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2008 Saab Turbo X - Click above for high-res image gallery

Turbocharging has been as much a part of Saab's DNA for the last three decades as jets. Saab didn't invent turbocharging, but the Swedish brand has probably embraced it more completely than other carmaker. With 2008 marking the 30th birthday of the first production Saab 99 Turbo, the gang in Trollhattan decided to celebrate with their meanest and fastest iteration yet. As we close out the 2008 model year, our Swedish friends are now starting to deliver the direct descendant of that first turbo, the 9-3 Turbo X.

Saab Turbos have come a long way over those three decades. The original 99 Turbo extracted 143 horsepower from its 2.0L four-cylinder engine to twist the front wheels. Most Saabs today are still powered by turbo four-cylinder engines driving those same front wheels. The Turbo X, however, adds two more cylinders and two more drive wheels. It also has nearly double the power and torque of that first effort. Fellow Autoblogger Dan Roth spent the day thrashing the Turbo X at a media preview a couple of weeks ago. We've now had the chance to spend a full week with Saab's newest baby in everyday use.


Gallery: Review: 2008 Saab Turbo X


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Continue reading Review: 2008 Saab Turbo X

Review: 2008 Saab Turbo X originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 saab turbo x2008SaabTurboXautoblog garageAutoblogGaragefeaturedreviewsaabsaab 9-3saab turbo xsaab turbo x pricesaab turbo x pricingsaab turbo x reviewsaab turbo x test dr...Saab9-3SaabTurboXSaabTurboXPriceSaabTurboXPricingSaabTurboXReviewSaabTurboXTestDr...turbo xTurboXMon, 09 Jun 2008 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Frankfurt 2007: 2008 Saab Turbo X arrives dressed in black]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/11/frankfurt-2007-2008-saab-turbo-x-arrives-dressed-in-black/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/11/frankfurt-2007-2008-saab-turbo-x-arrives-dressed-in-black/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/11/frankfurt-2007-2008-saab-turbo-x-arrives-dressed-in-black/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click above image for high-res gallery of 2008 Saab Turbo X

Like many vehicles being debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2008 Saab Turbo X was leaked early. Surprisingly, the few preview images we saw didn't do this car justice. When seen live under the lights of Frankfurt's Messe, the Turbo X looks like the Official Car of the Sith. While GM rolled out a Turbo X sedan during the press conference, we found a Sport Combi model back in the Saab stand we liked even more. The look of these vehicles evokes the classic Saab 900 "Turbo Black" models, an original of which was on hand. The Saab 9-3's new face is looking good here, and the rear of the car is upgraded by a set of dual "romboid-shaped" tailpipes, as well.

Backing up its blackness is a 2.8L turbocharged V6 producing 280 hp and 296 ft-lbs. of torque. The real news is the XWD all-wheel drive system with an eLSD that can divvy up power between the front and rear wheels, as well as splitting it between the two rear wheels, as well. The chassis and suspension have been tightened up, larger brakes been added and a set of gun metal gray 18-inch alloys fitted (19-inchers are available outside the U.S. and Canada). One neat little touch by Saab is the turbo boost gauge on the Turbo X, which is a replica of the original boost gauge on the original 900 Turbo. The rest of the interior, meanwhile, has also been dipped and darkness and features black surfaces all around.

Check out Saab's official press release after the jump for more details on the Turbo X, and view our live shots of the reveal as well as new official shots from Saab in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 Saab Turbo X

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: 2008 Saab Turbo X arrives dressed in black

Frankfurt 2007: 2008 Saab Turbo X arrives dressed in black originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 05:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Saab Turbo X (turbo)charges in

Frankfurt Preview: Saab Turbo X (turbo)charges in originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Sep 2007 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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