With its pumped up turbo V-6, darkened body trim, and modern twist on the classic three-spoke wheel, the Saab Turbo X pays homage to the rarest performance Saabs of old, cars like the 1985 900 SPG and 2000 9-3 Viggen. However, unlike its quirky forbears, this newest Trollhättener uses all four wheels to get its force-fed power to the road. Also, Saab is offering the Turbo X not as a three-door, but as either a four-door sedan or a five-door "SportCombi" wagon, the latter making up only a third of the 600 total units to be offered here.
You will definitely know a Turbo X when you pass one; its appearance is unmistakably sinister by comparison to the workaday 9-3 on which it's based. Exterior changes include a more aggressive front bumper with integrated driving lights, deep side skirts, and a unique rear bumper with a pair of angled chrome exhaust pipes. With its blacked-out headlamps, titanium-colored accents, and black metallic paint (the only color available), the Turbo X looks downright mean...
These may be a tempting choice once Saab depreciation kicks in.
x2.
Motive, do you know what the manual : automatic ratio will be for U.S.-bound Turbo Xs? I'm trying to ascertain how rare a manual Turbo X SportCombi will be.
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Motive, do you know what the manual : automatic ratio will be for U.S.-bound Turbo Xs? I'm trying to ascertain how rare a manual Turbo X SportCombi will be.
We don't know an exact figure but it'll be fairly low. Our best guess is that there might be 50 manual wagons in the country. But even if you double that, that's still one very rare ride.
I wish there was a 3-door hatch version with the utility of the original 900 but se la vi. I'd rock a sedan if I had the loot but I'd smoke the tails and paint the fog lamp surrounds black.
I saw a Turbo X Sportcombi recently. It's very evil looking in person. The only detail I didn't care for was the rear valence was a bit cheesy looking. There was no mistaking it for the average 9-3. Kudos to Saab for offering manuals in both sedan and wagon forms on an obviously enthusiast-oriented model (yes, I'm glaring at you, VAG).
I'd like to add that besides the 600 turbo x's that have hit the shores they have also sneaked in 600 Aero Trimmed XWD 9-3's that have the same horsepower/tourque and drivetrain, sans eLSD. I think these are a steal since they are a little more stealth, and obv. a lot cheaper, considering most Turbo X's i looked at were fully optioned.
I was lucky enough to pick one up, sedan, stick, and i have to say its very fun.
Its actually getting me to forget about my 04 R32, which i still cruise auto trader at night looking for.
I'd like to add that besides the 600 turbo x's that have hit the shores they have also sneaked in 600 Aero Trimmed XWD 9-3's that have the same drivetrain, sans eLSD. I think these are a steal since they are a little more stealth, and obv. a lot cheaper, considering most Turbo X's i looked at were fully optioned.
I was lucky enough to pick one up, sedan, stick, and i have to say its very fun.
Its actually getting me to forget about my 04 R32, which i still cruise auto trader at night looking for.
6.8 0-60? My bone stock 230hp Viggen can do better than that. Sound like that car had issues. The XWD and autotragic can account for some weight and that performance number, but the cars aren't big heavy German pigs. I was under the impression the cars didn't have torque limiters in first and second like regular 9-3s, but perhaps they do after all. It sure sound like it.
I am. And i wish they would have mentioned those facts in the teaser, so i could have saved my click.
ah...gotcha. well unfortunately most of the time they (any automotive journalist) can't just call up the manufacturer and specify which car they want...they get what they give them
ah...gotcha. well unfortunately most of the time they (any automotive journalist) can't just call up the manufacturer and specify which car they want...they get what they give them
bill
Especially in Chicago. Our writer drove every bodystyle/engine combination on the track at Road America. We chose to write it up using the auto wagon because that's what all of us drove back at the office and because that's what we photographed. If there would have been a big enough difference it would've been mentioned. But if you've driven a recent 9-3 with that floppy, rubbery shifter, you'd know that choosing the auto wouldn't be all that bad.
I'd like to add that besides the 600 turbo x's that have hit the shores they have also sneaked in 600 Aero Trimmed XWD 9-3's that have the same horsepower/tourque and drivetrain, sans eLSD. I think these are a steal since they are a little more stealth, and obv. a lot cheaper, considering most Turbo X's i looked at were fully optioned.
Interesting. When you build one at http://www.Saab.com you CAN build the XWD now. Mu ha ha ha ha. The XWD are about $3,000 less than a TurboX roughly. Plus they have some additional ride height which can be good for some of us in the mountains.
Quote, originally posted by Justin Osman »
I was lucky enough to pick one up, sedan, stick, and i have to say its very fun.
Very cool. My dealer mentioned the East Coast getting the XWD models. Said they had to trade in order to get one in in late July.
Quote, originally posted by Justin Osman »
Its actually getting me to forget about my 04 R32, which i still cruise auto trader at night looking for.
Sometimes, being a car enthusiast is a bear isn't it!
Modified by Justin Osman at 4:14 PM 7-9-2008
Here's one at the Denver dealer...SportCombi TurboX Automatic.
Yes Martha, you can get your new 2010 Toyota 4Runner with a 4-cylinder. As long as it's 2WD. And as long as it's with an old 4-speed automatic.
anyway builder be damned, there are only 600 Aero XWD models for 08 but i just learned in 09 XWD is an option on any 9-3 sedan and wagon, be it 2.0 or 2.8 engine.
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Ooooh, fun!
The XWD are about $3,000 less than a TurboX roughly. 
