21 Jun 05 15:16
9-4X will sit below 9-7X in Saab's 4x4 line-up
Saab and Cadillac's BMW X3 rival is in the final stages of approval, according to a report by Automotive News and Autoweek. The Cadillac, referred to internally as the BRX, would go into production in 2008 for sale in Europe and North America.
Saab's version of the car, known internally as the 9-4X, would be the smallest of three Saab SUVs. This all-wheel-drive car is scheduled to be produced in Europe in 2009.
Both the Cadillac and Saab would be based on GM's next-generation Epsilon architecture. Epsilon, which currently is used for front-drive models such as the Saab 9-3, will have all-wheel-drive capability.
Caddy offering would be based on BLS compact exec saloon
The BRX would fit in Cadillac's line-up below the larger SRX SUV. One industry source said the base price will be in the mid-US$30,000s, between the CTS saloon and the SRX. More importantly for that Cadillac's European sales, it could mean a smaller, more Euro-friendly sports estate for the range.
The BRX will use the 2.8-litre V6 used in the CTS saloon as its base engine. A 3.6-litre V-6 will be available in a top-of-the-range model. Sources say the BRX could be built at GM's Trollhattan plant in Sweden or even in North America.
