Saab 9-4x Technical Highlights

Driving pleasure and ride comfort of a car

  • Tailored crossover body construction ensures car handling
  • Adaptive suspension technology: Saab XWD and Saab DriveSense
  • Modern infotainment: hard disk storage, entertainment on the back seat
  • Based on more than 50 years of Saab's experience in realizing accident-proof safety systems

The modern body of the 9-4X offers handling characteristics of a car, while sporty and adapted driving qualities that pose a challenge for the best in their class.

State-of-the-art technologies include the attractive DriveSense chassis with real-time damper control and the state-of-the-art Saab XWD four-wheel drive system with electronically controlled rear differential (eLSD).

To increase comfort and convenience, the start / stop button, keyless entry and exit,

an automatically powered tailgate, flexible storage, 3 zone climate control and entertainment packages for the rear seat. Also satellite navigation with 8-inch touch screen, Bose surround sound system and hard drive with "jukebox" music storage are among the infotainment options.

Behind the wheel

The 9-4X was designed for manoeuvrable and direct driving, without negatively affecting its size and height. Like a car and with a lot of fun, the new Saab drives just as easily on flat roads as on loose, slippery surfaces.

The new model derives its advantages from the unique body shape, which has been specially developed for the crossover vehicle class. The development engineers were able to create their own vehicle dimensions - a wide track width at the front and rear (1.622 or 1.623 mm) and an independent chassis geometry - without having to compromise on existing sedan or estate models. Although the car offers the security of a higher, clear driving position and a large ground clearance of 200 mm, the 9-4X makes little or no concessions to the dynamic performance.

Intensive comparison tests with models from competitors confirmed the qualities of the 9-4X in terms of refined driving characteristics, noise reduction and handling. The performance of the vehicle was a challenge for the best in its class in numerous test configurations.

The rigid body structure with a torsional stiffness value of 31 Hz is the key to ensuring precise ride characteristics and effectively reducing noise, vibration and suspension, providing a solid foundation for mounting the spring suspension.

The front spring elements consist of McPherson struts with A-arm hydraulic bushes and a hollow profile stabilizer. Rear is a connected H-arm used. This advanced system with independent mounting on the rear frame enhances ride comfort and prevents vibrations from propagating into the passenger compartment. In addition, the roadholding is improved. Shear bushings in the damper mountings on the body form another measure for damping road bumps and improving noise insulation.

To improve ride comfort, the unsprung weight has been reduced by using weight-saving aluminum for all the calipers, front hubs, A-arms, tie-rods and rear dampers. The powerful braking system is equipped with 345er front and 315er-ventilated rear brake discs. ESP is standard.

"A real driving experience, this car," says Peter Dörrich, chief of vehicle development, who led the development team for the Saab 9-4X. "We are confident that we will set new standards in this segment with regard to handling and driving qualities. We can not wait to introduce this new model to the public and the media. "


The power of the 9-4X chassis has allowed for state-of-the-art propulsion technologies, the most important of which are listed below:

Saab XWD with eLSD

This advanced four-wheel drive system offers absolutely compelling driving characteristics and better control in all conditions, whether dry or wet, on-road or off-road.

The switchable, active system already successfully introduced in the 9-3 and 9 models has been integrated and optimized by the Saab chassis designers. A Haldex multi-disc clutch is used, which transmits the drive torque steplessly to the front and rear axles. Thanks to careful programming, the possibility of rear-wheel drive to compensate for oversteer and understeer is given and to ensure optimum adhesion to loose and slippery surfaces. The ESP was also tuned to the XWD system to take full advantage of the sporty potential of the suspension without compromising on safety.

An electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) transmits the torque of the rear axle up to 50% to the rear wheels, which provides more grip. During extreme cornering or high-speed maneuvers, the brief allocation of more or less drive torque to the respective wheel assists the rear of the vehicle to accurately track the front wheels. On loose or slippery road surfaces this means a further improvement in traction.

Saab XWD with eLSD is standard equipment.

Saab DriveSense

This adaptive system provides real-time damper control, which includes a variety of adjustment options and helps the vehicle to stay in the right direction. In addition to the standard "Intelligent" mode can be two other settings via a knob next to the lever select, namely "Sport" and "Comfort".

In "Intelligent" mode, the handling characteristics of the vehicle can be adjusted in real time in relation to the driving style. The stiffness of the electronically controlled shock absorbers, the setting of the electronic accelerator pedal and the level of the power steering assistance are continuously adjusted. For example, if the vehicle is moved in a sporty manner, the shock absorbers are automatically set to improve the chassis control and road holding; accelerator pedal time is reduced and power steering assistance is reduced to allow more direct road contact. At lower speeds, the dampers are softened for better ride comfort, the accelerator pedal is less aggressive, and the steering feels softer.

The "Sport" setting provides a firmer damper setting and thus improved vehicle control. In addition to a more aggressive accelerator pedal setting and a more direct steering, the shifting times of the automatic transmission are shifted upwards in the "Sport" mode and a larger drive torque is shifted to the rear wheels.

In contrast, the "Comfort" setting allows an optimization of the driving characteristics by setting the shock absorber and accelerator pedal more easily. This improves the driving characteristics in bad road conditions.

The "Eco" mode, which is only offered in the Aero model and activated via a separate button, optimizes fuel consumption and adjusts switching times and accelerator pedal accordingly.

DriveSense is standard in all Aero models.

Variable Effort Steering (VES) steering with variable steering resistance

When maneuvering the vehicle, when parking or at low speed VES increases the level of steering assistance to reduce the force required to steer. At higher speeds, this support is automatically reduced to give the driver the highest level of direct steering feel.

VES uses a rack-mounted solenoid-controlled electromagnetic solenoid to increase or decrease the steering drag as needed. VES also adapts to the speed at which the steering wheel is turned, providing progressively increasing support the faster this happens. VES is a feature built into the Saab DriveSense system and is standard on the Aero models.

Comfort, convenience and safety

Owners of 9-4X benefit from the latest ways to improve travel comfort. These are designed to be easy to use and make driving in an 9-4X a pleasant and safe experience. This includes:

Start / stop button with keyless entry / exit

The start / stop button, which is standard on all models, replaces the conventional ignition lock. According to good Saab tradition, this button is located between the front seats directly next to the shift lever. The engine control unit recognizes and authenticates the encrypted signal from the driver's key fob, and the engine can then be started or stopped by simply pressing the start / stop button.

As a further comfort enhancement, Saab offers a keyless entry / exit where the vehicle is automatically unlocked when the door handle is actuated, with the key fob still in the driver's pocket or purse. The vehicle can also be completed when leaving by simply touching the lock area on the door handle. Thanks to this user-friendly equipment element, pressing the control buttons on a conventional key fob is no longer necessary.

3-zone climate control

In addition to the standard 2 zone automatic climate control for driver and front passenger, the 3 zone version also offers independent temperature control for the rear passengers. Extended air ducts from the main air conditioning system therefore run to a distributor module in the back area of ​​the center console. This module contains a small airflow fan and two adjustable distributor fans. This option is offered in combination with in-seat entertainment and is available for left-hand drive vehicles only.

Modern infotainment systems

The extensive range of infotainment options offers state-of-the-art technology and two audio options: an audio system with seven loudspeakers or, in the top class, the Bose system with 5.1 Surround Sound playback. The 8 touch-screen navigation system offers a bird's-eye view of a map and the ability to save map and music files to disk.


The range of audio options is versatile. In addition to the AM / FM and DAB radio, the driver has the ability to play music directly from a CD, connect an MP3 player or Memory Stick to the standard USB port or even save 10 GB of his favorite music on the built-in HDD in the navigation system - All functions can be operated via the aperture and the steering wheel. The USB port is practically next to the AUX input and the 12V power connector in the center console. Via USB, the device can be "wired" to the vehicle and it is possible to control the entire audio system via an MP3 player. The display in the vehicle then displays the title, artist and album information.

Communication while driving is ensured by an integrated Bluetooth hands-free system controlled by voice commands and controls on the steering wheel, as well as the infotainment panel.

At the back, passengers have access to an individual onboard entertainment system in the back of the center console, as well as two 8 inch screens that fold out like a laptop from the backrests of the front seats. Passengers can then select an audio source other than the one in the front area, watch a DVD or use the entertainment offered by a stand-alone player, such as a game console or digital camera, connected to the AUX input. The sound transmission takes place via wireless speakers.

Backup camera

As standard equipment in the Aero and in the premium models, a small, unobtrusively mounted camera in the boot lid reveals the view to the rear when reversing. The image is displayed on an 3,5 inch display in the interior rearview mirror or on the main satellite navigation display.

Driving and accident safety

Anyone who owns an 9-4X can benefit from Saab's successful, reality-tested security philosophy. Saab crash tests and computer simulations are based on actual events on real roads, with the results coming from a database containing more than 6100 actual crashes involving Saab vehicles on Swedish roads in the last 50 years. Saab's engineers are always concerned that their declared goal is to protect real humans and not dummies, such as those used in crash tests in laboratories.

In line with Saab's realistic security strategy, structural vehicle design and the operation of its safety systems has been evaluated in numerous internal crash tests, in addition to tests required by law or conducted by consumer organizations.

The success of this work is reflected in the realistic accident studies carried out by the American Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) and the Swedish Folksam Insurance Company, in which Saab's vehicles consistently achieve good results and occasionally take first places in their segment , The Saab 9-3 and the new 9-5 Sedan received the maximum possible five stars in the EuroNCAP and driving safety tests.

In addition to the comprehensive safety systems already in place in all Saab vehicles, the new 9-4X offers the third generation of Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR 3) as standard on the front passenger, in combination with the pre-tension and traction limit for the outer rear seat belts.

Driving or active safety - i.e. the active possibility of being involved in an accident - is also increased by the adaptive bi-xenon lighting. This powerful system improves the driver's vision and reduces stress when driving at night. The headlights illuminate the road better at any speed by adapting to the steering angle up to 15 ° to the right or left.

At a speed below 50 km / h, the city lights illuminate the road wider and wider so that pedestrians or potential obstacles can be detected more quickly. At speeds above 100 km / h, the motorway light is activated, which extends the road illumination from 130 to 170 m. The light cone is shaped so that oncoming vehicles are not dazzled.

ESP is a standard feature in all vehicles, the brake lights flash in rapid succession during full braking to warn vehicles that are following.

Source / Pictures: Saab Automobile AB

One thought on "Saab 9-4x Technical Highlights"

  • hello, I've been saab mechanic for thirty years, and for quite some time saab technicians in Austria.auf this model, I am curious and hope that it is still being built. If saab is no longer produced it will be boring for me as a technician.

    Answer

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