Saab Turbo X
Remarks by Steve Shannon, Saab General Manager and
Bryan Nesbitt, Vice President of Design for GM North America
New England Auto Show
November 27, 2007
Good morning.
Thanks for joining us.
It's really great to be part of the newer, bigger New England Auto Show... here in its new home.
It's also great to be here in a region that is so important to Saab - and happens to be my old hometown.
We've always been strong here in the Northeast.
Probably because the weather and terrain is so similar
to what you'll find in Sweden.
In fact, about 40-percent of our national sales come from
the New England area.
You just have to look around you to see that's true.
In Boston, you're never far from a Saab.
And since I'm from here, I'm used to seeing Saabs
all over the place.
So it's my goal to spread that around the rest of the country.
Saab brings high-value import-shopping customers to GM,
and we're increasingly bringing this same level of import conquest to
the rest of the country.
Saab brand values have never been more relevant than they are today.
Customers increasingly want premium vehicles that are sporty... environmentally responsible... and incredibly safe.
Saab offers them a fresh and distinctive alternative.
And we're working on a whole new generation of vehicles right now.
We gave everyone a taste of what they'll look like when we revealed
the Aero X concept car in Geneva last year.
It draws from our aviation heritage and Scandinavian roots
to present a more progressive Saab design language that you'll see more of in our future vehicles.
The first of the new Saabs to take direction from the Aero X is the new 2008 Saab 9-3.
It has a bold and assertive look to match its enhanced power and traction.
And of course we're here today at the New England Auto Show
for the North American introduction of the ultimate expression of the new 9-3...the Saab Turbo X.
This driver-focused performance car celebrates 30 years of Saab's pioneering role in turbocharging.
The idea of using a turbocharger to get more horsepower out of a smaller engine is in fact even more relevant today than it was back in 1978.
We're glad to continue that tradition and set some new standards at the same time.
Plus, the all-black design of the Turbo X harkens back to the classic "Black Turbos" that reached cult status in the 1980s.
Bob Sinclair was President of Saab USA back then, and I'm happy to say that he's here with us today.
Bob, would please join me up here to help with the reveal?
As he's known in the Saab community, "Uncle Bob" recognized the opportunity to make Saab a more premium, performance-oriented brand some 25 years ago.
And now, with Bob's help, I am happy to introduce our next step forward…
…the 2008 Saab Turbo X…
(SAAB TURBO X REVEALED)
Thanks Bob.
The Saab Turbo X introduces a new dimension of performance for the brand.
Like the Black Turbos of our past, the Turbo X delivers outstanding power from a small package: 280 horsepower and 295 foot-pounds of
low-end torque from our V-6 Turbo.
That torque rating is equal to BMW's V8-powered M3 at 2,000 rpm lower… and the BMW has a much higher price tag.
And the Turbo X also introduces Saab's innovative new cross-wheel drive system.
This state-of-the-art system transfers engine torque between front and rear axles like most other systems.
But the Saab system goes further and also transfers torque between the rear wheels.
This feature dramatically improves the performance capability of the chassis.
It effectively tames understeer and oversteer while raising the threshold where electronic stability controls step in.
It gives the driver more active involvement in aggressive situations.
Because of this...we like to say, "it's not just all-wheel drive...
it's cross-wheel-drive."
The system impressed enough people inside GM to make Saab Sweden our global center of expertise for all-wheel-drive systems on transverse engines.
Available as a Sport Sedan or Sport-Combi... with a 6-speed manual or automatic... the Turbo X delivers a sporty,
all-wheel-drive performance package that enthusiastic drivers will truly appreciate.
Personally, I would not hesitate to call the Turbo X the most satisfying Saab of all time.
Earlier I mentioned that the 9-3 design was inspired by the Aero X concept car.
The Turbo X has some unique design elements as well.
Here to fill you in on the details is the fellow that led the design team for the Aero X concept when he was Vice President of Design at
GM Europe… he's now Vice President of Design for GM North America…
Please welcome, Bryan Nesbitt.
BRYAN
Thanks, Steve.
The Aero X concept was an opportunity to redefine the Saab design vocabulary and serve as a visual beacon for Saab designs going forward.
An idealized and unbridled expression of the Saab brand,
a brand truly "born from jets."
The result is a manifestation of Saab's potential.
Inspired from Saab's Scandinavian roots and aviation heritage, the Aero X is intentionally literal.
The flowing bodywork suggests the smoothness of an aircraft fuselage and its deep and wide front air intakes help to reinforce the metaphor.
Up front, the Saab three-port grille is more pronounced, and features a bold horizontal bar which is itself designed to evoke the front profile of an aircraft with its wings extending outward.
The new 9-3 draws inspiration from the Aero X for a necessarily more distinctive Saab identity.
Its grille adopts the deeper, more prominent three-port design, along with the central horizontal wing motif.
The sweeping U-shaped line on the clamshell hood is clearly present in both vehicles.
It echoes the shape of the more rounded windswept face created by the wraparound headlamps.
The new 9-3 has a cleaner, more uninterrupted look overall.
It brings together contemporary and classic Saab design themes in a modern expression of the brand's distinctive character.
The Turbo X builds on these themes to visually communicate its focus on driving performance.
Of course, like the original Black Turbo, it's offered only in metallic jet black, with the grille and all exterior detailing in a titanium finish.
Distinctive styling additions take advantage of the Turbo X's
lowered stance and further improve its aerodynamic efficiency.
A deeper front lip spoiler and integrated air intake reduce drag and improve air flow into the engine compartment.
The modified rear bumper further reduces drag and assists high speed stability.
The Sport Sedan features a rear spoiler to reduce high speed lift.
Twin tailpipes are unique to the Turbo X… as are the 18-inch alloy wheels with a titanium finish.
The three-spoke design was inspired by the look of the classic Black Turbo.
The performance theme continues inside with sport seating entirely in black leather and unique carbon-fiber highlights throughout the cabin.
Saab heritage buffs will recognize that the Turbo X boost gauge is a replica of the original 900 Turbo display.
The overall effect is to reinforce the driving performance character of the Turbo X while maintaining a distinct and progressive Saab identity.
Now Steve has a couple more items to share with you.
STEVE
Thank you, Bryan.
Production of the 2008 edition of the Turbo X will be limited to just 600 units, so interested parties will want to get in line early.
In fact, many dealers have already taken deposits.
First deliveries will arrive this spring.
Pricing starts at $42,510 for the Sport Sedan, $43,310 for the Sport Combi.
And it is available in any color… as long as it's jet black.
We're also announcing a special pre-order program.
Customers who place their order between December 1st and January 31 st will be invited to attend some special sessions of the Saab Aero Academy.
This special driving school, at Road Atlanta, is designed just for XWD owners, to learn how to get the most out of their performance car.
Earlier I mentioned that we're developing a whole new generation of vehicles.
The new 9-3 is just the first.
And it's especially important because it is the first to employ our new cross-wheel drive system.
Over the next few years you can expect our rate of new product development to accelerate as we move into new segments and entice new drivers to the brand.
So stay tuned - there are some exciting new roads ahead.
Thanks again for joining us.
Now please come up and take a closer look at the 2008 Saab Turbo X.