Under the spotlight of the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Saab will present a 9-3 dressed SUV and addressed by a public which is not satisfied of paved roads. It’s called 9-3X, is higher ground clearance (+35 mm to 9-3 SportHatch) and promises to deal with it dirt without removing the dynamic qualities of the proverbial sull’asfalto Saab. Outside the 9-3X is distinguished by new bumpers trimmed with plastic raw dark gray in a position to better withstand shock. Plastic used in relation to the thresholds and the lateral edges of the wheel arches, and silver finishes at the bottom of the doors and around the fog.

The dual exhaust terminal circular in shape and alloy wheels from 17 further characterize the whole. The interior with sports seats and metallic inserts in dark shades for door panels, door-drawer items and gear selector. Technical heart of the 9-3X is the XWD four-wheel drive that includes a pair of distribution (TTD) to electronic management can vary the distribution of power between the two axes.

A valve inserted in it increases or reduces the hydraulic pressure in the clutch plates to progressively insert or disconnect the traction on the rear wheels. The degree of “slippage” recorded shows how much torque to be transmitted to the rear wheels. With the 9-3X is pulling this together for the first time the engine 2 liter turbo BioPower 210 hp (155 kW) (plug with bioethanol E85) as an alternative is the 2.0 turbo petrol of similar power. The 1.9 turbodiesel TTiD two stage 180 hp is available only with front-wheel drive, but still provides a structure raised by 20 mm compared to the normal 9-3. The 9-3X will broaden the range 9-3 in 2010.