Saab News Blog

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

The automobiles produced by the Swedish automaker Saab are definitely known for having superior quality, which leads to the contentment of every vehicle owner. However, because of the changing way of life of many motorists, Saab and other auto part makers have come up with several automotive accessories that can enhance the already fulfilling drive experience offered by Saab automobiles. These auto accessories cater to the needs and wants of contemporary vehicle owners and passengers in terms of vehicle performance, maintenance, and even on-board amusement.

This season of autumn, owners of Saab automobiles can select from a wide array of functional accessories for different Saab models. These up to date Saab supplementary parts are designed to keep up with the dynamic lifestyle of modern motorists. Here are some of the popular Saab add-ons:

Hirsch Performance Engine Upgrade

The quality of Saab 9-3 and Saab 9-5 models can still be improved by increasing their torque and power. The Hirsch Performance engine upgrade is an ideal Saab accessory that can raise the power of the Saab vehicle by 30 %. In the United Kingdom, Saab wholesalers at present are selling this Hirsch accessory for £749.

Saab iPod Kit

Music lovers will find every road trip enjoyable with the Saab iPod kit. All the music files stored in their music devices can now be played on the audio system of the Saab automobile. With just a simple click of a button, passengers can already listen to their favorite songs. This hip auto accessory also includes a recharging mechanism connected that can easily be connected to the iPod, making the musical gadget always ready to operate.

Saab Boot Mat

An accessory that can help vehicle owners maintain the cleanliness of their automobiles is the Saab boot mat. This rubber-made accessory prevents the Saab carpets from being messed up. The rubber material is also ideal in protecting the luggage area from spills, mud, and other harmful factors. Moreover, the Saab boot mat can be easily removed. That’s why cleaning it can be very easy for vehicle owners.

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

Across the third quarter of this year, a 1898 Saab 900 SPG got a record of having been driven for a million miles. It is 1,001,385 to be exact. The Saab vehicle is owned by a traveling salesman, Peter Gilbert. As a travel salesman, it is not surprising that his Saab ran for over a million miles over the span of time that he went about with his job. A million miles over the span over 17 years is really something. With that distance, Gilbert could have already traveled 40 times around the earth.

What is even more striking is that the 1898 Saab 900 SPG did not went through any major repairs. It had its Saab hood replaced and the Saab bumper due to eight deer collisions. Its Saab transmission–the Saab tune up parts–was overhauled after having a 200,000 mile run but other than this, nothing more was done to keep the Saab 900 SPG going for the past 17 years. According to Gilbert, his Saab could have lasted for another 17 years had the weather in Wisconsin not been erratic and its winters really had affected the chassis of his Saab. Gilbert’s experience of the Saab proves that Saab vehicles are truly made to last.

Source: Autoblog.com

Anniversaries signify a considerable time of existence. It testifies to the time that a certain something is able to exist in the world and is able to affect the lives of the people in it. Recently, Saab had its 60^th anniversary. In order to celebrate Saab’s 60^th anniversary, Saab aficionados from all parts of the globe gathered at the Swedish town of Trollhattan. The events lasted for four days and this included commemorating the past 60 years of Saab’s existence through the Saab Car Museum. Cars that comprise Saab’s 60 years were displayed.

For those who are not yet aware of it, the name “Saab” is an acronym for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget AB, which is also known as Swedish Aircraft Company Limited. This is because Saab first came into the world as an aircraft manufacturer. In fact, in the late 1940’s, Saab is known solely as an aircraft manufacturer. And as would be expected from an aircraft manufacturer, the first car that it designed and manufactured had a streamlined shape. The first car ever that Saab made is the Saab 92. It was designed and even the idea of it came from a team of aircraft engineers. Hence, the vehicle’s streamlined shape.

After 60 years of existing, Saab has already established a name in the automotive world. It sells for over 60 countries worldwide and its vehicles are known as luxury vehicles that provide for optimum performance. What’s distinct about Saab vehicles is that it reflects the Scandinavian culture and incorporates Saab’s aviation heritage. Among the things that Saab was able to introduce the world were advances in car safety, ergonomics, vehicles that care for the environment and enhanced performance through turbocharging that is pioneered by Saab engines.

Saab has already gone a long way in its 60 years of existence. It has not only soared the heights but also has driven its way ahead of others.

Source: Ancasternews.com

Come spring 2008, the all-time favorite Saab 9-3 will get a new look. Many are looking forward to the re-worked Saab 9-3 that apart from a new look, also features the all-wheel drive system. The all-wheel drive system, according to some is one of the finest. Upon seeing the 2008 edition of Saab 9-3, the first thing that will stand out is its unique styling. Its sides do not differ much from the present model but its frontage makes it take on a jet fighter look. It fits perfectly, not to mention is quite appropriate for Saab truly has a heritage of Swedish jet aircraft. The new model has some shades of the popular Aero X Concept, which is not bad. It has the air of something really fast, which in this case is quite true.

The new model is geared with uprated 2.8L V-6 Turbo gasoline engine. This Saab engine is said to have the capacity to work together with the all-wheel drive and can produce up to 280 horsepower. It also features the Saab XWD system that is so far exclusive to the 9-3 Aero Sport Sedan as well as on Sport Combi models. Furthermore, the new model features enhanced wheel slip management that makes it possible for the wheels to have a good run over snow or rain-drenched roads. Optional features include the use of a rear limited-slip differential that can be controlled electronically. The new model’s up to date system has two pioneering features. These are the pre-emptive engagement of the rear wheels and an active rear limited-slip differential. The former allows for the optimization of traction as well as take-off. The latter, however, allows for torque to be transferred from one rear wheel to another.

The Saab XWD has the ability to send up to 100 percent of the power generated by the engine to either the front or rear wheels. This is a feature is unique for this model and enables one to give power to the wheels that need it.

Source: Post-gazette.com

Traffic jam is a common scenario especially at peak hours. People go off from work and most of them hurry home or hurry elsewhere. As this is the case at certain times of the day, most vehicle users spend a lot of time inside their vehicles. In order to help kill waiting time, having something to listen to is a one of the options Saab users have. It is for this reason that it comes as good news that the XM Satellite Radio will come as a standard in all 2008 Saab vehicles. This means that even though the one driving or riding a Saab may spend a considerable time inside their vehicles, they’ll sure to get the latest news and the hippest sounds from their car radio.

The XM Satellite radio has a reliable satellite that delivers data services and GPS navigation systems for automotives. Apart from Saab, the XM Satellite Radio will also come as a standard for 2008 Buick and Hummer vehicles. An added feature in GM vehicles is that their owners will get the benefit of a complimentary trial period activation of their XM Satellite radio for three months. This is enough time to get to know the features of the XM before deciding on really subscribing for one.

Source: Automotiveworld.com

In order to keep its pace with time, Saab has taken on new people as part of its management. Taking new people in is only necessary if one is not to be left behind especially when it comes to new ideas and strategies as well. Saab has taken Mats Warstedt as its Director of Marketing for Saab International and Saab Industrial Corporation. This an entirely new position, which means that Mats Warstedt is the first person ever to be taken as Saab’s Director of Marketing. One take on this is that Saab has already realized the significance of having a good marketing strategy. This may be just the thing that Saab needs. They already have great performing vehicles. The next thing to do is to hire someone that will worry about boosting sales.

Another person that Saab hired is Jonas Hjelm. He took on the position of the one responsible for Government Relations. It seems that this move of Saab is one to boost its relations on both the public (specifically the market) and the government. As for the background of the hired ones, Mats Warstedt has been the business unit manager of Saab Barracuda back in 2002. As for Jonas Hjelm, he started working for Saab in December last year. Before he worked for Saab, he was the permanent secretary in the Swedish Ministry of Defense. He will start on his new position by November 1^st.

Source: Saab

Since there is nothing one can do with the law but to comply, Saab’s response to Europe’s stricter emission requirements is to come up with smaller engines. As small engines produce lesser emissions, the people in Saab thought that having a relatively small engine, which also has the capacity to generate power not quite far behind from a standard-sized engine can do the environment a big deal. Together with companies such as the Renault and Volkswagen, Saab is already doing what it can to generate such an engine. According to Jonathan Nash, who is the present Saab Great Britain’s managing director, smaller-displaced turbocharged E85 Saab engines are most likely to exist really soon.

In our world today, everything seems to be getting smaller. Cellular phones, video players that went from Betamax, VHS, Laser disc, VCD, to DVD; music players that were then LPs, then tapes, CDs, to now in digital format. As there seems to be a trend for things to go small, it is not surprising at all that the same goes for vehicles. A smaller engine that can perform as well as a regular-sized one? It sounds really good. It sounds like the perfect solution to the hazard exhaust emissions do to the environment. Currently, there exists the BioPower engines, which is relatively smaller than most engines yet are preferred by most people in Sweden. This being the case, Saab believes that a smaller engine than the BioPower can be made. The said engine should equal—if not surpass—the quality performance other engines provide. Apart from this, Jonathan Nash also mentioned that Biofuels as well as hybrid technology most probably would be the future of Saab. As what can already be seen in Saab’s as well as the world’s first fossil fuel-free vehicle (the BioPower Hybrid 9-3), the revolution when it comes to Saab engines are just endless.

Source: Autoblog.com

In line with Saab’s goal for something distinctly Saab and to be able to come up with a trademark that will set their vehicles apart from that of other brands, the company plans to produce a small SUV that manifests the “Saab trademark” by 2009. The said vehicle is rumored to be constructed at GM’s assembly plant located in Ramos, Mexico. Tagged as the 9-4X, the said vehicle is believed to be the one that will break the trend among previous Saab SUVs. Saab SUVs of the past are quite patterned with existing GM trucks. The 9-4X is Saab’s attempt to create its own SUV—in terms of looks and performance. In other words, the 9-4X is a move to break free from “re-badging existing GM trucks” to Saab SUVs. The people in Saab believe that it is about time for Saab to have its “own” SUV and the 9-4X would be it. This may also be the reason why they are not rushing with the 9-4X. It will be built in 2009 when everything about it, from the design down to its most detailed features, has been given considerable thought.

Many believe that this move of Saab is a good one. First and foremost, the market is growing. Second, it is high time to have an identity for the brand’s SUV. Word has been going around that the 9-4X will be constructed on a platform that makes use of Theta architectures from Epsilon II and the would-be introduced Cadillac BRX, which is primarily a small SUV. Upon the release of the 9-4X, it is expected to steal buyers of—as well as compete with—the Acura RDX, BMW X3 and Infiniti EX. As an estimate, the first 9-4X will be introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in January and will feature add-ons such as Saab performance parts to boost the 9-4X’s competence. The vehicle will be made available worldwide but is expected to have the appeal more to the European market.

Source: Auto123.com