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The Saab 9-3 Turbo X is a pretty slick Scandinavian alternative to the Teutonic norm, but with a confident all-wheel-drive system, it's just begging for more power. That's where Saab tuner Hirsch comes in, with their upgrade package for the 2.8-liter turbocharged V6. Utilizing a new intercooler, air intake box and an engine software hack, the package bumps power by 20 HP up to 300 and provides 317 ft-lbs on a fat torque curve. Altogether it means a top speed of 161 MPH with the sprint from 0-62 MPH taking just 5.3 seconds. It's just too bad it doesn't meet the regulations of the Swedish Touring Car Championship. [Hirsch via TurboNines] More »
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When our fearless leader so elegantly blew the clutch on the only Saab 9-3 Turbo X in the country after the performance sedan spent a long tour of Europe and a hard day under the boot of Jan Magnussen, we thought getting an honest review of the car would be nigh impossible. We also thought Wert would never live down that new nickname — Chief Transmission Destroyer. But he has, and after the boss-man agreed to stay off the track until he got a few more heel-toe lessons, the fine folks at Saab invited us to sample the Turbo X again earlier this week at Saab's home-away-from-home — Boston. Having just returned from Beantown and some time reflecting on the drive, we have to admit, our world has been gently rocked. More »
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We'd read somewhere that at the height of the Cold War, the U.S. locked in the struggle against the evil Commies, Sweden was considered as a potential candidate for location of a Northern European base for F-117A Night Hawk Stealth fighters. Obviously that didn't happen as the decision was made to base all 59 of the arrow-headed black-as-night fighters stateside at Holloman Air Force Base after testing completed at the Toponah test range. And now, well, now they've all been retired. But we're going to imagine for a moment that maybe a couple of them were sent over to Sweden for some leave time. It's the only way we're able to explain the 2008 Saab Turbo X — because if Saab claims they're born from jets, we're of the impression this jet-black baby meatball's daddy has to be an F-117A. Earlier this week our intrepid Editor-in-Chief and I were invited over to Gingerman Raceway on Michigan's western coast to watch as Saab attempted to prove that pedigree by taking on the limited-edition Turbo X's competitors — the Audi A4 3.2 Quattro and the BMW 335 Xi. In addition, and just to see how it stacked up, the Swedes also brought along a new 2008 Subaru WRX STi and a brand spanking new 2008 BMW M3. So what happened? Well, hit the jump. More »
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Who knew Boston even had an auto show? Well, for whatever reason, the General decided to unveil the 2008 SAAB Turbo X, their speedy new little Swedish meatball in Boston at the New England International Auto Show. What's that you say — read the press release? OK, so there's something about "paying tribute to the Northeast region where Saab originally started its U.S. business more than half a century ago" and — well, we got bored because we've already seen the Turbo X — but if you haven't, feel free to hit the jump below for the full release on all the new SAAB's specs. More »
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As we knew they would from the leaked embargo shots of the other day, GM's Saab just revealed a heap of new vehicles including the new Saab Turbo X, with a design the General's hoping will evoke images the iconic appeal of its first black 900 Turbo. The 2.8 V6 Turbo with 280 horses gives the Turbo X a 0-100 kph in 5.7 seconds. Sorry about a couple of pictures — some guy named "Bob" kept getting in the way of my shot. Full press release after the jump. More »
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