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The new Saab 9-4X crossover has earned 'Top Safety Pick', the highest rating for crashworthiness awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States. Only three weeks ago, the Saab 9-5 Sedan received the same accolade.

"To achieve two Top Safety Picks in three weeks is, of course, extremely gratifying," says Per Lenhoff, Head of Safety Development at Saab Automobile. "Our main priority is always the protection of real people in real accidents, but the IIHS tests are a valuable guide for consumers and it is important for us to achieve good results."

IIHS is a research and communications organization funded by auto insurers in the US. The test procedures include front impact (offset) and side impact crashes. Seat/head restraints are also tested in a simulated rear-end impact to assess protection against whiplash injuries and the roof structure is tested to assess vehicle rollover protection.

Performance  is rated as 'Good', 'Acceptable', 'Marginal' or 'Poor' in each of the tests  and to achieve the 'Top Safety Pick' award, cars must achieve the highest rating in all four procedures and should also be fitted with ESP®.

Saab is looking to produce not one, not two, but five new models by 2013. The redesigned 9-5 sedan, first out of the gate, will attempt to establish Saab as a legitimate player in the mid-size luxury segment.

According to reports, "in 2011 Saab will launch the 9-5 Estate and the 9-4X crossover. The latter shares underpinnings with the Cadillac SRX and will be produced in Mexico. Unlike the 9-7X, the 9-4X will be available in Europe."

A year later, the company will introduce the redesigned 9-3. Expected to be offered as a three-and-five-door hatchback, the 9-3 will ride on…