Saab Cars News

Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept Honored at Automotive Hall of Fame

2008-06-26T01:13:00.001+03:00

Detroit, 2008-06-25 – Already labeled “Best Concept” by AutoWeek Magazine upon its world debut at the Geneva auto show last March, the Saab 9-X BioHybrid has been voted “Specialty Concept Car of the Year” by a jury of 25 professional North American automotive journalists. The award ceremony took place at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan.

2008 Saab 9-X BioHybrid Wins U.S. Concept Car Award2008 Saab 9-X BioHybrid Wins U.S. Concept Car Award

Now in its 7th rendition, the annual Concept Car of the Year Awards recognize those vehicles that are most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry. The winners were selected from 40 concept cars and 12 production preview vehicles that made their North American debut during the 2008 auto show season.

“The Saab 9-X BioHybrid blends organic form with ecologically sound propulsion for both aesthetic and environmental appeal”, said jury panel member Arv Voss of Auto Impressions. Added Bob Kroupa of the Automotive Writers Group: “Saab takes center stage with a new design approach for a compact vehicle. With the BioHybrid turbo engine included, we have a winner”.

2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X

2008-05-10T23:30:00.000+03:00

The 2008 Saab Turbo X, the first 9-3 model equipped with all-wheel drive, eclipses the Aero as Saab’s top-of-the-line 9-3. A limited run of 600 will be sold in the U.S. as a four-door sedan and five-door wagon. And in homage to Saab turbos of yesteryear, the Turbo X comes in just one color: Jet Black Metallic.

At the heart of the X is a more powerful version of the Aero’s turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6. It makes 280 horsepower in the X, 25 more than in the Aero, by increasing its turbo boost from 8.7 psi to 11.6 psi. The suspension is stiffened—almost rigid when compared with the base car—and the body is lowered nearly a half-inch. Brake-rotor diameters grow to 13.6 inches in front and 11.5 inches in the rear, an increase of 1.8 and 0.1, respectively, over the Aero. The interior has some carbon-fiber-looking trim and a retro boost gauge. We especially liked the thicker, leather-wrapped steering wheel. A six-speed manual transmission is standard; the optional six-speed automatic costs $1350.

The all-wheel-drive system, called XWD, primarily drives the front wheels; when necessary, a wet-clutch pack engages the rear axle. The Turbo X is also fitted with an electronic limited-slip rear differential (eLSD) that actively manages the torque split side to side. XWD is currently optional only on 9-3 Aeros; it will be optional on all 9-3s for 2009. Buyers wanting all-wheel drive in the step-up 9-5 model must wait until fall.

Amazing grand prize from Turpin Saturn Saab

2008-04-09T03:30:00.000+03:00

"The 2008 Saturn Astra is the single best selling car in Europe," says Yves Laberge, Vice President and General Manager of Turpin Saturn Saab. "And now it's available in Canada." With an impressive list of standard features, the Astra is described as a sport- compact with features like firm European tuned suspension, premium sport seating, and a high-output Ecotek engine. It's the type of car that allows you to forget about some of life's distractions and instead focus on the thrill of driving.

Being a major sponsor of Tour Nortel is something the people at Turpin Saturn Saab are extremely proud of, but it is also something they feel is simply part of the responsibility that goes with being a part of a community.

"We have had an ongoing relationship with CHEO for quite some time," says Mr. Laberge, "and it has been a great association. It has been an opportunity to give back to the community, whether it's through The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO Lottery that we are involved in with the Palladium Auto Park, The CHEO Dream of a Lifetime Lottery, or in this case, through Tour Nortel." In 2007, 5,000 riders, in-line skaters and walkers, along with many corporate supporters raised an incredible total of $684,000 for the benefit of The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Candlelighters, and Ronald McDonald House.

Saab 9-X BioHybrid

2008-03-26T14:07:00.000+02:00

The 9-X BioHybrid is a vision of what a future compact car from Saab could look like. It is designed to reflect the priorities of youthful customers who seek progressive looks, responsible performance and high-tech communications, all in a sporty, fun-to-drive package.

The 9-X BioHybrid also demonstrates the potential for ultra-efficient power from a 200-horsepower (147 kW), 1.4L BioPower turbo engine backed by GM’s next-generation hybrid system. Projected combined cycle CO 2 emissions of just 105 g/km on E85 fuel are testimony to the promise of this package.

With its turbine-style wheels placed at all four corners, minimal bodywork overhangs and an extended roof line, the proportions of the three-door Saab 9-X BioHybrid bring a dynamic, new dimension to conventional compact hatchback looks.

Saab's latest car, the 9-X BioHybrid concept was named ''Best Concept''

2008-03-16T11:09:00.001+02:00

With this award, the General Motors owned Saab 9-X BioHybrid premium compact joins the successful Saab Aero X coupe concept which also received AutoWeek's "Best in Show" honours in Geneva, two years ago.

The 9-X BioHybrid is powered by a a 200bhp (147 kW), 1.4-litre BioPower turbo engine backed by GM's next-generation hybrid system. The development team explored design themes from Saab's award winning Aero X and earlier 9X concepts to design the new ultra-efficient powerful car.

Anthony Lo, director of Advanced Design at General Motors Europe, who led the 9-X BioHybrid design team in co-operation with the Saab Brand Center in Sweden, stated, ''This car is all about efficiency in design and performance,''

Projected combined cycle CO2 emissions of just 105g/km on E85 fuel (ethanol blended, where which contains 85 per cent ethanol by volume) are testimony to the promise of this package.

Saab concept is look at premium compact

2008-03-06T01:07:00.002+02:00

The 9-X BioHybrid concept's aircraft-inspired looks build on the styling theme for Saab's upcoming production cars, including a crossover similar to the 9-4X concept from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

Mark Adams, vice president of design for GM Europe, said the concept shows what Saab wants to make its premium compact car look like.

"We are determined to grow the brand by expanding our global product portfolio into every major luxury segment. The small vehicle segment is growing. We think it is the right time for Saab to enter it," said Jan-Ake Jonsson, managing director of Saab.

Saab 9-1x is not GM's Mini-fighter

2008-03-01T04:24:00.000+02:00

A Saab official made it clear that the 9-1X is not the Mini-fighter I wrote about here and in the May issue of Motor Trend. I knew that, already. First, the c-segment 9-1X is a larger car than a Mini-fighter, as it's based on the Opel/Saturn Astra platform. More importantly, the drawings I saw on the boards at GM were clearly of a car early in its development. I'm sure this Mini-fighter, which would be on a b-car platform, perhaps from Daewoo, hasn't been approved for production yet, nor has it been assigned a specific division.

If GM chooses the design with the Nomad-style profile, it almost certainly would have to be a Chevy (although Pontiac briefly sold a two-door wagon with a similar body in the mid-'50s). That would be a hard sell for a division designed to sell basic small cars like the Chevrolet Aveo.

So, the first thing is that I never expected to see the Mini-fighter as early as the Geneva show. If it appears as a concept, it could be built in time for the Paris show this fall, but it doesn't seem likely to make it to any show earlier than Detroit in January '09. Second, while it could morph into a kind of modern Saab 96-like car, it seems the best fit would be as an Opel/Saturn/Vauxhall.

Saab Turbo X Review

2008-02-29T19:01:00.000+02:00

Saab's limited edition Turbo X not only evokes the famous black 900 Turbo of 30 years ago, but also previews a new all-wheel-drive system that will appear in the Saab XWD at the end of 2008.

Only 2,000 cars will be built, with 500 of them coming to the UK, so buyers will be able to bask in the warm glow of exclusivity, in addition to the extra safety that the all-wheel-drive system provides.

Essentially, the car is a Saab 9-3 with black leather throughout the cabin, a metallic jet black paintjob, additional spoilers on the front and rear, new alloy wheels and some extra modified bodykit - plus the all-wheel-drive system.

There's only engine option, the range-topping 2.8-litre V6. This has been developed by Holden, GM's Australian outpost and fits well with the 'premium' nature of the Turbo X.

And the price for this exclusivity? Prices start at £32,495 when customer deliveries start in March 2008.