Saab Turbo X: Prepped For Take-off

Motoring Channel Staff - 6/May/2008

Sydney, Australia — One of the rarest and most powerful Saabs ever built is being prepped for take-off.

Priced from $88,800 the eagerly awaited all-wheel-drive limited edition Saab Turbo X has power and torque levels closing in on giant-killers such as the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Evo.

But unlike the hyper Japanese sports cars, the Saab Turbo X is a limited edition model - only 30 cars will be imported into Australia, guaranteeing exclusivity.

In a tip of the hat to the original Saab 900 Turbo display, the new Turbo X's boost gauge will be a replica based on the classic car. Furthermore, owners will be greeted with a personalised greeting when they get behind the wheel and switch on the ignition.

After the the driver's name flashes up, a unique "Ready For Take-off" message appears in the main instrument display, along with the edition number of the car.

Powered by turbo 2.8-litre V6 engine developing 206kW (280hp) @ 5500rpm, and 400Nm of torque @ 2150rpm, the Swedish car is faster in a straight line than TRD's supercharged Aurion.

Posting a zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 5.7 seconds, the Saab Turbo X is also expected to be one of the more controlled mid-sized performance sedans (and wagons), because it is an AWD vehicle.

There will be 25 sport sedans coming to Australia and New Zealand and just 5 wagons (a.k.a SportCombi), making the latter very rare which should bolster their resale value.

Saab Turbo X pricing is as follows:

Sport Sedan: $88,800 (manual)
Sport Sedan: $91,300 (auto)

Sport Combi: $91,300 (manual)
Sport Combi: $93,800 (auto)

The limited edition models will arrive in Australia and New Zealand in June 2008.

You can only get the new model in only one colour - black - which pays homage to the Saab Black 900 Turbo. Inside the Trollhättan trailblazer are sports seats upholstered entirely in black leather and premium natural leather seats are a $4,000 option. Dark carbon-fibre accents also add to the interior's dark, sporty vibe.

The AWD system, or XWD as Saab calls it, uses an active rear limited-slip differential (eLSD) that can transfer up to 50 per cent of maximum rear torque between the rear wheels, to whichever has more grip.

In standard operation the XWD system "continuously distributes engine drive torque between the front and rear axles and also between the rear wheels," explains Saab, which "gives the driver optimum handling, stability and grip in all driving conditions".

One of the more interesting features of the new XWD system is the take-off system, which incorporates a pre-emptive engagement of the rear wheels. "Unlike conventional all-wheel-drive systems, this eliminates the need to detect front wheel slip before rear drive is activated; contributing to a system which Saab believes sets a new benchmark in all-wheel-drive performance," explains the Swedish car maker. 

This new system would also help explain the rapid 5.7 second benchmark sprint time.

As well as the vehicles powerful 400Nm engine, Saab has improved the chassis by upgrading the brakes, wheels and suspension.

With ventilated 345mm x 30mm discs at the front and and 292mm x 20mm at the rear, deceleration has been vastly improved. Grip levels have also been uprated with the 18-inch wheels shod with are 235/45 R18s (19-inch wheels can be optioned for $2,250).

Saab has modified the stability control (ESP) so that it cuts in later and is less felt for sports driving. It has a 10mm lower ride height with stiffer springs and dampers to reduce body roll, and it's even got self-levelling dampers are fitted at the rear.

New front and rear aprons have also been designed for the special edition Swede that improve aerodynamics and add a more aggressive edge to the way the car looks.

The front end gets a deep lip spoiler and integrated air intake, which increases air flow to the intercooler and at the rear of the car the bumper has been re-profiled. According to Saab a new insert panel lowers the point of air flow separation, which helps to reduce drag and improve high speed stability. 

There's also a new rear spoiler and one of the best visual features are the twin rhomboid-shaped tailpipes. The SportCombi gets a similar spoiler that extends the rear roof line.

Best known for its safe, environmentally friendly and visually different designs, Saab's all new hero model is a sprinter, pure and simple. 

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