Learning the limits of the Turbo X in Atlanta
It seems like everyone’s out there driving Turbo X’s these days!
Earlier it was an Aussie flying to Spain for his X-rated experience, now we have JT taking the not-insignificant flight from Hawaii to the US mainland to hit the Turbo X edition of the Saab Aero Academy at Road Atlanta.
My thanks to JT for sending in the following writeup and photos.
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I was one of the fortunate few to be in the first Turbo X Academy which was held on June 2nd and 3rd. I believe there were about 15 of us in total. It was quite an eye opening experience, learning what these vehicles can do and how lousy most of our driving skills were.
In addition to the usual Aero Academy exercises such as the autocross, skid pad, emergency braking and slalom, we got to drive on the Road Atlanta track. Going around that historic track at high speeds gave me a whole new respect for Saab engineering. For us “island folk”, I’d say it very well could be a chance in a lifetime experience.
I definitely believe that the TX Academy has made me a better driver in a variety of conditions. I was able to shave 4 seconds (33 sec. to 29) on my autocross time. That was good for third-most improved. However, I believe that was still light years behind Kaylan’s best time. What I am not proud of is having to sit out of a few exercises because I was on the verge of losing my lunch from all the spinning, braking and G forces.
The Skip Barber instructors were the nicest and most professional bunch of guys you’ll ever meet. I have a whole new respect for what they do. It was also a treat to sit with Steve Shannon (one of the 15 in our class) at lunch and pick his brain on everything Saab. I know Saab USA spent a lot of money to put this event on for such a small group, but I believe that in the long run, it’s memories like this that make Saab people so loyal to the brand.
I know the pals I made at the TX Academy frequent TS, so I look forward to reading their take on this great experience.
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It was Road Atlanta in 1979 where a Saab Turbo 99 driven by Ron Christensen won the Showroom Stock A (SSA) championship, beating quasi-works Porsche 924s and Datsun 280Zs. Don Knowles, in a 99 GL won SSB, a sweep of both A and B classes.
You were driving on a track where Saab had made previous conquests! I scanned a page with a photo here.
They let you on the track? Wow, I’m jealous. I was the Aero Academy a few months ago and had a great time but would have killed to get on the actual track.
Was that something special for your group or is that now part of the program?
The track session was only for people attending the Turbo X Academy. At $10K per day, I don’t think it would be too cost effective for Saab to offer it on a regular basis.
Having just gone trhough the Aero Academy last December, I can easily remember the thrill of it like it was yesterday, BUT, to have gone through it in a Turbo X, AND on the track, makes me insanely jealous. I hope that someone will be posting video footage of this historic event soon so that we can all feel it, even a littlle bit.
Wow. I have to get on the ball and get my 2007 Saab 9-5 Aero over miles on the 27 month lease. D’oh! Bought miles too.
I just took the regular Aero Academy this week. A Turbo X SportCombi was our support vehicle down on the slalom and lane change area. The GM rep said he’d take bribes for autocross tips. I was going to offer a bribe to take a slalom in the Turbo X. But Doug B. wisely sneaked off after lunch.
My wife said today that my next car should be a 9-3.
She went to Aero this week as well. She really liked the 9-3 after driving the exercises … and understands why I was “enjoying” my old 9-3 Aero so much.
Thanks for the review. The instructors offered a few comments here and there about how good the Turbo X and AWD were.
Well done JT. I still travelled further than you for my drive though!
Anyway XWD is definitely in our future, whether in 9-1, 9-3, 9-4, 9-5 or 9-? form. Did you drink XWD water on the day??
That looked like one heckuva good day out!
Alert to Swade and others — there’s another favorable Turbo X review out there on Bloomberg.com. Here’s the link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601093&sid=a9_kov_cKARg&refer=spend
quote from previous mentioned review:
“Though the Saab is a modest car”
“Target buyer: The driver who wants a modest yet capable sedan, or the Saab lover who wants to (almost) stand out from the crowd.”
I will not describe this as favorable review, having in mind the premium positioning of Saab
There is a new review of the Turbo X in a swedish magazine “teknikens värld”, i cant post u a link because its only in paper form.
They have tested it from 0-200 kmph (0-124,3 mph) it gets 31 seconds, can this be right!!!!??? thats real slow!!!! The 9-5 Aero does it in like 26-27 seconds!!!?
0-160 kmph (99,4 mph
) was pretty quick, 17 seconds!!!
They also tested how many hp the engine has, 267 hp and 397 nm torque , the torque is ok but the hp!!!???
My question is: What with all these “used” 9-3 Turbo X’s, are they going to be made available soon on the general market, or is GM going to hold them “close to the vest”? It certainly would be interesting to find out.
The instant depreciation factor would make them sell out fast! So, where does that line form?
Its nice to hear you enjoyed your time JT! I didn’t ever get to see how my Auto-x times inproved since I had to leave early but im sure it would have been a great improvement as well. How did your video turn out? You can email me at Aerogt35@gmail.com if you would like!
-Kaylan Marie
Dan-
Cars like this get sent to an auction when they are finished being used. Dealers can buy them from that auction and they are then sold. They would of course be put through full inspections and be under factory warranty. Normally you can still buy it “new” since normally they never technically get licenced. Then you are owner #1 of the vehicle, and you get a good chunk of change off normal cost (if the dealer passes on some of the savings to you) because its purchased at auction and already will have quite a few miles logged. We get a lot of cadillacs used at golf tournaments, they are usually reffered to as “program cars” around our dealer.
K