Saab 9-4X news - Saab unveils new 9-4X - 2010

As jobs go, this car has quite a big one. It's the new Saab 9-4X, and it has to make Saab a lot of money. And where do you go to make a lot of money? America!

Saab, now owned by Spyker, confirmed to TopGear.com that this new 9-4X is pitched 'predominantly' for the petrol-hungry shores of the US, sharing its platform with sister car the Cadillac SRX. Both are built at the company's Mexican plant.

See more pics of the 9-4X

This means the funky crossover SUV will get a limited appeal for our small island as Saab has not confirmed any plans for a diesel model.

It gets just one engine, a 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with 300bhp, good for a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds, mated to a six-speed auto box and Saab's all-wheel-drive system. There's an electronic limited-slip diff and a trio of chassis settings, including 'Intelligent', 'Comfort' and 'Sport'.

As with any Saab you will ever buy everything is influenced by ruddy aeroplanes, so the cabin is 'cockpit-inspired', the windscreen is 'wraparound', and you even get an aircraft-style speed readout.

There's a reversing camera, a Bose 5.1 surround sound audio system, keyless entry/exit and rear screens for the passengers. You even ride on 20s.

The 9-4X will debut at next month's LA motor show and hit the good ol' US of A in May 2011, which is good because America is opening its eyes to the idea of crossover SUVs. It will come to UK dealers late next year, but with no diesel, will you want one?