saab turbo x

2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X: First Drive, Again

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.

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novelties

Saabophiles' Delight: Vintage Turbos

When we showed you the 2008 Saab Turbo X the other day, we found out that more than a few of you are closet Saabophiles. And while we certainly respect the new Turbo X, there's just something about older Saabs that can't be replicated by a contemporary car. So for all you Swede fiends out there, here's a second look at that pretty little perfectly-restored 900 Turbo that the GM Heritage Collection brought along to the 9-3 Turbo X comparo test. And since we're at it, we've included a gallery of of various vintage Saab Turbos for your viewing pleasure.

saab turbo x

2008 Saab Turbo X Hits The Track, Goes Head-To-Head With The Subaru WRX STi, BMW M3, BMW 3-Series And Audi A4

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.

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Saab has just announced that the 2008 Turbo X — the new range-topping version of their 9-3 sedan — will start at $54,995 — just shy of 55,000 loonies. Do the math and that's $53,898 in real money, $11,388 (USD) more than the car will start at south of the Windsor-Detroit line. Yet vehicle sales in Canada remain strong, despite continuing price disparities and in contrast to US sales, which are on the decline.

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new england international auto show

Saab Turbo X Gets North American Debut At... Boston Auto Show?

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.
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frankfurt auto show

Frankfurt Auto Show: Saab 21st Century Black Turbo X

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.
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