Saab 9-3 Viggen '1999-2002

'Thunderbolt'

Source: doublejslist.com

It has been a while since writing anything to this space. Well many things happening, for example moved to Netherlands. Which is the main reason of writing the folowing report. The amount of Saab's is crazy over here. Dunno, how is the situation in Sweden or States, but the Saab 900/9-3 cabrio ratio to other cars (not only cabrios) here is significant and I'm loving it. In my opinion Saab 900/9-3 is one of the coolest cars; can't really come up with any other car that has such a timeless design that is at the same time little weird, different from other's, and sporty, yet practical with a huge trunk.

Naturally in a name of Wolf Cars, this writing considers Viggen -the hottest model named after a fighter jet!

Cabrio version. Source: doublejslist.com

The original car was launched in 1998 and it looked pretty much as the previous 900, that has to do with the fact that it was based on the old model and only 1100 components were changed or improved. Viggen was the first fruit of Saab's SVO (Special Vehicle Operation) program in collaboration with TWR. 

 Viggen was also produced in 5 door version. Source: autogaleria.hu

Two-tone leather and center placed ignition -sweet! Source: uwwica.com

In 1999 the Viffed hitted the showrooms with a new B235R -engine having 14% higher volumetric efficiency than a Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6! The powerplant produces 230hp and Nm from 2.3 litres four cylinder with a help of turbo and intercooler. Same engine was used later in 9-5 Aero. Well, Saab is famous about it's FWD, thus the car torquesteers like a mother fucker.TWR tweaked the chassis as much as they could, but I quess with such a old design (originally from 70's) there wasn't real solutions to solve power delivery problems.
Addition to power increase and chassis tweaking the exterior and interior got some final touches to compete with it's well known German enemies. Well, it wasn't really sale success, but makes a really unique option for M3 or C AMG with it's hooligan FWD nature. We used to have Saab's in family when I practiced driving and this exceptional brand will always have a place in my heart.

BTW, Wiggen means thunderbolt in Swedish. 

In details:

Engine 
- R4, 2290cc, 16-valve, Turbo 'B235R'
- 9.3:1 compression ratio
- Custom "Trionic-7" fuel-injection system and direct-ignition  - Large oil and water-cooled turbocharger
- Maximum boost pressure of 1.4 bar,

Numbers
- 225hp/5500rpm (limiter 6300rpm)  
- 342Nm/2500-4000rpm (approx. 122-195hp)
- 0-100Km/h: 6,8s
- 0-400M: 15, 3s
- Top speed 250 Km/h - 1395Kg

Transmission
- 5 speed manual, FWD
- Upgraded clutch assemply
- Larger diameter and stronger driveshafts and strengthened CV joints
Chassis
- Stiffer springs and dampers
- Anti-roll bar in front
- Upgraded steering rack mounts - Ventilated and grooved disks (308mm) front and 287mm (grooved) disks rear - 17x7,5" exclusive 5 spoke alloys with 215/45ZR17 Dunlop tires
Exterior
- Unique bumpers and rear spoiler (reducing aerodynamic drag by 8% to a 0.31 coefficient and reducing lift forces over the rear wheels by 60%)
- Sport exhaust tip
- Exclusive 'Viggen' plates 

    Interior
- Sport seats (by Lear) - Unique two-tone leather interior - Sport steering wheel - Extra gauges
- Custom dashboard
- Exclusive 'Viggen' plates

Other
- Limited colors awailable; blue in 1999, with silver and black added in 2000, other colors like red later
- Less than 3000 Viggens were ever made (including 3D, 5D, and cabrio versions)