Saab to offer free iPad with 9-4X deposits, denies 9-4X of diesel engine

Saab is looking too built up excitement by offering 9-4X customers a free iPad if they place an order before the end of February 2011.

The customer is required to put down a $500 non-refundable deposit in order to get hold of the iPad. If buyers decide to cancel their order, they will effectively be buying a 16GB Wi-Fi iPad for same price Apple charges, however, Saab predicts that most reservations will end in vehicle deliveries.

In related news, Saab won’t be selling the 9-4X SUV with a diesel engine in Europe said Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson.

As he explained, "...we have to find one, we have to test it, we have to install it, validate it, and you are two years into the life cycle." Considering the 9-4X is expected to exist in its current form for five to six years, Jonsson says a diesel would have a "very short payoff period."

The Saab 9-4X was mainly designed for the U.S market and will be available with two petrol engines; a 3.0 V6 262bhp (265PS) and a 296bhp 2.8T. The latter will be the only offered in Europe from August 2011.

Jonsson has also confirmed Saab will begin distribution in China in 2011 and a similar deal for Russian distribution is possible within the next few weeks.