A Swedish-American joint project you say? So it's a huge 4x4 with lashings of Ikea wood?

Sort of. Under GM's new global strategy, the General is tying in development of its disparate brands more closely than ever before. No more budget-busting Saabs and Opels that don't quite share enough oily bits to hit the synergies demanded by the bean counters.

And one of the next big launches will be this crossover - expected to be badged BRX in Caddy guise, 9-4X in Saab-speak. The Cadillac will go on sale first, late next year, followed by the Saab in 2009; both will be presaged by a 2008 concept car.