Monthly Archives: March 2008

Top Gear and the Saab 9-3 Turbo X

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Everyone loves Top Gear.

We love the way the Hamster is like a small puppy and Captain Slow is like, well, like all of us in some sort of way. And then there’s Clarkson himself with his quick wit, his disregard for all things PC and of course, his…….

..pauses.

With the production values they’ve developed for the show and the excellent scripts it’s no wonder that it’s become one the highest rating prime time entertainments shows of all time. Even my wife watches it, and I’m sure I’m not the only husband who can say that.

That’s the TV show. Now on to that piece of rancid offal that is the Top Gear website………

Of course, I don’t think the website is actually made from a piece of rancid offal. Nor do I think it’s the internet equivalent of a piece of rancid offal. I just meant to imply that I don’t read the website very often and have a preference for the TV show that’s somewhat like my preference for Saabs over Yugos. Why didn’t I just say that? Well, the colorful language makes it more entertaining, right?

Top Gear – the magazine/website – drove the Turbo X recently and it’s fair to say they didn’t like it. They called the gearbox joyless and stated that the engine “has little of the lively response or revving enthusiasm required to actually enjoy driving swiftly”. They also manage to pull the words ‘lifeless’, ‘glutinous’ and ‘stodgy’ out of their thesaurus.

It’s kinda funny, though, as I got an email just this morning from TedJS, out resident GM tech guy who has a V6 Saab 9-3 SportCombi of his own, with marginally less grunt than this one, and he said “that car goes from 40 to 80mph (64 to 128 kilometer/hour to you) like it is possessed. Love that turbo V6.” And despite all our hand-wringing about that 280hp figure when we heard it, there’s been nary a complaint from the press that have driven it so far.

But I guess it makes for good entertainment.

Click through and have a read of it for yourself, but I doubt that we’re ever going to hear any of those words from people like Ted – i.e. those that pay their own hard-earned for their Saab.

Saturday morning quick snippets

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It’s my birthday weekend, baby! Woohoo.

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If you were thinking that the Gen IV XWD system from Haldex isn’t really anything special, you might like to re-think.

It seems Porsche saw that slalom chart where the Saab 9-3 beat it’s 911 Turbo recently and have decided that a change could be in order. This from Autoblog:

Reports are now circulating, however, that Stuttgart is preparing to dump its own tried-and-tested in-house four-wheel-drive system for an outsourced Haldex transmission, reportedly equipped with the latest electronic limited slip differential.

Saab need to get that baby out there and shout about it from the rooftops!

If it can make me feel like I’m handling a car half-decently then it’s got to be good :-) …….and then in the hands of en expert?!!!

Thanks Albert

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What a great shot!

This was sent in by Edwin, who had a friend visit the Ice Hotel recently. Magnificent!

Saab 9-3 Sport Combi

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Consumer reports have a crack at Volvo’s BLIS warning system, and I have to say I agree.

I’m getting old. The fewer nannies in my car the better, I think.

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If GM wonder why there’s a still some residual nervousness amongs Saab enthusiasts when it comes to the management of Saab, consider this quote from Bob Boniface, head design guy for the Chevy Volt.

“There’s a little Prius in every vehicle Toyota sells and there is a little Hummer in every vehicle GM sells.”

It’s only one quote from one guy, but perception can be nine-tenths of reality sometimes.

Thanks ctm

Anthony Lo’s favourite Saab

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In case you hadn’t noted it yet, we were fortunate enough to receive a visit from Mr Anthony Lo today, responding to comments on the GMNext chat session he did during the week.

You can click through and read his comments for yourselves, but I noted the following with interest:

….my favourite Saab is the 1980 2-door 99 Turbo in green with ‘Inca’ wheels. The upright wrap around windscreen and the rear end are so distinctive and with the wheels nearly flushed with the body, it has better stance than most cars on the road today!

Chalk up another Saab 99 fan…..yeah baby!!!

Here’s the car he’s referring to – sensational. I don’t think there’s been another car with a full-on green interior since.

Saab 99

My thanks to Anthony for dropping in and giving us all a little more insight.

You’re welcome back any time :-)

The 2002 Saab 9-5

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With all the advice give to Ross, our aspiring young Saab owner from Michigan, there were several references to the 2002-onwards Saab 9-5.

This prompted PT to ask what the advantages of this second generation model were – a very good question. I’ve dug into the archives and hopefully some of this press release material will provide some background and insight. These are from Saab Australia.

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The new Saab 9-5 Series for 2002 – key points

    * 1265 design and engineering changes to the new 9-5 Series
    * Aero receives power boost from 169 kW to 184 kW, while torque on auto models goes from 330 Nm to 350 Nm
    * Subtle changes to exterior enhance sporting character of the new 9-5 Series
    * New architectural forms strategy replaces current 2.0, S and SE model designations with Linear, Arc and Vector. Aero remains the performance model
    * Chassis revisions improve steering response for more communicative handling and better turn-in
    * New Electronic Stability Program enhances Aero handling and driver control
    * New bi-xenon headlamps provide class-leading illumination for Aero
    * New five-speed adaptive automatic gearbox for all models
    * New adaptive front airbags feature passenger-sensing system for intelligent deployment and retuned seatbelts for enhanced performance
    * Saab’s ‘luxury value’ position enhanced
    * On sale from November 01, 2001

Saab 9-5

MORE CONTEMPORARY, more appealing and more sporting to drive, too. That’s the new Saab 9-5 Series. Both Sedan and SportEstate versions have received a significant range of enhancements to substantially strengthen Saab’s position in the luxury segment.

One of the highlights is the bolstering of Saab’s high-performance Aero flagship with a more powerful engine and sophisticated improvements to the chassis.

The new Aero now boasts 184 kW (up from 169 kW), auto models gain a new five-speed transmission to handle the engine’s full 350 Nm (previously limited to 330 Nm on auto models), while a super-intelligent Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) promotes more spirited driving and safer handling.

It is all packaged with an improved anti-lock braking (ABS) and traction control system (TCS) that is world-class in terms of technical advancement and maximising driving safety and enjoyment.

The new five-speed auto, which constantly monitors its own performance and adapts to prevailing driving conditions, replaces the previous four-speed automatic on all Saab 9-5 models.

The carefully crafted visual appearance of the new Saab 9-5 has been subtly reworked to give it a more sporting and contemporary look, including for the first time clear headlamp lenses that also incorporate a new standard-setting bi-xenon lighting system for Aero (from early to mid 2002).

A new model designation scheme called “forms” replaces the previous 2.0, S and SE model hierarchy. These forms, which are drawn from the world of architecture, allow for clearer and more distinctive model identification. The new forms span the simplicity of Swedish design represented by the classic Linear through to the more contemporary Arc and on to the hi-tech feel of Vector. The ultimate performance derivative is the Aero with the 184 kW 2.3-litre High-Output Turbo (HOT) engine.

The chassis, too, has been substantially reworked on all Saab 9-5 models to provide a sportier and more responsive drive, with crisper turn-in and greater steering precision.

Finally the 9-5′s safety features, built on Saab’s robust Real-life safety philosophy of “balanced forces”, have been further upgraded. The new Saab 9-5 Series features new adaptive airbags with a passenger-sensing system, retuned seatbelt performance and new interior headlinings that meet the latest US requirements, as well as better knee protection for both driver and passenger.

In all, no less than 1265 changes have been made to the new Saab 9-5 Series for 2002.

“There have been a number of meaningful changes in virtually every aspect of vehicle development and design,” says Saab Automobile Australia Managing Director, Mr. Tony Jennett, “which makes the new Saab 9-5 very different from the car we launched in 1997. It is now sportier to drive and has a more modern appearance.

“The new 9-5 remains the choice for individuals who value Scandinavian design, engineering integrity and Saab’s Real-life safety approach. And, of course, Saab�s unique turbocharged driving experience.”

The entry point to the Saab 9-5 Series has moved upward by $1900 with the Saab 9-5 Linear 2.0t, however this model gains almost $4000 in additional standard equipment. The price adjustments for the 2002 Saab 9-5 models is more than offset by gains in standard specification.

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Kudos to the Saab tuning community

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Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it….or go looking over the fence.

Alfa 33As some of you know, I’ve got Alfa fever. I’m looking at a 16V late model Alfa 33. I’m accustomed to at least having around 170hp available and a fair amount of torque as well. The 16V 1.7 litre boxer engine in the 33 makes around 140hp on a good day, so obviously I’ve been looking around the web for tuning guides, advice, or even vendors of Alfa tuning products online.

I’d like to bring the car up to at least 150hp if I get it, which doesn’t seem like much, but I’m having trouble finding advice or products that can achieve even that small increase.

One of the many things that’s great about Saabs is that there’s a rich online resource available with regard to tuning. There’s some brilliant forums out there (SaabCentral’s always been my forum of choice) as well as some great online vendors who provide information and advice as well as products. Between the tuner crowd at SC and the product descriptions at Elkparts and Abbott Racing, even a goose like me can learn how to get a bit more grunt out of their Saab.

The most important part, of course, is that Saabs are so easily tune-able. It’s been the case right from the first APC system. The Trionic engine management system has proven to be quite versatile and perhaps more importantly, quite protective of the engine even in a tuned state. Saabs have great power and torque to start with and a quick tweak of the ECU can improve that great base by a phenomenal amount.

In contrast, one of the few chips that I’ve been able to find for the Alfa boosts the output by around just 10hp. Luckily the car weighs in at only about 1,000kg so the power to weight ratio is still very good, as is the handling.

Kudos to the Saab tuners for all the work they do, and kudos to Saab for making a car that’s so easily tuned.

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There’s a Saab parts and performance section in the sidebar to the right and it’ll give you all the good links for Saab tuners around the web.

Friday Snippets

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Saab France have let out a few BioPower press releases today to further push the Lynx Yellow convertible that’s available with BioPower there. It’s a recent release and as the number of E85 outlets stands at over 200 and is growing, Saab see some opportunities there.

It certainly looks tres chic! with accompanying cyclists on the Saab Everywhere Bikes.

Saab Convertible

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Where many of you consider Anthony Lo gave us lemons in the recent chat session, Edmunds has tried to make some lemonade.

Anthony’s replies in the chat session weren’t anything new to those who’ve been following Saab news for a while now, but Edmunds considers them news now, firstly because Anthony said it, and secondly because they wrote it.

They write about diesels in the US as if it’s almost imminent based on Anthony’s answer, where we know that “we’re still looking at it” has been the pat answer about US diesels for a few years now.

I think Saab coverage there is going to go downhill now that Karl’s sold his Sonett…..

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SaabHistory filmed part of a bloggers session with Brian Nesbitt from GMNA design. He was in Europe, of course, when the 9-X BioHybrid began its journey and it shares the “Nesbitt Nose” that first appeared on a Saab with the Aero-X.

It’s worth a watch and as Ryan notes in the intro, it spurs some interesting thoughts about US vs Europe. There might be a post in that.

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Dan S sent me a link through on this new brake lighting system yesterday, but I didn’t have time to write it up. Jalopnik have now done the job for me, so I won’t replicate it here.

It does seem quite Saaby in some ways.

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Some great black and white shots from Holland starting here.

Saab 95

Thank Goodness for Anthony Lo, II

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For those of you that don’t recall the first post with this title, I wrote about a wayward concept vehicle created by Bertone for Saab in the early part of this century.

Fortunately, today I’m not talking about a Saab misstep.

Mr. Lo has done very well with the Saab AeroX and Saab 9-4x concept vehicles, and I think that the 9x is a good one, too, I just don’t know how involved Anthony Lo was at the time that concept took shape. In any event, he’s created a fresh approach to design that seems to resonate with us, the Saab faithful, and hopefully with the prospective Saab buyers out there.

Other marques, even prestigious ones, haven’t had Saab’s success with concept vehicles of late.
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