Saab has never been anything even remotely close to a full-line automaker, but when your corporate parent has hung a "For Sale" sign on your building and your flagship sedan dates back to the early years of the LS1, it's not a bad time to consider expanding the lineup. Problem is, new cars cost money so it has to be a low cost-solution. Enter the new Saab 9-3X.
Fortunately for Saab, Europeans are fond of slightly lifted station wagons with all-wheel drive and some off-road prowess, and the Saab 9-3X -- essentially a 9-3 wagon with a 30mm (1.18 in.) lift, some new body panels, and Saab's Haldex all-wheel drive system -- should fit the bill.
Set to make its world debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show, the 9-3x will enter a field populated by the likes of the Audi Allroad, Subaru Outback, and Volvo XC70, among many others. The prototype you see here was reportedly powered by Saab's 210-hp turbo four. The production 9-3X is expected to feature diesel options as well. Currently, 9-3 sedans are offered with several variants of the automaker's 1.9L four-cylinder turbodiesel ranging in output from 120 to 180 hp.
Unlike Europeans, however, Americans are still fond of their SUVs and the market for station wagons of any sort is very limited, and U.S. sales are uncertain at this point. On the other hand, these days, Saab will take all the sales they can get.