The Geneva Motor Show promises to play host to a number of exciting new production vehicles, including the new Saab 9-3X.
The vehicle will be a lighter alternative to the heavier sports utility vehicles (SUVs) on the market. It has impressive performance statistics with 210hp and a 2.0 litre turbo engine that is linked with the E85-capable BioPower technology for the first time.
Its most popular 9-3 diesel models offer reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as well as improved fuel consumption. The 9-3 Sport saloon vehicles with linear and vector specifications achieve 44.4mpg and produce emissions of just 139g/km.
The efficiency gains average seven per cent and have been achieved through a number of fine-tuning measures such as the use of wider gear ratios, idle and low engine speed remapping and optimised tyre and wheel choice.
The launch of the vehicle comes shortly after the announcement that Saab will be breaking away from General Motors, which originally took a 50 per cent stake in the company in 1990 and later acquired the remaining shares.
The new Saab Automobile company is expected to be led initially by a group of three: managing director Jan Ake Jonsson; international reorganisation expert Stephen Taylor; and lawyer Guy Lofalk. It is hoped that through the company’s reorganisation it can create short-term stability and develop a long-term solution.
