http://www.winktimber.com/reader/reader061005.htm

At the post-event festivites in 1996, Saab officials insisted there would be another record attempt using the soon-to-be-introduced Saab 9-5. Unfortunately it never happened.

– TW

Some carmakers have started to do these also, merc run 3 diesel cars, was it 30 days? But it got very little media publicity.

If Saab would do it again, (that I heavily think they will do next year), they would get much better publicity because they have history to back up things. But there should be something what to proof for.

E85 is very good idea because it is also environment thing that is marketing jackpot.

Because they need something more than few new records in V4 and V6 class.

Saab got 40 Participants to come and compare the new 9000 2.3 with the competition. They had several variants on the 9000 2.3 and competitor cars as well. The participants consisted of Saab Sales Representatives, Saab Owners, and Owners of Saab’s Competition cars.

The cars were put through 4 Exercises which consisted of
-Road Course
-Braking While Cornering
-Accident Avoidance
-Merging Power

The 9-5 only is offered with one diesel, the 1.9TID with 150bhp. The 3.0 V6 diesel, was developed with Isuzu and since the begining was a disaster in reliability terms, now isn’t offered anymore. The first year it has some electronic and other issues, with accelerator module, EGR valve and with time it appeared some design issues of the engine as a bad design of the aluminium cylinder jackets that slides and that makes a lot of refrigeration liquid consumption.

I think that the best cars to make the competition will be,

Saab 9-5 Aero
Saab 9-5 2.3t 185bhp
Saab 9-5 2.0t Biopower
Saab 9-3ss Aero(2.8V6t)
Saab 9-3ss 210bhp
Saab 9-3ss 1.9TID

Bill, the thought behind using the 9-5 was twofold. First, it’s traditionally been a 1-model event. Which leads to….Second, if you’re going to choose a model to run, perhaps the 9-5 would be most suited as it has the most to benefit in terms of flagging sales. Also the capabilities and durability of the new engine variants could be shown (although there’s plans to Biopower the 9-3 as well so that argument goes both ways).

I’d be quite happy to see Saab do it however they see fit. I just want to see them do it.