About XWD and the eLSD
There’s been some conjecture about eLSD availability and XWD in comments, mostly owing to some vague pricing information that’s been floating around on the internets.
So here’s my take on it, based on initial releases and information from Saab. Following this, I’ll shoot off an email to Saab Sweden and USA and see if we can get some clarification once and for all.
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Saab XWD
The new XWD system will be initially available via the Saab Turbo X. This is a special launch model for the XWD system and will feature the full XWD system, including the eLSD, which is the device that splits the torque from left to right at the rear wheels.
After the Turbo X, the XWD system should be available on the V6 9-3 Aero. In normal 2WD guise, the 9-3 Aero will put out 255hp. An XWD model will have an output of 280hp, just like the Turbo X. Initial information from Saab indicated that the eLSD would be an option on the V6 9-3 Aero, not standard equipment as it will be on the Turbo X.
Other models
Word to me is that the XWD system will only be available on the Aero V6 model at first.
After that, it is expected to trickle down to other models in the 9-3 range, most notably the 2.0T. I haven’t heard of any other concrete plans for it to be used with other engine setups, but Saab Sweden did mention that they would look at it for the TTiD in Europe. Not definite, but they’re looking at whether there’d be a market for the diesel/XWD combination.
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As mentioned, I’ll shoot off an email to both SaabUSA and Saab Sweden. Somehow I imagine the USA guys might be busy right now, however.
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If only Saab had some way, some medium, some event to communicate this model information to the public… some event at which they could tell potential customers what’s going on rather than have them notice all of the competitors’ models that have AWD, etc…
Sorry, couldn’t help being sarcastic at Saab’s expense.
I’m very glad you’re doing this Swade. It will be a great service to all of us. And even if they’re busy right now, they should use the Detroit auto show to clear up any questions about XWD and get consumers excited about it. No excuses for them.
I may be in Detroit this weekend. If I am and I see you around, I’ll be buy you a scotch.
As a Saab salesguy who unfortunately sold Volkswagens for 20 months, I can say without a doubt that a diesel/XWD combination would sell in the States.
Their TDI Touareg was wonderful as an engineering showcase, but at $70k it wasn’t the right pricepoint for the brand. Used TDI Passat wagons still command close to what they were when new in ‘04 and ‘05. VW currently has no plans to bring a TDI Tiguan to this market, and their Beetle and Jetta will be sold as FWD only.
Saab could add between 5000 and 10000 9-3 SportCombi sales per year in the US if they could combine either the single or twin turbodiesel with XWD in a timely manner. It would be the car to answer almost every potential buyer’s rhetorical scenario of combining AWD, cargo room, gobs of torque, and excellent fuel economy.
Thanks Swade, I hope the eLSD comes with the 9-3 XWD2.0T.
Have a great time in Detroit and take time to enjoy yourself, I am sure we can wait for any postings.
I really hope they port the 2.0t and TTiD to XWD layouts
And with the ‘vert body as well
I’ve heard from an inside source that like alot of European SUVs the 9-4x will be exclusively XWD. I don’t know if this is common knowledge but a tidbit of info.
I have just been to the Haldex website and it says that the fourth-generation four-wheel-drive system (XWD in Saab-speak) will be offered on VWs in late 2008. I guess I was crazy to think that this new system was a Saab exclusive.
I’ve also heard that Hyundai is supposed to incorporate the new Haldex system in the near future.
Not only is XWD “expected” to make its way to the 2.0T 9³ in model year 2009, it was confirmed by none other than Steve Shannon back in August.
My concern is that we had heard that XWD would add $2K to the 9³ Aero and that eLSD would be an option on top of that, but we have not yet heard an estimated price for eLSD. There was that dealer website which showed XWD being a $2.6K+ option which was more than we had been told, so maybe that was including the eLSD option.
zippy: XWD is a Saab exclusive. For the several months Saab will be selling it before VW does.
However, it must be a good system if VW is choosing to use the Haldex system over their own Quattro.
Unfortunately, I don’t believe that XWD can be configured into the 2.0T. Believe me, as much as I love the 4-cylinder H-block engine that the 2.0T is based on, I think it is nearly impossible to integrate it with XWD, technically speaking.
I believe that the V6 was integrated into the line back in 2006 so as to not “shock” Saab consumers. The V6 must be the only engine available to Saab that is able to support XWD. Personally, I believe that GM should not have included the new V6 into Saab. If anything, they should’ve included an updated version of the 2.3L Viggen engine from 1999-2002.
I’ve driven both a V6 and a Viggen. The V6 is nice; sounds great and has power. However, the Viggen was far superior. Much more fun, more Saab spirit.
Now, only if those engineers in Sweden could find a way to integrate Swedish-designed 4-cylinders with XWD. I stress Swedish since the current 2.0T engines are built in Germany (no offense meant to German Saab enthusiasts).
Was that why GM included the blundered 9-2X into the Saab lineup a few years ago so as to include Subaru’s supreme all wheel drive system into Saab? It’s too late to tell now.
Vector, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be possible to combine xwd with the fours. Please explain !?
Generally I don’t think saabists have anything against v6’s. It’s just that the earlier v6 efforts by Saab (as in 9000, ng900 and 9-5) have been such half-hearted ones (less power, worse economy). Currently the economy is working against v6, but I still think Saab must have one (or several) to offer.
Gripen, VAG is not replacing the quattro with Haldex. The quattro will remain as their ‘premium’ awd system (as in the new A4) in the cars with longitudinal engine. The haldex is (and will be ?)the ‘cheap’ awd for transverse engined cars.
I think the XWD with the TTID would make a bloody good match. It would probably shift more units than the V6 in the UK. And if Hirsch squash 200+ bhp and bit more torque from the TTID - then were really talking!
Quattro IS Haldex. 3rd generation. Look it up!
Saab’s XWD is better than Quattro!!
RJ (for now),
A real quattro does not have Haldex. It’s true that the A3 and TT 4wd (which are transverse engined and thus have the electronically controlled Haldex system) are called quattro but they do NOT have the quattro system with a mechanical Torsen central differential
The bigger Audis from A4 on have the quattro system.
To further confuse things, the Q7 has a Borg-Warner system and the R8 has a viscous central differential. They too are called quattro which they are not.
Which one, quattro or Haldex, is better, is a matter of opinion. First you should define what makes a 4wd system ‘better’ .
Just because Saab has chosen a system, does not automatically make it better. For GM, only the cheapest is good enough.