Saab has confirmed its will be entering the small SUV market with the debut of its new 9-4X BioPower concept at the Detroit Motor Show.

Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile managing director, said the new model was an important next step in the company’s plans to enter new market segments.

The four-wheel-drive 9-4X is powered by a 2.0-litre BioPower turbo engine (85% bioethanol/15% petrol) which develops 300bhp. It also features a panorama glass roof.

The production version of the 9-4X will reach the UK in 2009 and is expected to look identical to the concept version pictured below.