Test Drive Saab 9-7x 2005 - 2007 SUV

Do not believe our eyes

Despite the fact that Saab 9-7X was born back in 2004, in Russia, few people heard about him. However, this is a logical explanation: the car was created exclusively for the American market.

 

Sooner or later it should have happened. Almost all automakers were SUVs, and only Saab remained in the shadows for a long time, which he had no favor. No matter how cool, and the lack of a fashionable SUV or crossover in the production program today is like death. In general, this state of affairs did not suit neither the Saab leadership or the consumer. And most importantly, it did not like the GM guide to which Saab belongs. They looked at it disgrace, looked and offered to re-go along the path of hip-engineering. That is, to take a ready-made platform as a basis and hoisting on it a new body with a view recognizable for the brand. Moreover, it was not necessary to teach this engineers from Trollhaventtden: two years ago they already appeared to the world of Saab 9 2x, which is at the heart of its own - nothing else like a lengthened Subaru Impreza. And in order, the experiment was guaranteed to be successful, as a donor, he had already chosen wide popularity both in the new and in the Old World Chevrolet Trailblaizer. The result of labor and became Saab 9-7x, an accurate copy of Buick Rainier. The latter is a more advanced version of Chevrolet TrailBlaizer.

 

However, due to the fact that the designers very successfully moved the front of the car, no one of those with whom we met during the test, there was no shadow of doubt that this is a new SUB from SAAB. Yes, which is not saying, and the Swedes are still unsurpassed specialists to give all their cars recognizable devils. A well-defined style forced everyone without exception, from amateurs to professionals, to look at the familiar, in general, the car.

 

But if the SUV is a new symbiosis of styles and directions outside the new for us, then in nine seven - one hundred percent American. Neither the corporate ventilation grilles nor the ignition lock on the central console do not make it a Swede. All these are only strokes that should remind you that the car was originally conceived as Saab. At first, it, of course, works, but with a more detailed inspection you begin to understand that in addition to these minor family values, nothing remains in the car.

 

However, because of this, the interior does not become less interesting. Here everything is quite concise and, most importantly, habitual. In any case, you do not need to get used to the controls.

 

The instrument shield is simple and understood. Climatic installation also does not require a thoughtful approach. And even the audio system does not cause desire to dig in the manual. Simple to the inability, and from the point of view of both aesthetics and control, and stealing switches. As unused multifunctional 4-spoke steering wheel. The greatest achievement, in addition to direct responsibilities, can be considered the possibility of managing some functions of the audio system. Manage the onboard computer, which Europeans is usually controlled from the steering wheel, is located on the central console.

 

Another pure American bauble can be considered a pedal node adjustable from the driver. By the way, pedals, in contrast to the American standard, where even the parking brake is driven by a pedal, in Saab only two. For the parking brake, this car answers the European lever. Surely Saabovtsy moved away from the canons of new light? Well no. As it turned out, this is not a merit of them, but all the same Buick Rainier: he has exactly the same Kocherga.

 

They did not exception in search of any European and seat. They, as before, personify the comfort and comfort of the home sofa and are practically devoid of lateral support. Apparently, the constructor could not even come to mind that a person sitting on the sofa would begin to torment all sorts of lateral accelerations. The sofa should stand smoothly and unshakably, it should be nice to spend time, and the point.

 

And all this would be fine, whether our experimental is aggregated by the engine more compromising. And so with fairly fast maneuvers of the machine, the hands of passengers begin to see convincingly, for which they capture, in order to resist. And if the front passenger is still limited in his movement by the central armrest, then here is the one who is behind, clinging in flight is not for that: the armrest is absent, and therefore it will be necessary to believe only on seat belts. But tell me: what russian loves to put himself with these strips of fabric, which, how does it seem to be strongly infringed with his rights?

 

According to American standards, the engine has a very modest engine. Some 5.3 liters and only 305 hp Everything or wow? Rather, still wow, because the estones of this engine is enough to nine seven put an arrow of the speedometer up to 60 miles per hour for some 7.8 seconds. And 60 miles per hour are our 96 km / h. But it is not impressive as the fact that the car does not provide for Kickdown. He, as it turned out, is not needed. Just click on the gas pedal, and for whatever transmission is at the moment there is no 4-speed KP, the car begins to distort confidently. Apparently, the engineers deliberately abandoned Kikdaun, so that the powerful motor did not break the leading wheels in the turn. After all, the maximum torque of this engine is equal to 447 nm at 4000 min-1, and this is just those revisions at which most boxes switches to low gear by kikdauna.

 

As befits a real American, the car is intended only for comfortable movement on direct. In the turns, it is fairly sense, and if it does not stop the rear axle demolition on time, it can be easily located on its strip, but in the opposite direction. It affects that the car is mainly rear-wheel drive, and only in the case of the extreme necessity of the Viscouft connects the front axle.

 

The latter, by the way, this extreme necessity does not always understand, so nine seven have some problems on the off-road. It is worth the car to be on the brightness of the ground, how to touch the place is not easy. A powerful engine has time to throw the rear wheels in the bulk even until the front axle connects to operation. As a result, the car is buried and only thanks to a large torque and, though late, but still the work of the front bridge pops up from captivity. The main thing at such moments is, contrary to common sense, do not throw the engine speed, but, on the contrary, increase them. And yet, as you understand, the car's passability does not add, and even calm the driver too. But everything could be different, have a car forced blocking of the mid-scene differential. But it is not. In general, it is necessary to move on Saab 9 7x from a solid coating only after you really appreciate your ability to further sign a two-ton car from captivity.

 

It is not bad to estimate your financial opportunities before you decide to buy this car. First, today, in view of some exclusiveness, the gray dealers are asking for a car about $ 90,000. The amount of considerable people even in the presentation of enough wealthy people, while the star-striped car costs no more than $ 47,000. And secondly, With this volume of the engine and the current fuel and economic setting, it will not be easy to feed 9,7x, and not only financially, but also in fact. How can I know, maybe from the new year and we will begin the fuel crisis, which already overwhelmed Europe? In general, there is, what to think about ...

 

+ Good speaker, magnificent brakes, good noise insulation.

-Forged front bridge connection, high fuel consumption, high price.

 

SAB 9-7X SPECIFICATIONS

 

Body - all-metal

Curb weight, kg - 2116

Full weight, kg - 2722

Dimensions, mm:

- Length - 4922

- Width - 1915

- Height - 1791

Base, mm - 2870

Trunk volume, l - 1161-2268

Maximum speed, km / h - 191

Overclocking time up to 100 km / h, C - 7.8

Fuel control, l / 100 km:

- urban cycle - 16.8

- Country - 13.1

- Mixed - 15.7

Volume of fuel tank, l - 83

Engine:

- Type - V8

- Working volume, cm3 - 5328

- Power, hp at min-1 - 305/5200

- torque, nm at min-1 - 447/4000

Transmission - automatic., 4-stupas.

Tire size - 255/55R18

Wheel suspension (front / rear) - independent

Brakes (front / rear) - disk, ventilated

Steering - with gur

Price, $ - 89 000

 

Text: Oleg Kalaushin
 

 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel