Black turbo reborn

Thirty years ago in 1977, Saab surprised the automotive world by revealing its first turbocharged model at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This year Saab will bring back some of its glory from their former times with the Saab Turbo X, a limited edition based on the current Saab 9-3. Visually inheriting its appeal from the 99 and 900 (Aero/SPG) black turbos, while introducing cutting edge technology. Saab is aiming to set new standards in levels of performance for itself, while they expect that the innovative features will see plenty of emulation from the competition.

Stay tuned for more, press conference will take place early morning on September 11th.

[Source: WCF]

Though scheduled to debut next Tuesday at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the special edition Saab Turbo X has arrived a bit early courtesy of one particular Swede-o-phile over at Trollhattansaab.net. Actually, only three more images have arrived, but in addition to the front teaser shot that Saab had already released, the new pics show the car from the rear, as well as its exclusive blacked-out interior.

To refresh, the Saab Turbo X will debut the automaker's new XWD all-wheel drive system from Haldex. It's capable of dividing power between the front and rear wheels, but also from side to side in the rear thanks to a new electronic slip differential. Saab's 2.8L turbocharged V6 has been worked over for duty in the Turbo X and now produces 280 hp, up from 255, and 295 ft-lbs. of torque. Trollhattan reports that it will be good for a 5.7 second sprint to 62 mph, which makes it one of the fastest Saabs we've ever heard of.

[Source: Trollhattansaab.net via Autoblog.com]

This is the best thing, Saab could do. The Aero has to much power for a car with front wheel drive... So this is going to be interesting...

The diffuser/pipe treatment is not nice at all.

wow this is not what i expected ( in a bad way)

Same here. I'm disappointed. It looks as if SAAB has simply revived the Turbo name in order to generate some sales. A desperate action.

The wheels are downright brutal looking. Look as though you'd lose a finger changing a flat! I like this even though Saab still won't be taken seriously because of it and with all wheel drive I want 300hp.

M

I was hoping for +300hp. I recently drove new V70 T6 with 285hp so Volvo is still the most powerful swedish car.

Nice car, love those wheels and the new rear bumper, Saab will smoke those rear lights to complete the package. 280Hp is ok but the could have easily gone more, I suspect the gearbox isn't up to the job.