Saab 900 Enduro '1980

'Steroid poppin' Swede'

Today found something mind blowing: The Saab 900 Enduro! This boxy goes back in 1980 when Saab Australia decided they need a racy version of the 900 Turbo. What they did was: boosted turbo up to 1,2 bars, fenders were flared to ultimate, fitted new rims and paid some attention into details with brave stickers. Of course chassis was tuned to handle upgraded 175 horses! Only 12 were made for Australian markets only. Here's a cool sound spectrum of the beast.

Saab 900 with steroids. Source: autofriends.com

Source: sutospeed.com

In details:

Engine
R4, 1985cc, 8-valve, Bosch fuel injection (B201)
compression ratio 7.2:1

Garrett T3 turbo

Water injection
Numbers
175hp/-rpm
236Nm (standard model figure) /-rpm
Top speed: 200km/h (standard model figure)

0-100km/h: 8,9s (standard model figure)
1130kg (standard model figure)
Transmission
4 speed manual, FWD
Chassis
Steel monocoque, wishbones and coil springs  (f)
beam axle, leading and trailing arms, panhard rod and coil springs (r)

Upgraded suspension (Bilstein shocks)

Wider track, 4 inches (f) and 9 inches (r)

Disks all round

Simmons ‘P-4’ 3-piece alloys 7,5x15” with 225/50VR15 tires
Exterior
Rear and front wheel arch flares with integrated front spoiler

Wider rear tailgate spoiler

Bonnet, side window frames and rear spoiler were painted in Dulux “GT Satin Black”.

"ENDURO" logos emblazoned on the bonnet (on some)

“Turbo” logos with the famous “turbine” symbol added to the rear three-quarter panel
Interior

Three extra gauges (oil pressure, battery voltage and ammeter)

Special steering wheel
Other
Painted in 2-pack Dulux Acran enamel in "Aquamarine Blue Metallic" (137B), “Acacia Green Metallic" (148B), “Solar Red” (121B), and "Marble White" (152G)

Eurovox MCC-9090R Autoreverse Dolby System cassette player and electronic search tune AM/FM stereo radio with digital display!

BMW M5 Winkelhock (E34) '1991

'Smokin’ hot'

Today I saw the new BMW M5 (F10): it didn’t make any sound at low speed, just glided over and looked like big nosed gorilla pumped up with steroids. It really is a huge and standing out mask (nostrils) pothers me the most in the new design and of course the overall lameness after Bangles masters pieces. I guess the whole BMW range (except 1-series) is in the evolution stage, and waiting the new revolution to come. Even the over emphasized character lines, several exhaust pipes or massive wheels are not helping this wale to look dynamic –everything is just huge and misses the lively lines of E60. Hopefully, thinks were different in the nineties.

BMW M5 Winkelhock. Source: blog.che186.com

In 1991 BMW Motorsport asked two of their touring car racing drivers from DTM (Deutche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) to design their own dream editions from E34 M5. Joachim Winkelhock a.k.a Smokin’Jo (1960) is a German motor racing driver who won the 24 hours Nürburgring race in 1990 and 1991 and British Touring Car Championships in 1993 with BMW E30 M3. Winkelhock continued his career in touring car series until age of 43 and constantly smoked cigarettes.

One was up for sale! in mobile.de

So, two e34 M5 special editions were produced: Wickelhock and Cecotto (Johnny). Both of them were kind of make over’s and didn’t have significant technical improvements. Johnny’s car was more luxurious version of the M5 and Wickelhock’s more as I like it a lightweight version. Sophisticatedly glazed with motorsport-style and reduced from some of the not so important equipment for ultimate driving machine. 

Some motorsport touch in the interior. Source: m5board.com

In details:

Engine
- R6, 3535cc, 24-valve, Bosch –fuel injection (S38 B36)

- Compression: 10:1

- Equal length stainless steel exhaust headers and three way ceramic catalysts
Numbers
- 315hp/6900rpm
- 360Nm/4750rpm
- Top speed: 250km/h (limited)

- 0-100km/h: 6,3s (original figure)
- 1630kg (original 1670kg)
Transmission
- 5 speed manual, RWD
Chassis
- Double Pivot McPherson strut suspension (f)

- Track link semi trailing arm suspension (r)

- Ventilated disks (f) 315mm and (r) 312mm

- 17x9” M System 1 alloys and 235/45ZR17 tires
Exterior
- Deleted fog lights and headlight washers

- Vanity mirrors

- Shadow line trim
Interior
- Evolution front bucket seats

- Anthracite M cloth and black nappa leather bolsters trim

- Red seat belts

- Suede covered steering wheel, shift knob & parking brake handle

- Velour floor mats

- Deleted rear head rests
Other
- Total of 51 Winkelhock editions were produced

- All painted in Jet Black (668) and contrasting silver lower body panels

- Smaller battery (66amp vs. 85amp) and gas tank (80l)

- Reduced sound deadening material

- Power windows removed

- Each game with a special leather service book, key holder & gold pin

- Available option list included: 255/40ZR17 rear tires, rear spoiler, manual rear sunshine, air condition (auto & manual) & CD stereo system