A few more wheel and car combinations for me to consider as my insurance matter draws to a conclusion. It seems that many Vaggen owners around the word have got sick of their mozzarella-soft wheels giving up after driving over so much as a pebble.

Here’s a few new combinations for your consideration. Click to enlarge.

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This first image was sent in by Nat W. It’s his Viggen from a few years ago, which has now passed into other hands. He bought these Aero wheels after a single winter made mincemeat out of his original rims. These ones saw out the rest of his lease, another two years, with no problems. Incidentally, I saw a set of these wheels on a 9-5 today and they looked quite fine.

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This next set belong to PAViggen from SaabLink.

These are actually a set of 18-inch ‘Pegasus’ wheels by Volvo and were used on some of their R-series cars. Click here and you’ll see he’s trying ot a few color combinations via photoshop as a helper to decide whether to paint them or not.

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And finally, here’s the set that I’ve been thinking about all along. These are the Hirsch six-spokes on a Lightning Blue Viggen, the same color as mine.

This car belongs to Hans-Martin D in the Netherlands and you can read all about it (it’s got a dream setup) at ViggenOnline.

Did you know that back in 1999, Saab intended for the Viggen name to be a sub-brand within the Saab 9-3 portfolio?

If things had worked out the way they planned, we’d all be drooling over the new 9-3 Viggen with XWD instead of the model now called the Turbo-X. It’s likely there’d be no partnership with Hirsch, too.

Here’s another snippet from the 9-3 Viggen release material I discovered over the weekend:

Potential buyers are likely to be affluent and seeking a high degree of individuality and exclusivity from their choice of car. They are also likely to have been attracted in the past to some of the performance-enhanced Saab cars offered by specialist tuning companies, although ultimately dissuaded from this choice due to fears over possible invalidation of the Saab warranty. With the new Saab 9-3 Viggen, this worry has been removed.

Other potential buyers are expected to come from drivers of volume manufacturer derived coupes or from those currently in mainstream performance models who are seeking the exclusivity of a sporting premium car at an accessible price.

Above all, though, potential buyers are seeking a stylish way of expressing their individuality in a car that’s also rewarding to drive. By its very nature, the Saab 9-3 Viggen is unlikely to appeal to everybody. On the other hand, this increases the car’s niche positioning above the rest of the Saab 9-3 model line-up and its own sub-brand: Viggen.

When the Viggen was released, the press took it apart for its torque steer and the rather poor chassis setup relative to the engine. Owners found out later that it was almost mandatory to visit Abbott Motorsport and get a rescue kit in order to get the car into the state it should have been when it left the factory.

Saab dropped the Viggen in 2002 and whilst I don’t know for sure, I assume it’s sometime around then that they forged a factory tuning partnership with Hirsch. The Viggen name and badge was consigned to history as a marketing exercise gone right with a car that went slightly wrong in its factory trim. They had a great name, a great emblem, the right look and a magnificent interior package. It was let down by the drive.

Is it dead?

I know I’m biased, but I still feel like there’s an appreciation for it in the Saab community at large. The name itself, along with the badge, is pretty darn cool. It was an authentic link with Saab’s aviation history and in marketing terms, it stood well and truly in the right place. I think as soon as everyone heard the name ‘Viggen’ they knew that this was a performance car.

Perhaps with the right car, one that does it justice, the Viggen name could rise again. Perhaps Hirsch could licence the name and produce Viggens of their own, although that might clash with the work they’ve done to establish the Hirsch brand itself.

It just seems like such a shame that Saab should lose this iconic symbol forever.

Indeed, a hard lesson learned.

Up until now, the only printed history of the Viggen I’d seen was at Abbott Racing. It’s a great read and I’d say it’s still the best history of the Viggen out there, but it is from an Abbott perspective to some degree.

Today I came across some of the original press material for the Viggen via a media site that I’ve recently joined. This Australian release tells a little of the Viggen’s development story, as well as giving some details of the build story.

Great stuff for the Viggen enthusiast and there’s a bunch more to come.

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How the new Saab 9-3 Viggen was created

The new Saab 9-3 Viggen was conceived to denote a special performance brand within the Saab 9-3 range. Appropriately, a specialist team working within Saab Automobile created the Viggen model.

Led by Australian Peter Leonard, the team was known as Special Vehicle Operations – and the Saab 9-3 Viggen was during the development known as the ‘SVO car’ initially, before naming of the performance brand – with its historic aviation connections to Saab’s past – was finalised.

The SVO car was first shown as two concept cars, a Coupe and a Convertible, at the Geneva Motor Show in 1996, but it was not until a year later that the project gained board approval, following a complete review of the Saab range and line-up. So, in many ways, the SVO car has been a long time appearing. In reality, though, the SVO team has created the Saab 9-3 Viggen within a surprisingly short time. From concept approval to production ready took less than 30 months.

“Although the SVO project was always intended to be fast tracked,” explains SVO team leader, Peter Leonard, “we haven’t cut any corners in terms of the validation and verification work. We’ve followed all Saab guidelines in terms of durability and component testing that reflects 100,000 miles – or 161,000kms – usage. This is the equivalent of 10 years’ ownership by the average driver.”

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Continuing the weekend’s Viggen love-fest…..

If you own or otherwise love the Saab 9-3 Viggen then you’re going to find at least the first part of this review difficult. You may even want to throw something at the screen. Hang in there.

It gets better. Much better, in fact.

The following comes from Fifth Gear’s Modern Classics section.

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The previous generation Saab 9-3 will never go down in history as one of the all-time great classics. Indeed, in Saab circles, the car is positively frowned upon for not having the requisite weirdness, longevity or left-of-centre image as the brand would have liked. Then, of course, there was the simple and unavoidable fact that, under the skin, there lurked the platform and basic running gear of a 1988 Vauxhall Cavalier. Not even a Vectra, but the five-door hatchback beloved of minicab drivers, banger racers and Ispon P40-wielding wheelarch repair fanatics.

To fans of the marque, the previous 9-3 was what could be deemed ‘not a proper Saab’. egatives aside, though, let’s look at what the car did have going for it. First of all, the wheelarches weren’t as rot prone as those on a Cavalier. Secondly, by the time the 9-3 debuted in 1998, there had been some major tweaks to ensure the original platform was at least capable of mixing it with modern traffic, unlike the outwardly identical 900, which used unmodified Cavalier running gear.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, was that despite the creativity-crushing presence of parent firm General Motors (a wilderness that, thankfully, the US giant appears to be slowly withdrawing from), there was still a bunch of hardy enthusiasts plucking away at keeping the traditional virtues of the Saab brand alive and well.

These were men who remembered the days when the 99 and 900 Turbo models not only introduced the world to affordable, accessible turbocharged saloon cars, but also gave a rip-roaring debut to the delights of torque steer, neck-snapping turbo lag and the adrenaline rush of driving a car that, although flawed, was brutally quick and utterly exhilarating.

By day, these same men were churning out interior redesigns to try and disguise the switchgear of old Vauxhalls on silver diesel-powered rep-spec 9-3 hatchbacks, but by night they were busy working on a car that would share its name (and performance characteristics) with a fighter jet.

The work of this covert performance division finally resulted in the 9-3 Viggen, which made its debut in 1999.

Continue reading →

Following on from the Viggen press release I published a few days ago and in the spirit of Viggen love, here’s an old review of the car. It originally appeared on Top Gear’s website and appears to have been written by Captain Slow, though his name only appears in the article and not in the byline.

It’s 8 or 9 years old now, so I don’t think he’d mind me reproducing it here as part of my ongoing Viggen tribute.

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A car bursts through the wall and in to the room. That was clever – ah, hang on, the wall has a doorway in it, but it’s been papered over. So this is the automotive equivalent of fighting your way out of a paper bag. Still, enough to confuse the driver though, who overshoots his mark and has to reverse back to the centre stage. It’s then that I realise he’s wearing a pilot’s headgear.

This would look pretty cool if he were in the cockpit of a front-line military jet – a Saab Viggen, for example – but in a car, the impression is that he has donned a welding mask and shoved a vacuum cleaner nozzle in his gob.

Why? Because this car is the um, Saab Viggen, a spunked-up 9-3 available in three-door, five-door and cabrio guises and ‘the ultimate performance Saab’. The Swedes are milking the aerospace heritage thing again. Never mind that the relationship between Saab cars and Saab aeroplanes is pretty tenuous these days, or that the Viggen is a bit of a steam fighter by modern standards, or even that its engine is built by Volvo – it’s this or dwell on the 9-3′s relationship with the Vauxhall Cavalier. And nobody wants to be a Vauxhall Cavalier pilot when they grow up.

As soon as you fire up the Viggen you know it’s a bit special. The 2.3-litre lump settles down to the slightly uneven idle characteristic of all engines that have been tampered with. A bigger turbo, trick exhaust valves and other shenanigans see power raised to 225bhp and 252lb ft of torque available from 2,500rpm. As you feed in the clutch, a slight snatchiness tells you that it has been beefed up, as have the drive shafts. The steering is meaty, like a reindeer sandwich.

But even before you clamber in to the cockpit, you know this is a Saab-nutters Saab. There is an indiscreet boot spoiler that does an excellent job of spoiling rearward visibility and there are side skirts, all of which, says Saab, effect a 50 per cent reduction in high-speed lift. Yes, reduction. This is a worrying claim from a company that used to make aeroplanes.

While we’re outside the car, I’d like to mention the bootlid, which automatically locks itself after a set period when you turn off the engine. This time period has been calculated to equate to slightly less than the time taken to remove your seatbelt, open the door, climb out and walk round to the back of the car. It’s deeply irritating and makes about as much sense as a speed hump on a runway.

Continue reading →

I posted an article a few days ago on a Saab 9-3 Viggen for sale in the UK. Some questions on that article in comments got me doing some Viggen research, and in the midst of all that I fell in love with the car all over again.

For those who are new to this site, I have a Viggen, which I crashed at a track last year. It’s currently sitting in my garage awaiting repair whilst I argue with my insurer about who’s going to pay for it.

Whilst I was searching the web I came accross a number of great road tests for the Viggen. As they’re several years old now, I think it’ll be OK to reproduce them here. I’ll get to that over the course of the weekend along with other things.

The Saab 9-3 Viggen really is an awesome car. I’ve been out of mine for 8 months now, so I’d forgotten how good it felt to own one and drive one. As we’ve been discussing Turbo X pricing this last week, it’s notable that the Viggen was around the same price when it debuted here in Australia back in 1999. When you consider the advances in the Turbo X over the Viggen (like night and day), all of a sudden $90K doesn’t seem like that much to pay for a Turbo X.

Following is what I think might be one of the original Australian press releases for the Viggen. I felt a huge swell of pride when I read it again, thinking “I’ve go one of those!”

One in only forty brought here that year? You can bet your bottom dollar it’s going to get fixed.

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The Saab 9-3 Viggen, the most powerful and rapid Saab ever built, is now on sale in Australia.

Saab’s latest iteration of the popular 9-3 series is a swift and luxurious sports-tourer designed for Saab purists, and those seeking a standout GT alternative to track-orientated performance cars.

The heart of the Viggen – Swedish for “thunderbolt” and the name of Saab’s Mach 2 jet fighter – is a high-output turbocharged 2.3-litre engine developing a superb 165 kW of power at 5500 rpm and a mighty 342 Nm of torque from 2500 to 4000 rpm.

Together with a chassis that is optimised to deliver the best in both sports handling and prestige comfort, the Saab 9-3 Viggen is a genuinely powerful sports-tourer able to cover long distances quickly, effortlessly and safely.

Saab’s latest high-performance offering is available as three-door Coupe for $80,000, or as Convertible for $104,900. The five-door 9-3 Viggen Sedan is scheduled to follow in 2000.

The 9-3 Viggen is distinguished from other 9-3 models by its eye-catching aircraft-inspired aerodynamic body kit that cuts lift forces by 50 per cent and reduces drag by 8 per cent, enabling the 9-3 Viggen Coupe to reach an electronically-limited 250 km/h top speed.

The same expert aerodynamic treatment on the Convertible enables a 245 km/h top speed and gives it class-leading aerodynamics with a Cd of 0.32.

Striking ‘Lightning Blue’ body colour, stylish 17-inch alloy wheels and Viggen badges on the front guards further make this Saab stand out as something special.

The Viggen is further enhanced with larger and upgraded performance brakes, 215/45/ZR17 tyres, sports-tuned suspension and a stunning dual-tone luxury leather sports interior with body-hugging seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and genuine carbon-fibre dashboard with integrated titanium foil panels around the console controls.

This model is the first creation of Saab’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), with technical input from the TWR Group – the specialist engineering outfit that has built Le Mans-winning sports cars and runs the Arrows Formula One team.

Less than 40 Viggens will be offered initially in Australia, with annual worldwide production limited to 2500 to ensure this Saab remains exclusive and highly sought after.

“The Viggen is the ultimate Saab; a genuine sports-tourer with unique appeal,” says Saab Automobile Australia managing director, Mr. Bob Maron.

“It is a serious open-road performance car that blends speed with comfort and luxury to provide the ultimate sports-touring driving experience. It will appeal to Saab purists and those wanting something different to the mainstream.”

The Saab 9-3 Viggen Coupe launches to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, and holds a price and performance advantage over its rivals – the BMW 328Ci Coupe, Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 Sport and Volvo C70 Coupe.

“We anticipate the 9-3 Viggen will be chosen by those that do not want to be stereotyped by their choice of luxury performance car,” says Mr. Maron.

“The Viggen is not a track-orientated performance car. Some cars will go around the block faster than the Viggen, but very few, if any, will beat it on long-distance sprints and have you arrive at your destination feeling as refreshed.”

Like all Saabs, the 9-3 Viggen comes loaded with the latest in safety features; including twin front airbags, twin side airbags, the award-winning whiplash-preventing Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR), anti-skid brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), and a body with crumple zones designed to dissipate crash energy in a controlled way.

Comfort and joy of ownership is maximised with power front seats (three-position memory on driver’s side), power sunroof, power windows and mirrors, Automatic Climate Control (ACC) air-conditioning, premium six-speaker 160 Watt sound system with six-stack CD player and remote central locking incorporating engine immobiliser and alarm.

The Viggen is built at the Valmet car plant in Finland alongside the Saab Convertible and Porsche Boxster.