What Should GM do with SAAB's 2010 9-5 Sedan and 9-4x SUV?

Unless you have been living under a rock, you've probably heard about GM's decision to close down its SAAB brand after it became clear that the Spyker deal could not be completed in reasonable time - or so the Detroit automaker claimed.

Some say, there's still some hope left for the once innovative and quirky Swedish brand as during the wind-down procedure, a savior might come forward and express interest in Saab as a whole or a part of the company.

There's even talk about a second life in China as GM could sell more Saab assets to BAIC or another domestic maker.

In any case, one of the first questions that arose after GM's decision, which, let's not forget, will leave several thousands of workers without a job, is what's going to happen with the production-ready 2010 9-5 sedan and the almost-ready 9-4x crossover?

Bear in mind that the premium sedan is based on GM's Epsilon 2 platform, also used on the Buick LaCrosse and Opel Insignia / 2011 Buick Regal, while the 9-4x shares its underpinnings with the new Cadillac SRX.

Officially, General Motors has not said what it will do with these two cars nor with the current 9-3s.

In what concerns the two new models, we can think of several options that GM may have including killing them off entirely, rebadging the cars under a different name and even selling the rights / assets to another automaker - although, common sense says that the last option is probably the least likely to happen for obvious competitive reasons.

So, here's the question we would like to ask you, our readers: What do you think General Motors should do with the new SAAB 9-5 sedan and 9-4x Crossover?

PS: The photoshoped 2010 SAAB 9-5 sedan with the Buick snout was made just to prettify the article

2010 SAAB 9-5 SEDAN

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SAAB 9-4X BIOPOWER CONCEPT

2010 Saab 9-4x Crossover Interior Snapped Undisguised

The Swedish edition of Automotorundsport magazine has published a photo of the forthcoming Saab 9-4x's interior that was scooped virtually without any camouflage. Compared to the 9-4x concept that was previewed at the 2008 Detroit Show, the production model's dashboard has remained relatively unchanged. Saab's long-awaited compact crossover -slash- SUV that shares its platform with the new 2010 Cadillac SRX is due to be revealed later this year with sales set to begin in early 2010.

Via: AMS

2009 Saab 9-4x SUV Gets Chilean Debut – Prices and All

For a brief time span, Saab’s official Chile website hosted a dedicated page on what appeared to be, the production version of the of the Swedish firm’s forthcoming compact SUV, the 2009 9-4X. We’re not sure if this was (we’re using past tense as the page has just been removed) a blooper from the behalf of the Chileans or if was originally intended to be seen only by company execs, but in any case, online visitors could color the 9-4X and view the SUV’s preliminary specifications that included the retail price which was set at U.S. $66,000. -Continued

The above price was for the 9-4X equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivering 245 HP at 5.300 rpm and 400 Nm of torque at 1.900 rpm, and matted to a 6-speed automatic transmission. According to the Chilean website, with this powertrain the 9-4X can go from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.4 sec and on to a top speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph. The production version of the 9-4X is expected to be shown at the Los Angeles auto show in November.

Via: Worldcarfans , Source: Saab Chile

2010 Cadillac SRX SUV – First Official Photos

Cadillac has released the first official images of the next generation SRX that is in essence the production version of the Provoq Concept that appeared at the CES show in Las Vegas last January. According to GM, the all-new SRX will make its debut at major global auto shows later this year (quite possibly at the Paris Show in October and the LA Show in November), with sales set to start worldwide in mid-2009. With an overall length of about 4,580 mm or 180.3 in, the five-seater SRX is about roughly the same size as the BMW X3 SUV meaning that its far more compact (and lighter) than the outgoing seven-seat SRX. -Continued

“The next-generation SRX, along with the new CTS Sport Wagon, showcases Cadillac taking its dramatic design into new directions, particularly cars and crossovers that are the right size at the right time for today’s luxury consumers,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager.

Cadillac hasn’t released any mechanical details yet, but expect to see the CTS’ 3.6-liter V6 gasoline units along with a 2.9-liter V6 turbo diesel engine (for Europe). The new SRX, which was initially referred to as the Cadillac BRX, will also form the base for the upcoming Saab 9-4X SUV.