Saab 9-3 Turbo X '2008

'Darth Vader'

Evil eye. Source: jdpower.com

On the other day I got bored with my Volkswagen's polished functionality and design that's lame enough not to disturb anybody. I'm driving my 6th VW and have owned only one Toyota and Ford in between that makes me a real VAG whore. So, as car change became current I decided ones again look something different, something that has emphasized features, something that makes the car hated or loved, something that makes it stand out. Task seemed to be easy, world is full of different cars, but when affording only one car it has to comply many things and satisfy certain level of practicability and reliability. It's somewhat lame to claim that Dub's design and quality is sophisticated, they drive well enough for daily driver, usually are one of the most affordable cars to insurance and service, usually are reliable enough that no one makes a big noise about it, and have suitable image for every situation, but sometimes these are features that I find people driving with other brands arguing in newer-ending discussions about best cars.

Turbo X SportCombi. Source: saabvereld.net

After browsing several car advertisements Saab started to stand out: it fascinating brand drawing from aeroplanes, represents Scandinavian functionality and it's rare enough that you always found your timelessly designed vehicle from parking lot. Even GM tried to eliminate features that Saab is known and transform it to be premium Opel, it survived to keep odd features like night panel and ignition switch between seats. Additionally there's a rumor that GM bosses ones game to Saab factory to see how it's possible that Saab 9-3 is so much more expencive to manufacture than almost equivalent Opel Vectra and people at Saab told GM guys to break the cars in parts for comparison and GM newer returned to the topic, because Saab was so well built. 

Turbo X SportSedan. Source: pcwalls.net

When writing for Wolf Car blog the standard is always the fastest and rarest model available and in case of 9-3 it's Turbo X that was manufactured in very limited numbers in 2008 in both SportSedan and SportCombi versions. It's the fastest Saab ever and perhaps the meanest with dark colour scheme with black exterior and interior available with matte dark grey detailing. Actually there was about to be even faster Saab in the eighties when Saab's R&D was designing to V8 to be installed into classic 900, sadly this newer happened. Turbo X's celebrate Saab's 30 year history of charging engines in production cars. Actually, I'm still not sure which of the first Turbo cars produced in series is the first: BMW 2002 Turbo, Porsche 930 Turbo or Saab 99 Turbo? Special editions are equipped with the state of the art technology: engine is nominated to Ward's one of the world's 10 best engines in world and all-wheel-drive and electronic slip-differential lock technology was one of the most advanced of that time and Swedish. Usually facelifts are not succesfull, but in 9-3 the year 2008's make-over totally transformed the car from something odd to a classic, even so seen clear tail lights started look cool in Saab. 

Dark interior and unique propeller styled alloy. Source: motivemag.net

So this could be one solution for my need of unique, yet functional family car that can thrill the driver, but how to find myself 9-3 Turbo X SportCombi's, there's none in sale!

In details:

Engine
- V6, 2792cc, 24-valve, Twin-scroll turbo (LP9)
- Compression ratio: 9.5:1
- Intercooler
Numbers
- 280hp/5500rpm (limiter in 6400rpm)
- 400Nm/2150-4500rpm
- 0-100Km/h: 5,7s
- Top speed limited to 250Km/h

Transmission
- 6 speed manual or automatic gearbox, AWD
- Haldex -XWD cross wheel (4WD) drive system, system can deliver minimum of 4% on the rear wheels or much as 85% for the single wheel if needed
- Electronic slip differential lock (eLSD) in rear axle
Chassis
- MacPherson struts, gas shocks, anti-roll bar, and hydroformed sub-frame at front
- Independent 4-link, coil springs, self-leveling shocks, anti-roll bar, sub-frame, and rear-wheel steering system
- Lowered -10mm from Aero model
- Ventilated disks front and rear (345x30mm & 292x20mm)
- Steering ratio: 16.0:1
- Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: 2.97

Exterior
- Re-profiled front bumper and deep front lip spoiler in matte grey titanium
- Re-profiled rear bumper with integrated diffusor in matte grey titanium
- Rear spoiler in both sedan and SportCombi
- Unique 'Turbo X' alloys in 18x7,5" in matte grey titanium and 235/45R18 tires (19" optional alloys) 
- All in 'Metallic Jet Black' colour

Interior
- Black leather interior
- Carbon fibre detailing in fascia, door inserts, glove box, and centre console
- The 'Batwing' multifunctional steeringwheel
- 'Ready to take-off' or driver's name appearing on the display when switching on the ignition

Other
- 2000 units produced
- 600 units sold in U.S and 500 in UK