Frankfurt Preview: Saab Turbo X (turbo)charges in

jetsetter · September 9th, 2007, 04:15 PM

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/151/saabturboxhi8948013rr4.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5560/absaabturbox289518e8sq1.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/8962/absaabturbox3895fa4fpe2.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/769/absaabturbox8968692ny8.jpg

Quote:

Though scheduled to debut next Tuesday at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the special edition Saab Turbo X has arrived a bit early courtesy of one particular Swede-o-phile over at Trollhattansaab.net. Actually, only three more images have arrived, but in addition to the front teaser shot that Saab had already released, the new pics show the car from the rear, as well as its exclusive blacked-out interior.

To refresh, the Saab Turbo X will debut the automaker's new XWD all-wheel drive system from Haldex. It's capable of dividing power between the front and rear wheels, but also from side to side in the rear thanks to a new electronic slip differential. Saab's 2.8L turbocharged V6 has been worked over for duty in the Turbo X and now produces 280 hp, up from 255, and 295 ft-lbs. of torque. Trollhattan reports that it will be good for a 5.7 second sprint to 62 mph, which makes it one of the fastest Saabs we've ever heard of.

The gofastedness of the Saab Turbo X will be backed up by a jet black paint job that harkens back to the "Black Turbos" of old from Saab. The XWD system will be twisting a set of particularly handsome 19-inch wheels, though North American customers will be limited to 18-inchers for some reason. Finally, a new front bumper with larger air intake, rear deck lid and dual exhausts round out the exterior treatment.

Only 2,000 Turbo X models will be produced worldwide, though they will be available as both a sedan and Sport Combi wagon. We expect more official images to be waiting for us when we touch down in Frankfurt, and we'll fill up our camera with live shots of Saab Turbo X for you, as well.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/09/f...bo-charges-in/

I love it.

DJ · September 9th, 2007, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetsetter

I love it.

x2

amdforever · September 9th, 2007, 06:10 PM

MadCow809 · September 9th, 2007, 06:25 PM

still have the ugly front grill..

tis a sin : p

bartboy9891 · September 9th, 2007, 06:55 PM

The back looks terrible.

KaJuN · September 10th, 2007, 02:18 AM

A cool car apart from two things: a boring interior and that XWD badge on the back. That's so dumb.

Narcolepsy · September 10th, 2007, 02:35 AM

I like it. Its more offbeat - it looks one step closer to the odd, controversial, unapolgetic identity I remember a Saab having before

Labcoatguy · September 10th, 2007, 02:48 AM

__ called. It wants its ___ back.

In this case, Acura; TL's rear end.

Blind_Io · September 10th, 2007, 03:47 AM

I like it, and I'm not a big fan of Saab. Although I wonder if they will ever put the ignition where it really belongs.

watto · September 10th, 2007, 05:22 AM

That's mighty sexy... And AWD, nice one Saab!

Looks brilliant in black.

Austere · September 10th, 2007, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

I wonder if they will ever put the ignition where it really belongs.

I often wonder the same thing about every other manufacturer.

thedguy · September 10th, 2007, 06:03 AM

I'm probably the minority on this line of thought but ever since SAAB has used GM platforms their cars have started to look damn good (though their older designs have grown on me). More importantly they've actually shown that the American arm is doing a piss poor job at designing a decent looking car with the same platform.

I honestly think GM needs to dump the SAAB brand in the US and rebadge them as something else, it'll bring SAAB more sales, and make whatever brand they pick look a hell of a lot better. I'm kind of thinking Buick. The other option is to dump Buick for more SAAB dealers.

fbc · September 10th, 2007, 01:02 PM

Nice, but doesn't really get my pulse racing. Still not sure about that front end either.

ahpadt · September 10th, 2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartboy9891

The back looks terrible.

marcos_eirik · September 10th, 2007, 02:32 PM

While I don't care much for the grille and the clear lights, I really prefer it to the Vectra it's based on. With 4wd added to the mix I think this will be a very good car, better than the torque/under steering wonder that is the Vectra VXR.

Aiolos · September 10th, 2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amdforever

Meh

x2

SoxXpupPeT · September 10th, 2007, 08:23 PM

im sure itll be great. the front bores me abit but the back is great. aside from that stupid XWD badge. but that can always come off images/smilies/tongue.gif

American TG Man · September 10th, 2007, 08:48 PM

This seems to be the current 9-3s version of the old Viggen models. images/smilies/smile.gif

And as for that "XWD" badge...

HuevosRancheros · September 10th, 2007, 10:26 PM

even with "XWD" it is still a Haldex so most of the power will be wrong wheel drive anyways

thedguy · September 10th, 2007, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuevosRancheros

even with "XWD" it is still a Haldex so most of the power will be wrong wheel drive anyways

That still pretty much cures the torque-steer, which is the only real problem I've ever had with FWD. If the suspension is setup properly and you still can't get rid of the understeer than one needs to learn to drive.

September 9th, 2007, 06:25 PM	#4
MadCow809 Joined: Feb 23rd, 2006 Last Online: 07:32 PM Location: Durban, South Africa / Los Angeles, California Age: 23 Posts: 3,123 Car: 2007 E87 BMW 130i LFS Status: Rep Power: 32	still have the ugly front grill.. tis a sin : p __________________ Supporting : A.Priaulx, Kimi Räikkönen, J.Button, R.Kubica, P.Solberg, M.Hirvonen, J.Plato & M.Jackson FinalGear's Car/Bike Register 08/09 Currently looking for a car, got any suggestions? 08 Honda Civic Coupe 06 BMW 130i 05 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS 05 Ford Bantam 1.3i 95 Mercedes Benz E320 Sportline Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 @ 3Ghz (333 X 9 @ 1.44v ~ 35°c with ZEROtherm BTF90/92mm Cooler) \| DFI INFINITY P965-S \| Corsair XMS DDR II 800 6 Gb \| GeCube ATi HD3850 512mb @ 800/1000Mhz \| Seagate 500Gb + 500Gb + 750Gb + 1000Gb\| LITE-ON 20X DVDRW \| XION 600W PSU \| Logitech Z-2300 \| Logitech MX1000 \| Logitech G25 \| Dual 22" LCD Display @ 3360 x 1050 + Toshiba 40" HDTV @ 1920 x 1080 \| CoolerMaster Centurion 590 \| Vista 64 Ultimate \|

September 9th, 2007, 06:55 PM	#5
bartboy9891 I'm not Moe Joined: Dec 1st, 2004 Last Online: 08:59 PM Location: University of Michigan Age: 19 Posts: 7,779 Car: 1996 Grand Am SE sedan, and dad's 2006 S60 2.5T Rep Power: 43	The back looks terrible. __________________

September 10th, 2007, 02:18 AM	#6
KaJuN Joined: Jul 31st, 2006 Last Online: November 17th, 2008 Location: USAF Basic Training Age: 23 Posts: 4,628 Car: Land Rover Discovery, 1980 Yamaha XJ650 Rep Power: 91	A cool car apart from two things: a boring interior and that XWD badge on the back. That's so dumb. __________________ D-Fence: Kajun is just outside caressing his Discovery....touching it gently, you know......it is such a dirty bitch.....but he seems to love dirty girls in high heels who are taller then him and have "quite a few pounds" on their hips ^^ Yes we can! Join my fan club. You know you want a piece of this action!

September 10th, 2007, 02:35 AM	#7
Narcolepsy Joined: Sep 17th, 2006 Last Online: October 28th, 2008 Location: Philadelphia, USA Posts: 557 Rep Power: 10	I like it. Its more offbeat - it looks one step closer to the odd, controversial, unapolgetic identity I remember a Saab having before __________________ 05 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT 94 Mercedes-Benz C280 (Retired.....by a tree)

September 10th, 2007, 03:47 AM	#9
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: 06:44 PM Location: Richmond, California, USA Age: 28 Posts: 9,076 Car: 2004 Honda Civic Coupe 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 121	I like it, and I'm not a big fan of Saab. Although I wonder if they will ever put the ignition where it really belongs. __________________ War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength

September 9th, 2007, 06:10 PM	#3
amdforever Joined: Mar 15th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Posts: 678 Rep Power: 17	Meh

September 10th, 2007, 02:48 AM	#8
Labcoatguy Joined: Mar 27th, 2005 Last Online: 12:59 PM Location: Boston, MA Age: 25 Posts: 2,693 Car: None; later rather than sooner Rep Power: 82	__ called. It wants its ___ back. In this case, Acura; TL's rear end.

September 10th, 2007, 05:22 AM	#10
watto Unloved and lacking a title Joined: Jun 13th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 23 Posts: 5,412 Car: 1997 VW Golf MkIII CL, Giant OCR 3 Rep Power: 58	That's mighty sexy... And AWD, nice one Saab! Looks brilliant in black.

September 10th, 2007, 06:03 AM	#12
thedguy ^ will bore you to death Joined: Jun 18th, 2004 Last Online: 07:51 PM Location: Under the Counter at McD's Posts: 5,900 Car: 1990 Mazda MX-5 Rep Power: 74	I'm probably the minority on this line of thought but ever since SAAB has used GM platforms their cars have started to look damn good (though their older designs have grown on me). More importantly they've actually shown that the American arm is doing a piss poor job at designing a decent looking car with the same platform. I honestly think GM needs to dump the SAAB brand in the US and rebadge them as something else, it'll bring SAAB more sales, and make whatever brand they pick look a hell of a lot better. I'm kind of thinking Buick. The other option is to dump Buick for more SAAB dealers. __________________

September 10th, 2007, 01:02 PM	#13
fbc Mantastic! Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: 09:14 PM Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 33 Posts: 10,641 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 82	Nice, but doesn't really get my pulse racing. Still not sure about that front end either. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

September 10th, 2007, 02:32 PM	#15
marcos_eirik Joined: Nov 28th, 2004 Last Online: 07:19 PM Location: Askim, Norway Age: 21 Posts: 1,418 Car: Whichever of the cars we have at home... Rep Power: 25	While I don't care much for the grille and the clear lights, I really prefer it to the Vectra it's based on. With 4wd added to the mix I think this will be a very good car, better than the torque/under steering wonder that is the Vectra VXR. __________________ Wenn ist das Nunstruck geht und Slottermeier? Ja. Beierhund das Oder, die Flipperwald gespürt! Greetings from Norway... I miss Texas already...

September 10th, 2007, 08:23 PM	#17
SoxXpupPeT Joined: Dec 24th, 2005 Last Online: 02:15 AM Location: Yonkers, NY Posts: 979 Car: 82' Impala, 94' Z28 Rep Power: 18	im sure itll be great. the front bores me abit but the back is great. aside from that stupid XWD badge. but that can always come off __________________

September 10th, 2007, 08:48 PM	#18
American TG Man Banned By Request Joined: Feb 19th, 2007 Last Online: 09:00 PM Location: Lafayette, PRNJ, Amerikistan Age: 17 Posts: 1,913 Car: None... :'c LFS Status: Rep Power: 25	This seems to be the current 9-3s version of the old Viggen models. And as for that "XWD" badge... __________________ The things one must have in life:1)anonymity 2)floppy hair 3)a taste for cardboard 4)POWERRR!!!! Robert Kubica and BMW-Sauber for 2009... (Just you wait...) DSRacing status: Filling in the giant footprints around the shop... Join the second round of the FinalGear Wacky Races!

September 10th, 2007, 10:26 PM	#19
HuevosRancheros Joined: Jul 26th, 2005 Last Online: June 25th, 2008 Location: big oil, houston TX Posts: 226 Car: 545i, E420, RAM CTD 4x4 Rep Power: 0	even with "XWD" it is still a Haldex so most of the power will be wrong wheel drive anyways __________________ i DO whiten my teeth

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