Monday 13th August 2007

Saab Gets Turbo X Power

Limited edition Saab to be unveiled at Frankfurt

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Saab is celebrating 30 years of turbocharging

Hmmm..could this be a 300bhp 9-3 saloon?

engines with a limited edition model called the Turbo X. Due to be unveiled at next month's Frankfurt motor show, the Swedish car-maker is keeping quiet over specifics but has said it will use ‘cutting edge technology’ and be as stylish as its 99 and 900 Black Turbo model forebears.

With nothing but this official teaser pic to work from, the pistonheads office reckon the Turbo X could be a blown version of the recently facelifted 247bhp 9-3 V6 Aero. We also think that Saab’s new cross-wheel drive system could fill the ‘cutting edge tech’ brief. We’ll keep you posted if we find out any more official information.

[kieranbennett]

I'd still rather have the one in the background

[nicky.mattsson]

kieranbennett said:

I'd still rather have the one in the background

Me too, I still lust after the 900 Carlson my auntie had some years ago! I liked that car loads, quick as you like!

[sideways11]

More nonsense from Saab?

Seems like this one is actually going to be released, unlike the world's first
bio power/electric hybrid convertible that has been nothing more than a marketing stunt. Now at least Saab's website label it a concept car. Like the Aero X.

Saab have plenty of great ideas but fail to deliver (quite literally!!!)

[Kieran'07]

kieranbennett said:

I'd still rather have the one in the background

[900T-R]

sideways11 said:

Saab have plenty of great ideas but fail to deliver (quite literally!!!)

Well, they can't be seen stealing Cadillac's thunder as GM's global top brand, can they? And as Caddy is going nowhere in Europe with no hope in h*ll for improvement...

According to my sources, this one is no more than an aggressively styled intro version of the 280 bhp 9-3 Aero XWD (a clever AWD system that sends a bigger proportion of engine torque to the outside rear wheel in a bend à la Mitsu Active Yaw Control and Honda Super Handling AWD, reports are it transforms the dynamic capabilities of the 9-3, well better late...) in... wait for it... matt black.

Should be a great talking point for Saab at the IAA, but I'd really had hoped that this time they went the whole hog and ame with something at least competitive with Audi's S (let alone RS) brand... oh well.

[wab172uk]

900T-R said:

sideways11 said:

According to my sources, this one is no more than an aggressively styled intro version of the 280 bhp 9-3 Aero XWD (a clever AWD system that sends a bigger proportion of engine torque to the outside rear wheel in a bend à la Mitsu Active Yaw Control and Honda Super Handling AWD, reports are it transforms the dynamic capabilities of the 9-3, well better late...) in... wait for it... matt black.

Aren't Saab in bed with Subaru?
Would have thought the Saab would just use the Impreza hardware.

[900T-R]

wab172uk said:

Aren't Saab in bed with Subaru?
Would have thought the Saab would just use the Impreza hardware.

Nope, GM has pulled the plug on its collaboration with Subaru, which of course also meant the end of the Saab/Scooby alliance. The 9-2X was meant to get a successor based on the next gen Impreza platform - as it stands the new small Saab mooted for 2009/10 will sit on the next Vauxhall/Opel Astra platforn.

[Phil Dicky]

Wish they would improve the look of the 9-5, makes me feel ill everytime I see a facelift car....still looked at a 9-3 with the full Hirsch package on, which looked very nice. If they follow that look should be quite interesting.

[E4UAN]

I wonder if "limited edition" counts if they just make a one-off prototype, flash it around a bit, then go for a sauna and forget to make any more?

[900T-R]

E4UAN said:

I wonder if "limited edition" counts if they just make a one-off prototype, flash it around a bit, then go for a sauna and forget to make any more?

Apparently they'll be building 1,000.

[den]

"the pistonheads office reckon the Turbo X could be a blown version of the recently facelifted 247bhp 9-3 V6 Aero"

Erm.. it's already blown ;-)

Twin scroll Turbo V6

[Bodo]

Is it just me or is Toyota actually more exciting than Saab these days?

[sploosh]

serious question - I assume it will be fwd? Is there any point putting that much power through the wrong wheels?

(My family car is a Saab 9-5 2.3 lpt auto and that puts down 11's when I don't want to)

[i want an aero]

sploosh said:

serious question - I assume it will be fwd? Is there any point putting that much power through the wrong wheels?

(My family car is a Saab 9-5 2.3 lpt auto and that puts down 11's when I don't want to)

plenty of 9-5 owners have over 300bhp im 1

[Dibby]

Looks like they've done away with the stupid Dame Edna Everage glasses.

How come it still looks like the bloated sales reps that will drive it?

[Saabstudent]

Already got the one in the background...



G

[Kieran'07]

Saabstudent said:

Already got the one in the background...



G

That looks awesome mate! That's what I call a proper Saab, I'd rather one of those any day.

[Miguel]

Bodo said:

Is it just me or is Toyota actually more exciting than Saab these days?

I couldn't agree more. Saabs were always quirky. I never had any experience with old Saabs, but at least they were unique. Now that they're part of GM, I think that everything that they make is redundant and boring. GM also uses Saab rebadge other vehicles, such as the monster SUV (Trailblazer, I think) sold as the Saab 9-7x 5.3i, which I doubt is sold outside of the US and Canada. Once GM sold Subaru, Saab dropped the 9-2x. Having driven a WRX, my guess is that Saab no longer makes anything worth talking about or driving. Also, I still haven't seen that new engine they were working on with variable compression. I believe that the idea was to increase the compression when the engine was off boost. Whatever happened to that?

Miguel

[900T-R]

Miguel said:

Bodo said:

Also, I still haven't seen that new engine they were working on with variable compression. I believe that the idea was to increase the compression when the engine was off boost. Whatever happened to that?

Somewhere deep in GM's drawers - the corporate bozo responsible for powertrain development said the General's fuel efficiency strategy revolved around 'Displacement On Demand' and that was that.

So GM... how many cylinders of the four banger that constitutes 95% of the passenger car market here does one want to shut off while cruising, then?