This rebadged B9 Tribeca makes me hate Saab even more

Edited August 26, 200519 yr by BlkHhr104

It also might be a 9-4X thats wat ppl are saying from the article, but i cant get the link working so, im gonna try to copy and paste it

Edited August 26, 200519 yr by BlkHhr104

Two door?

Here is the article where the other two pics came from and here is a different pic



Spyshots: The 9-6x? or the 9-4x?
Djup Strupe II has done it again!!

The following two photos are of a model that may be previewed in Frankfurt (unconfirmed). Upon first glance they appear to be a crossover vehicle so the natural thought is for it to be the 9-6x.

However, a closer look shows that the car is actually a 3-door model. Djup mentions that it's not likely for actual production in this guise, but looks fantastic.

It's reportedly around BMW X3 size, which leads me to think it may be a prototype model for the 9-4x that's been mentioned around the traps, crafted on the Epsilon platform. If so, then this is a very early prototype as the 9-4x isn't scheduled for release until 2009.

So, 9-6x with a tricky body or 9-4x prototype? It's hard to say, but here's hoping they roll this baby onto the stage in Frankfurt next month so we can all get a better look!


The front. Note similar styling to the new 9-5 front.


The rear. Note the twin pipes and similar styling in the rear lights to the Tribeca.

Djup hints that the interior is very roomy and that this 3-door model hasn't received a go-ahead for production. The dash is similar to a 9-3 or 9-7x dash.

Not much more to tell, I'm afraid.

I'm going with this as a tricky-body 9-6x. The cues from the Tribeca are just too strong in the rear for it to be anything else in my humble opinion. The fact thay've built up a 3-door is a big surprise and if this is a model in the balance then can I please add in my 0.02c worth and say "Yes!!"

Your verdict?

UPDATE: thanks to Ken via SC - Channel 4 are reporting in their Frankfurt preview that the 9-6x won't be seen until the Detroit Motor Show in January. Bummer.

Posted by swade at August 26, 2005 11:32 AM

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I like the front of the 3-door concept but not the rear. It looks too much like the Tribeca. The car in the third picture, the desert scene, looks amazing. Please build!

Actually, it doesn't look that bad... Aside from the messy lower front fascia. The rear could use some work but it still looks so much better than the Tribeca's.

That actually looks pretty good, a big improvement on the Tribeca. The double lower grill is weird, but everything else looks pretty good. I never really minded the Tribeca rear, so I don't have any complaints there.

I think it looks great, I'm not really understanding why it makes you hate Saab though?

I would have to see more pics.

Actually I like it, given the 9-5 spyshots. Much better than that half-a$$ed refreshing job.

I think that its too much of a rebadage

That actually looks pretty damn good. It should be winner if it carries over the Tribeca's interior. I just hope they use Saab powertrains instead of just using the engines of the donor vehicles (9-2x, 9-7x), I have to say though, I wish Saab would start getting some Saab-exclusive cars.

Well I would say the 9-3 is an exclusive car, i mean it wasnt rebadaged, it just used another cars platform

This Saab version is significantly more than a mere rebadge. I don't mind it.

Looks good... but GM should just sell SAAB brand & the SAAB plants/HQ to Fuji Heavy instead of continuing joint ventures between the two brands. Their airplane history would compliment each other. It just seems like a natural marriage.

VenSeattle, that is a very refreshing idea. I could see that. You are right, perfect dovetailing of these two companies.

The two lower intakes on the front fascia are pig-like. The grille is too small for a Saab. There is no way this is the real thing. If it is, the lower intakes will make me puke at the idiocy.

Its not, its a concept of either the 9-6x or wat the 9-4x is going to be like, note the two doors

Appears to be the 9-6x in early prototype form. I see a similar amount of differentiation as with previous Saabaru's. The entire front end sheetmetal is unique, and the rear is slightly modified (bumpers, taillamps, license plate housing). I am not a fan of the B9 at all. While this is a "cleaned up" B9, it still shares its akward proportions and - I assume- inflated price tag. It is sad to see the Saab lineup will now hold majority to slightly reworked Subarus. Let's hope this "stopgap" product line doesn't last...

Aside from the lower grill it isnt that bad, a horrible andle though, and its a 2 door aparently. Its supposed to be like the 9-3X concept if I'm not mistaken (given the details and build) but the rear looks too much liek the Tribeca, wtf?

You mean 9-X? Never heard of 9-3x really...

You mean 9-X? Never heard of 9-3x really...

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<---- 9-3x ;)

It's sort of an odd mix. The Front end looks like reworked Torrent. While the Rear looks like the Subaru.

What there is to see of it looks pretty good. I'd really like to see a 3/4 shot, though.

Hate the back, love the front!

Who would want a 2 door? No one with kids.

That actually looks pretty damn good. It should be winner if it carries over the Tribeca's interior. I just hope they use Saab powertrains instead of just using the engines of the donor vehicles (9-2x, 9-7x),

I have to say though, I wish Saab would start getting some Saab-exclusive cars.

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They would need a Saab-exclusive architecture, like how Caddy has Sigma.

Interesting... so if you choose the 9?-x you get current/future Saab front end styling or you can choose the B-9 Tribeca if you want vintage Saab front end styling (it's inspired by the old 96 and 99)... :)

Does it seem like the taillamps could be LED?

Yeah but it might be that light tint of orange for the directionals throwing u off

Yeah but it might be that light tint of orange for the directionals throwing u off

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I think you're right.

I could go with the front, but they have to change the rear..