After unsuccessful attempts by its GM masters to repackage vehicles in the form of the 9-7X (upscale Chevy TrailBlazer) and 9-2X (Subaru WRX clone), Saab is attempting to re-focus its brand's cachet by drawing on its core principles of quirky yet attractive styling, highly efficient turbocharged powertrains, and its distinct aerospace heritage.
With the recent introduction of the well-received Turbo X, the coming 9-4X crossover (pictured recently undergoing testing on the Nurburgring) and a badly-needed remake of the 9-5 sedan, along with concepts like the 9-X BioHybrid, the Swedish automaker has serious future plans to reserve itself a seat at the premium-brand table.
This week, Saab USA held a press session outlining the "state of Saab" at one of its revamped dealerships in Southern California. While there, we were given some interesting tidbits regarding the latest news from Saab by U.S. general manager Steve Shannon and communications manager Jan-Willem Vester.
Which is it, all-wheel drive or front drive?
Well, it's both. As you may or may not know, Saab has recently introduced its 9-3-based 2008 Turbo X, featuring an innovative all-wheel-drive system called the Cross-Wheel Drive or XWD. MT senior editor Ron Kiino first reported on Saab's latest active stability system while putting the 280-hp Turbo X through its paces and remarked that the XWD system provides more prominent and easier to control oversteer and an "overall balance (that) borders on neutral." Such traits are especially impressive coming from a manufacturer traditionally known for torque-steer-happy front-drive applications.
Key to the Haldex-built XWD unit is an electronically controlled eLSD that can transfer 40 percent of torque between drive shafts to whichever wheel is gripping the tarmac more. The eLSD is said to dampen yaw enough so the rear wheels effectively follow the direction of the front wheels more closely, thus improving handling dramatically. With this system on the Turbo X, Saab is targeting the Audi S4 and BMW 335xi -- two venerable opponents.
Shannon says the XWD system being introduced on the limited-edition 2008 Turbo X will be available on all models within the next 15 months.
More on the Turbo X, new tech and production
Saab is adamant that it won't increase production of the Turbo X, but Shannon and Vester do mention that roughly 300 of the 600 allotted U.S. cars (2000 will be built worldwide) have been pre-sold. Vester also reveals the automaker expects to build 60 percent of the cars in both SportCombi -- Saab's name for wagon -- and sedan in automatic form. The other 40 percent will be equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.
With the Turbo X at a base price of $42,510 stateside, Saab is beginning to test the premium automotive segment waters with what it calls its "most technically advanced" car ever produced. Technologies such as the XWD stability system and an available turn-by-turn OnStar navigation system with Bluetooth connectivity are aimed to appeal to more affluent buyers who traditionally have not considered the Swedish brand. Eventually, the OnStar system will allow owners to upload MapQuest routes into the system, although it's still in the beta stages of development and will be a while before it's available for Saab or GM models.
On the production front, it looks as though the next 9-3 will continue to be built in Sweden at Saab's Saab's Trollhattan facility, according to a recent Automotive News report. Previous reports had speculated that 9-3 production would move to GM's Ruesselsheim, Germany plant. Now it looks as though production of the 9-5 will move to Germany.
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