Farväl

August 1, 2023 Eleven

Well, it’s been one hell of a journey, the Turbo X is a Saab I’d longed for, for a number of years and this one came along, the perfect spec with all options packages ticked, low owners and a great history. But it had its own agenda, dragging me through endless ups and downs and ending in a new engine.

Rather than be beaten, I focused on making it exactly like I wanted, lowered on Bilstein shocks and Hirsch springs, Hirsch grille, carbon dash, aluminium pedals and leather handles. Needless to say, it’s been a love hate relationship, it really is an iconic Saab and a definite modern classic, the combination of the smooth V6 Turbo engine, together with the XWD system is quite a powerful thing.

Almost a year after it had arrived, I tentatively put it up on Aeroriginal, unsure whether to sell of not, but just like the whirlwind, ownership has been, it had huge interest and this weekend, I waved goodbye as it was driven off by its new custodian.

I'm both relieved and proud I didn't let it win, another Saab lost to 'parts for sale', instead, it's found its way to a suitably deserving new owner who has just the right Saab background to ensure this Turbo X enjoys many more journeys, and one day, will easily be as desirable as our fabled 900 Turbos; the car it was designed to celebrate. I somehow doubt it will my last Turbo X, but for now, Farväl.

Black is Back

April 3, 2023 Eleven

The Saab 9-3 Turbo X is the true heir to the classic Saab Turbos of the 1970s and 1980s. It is a limited edition model and is only available in Jet Black metallic paint as an homage to the original Saab 900 Turbo. So take a good look, a car like this only comes around every thirty years.

Thirty years ago, Saab stunned the automotive world by revealing its first turbocharged model. Now, with the Saab 9-3 Turbo X, for the first time Saab unleashes turbo power through XWD (cross wheel drive), an innovative all-wheel drive system. Thanks to “rightsizing” the 280PS, 2.8 V6 Turbo engine has the characteristics of a V8 engine: 400Nm of torque and an acceleration of 0–60mph in 5.4 seconds. As if this wasn’t enough, the sport chassis, brakes and electronic control systems combine to give you the drive of your life.

Mud, Rain and XWD

March 31, 2023 Eleven

Despite having owned over thirty Saabs, I'd always had a dream to own a Turbo X. To me, it represents the pinnacle of a modern Saab, a future classic, much like the 900 Turbo S has now become. It's a celebration of Saab innovation, bringing together their superior Turbo technology with a silky smooth V6 engine and an exceptionally intelligent AWD system Saab named cross-wheel-drive or XWD.

In the middle of last year, I found, what I thought looked like the perfect one. An unmolested, manual saloon with the entire options list thrown at it;

Convenience Plus Pack
Dual electric seats with driver’s 3-position memory, electric folding mirrors, auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors, rain sensor wipers

Business Plus Pack
DVD Satellite Navigation, 6.5" colour touch screen, TMC, voice control, Bluetooth phone integration system*, BOSE Surround Sound Audio

Performance Plus Pack
Bi-xenon cornering headlights, headlight pressure washers, 19” Turbo X alloy wheels

Premium Natural Leather
Sport interior trim with perforated seat bolsters and heated front seats

Added to that, it had just undergone a full refurbishment of the Haldex XWD system and came from a knowledgeable Saab family, sadly though, for the past 32 weeks, it's been one hell of a journey, as from the moment it arrived, it wouldn't start. A long story short, but the timing chain had failed and taken out some of the engine with it, so after sourcing another 2.8 engine, the team at Malcolm Miles set about rebuilding it all; new timing chain, water pump, followers, clutch, slave and endless ancillary hoses and gaskets, and finally, earlier this week, I got to drive it for the first time.

I've taken the opportunity to do a few, very subtle modifications, the suspension has been upgraded to Bilstien B8 shocks and Hirsch springs, it's had a Hirsch 3 piece grille, aluminium pedals and leather interior Hirsch handles. I have a feeling it's not running quite right yet and will require a few further snagging visits, but it's back home and it's survived.

I'll reserve a full review until I've had it back for a while, but needless to say, with this endless rain, wind and mud, the XWD system is feeling mighty reassuring.

First Class Cabin

October 14, 2020 Eleven

Alongside my lifelong love affair with Saab, I also have a bit on the side; air cooled Porsches. In that world, it's not unusual to see folks ripping their entire interior out of their pride and joy and reimagining it to suit their personality, In fact, I did just that with my last 964 build and plan to do it again on my latest 993, but rarely have I seen it done to a Saab, until now.

I've been excitedly following a complete interior refit of a Saab Turbo X from Tartu, Estonia, where a design and trim specialist called Imredning has done an absolutely stunning job. The interior, in a deep rich brown colour features in-house handwoven leather door panels using a mixture of Alcantra and Nappa leather, genuine carbon fibre and some exceptional type embossing including 'Move Your Mind'. The dashboard and seats are all trimmed with matching Nappa leather and the contrasting orange stitching is exquisite.

Hopefully I'll get more photos of the completed project soon, but for now, just wanted to share and congratulate both the trimmer and owner for investing such care into yet another very special Saab.

Imrening Design | Instagram