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NEW 9-7X AERO PERFORMANCE MODEL JOINS THE 9-7X RANGE

Saab takes SUV performance to a new altitude with the Aero performance version of the Saab 9-7X. The limited-edition 9-7X Aero makes its way to showrooms in the fall of 2007, joining two existing Saab 9-7X models that bring unique Saab brand characteristics to the midsize SUV segment, including sophisticated styling inside and out, premium design features, and the sporty and spirited performance inherent to Saab vehicles.

The 9-7X Aero takes Saab’s interpretation of the midsize SUV to an entirely new level, accelerating the performance aspect of this already-sophisticated vehicle with a 6.0L V-8, 20-inch wheels and tires, unique exterior color and custom interior accoutrements.

“The 9-7X Aero is one great SUV to pilot,” said Saab general manager Steve Shannon. “We are excited to offer enthusiastic drivers an increased level of performance with the Aero – a symbol of Saab performance – in the midsize SUV segment.”

The new 9-7X Aero features a powerful, 6.0L small-block V-8 delivering 390 horsepower (295 kW) and 395 lb.-ft. (542 Nm) of torque. With 0-60 mph acceleration in less than six seconds, the 9-7X Aero is a treat for those who are actively passionate about the driving experience.

Besides the all-new 9-7X Aero, the 2008 9-7X lineup consists of very well-equipped 4.2i and 5.3i models.

Aero: the symbol of Saab performance

Like all Saabs, the new Saab 9-7X Aero is driver-focused, with a chassis tuned and tested to deliver responsive, balanced handling. Corner control and body roll control are improved with higher rate front and rear springs and sport-tuned shock absorbers. Additional strength is provided by a heavy-duty rear axle with limited-slip differential.

It’s not difficult to put a stop to things in the more powerful 9-7X Aero. The front brake rotors are vented differently and have thicker “cheeks” (the rotor surface that the brake pads make contact with) for more efficient cooling. The brake pads use high-performance linings for strong fade resistance.

ABS and automatic all-wheel-drive are standard on all 9-7X models as well as the StabiliTrak electronic stability control system that provides confident, sure-footed travel.

On the 9-7X Aero, the performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system delivers impressive on-road grip and enhanced “launch” feel on slippery surfaces. The always-engaged system uses a Torsen center differential to split torque between the front and rear wheels. It is a torque-bias system that detects low traction at one axle and directs more torque to the other when needed.

Engines that mean business

Under the hood of the 9-7X Aero is the LS2 6.0L V-8 with a unique cold air induction package, rated at 390 horsepower (295 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 395 lb.-ft. of torque (542 Nm) at 4,000 rpm. The LS2 6.0L is based on the small-block V-8 architecture and delivers excellent down-low torque for strong off-the-line performance. Torque is inherent to the engine’s cam-in-block design, which features large, 4.00-inch-diameter (101.6 mm) bores and a 3.62-inch (92 mm) stroke. Response is crisp and immediate, thanks to the electronically controlled throttle.

A composite intake manifold adapted to the LS2 engine helps produce balanced torque and horsepower in the 9-7X Aero.

The two other engines in the Saab 9-7X range include the 4.2L inline six-cylinder and the 5.3L V-8.

The 4.2L was named one of the “10 Best Engines” by Ward’s AutoWorld Magazine for four consecutive years. It delivers 285 horsepower (213 kW) and 276 lb.-ft. (374 Nm) of torque. The 5.3L V-8 engine delivers 300 horsepower (224 kW) and 321 lb.-ft. (435Nm) of torque.

The 5.3L powerplant features Active Fuel Management technology that enables fuel economy gains of up to 5 percent in certain driving conditions by reducing half of the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process. A sophisticated engine controller determines when to deactivate cylinders, allowing the engine to maintain vehicle speed in conditions such as highway cruising. When the cylinders are deactivated, the engine effectively operates as a four cylinder, with every other cylinder in the firing order disabled. The engine seamlessly returns to V-8 mode the instant the controller determines that vehicle speed or load requires additional power.

The 9-7X Aero’s 6.0L V-8 is mated to the heavy-duty Hydra-Matic 4L70 electronically controlled four-speed transmission. The 4.2i and 5.3i all-aluminum engines are mated to a Hydra-Matic 4L60E four-speed transmission.

Maximum towing capacity on 9-7X Aero model is 6,600 pounds (2994 kg). Maximum towing capacity on 9-7X models equipped with the V-8 engine is 6,500 pounds (2,948 kg) and 5,600 pounds (2,540 kg) with the 4.2L inline six-cylinder engine

Design: Saab refinement inside and out

It is a tenet in the Scandinavian culture that form and function must ally to produce purposeful design. In the case of the 9-7X, the design articulately translates the sporty refinement of Saab while staying faithful to the qualities endearing SUVs to drivers.

The exterior reflects Saab’s sporty, functional character. Key features, such as Saab’s signature three-port grille, rear quarter windows that visually appear to wrap around the D-pillars and brand-distinctive wheels, telegraph the 9-7X’s heritage near and far. Overall, it presents a smooth, aerodynamic, sporty specimen, with an excellent body-to-tire relationship derived from the vehicle’s low stance and standard 18-inch alloy wheels. The 9-7X’s profile is clean and uninterrupted, without big bumper offsets, body-side moldings or protruding shapes and forms.

The Saab 9-7X’s cockpit-inspired interior is highly refined and driver-oriented. The center stack and controls are angled toward the driver. Like the exterior, it features Saab-traditional strong, brand-distinctive design elements and cues, including the distinctive sliding-plate air vents, the famed fascia-integrated cupholder found in the Saab 9-5, and the trademark center console ignition key.

With a wheelbase of 113 inches (2,870 mm) and length of 193.2 inches (4,908 mm), the vehicle offers ample room for friends and family. It holds up to 39.8 cubic feet (1,127 L) of cargo space with the rear seatback up and 80.1 cubic feet (2,268 L) with the seatback folded down. A split rear seat is standard in all 9-7X models, as is a trailer hitch receiver and hitch receiver cover.

The 9-7X Aero will be easy to spot because it wears a paint color all its own: Carbon Flash Metallic. The charcoal metallic paint nicely enhances the SUV’s clean lines. Also specific to the 9-7X Aero are 20-inch polished, aluminum wheels wrapped with P255/50R20 V-speed-rated performance all-season tires that provide the optimum balance between ride and handling. Complementing the refined and driver-oriented cockpit-inspired interior are “Aero” embroidered leather-appointed seats and embossed floor mats.

Safety is a Saab essential

Saabs have long been associated with safety, and the 9-7X is equipped with standard safety features that include dual-stage frontal air bags; Passenger Sensing System (PSS); rollover sensing system; head curtain side air bags; front safety belt pretensioners with load limiters and a front safety belt buckle-up reminder.

The standard StabiliTrak system is a crash-avoidance technology that assists the vehicle in maintaining the driver’s intended path by applying a brake force at any corner of the vehicle independent of the driver’s use of the brake pedal.

StabiliTrak uses an accelerator pedal position sensor, a brake master cylinder pressure sensor and a steering wheel angle sensor as inputs to interpret the driver’s desired path and whether to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle. StabiliTrak also uses these sensors plus a lateral accelerometer and yaw rate sensor to determine the vehicle’s actual path.

If the difference between the driver’s desired path and the vehicle’s actual path becomes great enough, StabiliTrak takes appropriate action to assist the driver with maintaining the desired path. If the vehicle begins to “plow,” or understeer, StabiliTrak applies the inside rear brake to help turn the vehicle. If the vehicle begins to “fishtail,” or oversteer, StabiliTrak applies the outside front brake to straighten the vehicle. StabiliTrak is integrated with the traction control and ABS systems.

Additional standard safety features include a tire pressure monitoring system.

The Saab 9-7X is equipped with the OnStar safety and security system, including one year of the Directions & Connections service that features Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their OnStar system. These audio directions automatically play through the vehicle’s audio system as needed, triggered by the OnStar system’s GPS capabilities. This enables drivers to be directed to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

OnStar also automatically notifies emergency personnel in the event of a crash severe enough to deploy an air bag, and features hands-free OnStar Personal Calling.

Versatile entertainment

All Saab 9-7X models are equipped with an AM/FM six-disc, in-dash CD changer with rear-seat audio controls as well as a Bose 275-watt audio system with six speakers.

The 9-7X also features standard XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only), featuring more than 130 coast-to-coast, digital-quality channels of original commercial-free music and premier news, sports and talk as well as advanced traffic and weather information for select major metropolitan areas nationwide.

SPECIFICATIONS

Models:	Saab 9-7X 4.2i, 5.3i and Aero
Body style / driveline:	4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, all-wheel-drive midsize utility
Construction:	body on frame
EPA vehicle class:	midsize sport utility
Manufacturing location:	Moraine, Ohio
Key competitors:	Volvo XC90, Volkswagen Touareg, Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

Engines

	Vortec 4.2L I-6	Vortec 5.3L V-8 (AFM)	Vortec 6.0L V-8 (LS2)
Type:	4.2L Inline six cylinder	5.3L V-8	6.0L V-8
Displacement (cu in / cc):	254 / 4160	325 / 5328	364 / 5967
Bore & stroke (in / mm):	3.66 x 4.01 / 93 x 102	3.78 x 3.27 / 96 x 92	4.00 x 3.62 / 101.6 x 92
Block material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	dual overhead camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing	overhead valves, 2 valves per cylinder	overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder, hydraulic roller lifters
Ignition system:	coil-on-plug, platinum-tipped spark plugs	coil near plug	coil near plug
Fuel delivery:	sequential fuel injection	sequential fuel injection, Active Fuel Management	sequential fuel injection
Compression ratio:	10.3:1	9.9:1	10.9:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):	285 / 213 @ 6000*	300 / 224 @ 5300*	390 / 295 @ 6000*
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):	276 / 374 @ 4600*	321 / 435 @ 4000*	395 / 542 @ 4000*
Recommended fuel:	regular unleaded	regular unleaded	premium fuel recommended but not required
Maximum engine speed (rpm):	6300	6000	6600
Emissions controls:	evaporative system, catalytic converter; air injection reaction	evaporative system, catalytic converter, exhaust gas recirculation, positive crankcase ventilation; NLEV	evaporative system, catalytic converter, exhaust gas recirculation, positive crankcase ventilation
Estimated fuel economy:	14 /20	13 / 19	12 / 16

Transmission

	Hydra-Matic 4L60	Hydra-Matic 4L70
Application:	std with 4.2L, 5.3L engines	std with Aero 6.0L V-8 engine
Type:	4-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive, electronically controlled automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch	heavy-duty 4-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive, electronically controlled automatic overdrive with torque converter clutch
Gear ratios (:1):
First:	3.06	3.06
Second:	1.63	1.63
Third:	1.00	1.00
Fourth:	0.70	0.70
Reverse:	2.29	2.29
Final drive ratio:	3.42:1; 3.73:1 and 4.10:1 are optional (4.10:1 not opt. on V-8)	4.10:1

Chassis/Suspension

Front:	independent, double A-arm, 46-mm shocks, 36-mm stabilizer
Rear:	5-link solid axle, 36-mm shocks, 24-mm stabilizer bar
Transfer case system:	Autotrac
Steering type:	rack-and-pinion (hydraulically assisted)
Steering ratio:	4.2 and 5.3L: 18.5:1
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:	4.2 and 5.3L: 3.5
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m):	4.2 and 5.3L: 36.8/11.227

Brakes

	4.2i and 5.3i and Aero
Type:	4-wheel vented disc with front iron dual piston calipers, standard 4-wheel ABS; drum-in-hat parking brake
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):	front: 12 x 1.14 / 305 x 29 rear: 12.8 x 0.78 / 325 x 20
Total swept area (sq in / sq cm):	front: 210 / 1353 rear: 217 / 1397

Wheels/Tires

	4.2i and 5.3i	Aero
Wheel size & type:	18-inch 12-spoke aluminum (I-6) 18-inch 6-spoke aluminum (V-8)	20-inch polished cast aluminum
Tires:	P255/55R 18	P255/50 R20 V-Speed rated

Dimensions
Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm):	113 / 2870
Overall length (in / mm):	193.2 / 4907
Overall width (in / mm):	75.4 / 1915
Overall height, with side rails (in / mm):	68.5 / 1740
Track (in / mm):	front: 63.1 / 1603 rear: 62.1 / 1577
Minimum ground clearance (in / mm):	7.7 / 196
Ground to top of load floor (in / mm):	32.1 / 817
Step-in height (in / mm):	18.2 / 462
Approach angle (degrees):	29
Departure angle (degrees):	23
Curb weight (lb / kg):	4720 / 2141 (I-6) 4781 / 2169 (V-8)
Weight distribution (% front / rear):	53 / 47 (I-6) 54 / 46 (V-8)

Interior

Headroom (in / mm):	front: 40.2 / 1021 rear: 39.6 / 1006
Legroom (in / mm):	front: 41.4 / 1052 rear: 37.1 / 942
Shoulder room (in / mm):	front: 58.5 / 1486 rear: 58.5 / 1486
Hip room (in / mm):	front: 55.5 / 1410 rear: 58.1 / 1476
Cargo length floor (in / mm):	70 / 1778
Cargo volume (cu ft / L):	rear seat up: 39.8 / 1127 behind front seat: 80.1 / 2268

Capacities

GVWR (lb / kg):	6001 / 2722
Payload, base (lb / kg):	1230 / 558
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg):	6500 / 2948 (V-8) 5600 / 2540 (I-6)
Fuel tank (gal / L):	22 / 83.3
Engine oil (qt / L):	7 / 6.6 (I-6, V-8)
Cooling system (qt / L):	13.9 / 13.1 (I-6, V-8)

*SAE certified.

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.