Mr. SAAB celebrates 50 years since 1st RAC Rally victory

Erik “Mr. SAAB” Carlsson, the legendary rally driver who won the first British RAC Rally, and his co-driver, Stuart Turner, are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their victory with a replica of their winning car.

Erik, who is an ambassador for SAAB, was a guest of honor at a lunch organized by SAAB Great Britain at the RAC Club in London. On display at the Club was a replica of the SAAB 96 with which Carlsson and Turner won the rally in 1960. The car was shipped from the company’s Car Museum in Trollhättan, Sweden, and will be on display at the Club for a week.

Carlsson’s victory at the RAC Rally left many dumbfounded in 1960, as the small Swedish car was powered by a diminutive 750 cc, 2 stroke, 3 cylinder engine, and faced competitors that were much bigger and had more power. Erik Carlsson and that red 96 won the RAC Rally three years in a row, plus the Monte Carlo Rally twice, as well as the Rally San Remo and the notoriously tough Acropolis Rally. The wins helped launch SAAB as a respectable international brand.

Stuart Turner, the co-driver, went on to become competition manager of BMC and Ford UK. Turner shared the spotlight with Erik at the lunch at the RAC Club.

At the occasion SAAB Great Britain launched a new special version of the SAAB 9-3 named after Erik. The 9-3 Aero Carlsson Edition will be limited to 96 cars. It is not the first time that the Scandinavian auto maker names a car after Erik Carlsson. Between 1990 and 1992 SAAB produced a 600-car limited edition of the 900 Carlsson Edition. “I feel very honored to have a car named after me”, said Mr Carlsson.

New Saab Planning to Offer Customers Ability to See Cars Being Built

In this modern age of convenience and technology, consumers want their products now. That is particularly the case in America with our automobiles.

Unlike other continents such as Europe, we buy our cars off the lot and don’t do order to specification. To those with a bit of patience, placing an order to get exactly what you want is the best option especially with such a major purchase.

BMW is one manufacturer aiming to show the benefits of that method with a new build-to-order campaign for the X3, and Saab appears to be aiming to make it more attractive as well.

It works sort of like a tracking number for a package, tracking it all the way to delivery – only even better. According to What Car Saab aims to expand this model into the automotive sector and they way they are doing it is innovative.

The company is currently installing cameras inside its Trollhättan factory. The camera will text message a customer photos of a their specific vehicle being built at certain points in the assembly line.

The plan is to add a real-time video feed later as well, something BMW is doing with the X3. For techies like us, we love to see manufacturers doing stuff like this. And who better than Saab, one of our favorite brands?

LA 2010:New Saab Unveils Production 9-4x

It’s good to see signs of life at Saab after everything they’ve gone through recently. After all, it wasn’t too long ago they were being consigned to the dustbin of history by everyone in the industry, left for dead after 20 years of neglect by parent company GM. They’ve just released details and images of their next offering, the 9-4x, before it’s debut at the Los Angeles auto show. And while it might not be my cup of tea, less just be thankful it’s happening at all.

The 9-4x is basically the Saab version of the Cadillac SRX, which shares a lot of parts with the newly redesigned Chevy Equinox. In fact, to put it in perspective it’s helpful to think of this new Saab as an SRX with a Saab interior layout and exterior design. Remember that the 9-4x was developed entirely under GM management, so the fact that it’s an SRX clone is no surprise – it was intended to be from the beginning. What sets the 9-4x apart from it’s GM twin, and indeed the rest of the fast-growing luxury crossover market? It’s Saab-ness.

The chassis employs all of the latest and greatest technology in an effort to make this pseudo-truck handle like a car. Which is sort of like engineering a golf club to hit baseballs really far, but crossovers are all the rage these days, so I suppose we’ll go with it. All 9-4x models will come with XWD, Saab’s catchy name for Haldex IV AWD. It uses an infinitely-variable split center differential to apportion torque front to back, as well as an eLSD (electronic limited slip diff) in the rear to actively apportion torque side to side, to maximize transient responses and stability. There’s also Saab DriveSense, which is a combination of variable damping as well as programmable throttle and shift patterns. The three settings (Comfort, Sport, Eco) adjust damping levels, throttle response, and shift points. Sport tightens the shocks and sharpens the throttle as well as holding upshifts at part-throttle; presumably Eco upshifts at 1,200rpms and yells at you in Swedish if you floor it. Comfort is the default mode.

The 9-4x shares powertrain choices with the SRX,with the standard engine being a naturally-aspirated 3.0L 24v direct-injection V6 with 265 horsepower and variable valve timing. It will be available with front-wheel drive or XWD, and nets a 7.9s 0-60 time in FWD form and 8.4s with XWD, with average fuel mileage of 20 and 19 for the two, respectively.

The Aero models receive a 2.8L 24v twin-scroll turbocharged, port injected V6 with an even 300bhp, shared as well with the new 9-5 Aero sedan. The 2.8L Turbo makes peak torque of 295lb-ft between 2,000-5,000rpm. With standard XWD, it averages 18mpg and does 0-60 in 7.7 seconds. If you get the Aero, remember to fill it up with 93 octane. Both of these all-aluminum V6′s are mated to six-speed automatic transmission, with no manual option.

Despite it’s GM roots, from a styling standpoint the 9-4x is clearly a Saab in a lot of ways. The front bumper is inspired by the well-received Aero X concept car from 2006. Blackout trim on the A and B pillars give the 9-4x the wraparound glass feel that 900 owners love, and the traditional “hockey stick” C pillar is present, although the proportions on this implementation give it an unfortunate resemblance to a Lexus RX350 from the side. The rear-most pillars are blacked out to give the rear glass the wraparound treatment as well, helping to disguise some of the 9-4x’s visual mass quite effectively compared to the chunky-looking SRX. Overall, they’ve done very well with what they had to start with.

The interior takes it’s inspiration from the new 9-5, with a subdued driver-focused cockpit design with grey trim and green lighting, drawing on Saab’s aircraft design heritage. There’s a whacky aircraft-style speed indicator embedded in the speedometer, and of course the signature Saab ignition in the center console between the seats. It’s a push-button starter, but hey! It’s still in between the seats! The overall look in the interior is less glitzy and chrome-slathered than the SRX, and it suits me better.

Interior niceties include USB/Aux connectivity, an optional 8″ touchscreen navigation system with a 10GB hard drive and 5.1 surround sound. There is of course OnStar and Bluetooth connectivity, and a separate climate channel is optional for the rear seats, along with 8″ displays in the back of the headrests and a separate A/V control.

The 9-4x is making it’s official debut at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show in the near future. It should be arriving at dealerships in May of next year, and pricing and official EPA estimates should be available closer to that date. While the fuel estimates may be disappointing, and it’s clearly a GM product with a Saab face, let’s remember: this is better than no Saabs at all. Or worse, GMC Envoys and Subaru Imprezas dressed as Saabs. Count your lucky stars.

Mr. SAAB celebrates 50 years since 1st RAC Rally victory

Erik “Mr. SAAB” Carlsson, the legendary rally driver who won the first British RAC Rally, and his co-driver, Stuart Turner, are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their victory with a replica of their winning car.

Erik, who is an ambassador for SAAB, was a guest of honor at a lunch organized by SAAB Great Britain at the RAC Club in London. On display at the Club was a replica of the SAAB 96 with which Carlsson and Turner won the rally in 1960. The car was shipped from the company’s Car Museum in Trollhättan, Sweden, and will be on display at the Club for a week.

Carlsson’s victory at the RAC Rally left many dumbfounded in 1960, as the small Swedish car was powered by a diminutive 750 cc, 2 stroke, 3 cylinder engine, and faced competitors that were much bigger and had more power. Erik Carlsson and that red 96 won the RAC Rally three years in a row, plus the Monte Carlo Rally twice, as well as the Rally San Remo and the notoriously tough Acropolis Rally. The wins helped launch SAAB as a respectable international brand.

Stuart Turner, the co-driver, went on to become competition manager of BMC and Ford UK. Turner shared the spotlight with Erik at the lunch at the RAC Club.

At the occasion SAAB Great Britain launched a new special version of the SAAB 9-3 named after Erik. The 9-3 Aero Carlsson Edition will be limited to 96 cars. It is not the first time that the Scandinavian auto maker names a car after Erik Carlsson. Between 1990 and 1992 SAAB produced a 600-car limited edition of the 900 Carlsson Edition. “I feel very honored to have a car named after me”, said Mr Carlsson.

New Saab Plans for Significantly Increased U.S Sales in 2011

Saab has been slung through the mud over the past few years, amidst back-and-forth reports of a sale. Coverage in 2009 wasn’t particularly confidence inspiring.

With that as a backdrop, it is a wonder Saab sold cars any last year. The company logged just 5,445 units sold. Recently, the talk has all been positive, with Saab’s message on the new 9-5 and 9-4X and future models to come.

Advertising has also resumed, helping to make the marketplace aware of Saab’s return. At the National Automotive Dealers Association, Saab has revealed to dealers its predictions for 2011′s sales.

The brand is predicting 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles this year, aided by a rebounding economy, the new 9-5 which will have full availability, and the 9-4X crossover arriving in May. The 9-4X particularly has a lot of promise as crossovers are the hottest market segment in the United States.

Also making news is a promotion that the brand plans to launch called Independence Day, which celebrates 1-year since being purchased from General Motors.

We aren’t sure it will connect with the general populace though, who are most likely unaware of the significance of such a promotion. 2011 also happens to be the year Saab celebrates its 100th anniversary. Hopefully Saab will ring in its next century with significantly increased sales.

New Saab Prices 2012 9-4X Crossover

Property Spyker Saab goes ahead with the introduction of new products being developed is owned by General Motors. 9-5, but went on the market, and Saab sales to accelerate the car for the 2011 model year as a cheaper iterations are available.
9-4X, Saab, where many hope in the near future, although they live. Crossover is an extremely hot market now, and that Saab wants action to participate in the 9-4X.

The new crossover was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show last month and had to go on sale in May next year. Today, Saab announced prices for the 9-4X, and it seems to be right in the sweet spot for luxury crossover segment.
Moreover, in beautiful Saab 9-4X the price close to Cadillac SRX platform to embark on a page using standard 9-4X $ 34,205, including destination charges. Standard model with front wheel drive and is powered by 3.0-liter V-6 of 265 horsepower. 9-4X Premium starts at $ 38,075 and maintain the same engine, when all four wheels to add.

9-4X Aero will dent your wallet a lot more jumping to $ 48,835. 9-4X Aero replaces 3.0-liter V-6 2.8-liter turbo engine makes 300 horsepower and power all four wheels.
We believe that the new 9-4X segment offers an extraordinary package, and a little different than what everybody does. The good thing is the number? See if the market once, when 9-4X, sales in May 2011.

New Saab Teases 9-5 SportCombi

At the Los Angeles International Auto Show last year, Saab debuted its new 9-4X crossover. The 9-4X is aimed at getting Saab a piece of the red-hot crossover segment in the United States. In Europe though, their more practical wagon counterparts are big sellers.

As such, it is a critical part of Saab’s sales growth strategy to introduce a wagon variant of the 9-5. Introduction of the new SportCombi, as it is called, is set to happen at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Saab has released a teaser photo of the new variant, shown below.

It looks very similar to renderings and spy shots that we have seen. And boy is that a good thing – the 9-5 promises to be a very stylish offering for Saab that should help it gain significant sales in Europe.

Reports point to carried over engines and options from the sedan 9-5. That means a base model turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four making 220 horsepower and an up-level 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 producing 300 horsepower.

Of course, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system will also be optional. Now the question is if we’ll be getting this in the U.S. We aren’t sure it would sell too well – just look at how Cadillac’s CTS Sport Wagon is faring.