So is the truck's suspension. Despite its body-on-frame architecture and solid rear axle, the 9-7x boasts double wishbones up front, and a multi-link setup with electronically controlled air springs in the rear. GM didn't go all out developing something special for Saab mind you, as it's the same configuration that's in its other GMT360 sport utilities. Stabilizer bars and a quicker steering ratio should enhance turn-in. The only major difference, and what could prove to be essential to the Saab's more sporting dynamics, is a fairly significant drop in ride height. The 9-7x also features sizeable 18-inch alloy wheels covering 225/55R18 performance tires.
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| The Saab 9-7x will feature the same suspension found in the rest of GM's GMT360 based sport utilities. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
Braking is decent when you look at the hardware, which includes power assisted vented discs front and back and dual front calipers, plus ABS at all for corners. The result of pressing the pedal is less sporting however, being that the 9-7x needs a full 54.3 meters (178 feet) to stop from 113 km/h (70 mph). For some strange reason GM's press material only has the inline-6 stopping from 100 km/h (62 mph), in 44 meters (144 feet).
On the safety front, the new Saab will feature dual-stage front airbags, side curtain airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners, as well as standard ABS.
Its cargo capacity of 1,161 liters (41.0 cu ft) behind the rear seats and 2,268 liters (80.1 cu ft) with the seatbacks folded is excellent, making the new Saab as practical as any the brand has ever produced. That will ring a chord with disenfranchised 9-3 owners longing for a rear liftback.
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| Diehard Saab fans will probably shy away from the 9-7x, but I for one look forward to taking it out for a test drive. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
And with that in mind, just who is going buy this new Saab SUV? Will the brand's extremely loyal and very sophisticated current owner take the bait? I don't think so. I hate to say it, but as loyal as they are they'll sooner go over to the other side and buy a Volvo XC90. It offers that premium feel and top drawer refinement the 9-7x struggles to deliver. More likely 9-7x buyers, and there will be some for sure, will migrate up from Saturn or Isuzu, the other two brands often sold within Saab showrooms. And maybe that's GM's short-term objective.
Short-term objective? Fortunately GM says that the 9-7x is merely a stopgap measure, a "necessary" bridge to span having no SUV and the development of a car-based Saab-specific sport utility. Again, I don't buy this. GM put a great deal of money into the 9-7x, why not put a little more into a Sigma, or even Lambda based crossover?