[Cartoday]
GM has unveiled a pair of models that sit at opposite ends of the Saab spectrum – the menacing, black Turbo X with the grip of its XWD all-wheel drive system and mellow open-top motoring on the form of the 9-3 Convertible Yellow Edition.
We reported on the fire-breathing Turbo X in September 11th of last year. For those of you that missed the bulletin, this model is powered by a new, all-aluminium 24-valve, 2,8-litre V6 turbo engine generating 209 kW at 5 500 r/min and 400 N.m of torque. This unit propels the Turbo X from 0-100 km/h in just 5,7 seconds on the way to a 250 km/h top speed.
The car’s other important bit is Saab’s XWD (‘Cross-Wheel Drive) - an active all-wheel drive system developed in conjunction with Haldex that finely balances drive torque between both the rear wheels and the front axles. This system’s control module draws cues via inputs from the car’s ESP, ABS and yaw sensors to pre-engage the rear wheels to optimise traction from a rapid take-off.
XWD is configured in such a way that the threshold at which the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) throttle is triggered is raised and up to 70 percent of the torque can be transferred to the rear wheels to keep the car balanced under fast cornering. The system can also integrate an electronic rear limited-slip differential (eLSD) is an optional extra. The eLSD can transfer up to 50 percent of the maximum torque available to the rear axle to whichever wheel has more grip.
The XWD system will be available locally on the Saab Turbo X (read in very limited numbers, as there are only 2 000 units worldwide) from September this year.
Saab has also unveiled its 9-3 Convertible Yellow Edition.Based on the 2.0T model, its ‘lynx yellow’ paint job constitutes the first of a number of standard features including a premium sound system, 17-inch five spoke alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.
Being one of the few convertibles out there with useable rear seats, it pays for Saab to make this model as safe as possible. To this end, a ‘DynaCage’ system helps provide rollover protection with pop-up rear roll bars, strengthened A-pillars and sills, and automatic seat-belt pre-tensioning.
So, a nice bright Convertible just in time for Spring, right? Well, not quite…Saab is still deciding whether to import this model to South Africa.