Saab News Blog

The Saab 9-3 is not just impressing auto experts in the US, but as well as in the Middle East. In this year’s Autocar Middle East Awards, Saab 9-3 took home the Best Premium Mid-Size Car Award, beating the Nissan Altima and Dodge Avenger, as reported by AME Info.
Damien Reid, Senior Editor Autocar Middle East said, “Over the three days of testing, the Saab 9-3 proved to be a deserved winner of our Best Premium Mid Size Car Award for 2007. The Saab strikes the right balance of power and performance and all the judges were impressed by its overall finish and build quality.”

Saab became victorious judging from its appealing interior and exterior design, as well as its innovative features.

“The 9-3 range caters for a wide spectrum of users. The 9-3 is smooth and stylish, providing a refreshing change from the norm with its Swedish simplicity in design and style,” said Melanie Maddux, Saab Marketing Manager in the Middle East. “The Sedan, Convertible and SportCombi will impress the discerning Middle East buyer with a perfect blend of power and performance from the range of turbocharged engines and excellent ride and handling characteristics in an interior environment that is simple yet luxurious and comfortable.”
Elegance and performance is mixed in the Saab 9-3. It also has a turbocharged version as well as high-performance Saab 9-3 Aero models: Sport Sedan, Convertible and SportCombi. Inside the hood of these vehicles is one of Ward’s AutoWorld Magazine’s 10 Best Engines, Saab’s turbocharged aluminum 2.8 liter V6 engine. This amazing engine is capable of generating 250 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque.

Source: http://www.ameinfo.com/142266.html

Saab introduces another vehicle packed with all the turbo a motorist needs in the 2008 Saab 9-3. Auto Canada reports, “The turbo is mated to a 2.8-litre V-6 that produces 255 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.”

Aside from the power, this new Saab benefits from its front wheel drive with a higher level of traction, for slippery and wet roads.

It will also feature a separate turbo gauge for drivers to know how much boost they are getting.

This near luxury compact sedan gets its power from the six-speed automatic along with the small paddles found on either side of the steering wheel. Meanwhile, a sport setting make the transmission hold the gears longer to improve acceleration.

Other optional upgrades to the Aero are 17-inch wheels and tires, xenon lights, dual tailpipes, power passenger seat and a sunroof.
Its stiffer suspension makes it more comfortable along with the superb steering. Comfort continues in the interior with the armchair.
Inside, the Saab 9-3 has a minimalist theme. “The black on black interior is broken only by brushed aluminum pieces where needed.”
The rear seats are likewise comfortable and has a 60/40 split to increase the capacity of the 425-liter trunk.

Another great feature of the Saab is the “nightpanel” mode on the dash. All of the lights on the dash are turned on when engaged. According to the reports this is “to reduce the distraction of non-essential instruments at night.”

For its exterior, changes are done in the front end of the car with the larger grille, an LED-lit “eyebrow” and a deeper chin.
Safety is also included in the modifications done. In fact, the front, front seat and side curtain airbags are paired with anti-whiplash front head restraints, seatbelt pre-tensioners and three headrests for the rear passengers. Meanwhile, traction control, stability control and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are also integrated.

News from: http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=11409d97-b490-4e02-ad5f-32df58d5ab4a

Hybrids and Hybrids are becoming popular as alternative vehicles. Car manufacturers come up with other means to decrease pollution, but still has top of the line performance. Saab, on the other hand, uses Bioethenol in its BioPower range. According to the report of The Press, the said fuel is made from wheat or sugar beet. The report also said that when 85 percent of this natural fuel is mixed with 15 percent f petrol, the environmental-friendly E85 is produced.

The Press says, “Unlike petrol, the consumption of E85 stabilises atmospheric levels of CO2, the greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. That’s because emissions from the cars are balanced by the amount of C02 that is removed from the atmosphere when crops are grown for conversion.”

Saab has long been using the E85 and it is “the first and only in the UK to offer an alternative-fuel engine in every model in its line-up.”

BioPower can utilize solely the power of the petrol, E85, or opt to use a mixture of the two.

E85 also offers a smoother engine performance as well as producing more power. According to the report, this is caused by “a higher octane rating compared to petrol (107 RON versus 95-99 RON) and that allows higher boost pressures without any pre-detonation.”
Saab is not stopping here, the car company continues to develop and improve its green technology. In fact, Saab there is plans of a concept car running on E100. Saab will also be using cellulose instead of crops.

Source: http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/display.var.1905920.0.0.php

For the fourth consecutive year, Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, SportCombi and
Convertible gained recognition as the 2008 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick Award in the midsize category.

In 2007, the 9-3 was awarded for the Top Safety Pick Award. Meanwhile, this Saab vehicle received Top Safety Pick - Gold Award in 2006, while getting a Double Best Pick crash-test rating in 2005.

IIHS started testing convertibles only this year, and Saab 9-3 was awarded the same year. According to the report done by Reuters, the Saab 9-3 Convertible is one of two convertibles that received the Top Safety Pick Award. It is also “the only soft-top convertible to earn a top spot.”

IIHS judge the vehicles according to its “performance in high-speed front and side-impact crash tests plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries.” It can receive a rating of good, acceptable, marginal, or poor. Only vehicles that get good ratings in all three tests along with offering electronic stability control can win.

“The Saab 9-3 performed well in front and side crash tests and the Saab     Active Head Restraints provide state-of-the-art protection against neck injuries,” said IIHS President Adrian Lund.  “The addition of electronic stability control as standard equipment confirms Saab’s commitment to vehicle safety.”

Below are the awards Saab 9-3 range received as posted by Reuters:

•    9-3 Sedan: IIHS “Top Safety Pick”, 2008
•    9-3 Convertible: IIHS “Top Safety Pick”, 2008
•    9-3 Convertible: IIHS “Top Safety Pick”, 2007
•    9-3 Sedan: IIHS “Top Safety Pick”, 2007
•    9-3 Sedan: IIHS “Top Safety Pick - Gold Award”, 2006
•    9-3 SportCombi: Activelifestyle.com “Active Lifestyle Award”, 2006
•    9-3 Range: “Wards top-10 best engine”, Wards, 2006
•    9-3 SportCombi: SmartMoney “Best mispriced wagon” awards, SmartMoney magazine, 2006
•    9-3 SportCombi: “Top sport wagon”, buyacar.suite101.com, 2006
•    9-3 SportCombi: Intellichoice Award - Lowest Maintenance Costs in Class, 2006
•    9-3 Sedan: IIHS “Double Best Pick” crash test rating, 2005
•    9-3 SportCombi: “Good” rating (the maximum rating) for Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR), from Britain’s Thatcham Insurance Research Center crash tests, 2005
•    9-3 Convertible: “Good” rating (the maximum rating) for Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR), from Britain’s Thatcham Insurance Research Center crash tests, 2005
•    9-3 Sedan: “Good” rating (the maximum rating) for Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR), from Britain’s Thatcham Insurance Research Center crash tests, 2004
•    9-3 Convertible: Five stars, top rating from European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP) crash tests, 2004
•    9-3 Sedan: “Green”, top rating for Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR), from Swedish Insurance Company Folksam’s crash tests, 2003
•    9-3 Sedan: Five stars, top rating from European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP) crash tests, 2002

News from: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS190789+06-Dec-2007+PRN20071206

Autocar recently reported that in next July’s London motor show, Saab will unveil a concept version of its new 9-1 entry-level model.

According to the report, the new Saab will be available at the end of 2009 and will be manufactured Saab’s Swedish Trollhatten headquarters.

No specific details have been released on exact outcome of the car but Autocar found that “the 9-1 will be ‘dramatically styled’ and an ‘iconic’ shape. It will also be ‘sporty enough to fit the Saab character,’ and have the ‘functionality to attract younger drivers’.”

Autocar also released the information that production of the Saab 9-1 is already starting. It is also reported that the classic 99 Combi Coupe, which is a a two-door coupe with a tailgate, may have been the 9-1’s inspiration.

The styling of the Audi TT can also be incorporated into the 9-1.

Since the 9-1 will be based on GM’s new Astra-sized Delta platform, there is a possibility of it being built in a North American GM factory.

News has also come out that the upcoming 9-4x SUV will be unveiled January’s Detroit motor show. It is also said that its production will be in Mexico, together with the Cadillac BRX.

News from: http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Saab-Concepts/229427/

Saab launches the 2008 Saab Turbo X vehicle to commemorate Saab’s three decades of leadership in turbocharging. The 2008 Saab Turbo X has a beautifully black exterior bodykit and a matte grey titanium-like front grille and exterior. The colors are inspired by the black 99 and 900 Turbos, Saab’s first ever turbocharged vehicles released in the fall of 1977.

The Saab Turbo X has a sleek, aerodynamic design which incorporates Saab’s new cross wheel drive technology into the drivetrain. It boasts of  295 lbs-ft of torque from its 280 hp 2.8V6 turbo engine. It is the top of the line, high performance vehicle of the Saab 9-3 car models. The exterior is aerodynamically and aesthetically enhanced with a deeper lip spoiler, integrated air intake and 18-inch alloy wheels with a grey titanium-like finish. The interior is driver focused, with carbon-fiber finish door inserts, glove box and gear shift console. The steering wheel is made up of thick-rimmed, soft grip leather which makes driving a more enjoyable experience for anyone who drives the Turbo X.

The vehicle will be introduced to the North American market at the 2007 New England International Auto Show in Boston. The automotive manufacturers have decided to launch the Turbo X in Boston as a tribute to the area where Saab first started the US branch of their business enterprise. The Saab Turbo X will be available in 4-door Sport Sedan and 5-door SportCombi body styles in either six speed automatic or manual transmissions. It has a standard retail price of $ 42,510 for the sport sedan and a $ 43,510 for the SportCombi.

The first 100 customers to purchase the Saab Turbo X before January 31, 2008 will be invited to attend the Turbo X Academy Driving Program. Attendees to the Turbo X Academy Driving Program are also entitled to two nights stay at the four-star hotel Chateau Elán. As a part of the program, the proud owners of the Saab Turbo X will also be given the chance to drive their vehicle around the renowned track at Road Atlanta. The Saab Turbo X will be released as a production car in the spring of 2008.

Source: 2008 SAAB Turbo X: Black To The Future

ELLE magazine Hong Kong honors Anthony Lo as “Asian Designer of the Year” at the recently concluded 2007 ELLE Magazine Style Awards. The awarding ceremony is an event that has been held every year since 1997. This year’s awards night was a truly an Asian affair with Asian editions of Elle Magazine from China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand participating actively in the event.

Anthony Lo is the designer behind the concept of the Saab Aero X, an impressive vehicle that finds its design inspiration from Saab’s aircraft heritage. The Saab Aero X is designed as a two –seater sports coupe that has a glass cockpit canopy that looks very similar to the interior of a fighter jet. The Saab Aero X gives its occupants a full 180 degrees view of the road because its windshield wipers are located at the side of its vertical sliding car doors and away from the windshield. It boasts of a 400 hp, twin-turbo BioPower V6 engine which runs on ethanol as fuel. The vehicle does away with dials and buttons by incorporating car functions Read the rest of this entry »

Saab has recently launched a cross wheel drive technology in its Turbo X and 9-3 Aero XWD Sport Sedan and SportCombi models. The intelligent system of “cross wheel drive” was developed in Sweden by vehicle safety expert, Haldex. The company has developed a unique torque transfer system that allows both the front and rear wheel drives of a Saab vehicle to be able to transfer torque among each other, depending on the need. The innovative system is said to increase driver involvement with tire movements and greater vehicle stability in all driving conditions.

This is a unique system for automotives because it is the first of its kind to utilize advanced technology in the transfer of torque among all the wheels. Vehicles equipped with the “cross wheel drive” system come with a 280 hp (206 kW), 2.8 V6 turbo engine that offers 15% more maximum torque (400 Nm/295 lbs/ft). Saab decided to introduce the “cross wheel drive” technology with one goal in mind: better traction.

The “cross wheel drive” technology has a Torque Transfer Device (TTD), a Rear Drive Module (RDM), and an electronically-controlled Limited Slip Differential (eLSD). These mechanisms have a separate electronic device unit that is activated when the clutch plates are pressed together. In a wet, slippery road or a steep incline, for example, the Torque Transfer Device (TTD) transfers power between wheels. As the TTD is initiated, the Rear Drive Module (RDM) becomes activated. The Rear Drive Module (RDM) functions as its name entails, it controls the rear wheels to provide better traction. The electronically-controlled Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) works hand in hand with the Torque Transfer Device (TTD) and the Rear Drive Module (RDM). Each tire of the Saab vehicle has speed sensors, these sensors detect which tire has the best grip or traction while on a slippery road or an incline. The electronically-controlled Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) then transfers the torque to the wheel/s that it detects to have the best grip.

To avail of the “cross wheel drive” technology, Saab vehicles would need “a new rear sub-frame to carry the RDM, revised rear suspension geometry and new wheel hubs for the drive shafts”. As a requirement, all cross wheel drive equipped Saab vehicles will need 18 inch alloy wheels.

Source: Saab’s New “Cross Wheel Drive” in Detail , Haldex

Saab is one of the first automotive manufacturers to offer an E85 flex fuel (bioethanol) vehicle to the Australian car market. E85 flex – fuel vehicles are already common in Europe. But the introduction of E85 flex – fuel cars is breakthrough both for Saab and its Australian market. The vehicle, called a BioPower 9-5, is already on sale in Australia.  Saab Australia offers three versions of the BioPower 9-5 vehicle – the Sport Sedan, SportCombi and the Convertible type.

The launching of the Saab BioPower 9 – 5 is opportune as this was also the same time that United Petroleum, the largest fuel supplier in Australia, announced that they were to build two bioethanol fuel pumps, one in Melbourne and one in Sydney, to cater to the alternative fuel market.

The use of bioethanol on Saab’s BioPower 9-5 will be able to reduce carbon emissions from 120-130gm per kilometer of carbon dioxide to 40gm per kilometer. It will also cut down fuelcosts for car owners because bioethanol powered cars run on 82 percent ethanol and only 15 percent petrol. A liter of bioethanol cost only about one dollar.

Other car manufacturers are expected to follow Saab’s lead by introducing bioethanol powered cars to the Australian market, as well. More and more car owners are going “green” and turning to alternative sources of fuel. Older Saab cars may need some engine conversion in order to be able to run on bioethanol but high – quality, discount priced Saab OEM parts are easy to find.

Source: Saab gives Australia bio-ethanol Cars

This modern world already offers a lot of anxiety-inducing things that cause harm to the lives of people, and to hear about a technology that would somehow lessen the consequences brought by a stressed body and mind is something that any person would be very thankful of these days.

The new technology of Saab is certainly one of the greatest innovations that would keep any modern-day driver away from the risks put forth by too much pressure. Finally, a system that will minimize the negative outcomes that stress can bring has been invented. To add up to the efficiency brought by Saab OEM parts, a fatigue warning system is to be installed in future Saab automobiles.

The Swedish automotive company, in cooperation with Sweden’s Linkoping University, has already started a test drive of a Saab vehicle with a fatigue warning system, which will last for eight months.

The main function of the Saab fatigue warning system is to monitor the movements of the driver’s head and eyes. The system is equipped with two infra-red cameras located at the dashboard and at the bottom of the windscreen post. By tracking down the head movements of the driver, the fatigue warning system is able to determine whether or not the driver’s attention is on the road.

Once the fatigue warning system detects that the attention of the driver is drifting, it will display a text message on the dashboard, warning the driver of his loss of focus. Aside from a text message display, the system can also make use of vibrating seat cushions to remind the driver to focus on the road ahead. Moreover, the system can send out a voice message “You are dangerously tired - stop as soon as it is safe to do so!” if the state of the driver’s attention is getting worse.

With this new Saab technology, the safety of drivers can be upheld despite the many distractions that may enter their minds while driving. The innovative features such as text display, vibrating seats, and voice message is certainly a big help in redirecting the wandering focus of any motorist.

Source: channel4.com