9-7X CHASSIS ENGINEERED TO MEET SAAB DRIVERS’ EXPECTATIONS

Saab customers expect a sporty, driver-focused experience behind the wheel. To ensure that the new 9-7X meets those expectations, the following enhancements were made to the chassis and suspension systems of GM’s award-winning midsize SUV architecture upon which the 9-7X is based:

o Ride height lowered by one inch
o Additional braces between the cross members and frame
o Firmer springs and shocks
o Stiffened and quicker steering
o Larger front anti-roll bars
o Larger brakes
o Specific Dunlop tires
o Limited-slip differential

Specifically, here is a list of characteristic Saab driving dynamics and the enhancements that were applied to the 9-7X to achieve the desired results:

Steering (for on-center feel, feedback and precision)

o Toe-in adjusted from 0.1 degrees to 0.2 degrees
o Caster increased an average of 0.5 degrees
o Revised steering valve characteristics including a larger torsion bar
o Steering gear mount stiffened from 6,000 N/mm to 9,000 N/mm
o Intermediate shaft isolator stiffened 33 percent
o New 18-inch Dunlop tires provide better stability and higher lateral stiffness
o Additional braces between cross member and frame at the front

Steering (for response and linearity)

o Steering gear ratio lowered to 18.5:1 from 20.3:1
o Steering gear mount stiffened from 6,000 N/mm to 9,000 N/mm
o New 18-inch Dunlop tires provide better stability and higher lateral stiffness
o Additional braces between cross member and frame at the front
o Front anti-roll bar diameter increased to 36 mm from 34 mm
o Revised shock absorber settings for improved body control (average 70 percent more damping at the front and 20 percent more damping at the rear in the V-8 and 40 percent at the front and 10 percent at the rear in the L-6)
o Added front lower control arm bushing travel limiter

Handling (for stability)

o Toe-in adjusted from 0.1 degrees to 0.2 degrees
o Caster adjusted from 3.5 degrees to 4.0 degrees
o Steering gear mount stiffened from 6,000 N/mm to 9,000 N/mm
o New 18-inch Dunlop tires provide better stability and higher lateral stiffness
o Standard limited-slip differential

Handling (for linearity and predictability)

o Revised shock absorber settings for improved body control (average 70 percent more damping at the front and 20 percent more damping at the rear in the V-8 and 40 percent at the front and 10 percent at the rear in the L-6)
o New 18-inch Dunlop tires provide better stability and higher lateral stiffness
o Front anti-roll bar diameter increased to 36 mm from 34 mm
o Rear suspension upper link bushing stiffened from 4,600 N/mm to 7,000 N/mm
o Rear suspension lower link bushings stiffened from 3,200 N/mm to 4,600 N/mm

Emergency handling

o Standard StabiliTrak
o New 18-inch Dunlop tires provide better stability and higher lateral stiffness
o Revised shock absorber settings for improved body control (average 70 percent more damping at the front and 20 percent more damping at the rear in the V-8 and 40 percent at the front and 10 percent at the rear in the L-6)
o Standard air spring rear leveling
o Standard limited-slip differential
o Front anti-roll bar diameter increased to 36 mm from 34 mm
o Ride height lowered by 25 mm (approximately one inch)

Ride comfort (for body motion and control)

o Front and rear springs stiffened by 15 percent
o Revised shock absorber settings for improved body control (average 70 percent more damping at the front and 20 percent more damping at the rear in the V-8 and 40 percent at the front and 10 percent at the rear in the L-6)
o Front anti-roll bar diameter increased to 36 mm from 34 mm
o Standard air spring rear leveling
o Ride height lowered by 25 mm (approximately one inch)
o Front suspension upper shock mount is stiffer by 33 percent

Brakes (improved brake performance, response time, pedal feel and travel)

o Front caliper material changed from aluminum to stiffer cast iron
o Piston diameter increased to 48 mm from 45 mm
o Brake booster diameter reduced to 240 mm from 260 mm
o Master cylinder diameter increased to 27 mm from 25.4 mm