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MotorTrend test Saab Turbo X Posted by Scott Paterson [Email]  (#13)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Scott Paterson) on Wed, 3 Sep 2008 08:04:47
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Saab Turbo X â MotorTrend
By Matt Stone, September 3, 2008
Saabâs 2.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 is a nice piece in 250 horse form, but gets a bunch nicer when X marks the spot. Â Horsepower is now 280, still not a world-rocker, but getting pretty racy; good enough for 5.8 seconds 0-60 times. Â The rest of the X pack is desirable stuff: big rolling stock, sporty trim here and there, a bit of subtle body armor, and in the best Ford Model T tradition, you can have any color you like, as long as its (metallic) black. Â AWD is standard on this limited edition model (just 600 earmarked for the US, in sedan or Combi sportwagon form) and this Haldex 4 systems does the right job at putting power to the ground, and all but eliminates torquesteer.
The amped, twice-blown six puts out good power, but not in a very linear fashion. Â Itâs still soft down low, then comes on with a bang. Â It requires careful throttle modulation to be smooth with. Â It has the punch, but from an engineering standpoint, uses a lot of hardware to make its 280 horses. Â Infiniti gets more power (and a ton of torque) out of a 3.5-liter V-6 with as much as a single turbo. Â Itâs not a mileage thing, as the G rates better on the EPA cycle. Â The engine sounds wonderful; a deep burble at idle, and a silky rip through the gears. Â Sweet.
Saab has always done great sport seats and these are no exception. Â Supportive and cush in the right places, multi-textured leathers, easy to adjust â good chairs. Â The IP is a mixed bag. Â A little dated looking, but the night mode (which allows you to turn all the gauges off, save the speedo, with the touch of a button) is cool. Â The accessory stalks feel cheap and plasticky and hollow, yet the HVAC vents are cleverly designed, allowing you to point air exactly where you want it. Â And the ignition key remains just aft of the shifter, on the tunnel, between the seats. Â Right where it belongs.
Ride and handling are nicely balanced. Â No issues here: Itâs a dependable, linear driver that goes where itâs pointed, and offers nice feedback without beating up driver or passenger. Â And a wagon version â how cool is that? Â I wanted to like the Turbo X better, yet I still enjoyed it. Â If Saab can work on the engine calibration to smooth out the power delivery, and maybe twist her up to 300 in the process, they will have created something really special.
Bottom Line: has performance and flavor, but still in the âand now for something differentâ category â which for many is a good thing.
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6275566/editorial/quick-test-2008-saab-9-3-turbo-x/index.html
_______________________________________ Saabnet.com Webmaster Saabs Owned: 1973 Saab Sonett III (Current) 1983 Saab 900 Turbo 1985 Saab 900 Sedan 1990 Saab 900 1992 Saab 900S 1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero (RIP 95K/Accident-guy ran stop sign) 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero (Current) 2007 Saab 9-3 SportCombi 2010 Saab 9-3X Wagon Winner 1996 Saab Owners Convention Rally Novice Class Winner 1999 Saab Owners Convention Rally (All Classes) Also Founder of two non-profits: Poverty2Prosperity.org RunClubMenloPark.org
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