Monthly Archives: May 2008

Hungarians get their Saabs out

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It’s the weekend, which means that somewhere in the world, a bunch of Saab drivers are heading out to meet up, have a drive/feed/chat somewhere in the world.

My thanks to Z for sending through these pics from a recent meeting of Hungarian Saab nuts.

They got a few 2008s to come along, including a Turbo X. Note also, the e85 converted Saab 900, which I believe belongs to the head of one of the Saab clubs there.

Cheers, Z!

Click.

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The twin pipes. Nice.

Saab 900

900 goes green.

Saab 900

The Turbo X made it’s presence known….

Saab Turbo X

The geographically limited Saab 900 EP (ecopower)

Saab 900

Pepper Green was in the house….

Saab 9-3

And the twin turbo diesel was there as well. That completes a pretty nice lineup.

Saab 9-3

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New Turbo X watch

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Turbo X watchElkparts have just let me know that Saab have released a new, limited edition, Turbo X wristwatch.

I can’t tell you much more about it because Saab don’t even have it up on the expressions website just yet. You’re hearing about it before anyone else.

As you can see, it’s a pretty classy unit, though, and if you’re piloting an X then it might be worth your consideration. If you’re like me and you’re not piloting an X, at least you could count the minutes until one pops up for sale at a price you can manage :-)

Rumours of it having XWD and keeping your wrist incredibly steady around corners are as yet unfounded. However, I do have faith that it’ll keep time just as accurately as any watch from BMW, Audi, or Volvo.

Elkparts – Limited Edition Saab Turbo X Watch.

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Gaywheels drive the Turbo X

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The reps from Gaywheels were at the Boston media drive for the Saab Turbo X and they’ve recently published their writings on the car, giving it a very positive review.

You Turbo X buyers really ought to head out to your garages right now, fire it up, and just take a moment to appreciate what your wisdom, good taste and good fortune has placed in your possession. Limited to just 2,000 units all ’round the world, the reports that keep coming in week after week confirm that this is one very. desirable. car.

As an aside, I’m pleased to note that our mate, Kroum, should be picking up his X this weekend. I’m sure plenty of photos and thoughts will be forthcoming (hint hint! :-) )

But back to our reviewers from Gaywheels and their drive in the Turbo X. Once again, the X proves to be a formidable drive and very tidy package.

SAAB – They Have Great Seats Right?

When you think of Saab, you don’t necessarily think of high performance. Most wouldn’t think that a sexy Saab 9-3 could take on the boys from Bavaria when it comes to performance and up to this point, they couldn’t…….Enter the Turbo X. The sport suspension, advanced all-wheel-drive system and the additional horsepower it allows, makes this Saab speak Swedish with a German accent.

….Where as the 9-3 Aero is sporty the Turbo X is downright aggressive.

It’s a great writeup and well worth your perusal.

And one bit is worth noting at the end, where they mention that several of the Turbo X bits for 2008 will be available on 2009 Aero model Saab 9-3s. These include the eLSD as standard, as well as some of the carbon fibre accents and the (reportedly much better) steering wheel.

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Black Turbo wishes fulfilled – in Hawaii

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I love Saab stories. I love happy endings. I love good things that are a long time coming.

This story’s got all the above. It comes to us from JT in Hawaii. When Saab likened the Turbo X’s to the black turbos of the past, they seem to have picked the spirit of the car very accurately. From the reviews it’s getting, the Turbo X seems to be every bit as revolutionary and it’s doing a great job of paving the way for the XWD models that will follow it.

JT’s story – one of black turbo wishes that were a long time in the making…..

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Saab 900The first time I ever saw a Saab was on a used car lot. This was back in 1989 during my youth and my parents were looking for a good used car. There was an absolutely gorgeous black 1984 900 turbo calling my name. I knew nothing about the car but it was love at first sight. Unfortunately, my parents passed on the black beauty.

Several months later I came home from school to find a 1983 900 Turbo in the garage. It wasn’t the black beauty but it was my first Saab. Fast forwarding about 6 months later. I was returning home from school but strangely, my parents weren’t home which was unlike them. I received a call shortly thereafter stating that they were at the dealership. They had purchased a brand new 1990 Edwardian Gray 900 sedan. Needless to say I waited about 2 hours in the driveway for them to pull up.

As an “adult”, I lost touch with my love for Saab and joined the BMW cult. I must say that the driving dynamics are very hard to beat on BMW’s. On a chance encounter I ran into the owner of my local dealership and he stated that I should test drive the 2007 9-3 Aero. For kicks, I went down to do a test drive and ended up trading in my 2006 330i for a 2007 9-3 SportCombi Aero.

Some time went by and in Dec. 07 I received an interesting email from my Saab guy about the Turbo X. I ended up putting a deposit on a Turbo X sedan and I think I was number 12 in the nation. The only thing that made my almost 6 month wait bearable was the TS website. Reading stories, seeing pictures and watching videos made it clear that the Turbo X would be totally worth the wait.

I received a call from my dealership a few days ago stating that my car was ready for pick up. I am now the proud owner of the first Turbo X in the “Aloha” State. After driving the TX for a few days, I can honestly say that I have the black beauty from my childhood. The Turbo X is everything I expected in a car and more. BMW, Audi and Benz should worry if Saab continues to put out fine cars like the Turbo X.

Besides the much talked about awesome exhaust note, velcro grip and effortless power, I’ve noticed some nice touches not present in the 2007 Aeros.

1. The car’s auto headlights will only go on when the car is put in gear. Additionally, the interior lighting will be at the dimmest setting until the car is put in gear.

2. The turbo boost gauge will light up when the car is unlocked. This has a cool effect at night.

I leave for the Turbo X Academy at Road Atlanta on Saturday, May 30th and I really look forward to see when these awesome machines can do. Hopefully I will be able to share this experience with other TS members.

Thanks Again,

JT

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I’m looking forward to hearing a little about that Academy outing. It should be an absolute blast.

Congratulations, JT. Thanks for the kind words and enjoy the X!!!

Saab Turbo X

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Yellow edition limited to 140 units in the US

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Last month, when the press release for the 9-3 Convertible Yellow Edition was sent out, the edition was believed to be limited to around 300 units. It turns out it’s gong to be even rarer than that.

Nico has sent through a copy of an email from Saab USA, stating that the Yellow Edition will be limited to just 140 units.

Saab Convertible YellowForget about mellow. This yellow’s designed to agitate. Invigorate. And accelerate. This 9-3 takes the pursuit of freedom in a stylish new direction — from its unique, eye-catching color to its spoiler, 17″ alloy wheels and 6-disc CD changer. And under the hood, you’ll be happy to discover, it’s still pure Saab. A 4-cylinder, 210-hp turbo engine delivers more excitement than some people can handle. But something tells us you’re probably up for it.

Here are just a few of the features that set this vehicle apart:

    300W 10-speaker premium audio system, with 6-disc CD changer
    Rear spoiler
    Lynx Yellow exterior paint
    17″ 5-spoke alloy wheels
    Parchment or Black leather-appointed interior available

So, if you don’t mind standing out in a crowd, fly into your nearest Saab dealer soon. Because only 140 will be sold in the U.S.

The Yellow Edition has an MSRP of $42,830, which includes destination charges.

For further details: Saab 9-3 Convertible Yellow Edition (US)

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What a week!

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I normally do reviews at the end of the month, but this week’s been so huge in Saab terms that I thought it was worth another look.

The only thing that could have made it bigger was a photo of a new model Saab!

Check these out for a bunch of big stories:

    One of the biggest Saab gatherings in the US was held – Saabs at Carlisle

    Eggs n Grits posted heaps of articles on driving the Turbo X at the US launch event in Boston.

    And speaking of the black turbo, we learned there was a bit of problem getting the right specs on some Turbo X’s in the US market.

    In sad news, we learned of the passing of a Saab icon in Rolf Jensen.

In Saab models news….. it was massive!!!!

And finally…..

    We got some inside insight to the Saab 9-3 models that we didn’t get to see when GM forced all the budget cuts.

    And one of Saab’s best, PR guru Christer Nilsson, called it a day. He retires this afternoon.

That is one of the biggest weeks in terms of continual stories, that I can remember. Next week might be a bit of a let down, really.

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Viggen update – it’s official

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I finally heard the Viggen decision today.

I spoke to the insurance assessor around lunchtime and he confirmed what I suspected when he looked over the car last Friday – it’s going to be written off. He has to send his report on to the insurer, who’ll then send their letters on to me. The whole process will take way too long, but eventually I’ll get paid out and move on.

It’s definitely sad to realise that Viggen won’t grace my driveway again. I feel quite sure that there’ll be another Viggen somewhere in my future.

For the time being I’ll still have the 900, though, and plan on doing a few things that need doing. There’s some small finger dents that need to be massaged, it needs a new driver’s seat, some new door trims (plaid, Andy?) and I think I’ll restore the use of the APC system, which was bypassed by the previous owner.

I’ll also be heading over to Melbourne to pick up an Alfa 33, series 3 with the 16V boxer engine. I’ve got a couple of things planned that should get it up around 150hp, which should be fun in a 1,000kg car.

So, the decision is in. Time to see what it fetches at auction, I guess.

Farewell old friend.

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