Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 07:57:09 -0800 From: "Calvin Cheng" <bmwusaXXXnopsamell.net> Subject: Re: Saab 9-3 Viggen On-line
ROGER BEAR wrote in message <79qjtq$3t4s$1nopsamsvr03-int.news.prodigy.com>... >Don't forget the safety!!!! I'd bet the boat on reliability too. > >Thats allot oh H.P., but not too much (relative to the H.P.) of torque. >Where is this torque? The H.P. is also way up there. Where does it >redline? IS this one of BMW's V8s? If so/not what is the engine? > Nope, that's the BMW 3.2L 24-valve I6. The reason why it doesn't have a lot of torque is because it's only 3.2L that delivers peak horsepower at >7000RPM, redlining at 7400RPM. You won't feel much of a difference in terms of power compared to the US-spec 240hp motor. But whereas the US-spec runs out of steam above 6000RPM, the Euro-spec motor continuing to build power for another 1000RPM or so. The BMW I6's are the smoothest and freeist revving motors you can find on the market today (personally, I think BMW and Honda build the best engines). However, while the US-spec motor feels more powerful than the 240hp it delivers, the Euro-spec, which I have not had the privilege to drive, probably feels somewhat underwhelming for its 320hp. >Oh ya, forgot about the BIG/HUGE/ENORMOUS price difference. > That's between the Euro-spec M3 and the future 9-3 Viggen (or Vegan?). Well, while FWD delivers certain advantages, it definitely is a huge handicap for performance driving. And I believe Saab probably would have hit those limits. In short, there's no way the 9-3 can deal with a proper RWD pseudo sports car like the M3 unless Saab goes AWD or dare I say, RWD. But at a price lower than the BMW 328i Sport, it sure would look enticing. Don't even underestimate the Bimmer though. It still lives up to the reputation as the ultimate driving machine even in non-M3 form. >Go SAAB > Calvin '96 BMW M3 Luxury '95 Saab 9000CS
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