280hp AWD Saab Turbo X? Edmunds test.

[565]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=124967


Will this be a success or will it go the way of the Mazdaspeed6?  I will say it's the first Saab I kinda like.

[the Teuton]

I can has?

Honestly, this would be a great step-up car for any Legacy owner who would like to drive something new.

[MX793]

If there ever was a time to revive the Viggen name, this might have been it (granted, it's not a hatch and isn't plagued by torque steer like a proper Viggen...)

[Cookie Monster]

Badass!
But damn is it heavy. And what's the difference between the Turbo X and a 9-3 XWD?

[565]

Holy hell, $42,510 dollars.  That is way too steep.

[Raza]

Holy hell, $42,510 dollars.  That is way too steep.

Cheaper than the (slightly more powerful) 335xi. 

[the Teuton]

How much does it weigh, he asked.

[sandertheshark]

Impressive.  Probably won't sell well and indeed go the way of the Speed6, but still an impressive offering from Saab.

[omicron]

A low-mileage example will be highly prized in the used market in five or ten years. A crisp effort here, Saab; the new XWD system seems to be quite effective.

[Cookie Monster]

Impressive.  Probably won't sell well and indeed go the way of the Speed6, but still an impressive offering from Saab.

Well they are  only making 600 anyway.

[SVT_Power]

I saw this at the autoshow and wondered what it was

[S204STi]

Huh...I may have to convert!

[S204STi]

Well they are  only making 600 anyway.

No, they are making 2000, and only 600 make it our way.

[S204STi]

I can has?

Honestly, this would be a great step-up car for any Legacy owner who would like to drive something new.

The Spec B could keep up, but this is soooo much cooler.

[Cookie Monster]

No, they are making 2000, and only 600 make it our way.

I was posting on a PSP. I had no time to type out such shenanigans.

[Champ]

And what's the difference between the Turbo X and a 9-3 XWD?

Turbo X will have the XWD system but be top of the line with that rear eLSD and the 280 horse, I think the regular Aero will still have 255, and be FWD or XWD like previous years.

I believe the rear eLSD is optional on the normal XWD.


The cool part about that AWD system is it looks to be able to have performance programmed into it, since it's mostly controlled by computers.

[nickdrinkwater]

It has the looks and performance.  Too bad about the handling.

[Champ]

It has the looks and performance.  Too bad about the handling.

  They praise the handling on ice and didn't get to drive it on pavement.  Have you gotton to?

The current 9-3 handles quite nicely, I have no doubts this will do the same if not better.

[r0tor]

i poked arounf Saab's website and didn't see any 9-3 models with AWD... whats the story?

[Champ]

i poked arounf Saab's website and didn't see any 9-3 models with AWD... whats the story?

Just did the same and didn't find anything either.   


My knowledge is the XWD will debut on the Turbo X, then be available on any 9-3 (sedan/wagon) except the convert, even the lower trim ones with the 4-cyl.  It should be all available in '08 so not sure why they aren't talking about it.

I call my dealer now and then and I've talked to more than one salesperson who didn't even know there was a special Turbo X thing.  Not sure if that's a function of dumb salespeople or Saab dropping the ball on their release of this car.

[S204STi]

I was posting on a PSP. I had no time to type out such shenanigans.

That's what you get for surfing the intraweb on a gameboy.

[nickdrinkwater]

  They praise the handling on ice and didn't get to drive it on pavement.  Have you gotton to?

The current 9-3 handles quite nicely, I have no doubts this will do the same if not better.

All the reviews I've read criticise the handling of the 9³, saying that it lags behind its rivals dynamically.

Here is an example:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/209424/saab_93.html

[Champ]

All the reviews I've read criticise the handling of the 9³, saying that it lags behind its rivals dynamically.

Here is an example:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/209424/saab_93.html

They said they did like the XWD version on the gravel and tarmac so hopefully it will get some good reviews.

Having one on the track myself, I'd say it holds its own.  Of course the one I had was fitted with nicer 17" with performance tires, not the 16" all seasons they had in that test.

[nickdrinkwater]

I'm not saying that it handles like shit, just that it seems to be nowhere near the benchmark.

[BimmerM3]

Cheaper than the (slightly more powerful) 335xi. 

Except that it's more expensive than the 335xi Sedan. The Bimmer starts at $40,800, and the RWD is 2 grand less than that. I'm not sure how the options compare though.

Oh, but it is $90 cheaper than the 335xi Coupe.

It seems like a pretty nice car, but (and I'm sure you're all just astonished at this) I'll take the Bimmer.

[Champ]

Except that it's more expensive than the 335xi Sedan. The Bimmer starts at $40,800, and the RWD is 2 grand less than that. I'm not sure how the options compare though.

Oh, but it is $90 cheaper than the 335xi Coupe.

It seems like a pretty nice car, but (and I'm sure you're all just astonished at this) I'll take the Bimmer.

If it's anything like their other halo cars it will be fully equipped for that price.  The Viggen came with every option checked.

Not sure if it will be the same since they have all that new crap like HID's and navigation.

[Champ]

I'm not saying that it handles like shit, just that it seems to be nowhere near the benchmark.

I can deal with that.

[Colonel Cadillac]

This car is a beast! If you're feeling like having a car that's different but still great, this is definitely it.

[Cookie Monster]

That's what you get for surfing the intraweb on a gameboy.

[Champ]

http://jalopnik.com/380099/2008-saab-turbo-x-hits-the-track-goes-head+to+head-with-the-subaru-wrx-sti-bmw-m3-bmw-3+series-and-audi-a4

I think this type of a review is a first for this car.  The US mags haven't published anything yet.