Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 04:30:42 +0200 From: "Kristian Steve Jensen" <dat0hksjnospam.hitos.no> Subject: Re: ... The Lexus of Subaru's" ... ?!?
"Hans Lellelid" <hplnospam> skrev i melding news:ahcqc.166697$f_5.58626nospamread01... > Goran Larsson wrote: > > > In article <0x1qc.165855$f_5.13680nospamread01>, > > Hans Lellelid <hplnospam> wrote: > > > > > >>Yeah, who knows whether it's really needed. > > > > > > It is. The air scoop feeds air to the turbo intercooler mounted > > below it. The air scoop is only for the Aero model (with turbo) and > > not for the linear model (without turbo). > > > > Right ... but my point is the 9-3 Viggen doesn't have one -- and without > claiming to really understand the fine points of the turbo, the engine > specs look pretty similar. Saabs up to now have mainly had transversely mounted inline-fours, which left a lot of room in front for turbo and intercooler. The Impreza has a flat horisontally opposed four-cylinder engine, which leaves a lot of vertical space, hence a turbo mounted on the side of the engine and a lot of vertical room which is used for amongst other things, the intercooler. Specs may look the same in that they both are 2-liter single turbo intercooled 4-cylinder 200+ hp engines, but the differences between them in construction are fundamentally huge. > So, I'm saying that while I realize that it > serves a function, I think the car could have been designed in a way > that didn't necessistate that hole in the hood. I mean -- look at the > Volvo S60R putting out 300hp with a high-pressure turbo ... no scoop. > The S4 twin turbo ... no scoop. I don't think it's required :) Since the Saab is built on the Impreza, the production line will also be based on the Impreza. Front mounted intercoolers are available from the aftermarket, but redesigning the production lines for this, when a top-mounted intercooler does the job just as well with the car in stock configuration, is just plain bad business. Also, with the Aero based on the Impreza, Saab is aiming for a market segment which is easily seduced by scoops, wings, and so on. Those who don't want a scoop can buy a FMIC kit and fit a Linear hood. Who will be first to put a Saab front and interior on an Impreza WRX sedan? Kristian
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