Frankfurt Preview: Saab Turbo X (turbo)charges in
by John Neff on Sep 9th 2007 at 1:00AM 
click above image to view gallery
Though scheduled to debut next Tuesday at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the special edition Saab Turbo X has arrived a bit early courtesy of one particular Swede-o-phile over at Trollhattansaab.net. Actually, only three more images have arrived, but in addition to the front teaser shot that Saab had already released, the new pics show the car from the rear, as well as its exclusive blacked-out interior.
To refresh, the Saab Turbo X will debut the automaker's new XWD all-wheel drive system from Haldex. It's capable of dividing power between the front and rear wheels, but also from side to side in the rear thanks to a new electronic slip differential. Saab's 2.8L turbocharged V6 has been worked over for duty in the Turbo X and now produces 280 hp, up from 255, and 295 ft-lbs. of torque. Trollhattan reports that it will be good for a 5.7 second sprint to 62 mph, which makes it one of the fastest Saabs we've ever heard of.
Check out the official tech specs and press release from Saab at Trollhattansaab.net.
[Source: Trollhattansaab.net]
Gallery: 2008 Saab Turbo X
The gofastedness of the Saab Turbo X will be backed up by a jet black paint job that harkens back to the "Black Turbos" of old from Saab. The XWD system will be twisting a set of particularly handsome 19-inch wheels, though North American customers will be limited to 18-inchers for some reason. Finally, a new front bumper with larger air intake, rear deck lid and dual exhausts round out the exterior treatment. Only 2,000 Turbo X models will be produced worldwide, though they will be available as both a sedan and Sport Combi wagon. We expect more official images to be waiting for us when we touch down in Frankfurt, and we'll fill up our camera with live shots of Saab Turbo X for you, as well.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
why not the LS2/LS7? 1:31AM (9/09/2007)
Interesting. Now GM has their Audi (or at least the quattro variants) competitor.
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seoultrain 1:49AM (9/09/2007)
Car looks good, but will probably cost too much to be competitive for what it is.
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Dylan 1:58AM (9/09/2007)
its a 9-3 with altezza's and a bigger engine....wooo ...ooo...ooo GM you've fooled us all...its actually a reincarnated Saab classic with heritage and following, you're not up to your old tricks of re-using old models or borrowing from other lines, this is a new idea, we've never seen it before, we're fooled, well done.
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416Hammy 8:35AM (9/09/2007)
I guess you missed the part about the AWD aka XWD... excellent reading comprehension skills, champ!
AMcA 2:23AM (9/09/2007)
That looks extremely hot.
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Jason 3:28AM (9/09/2007)
Fantastic looking car with a great engine. I'd gladly take this over the STI and EVO for the looks and the interior. I can't stand the giant wings and other ricer adds on those cars.
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chris 4:03AM (9/09/2007)
How does this car compete with an EVO or STI at all? Just because they're both turbocharged and AWD? That's like saying a Merc S500 competes with a Corvette Z06 because of V8 and RWD. The Saab is a poser/semi-luxury car, the EVO/STI is a hardcore performance car and nothing else. And go look at a rally car, notice the "big wings" and such, it's REALLY rice isn't it? Also kind of funny to see someone praising a car from a brand that has the #1 sign of 'rice' throughout the tail lights of their entire range now.
NeoteriX 12:23PM (9/09/2007)
This car competes with the Evo and STi as much as the Volvo S60 competes with the S4 and M3. In other words, it doesn't.
Paul 5:55PM (9/09/2007)
An S60R doesn't compete with an equivalent year M3? That is a good one! Thanks for making me laugh after I had to watch my Eagles play like crap!
Billy 3:39AM (9/09/2007)
As a current Saab owner this makes me very excited. But with how expensive current Saabs are. I don't even want to think of how much this thing will be.
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James Sonne 8:16AM (9/09/2007)
This will compete in specifications with the MazdaSpeed 6 and Subaru Legacy GT (Spec B) ... but unfortunately, I think it will be priced too high to compete with the Audi A4 Quattro. When one looks at an Audi, they look primarily out of a desire for a level of luxury that Saab traditionally doesn't deliver, based on the perception of GM. Saab reliability is great these days, though, and I love their interiors. Someone who looks for an all wheel drive sports sedan might consider this, but someone looking for a luxury high-end sedan with performance probably will look elsewhere.
Having said that, I'm very excited about this vehicle. I prefer it to the Lexus IS350 because of the all wheel drive, lower price, and manual six-speed. The word is that the XWD model will be $38k, which is just a little bit too high. But with traditional GM discounts, it might be affordable.
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Paul 10:00AM (9/09/2007)
Dear Baby Jesus,
Please make this available in Lightning Blue and call it what it really is... VIGGEN.
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Jeff 10:40AM (9/09/2007)
This is most definitely not a Viggen, it doesn't have any torque steer :p
Paul 5:55PM (9/09/2007)
Jeff - that my friend, is the post of the day.
aman 11:23AM (9/09/2007)
Am I the only one who thinks that GM overdosed on the Swedish styling?
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the law 12:02PM (9/09/2007)
Nice but not Great looking Saab.
sure it might compete with Audi, but what new features does it have that will steal me away from Audi/BMW?
XWD is nice but Audi and everyone else had it for years.
add some diesel and hybrids some not offered in similar autos.
GM's best bargain is Saturn.They get hybrids and Saab/Opel technology.
Will the next Aura have AWD/XWD?
Maybe hybrid AWD
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James Sonne 12:38PM (9/09/2007)
I don't think you quite understand Saab, nor XWD. Your comparison of XWD to Quattro is incorrect. Road&Track test drove the XWD Saab against a plethora of other German marques, including Audis, BMWs, Mercedes, and Porsches, and the only vehicle of the bunch that beat the XWD Saab in the slalom was the Porsche 911 Turbo. This XWD technology is significantly better mechanically, technologically and functionally than any other system out there. This is Road&Track's opinion, which you can read on their website if you prefer than to have my summarization at hand. I believe Car and Driver may have test driven it as well.
Matt 1:57PM (9/09/2007)
"Nice but not Great looking Saab.
sure it might compete with Audi, but what new features does it have that will steal me away from Audi/BMW?"
I have an '07 SC Aero I drove Audi, BMW, Subaru and Volvo wagons.
More comfortable seats (for me at least) more rear seat room, more cargo capacity, lower cost, and a longer warranty. Moreover, since more people typically choose the cars that I didn't, my car came in at 28K (from 35K) after discounts.
the law 12:48PM (9/09/2007)
what does the XWD technology do that is significantly better mechanically,than AWD systems?
any better gas mileage?
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SilverAero 1:20PM (9/09/2007)
I watched a promotional video by haldex, the makers of xwd. They said that as much as 98% of the torque or as low as 2% can go to any of the wheels. I also heard that is alot faster and smoother when it kicks in. If i can find the link i'll post it.