTrak takes appropriate action to assist the driver with maintaining the desired path. If the vehicle begins to 'plow,' or understeer, StabiliTrak applies the inside rear brake to help turn the vehicle. If the vehicle begins to 'fishtail,' or oversteer, StabiliTrak applies the outside front brake to straighten the vehicle. StabiliTrak is integrated with the traction control and ABS systems.

Additional standard safety features include a tire pressure monitoring system.

The Saab 9-7X is equipped with the OnStar safety and security system, including one year of the Directions & Connections service that features Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their OnStar system. These audio directions automatically play through the vehicle's audio system as needed, triggered by the OnStar system's GPS capabilities. This enables drivers to be directed to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

OnStar also automatically notifies emergency personnel in the event of a crash severe enough to deploy an air bag, and features hands-free OnStar Personal Calling.

Versatile entertainment


All Saab 9-7X models are equipped with an AM/FM six-disc, in-dash CD changer with rear-seat audio controls as well as a Bose 275-watt audio system with six speakers. An in-dash, DVD-based navigation system is available.

The 9-7X also features standard XM Satellite Radio (continental Ú.S. only), featuring more than 130 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original commercial-free music and premier news, sports and talk as well as advanced traffic and weather information for select major metropolitan areas nationwide.

*SAE certified.

Source - Saab