From comments in the “eye-podding” post (below), here’s two more websites that deal with hooking up your music machine to your driving machine.

Seth has instructions on how he installed and Aux input into the dash of his Saab. It appears to work off a toggle switch and function OK.

Carl hasn’t yet completed his project, named Trollpod, but is looking to take it to the next level and get full iPod functionality. The homepage for Trollpod is here and the project blog is here.

It should be noted that you take stuff like this on at your own risk. It’s your car and you’re an adult making adult decisions. I haven’t tried this stuff and its appearance here ain’t an endorsement - I’m just passing on the fact that these sites are available.

I haven’t had a good look over this, but I know there’s enough interest to warrant posting it straight away. Thanks to Bjoern for the tip.

Ladies and Gentleman, may I present gatoAlfa and his blog - Technical Diversions. It details how he’s managed to iPod his Saab 9-3. Now, before you rush off with grandiose plans off full iPod integration, please know that that hasn’t happened here.

It looks to me, from a brief overview, that he’s managed to introduce a new AUX input to his 9-3 that’s allowed On-Star functionality to remain (if you’ve got it). Looks clean as a whistle and from his reports, sounds great too. Please visit gatoAlfa at the link above if you’re interested.

It’s time for another SOTW entry and this one’s been elevated onto the list in order to warm up my mates in northern Europe - keep those heated seats switched ON. This one’s been submitted by Paul H and was taken on holiday recently in western New South Wales, where it’s as dry and dusty as your great Aunt’s undies.

Click to enlarge….

You can view all the SOTW photos by clicking here: Saab O The Week. It’s dead easy to get your picture in the SOTW section. Just take a great photo involving a Saab and email it to me. Please remember - we’re after great photos, not average photos with a great car in them.

I know I’ve been rattling on about the Biopower fuel system a lot recently, mainly due to the 9-5 Biopower concept being shown around the United States recently.  But don’t worry Fred, I haven’t forgotten about diesel.  Most of the US has, though. 

I’ve written here several times that Saab USA will be held accountable if the 1.9l 9-3 TiD isn’t introduced into the US market next year.  2007 will mark the time when low-sulphur diesel fuel becomes mandatory in the US, making the diesel variants of many successful European cars more appealing.  Saab’s 9-3 TiD has been going great guns, leading a Saab revival in the UK, and should be a certain starter for the US market if GM are on the ball.

Mercedes Benz have already announced their plans for diesel next year.  Audi’s deisel’s are being noticed too.  So Saab really don’t have much in the way of excuses if they miss the party.

Edmunds Inside Line have recently published an article on the evolution of the modern diesel and the benefits it enjoys over its gasoline siblings.  It should be a very interesting read for you US folks that are unfamiliar with the benefits and recent refinements in the diesel powerplant.

Final thoughts
While diesel clearly isn’t the answer to everyone’s prayers, the U.S. market is unquestionably missing out on the modern diesel phenomenon. Bountiful torque, excellent refinement and a huge range are qualities well suited to the American highway. It is surely time to put away the prejudices of the 1970s and embrace the modern diesel engine.

Absolutely.  This is market share for Saab that’s just begging to be picked up.  Here’s hoping they do the right thing.

Some numbers from Saab UK:

Saab 9-3 1.8t with gasoline engine

Power (bhp) - 150,  Torque (Nm) - appr 220,  Acceleration: 0-60mph - 9.0sec,  40-60mph - 8.0sec,  Economy: mpg combined cycle - 36.7mpg

Saab 9-3 1.9TiD

Power (bhp) - 150,  Torque (Nm) - appr 320,  Acceleration: 0-60mph - 9.0sec,  40-60mph - 6.5sec  Economy: mpg combined cycle - 48.7mpg

Saab also have the 175bhp gasoline model in the UK and the diesel outstrips that one at 50-70mph too.  The diesel will do it in just 7.7 seconds whilst the gasoline model takes 10.0.

For performance and economy, diesels seem to be leading the pack at the moment.  It’s just a shame they don’t have ‘the’ sound.

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UPDATE:  Thanks to SaabKen in comments, there’s some timely news about GM Powertrain Europe expanding it’s R&D base.  From Automotive News:

General Motors is significantly building up its diesel expertise in Europe.

Within two years, GM Powertrain Europe will more than double product engineering staff at its new headquarters in Turin, Italy.

The big staff nembers are due to more stringent emissions requirements in the EU through 2010 and 2015, but obviously this could mean good things for deisel expansion elsewhere too.

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UPDATE 2: Greg, also in comments, points out the biggest hurdle in getting diesel into the US - public perception.  The cultural perception of diesel engines in the US involves clouds of smoke and rattling train-engines.  Managing this change in perception is going to be one of the biggest challenges facing car companies if they want to get diesel products and all their advantages into the marketplace. 

They say significant perception change takes a generation to cycle through fully.  So here’s hoping the first part of the job’s nearly done, with many younger buyers not having much negative experience with diesels. 

Saabs have been regarded as great snow vehicles for a long time now.  The ability to cope with snow and ice was always one of the inherent requirements when Saab designed their cars, initially for the Swedish market and then for the world. 

Here’s a great read from SKI Magazine, reviewing the 9-3 Sport Combi.  A lot of recent buyers in Northern Europe and the NE United States would be testing out the snow and ice capabilities of this car right now, I’d guess.

A few excerpts:

The SportCombi—built on the 9-3’s frame but in a hatchback/wagon version—is like a good foreign film that makes you wonder why Americans don’t make stuff just like it. It’s an ideal daily driver, ski vehicle and Home Depot picker-upper. A car that hauls, in every sense of the word…..

….The SportCombi manages to be a driver’s car without sacrificing any of its well-balanced usability. In fact, it’s just that usability I most liked. With a tailgate that opens extra wide, optional roof racks and a 60/40 ski-hatch pass-through in the back seat, it’s a natural for hauling skis, kayaks or bikes. Even the front passenger seat can be folded down for extra cargo. The Swedes like their outdoors, and it shows in their cars…..

….If cues like the available 18-inch wheels and integrated mini-spoiler lend the impression of speed, it’s no mistake. The Aero version comes with an all-new engine—a 2.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 used on other 9-3s as well. With 250 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque, this ain’t your dad’s 1970s faux wood–sided wagon.

It’s pretty much this type of lifestyler that Saab have in their sights with the 9-3 SportCombi.  Good to see it’s been well received.  The only criticism in the whole article regards the 6-speed manual gearbox (and having just driven my nephew’s 6spd Commodore Ute on the weekend, I can sympathise a little) though the writer does sing the praises of the 6spd auto.  A good thing as it’s likely to be the more common setup.

A recommended and quick read: SKI Magazine on the Saab 9-3SC.

I love visiting Melbourne, but after 3 consecutive 40+ degree days (that’s Celcius, folks) it’s good to be home again. Good luck and safe travelling to the firefighters over there, 1 of which is my nephew and 2 others friends of mine.

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After a rather big build-up last week, the campaign to win the Bosal Cars In Action Tarmac Challenge by Michele Lupini in his beasty Saab 9-3 ended in a fizzer on the weekend. Lupini’s car busted a CV joint in the first stage of the event. The tarmac rally was won by Etienne Lourens in a Toyota.

I guess the next big event for me will be Targa Tasmania and Dan’s campaign in the 99turbo.

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Seems like the 900 turbo is the consensus pick as “The Saabiest Saab” with the 99 Turbo coming in a respectable second place.

I’m pretty comfortable with that.

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Whatcar? have news of a minor recall for Saab. The first for 2006 (and hopefully the last):

Saab’s recall covers 456 of its 9-3 models with the vehicle identification numbers 00000006*102*4205 to 00000006*102*7871. It says the manufacturing process of the rear wheel bearing assembly may not have been correct.

Owners may notice a rumbling noise which, if left unchecked, could in some cases result in the complete detachment of the hub from the axle and a lost wheel.

The owners of affected vehicles are being contacted by both manufacturers with the offer of free checks and remedial work at their nearest dealership.

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A couple of lucky Trollhattan regulars have won a trip to go stay in an ice hotel in Sweden and learn how to drive Saabs on the ice. I can’t quite find the competition details now, but it looks like it’ll be a heck of a trip. Robin’s very kindly agreed to send some pictures and words about the trip - should be fantastic!

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Still haven’t heard any more news on the possibility of a Biopowered Talladega 2006. But you GM folks, if it happens then I’d love to come over and have a drive (please, pretty please, with a cherry on top!).

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Security in Trollhattan must have been stepped up a bit as there’s hasn’t been one single spyshot of the several new models that might be shown in Geneva in March.

The email’s always open, people.

Nothing to do with Saab whatsoever, but being an NBA fan I can’t let Kobe Bryant’s 81 points against Toronto go unmentioned. He is an absolute scoring machine. Up until today, only 3 guys had ever topped 70 points in a game. Now Kobe makes it 4.

Can’t wait for the DVD. I wonder if he drives a Saab? There you go Jay - do a 9-7x in purple-n-gold with spinners and the whole shebang!! It’ll sell like wildfire in Cali (though not so well in Denver). Money in the bank. Call me to talk about my salary, huh?

I’d like to quickly roll out the welcome mat to whoever might be visiting here from the New York Times. This humble little blog received a mention in a story by Jerry Garrett: Does Saab Have a Future Within the G.M. Family?

This is a site for those people that are pretty dedicated to the Saab brand. It’s a small automotive marque with a rich history, famed for it’s distinctive styling in years past as well as it’s dedication to getting more from less. Whether it be more power and torque from small turbocharged engines or more cabin space through intelligent design and the use of Front Wheel Drive, any Saab enthusiast can pretty well confirm that driving a Saab gives you great motoring value.

For those that are first-time visitors to the site, I’d like to quickly point you to a couple of items that you might find interesting. First up, the 2006 model range:

All you need to know about the 2006 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan - Part 1, Part 2, changes from 2005.

All you need to know about the 2006 Saab 9-3 Sport Combi

20 years of the Saab Convertible

All you need to know about the 2006 Saab 9-5

All you need to know about the Saab 9-7 SUV

All you need to know about the 2006 Saab 9-2x apologies in advance for this one….

As mentioned up front, this is an enthusiast’s site. And enthusiasts have thoughts and feelings. Whilst the majority of us, me included, are thankful for the life support that GM has provided for Saab in the last 15 years, it doesn’t mean we’re a grovelling bunch of nitwits willing to take whatever GM throws at us. I like to think we give credit where credit’s due, but I don’t mind voicing my thoughts and the thoughts of others when it comes to the brand of Auto we’ve come to love. I’ve written a bunch of articles on this subject here at Trollhattan, categorised as Letters to GM.

There’s also one gargantuan article entitled “Tell GM About It”, where I opened the floor for visitors to this site so that they could voice their opinion on Saab’s model range and their hopes for the future of Saab. We’re the customers after all - right? These comments were printed and sent to Jay Spenchian of Saab USA and Robert (Bob) Lutz, as well as some of the head honchos in Europe. As yet, and quite disappointingly, there’s been no acknowledgement as to the efforts these Saab loyalists went to.

More links: Info about this site, info about the author and about his car, a 1999 Saab 9-3 Viggen.

If you’re a new visitor here at Trollhattan, it’s my sincere hope that you enjoy your visit and if so, please bookmark the site and come again. I’d also like to thank Jerry Garrett for the reference in his NYT article. I would have done that on the quiet, but there’s no email link for him in the story, so thanks Jerry.