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Saab will take on the likes of Audi, and Subaru's most expensive models, with a range of all-wheel-drive sedan and wagon models Down Under. The all-wheel-drive models will initially be limited to the marque's flagship Aero 9-3 models and petrol engines.
The first shot in the Swedish carmaker's all-wheel drive assault is the limited edition 206kW/400Nm Turbo X model. Priced from a steep $88,800, just 30 of the all-black all-wheel-drive X models will be available across the Australian and New Zealand marketplaces. Most will be sedans and just five of the cars will be SportCombi wagons. Auto and manual versions will be offered.
The Turbo X (more here) features Saab's new XWD all-wheel-drive system. Pronounced 'cross wheel drive' the system features the latest Haldex 4 electronically-controlled full-time all-wheel-drive infrastructure.
In addition to the cutting-edge all-wheel-drive system, however, the Turbo X features Saab's eLSD semi-active rear differential -- essentially a road-going version of the sort of active differentials banned from World Rally Championship competition.
Unlike some front-wheel drive based all-wheel-drive systems, XWD can transfer virtually all available torque to the rear wheels. Indeed, in combination with XWD, eLSD means up to 85 per cent of available torque can be channelled to a single loaded rear wheel.
But it won't only be Turbo X buyers that can access all-wheel drive in their Saabs. The XWD system and eLSD will be offered on a range of 9-3 models as early as the last quarter of 2008, says Saab Australia.
To be coupled with the company's turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 petrol engine, XWD will be available for sedan and wagon versions of the Aero models, initially. eLSD will be an option.
Saab insiders say pricing is still to be set -- both for the XWD variants, and the eLSD option.
Though the factory has tested the XWD system coupled with the maker's four-cylinder petrol turbo engines, initially at least, the alternative drive system will be V6 only. The carmaker's latest twin-turbo TTiD diesel Aero models (more here 2937130)
will remain front-wheel-drive only too.
Developed in conjunction with Haldex, the XWD system is unique to Saab -- at least for the time being. According to one of the systems's key development engineers (and dab hand behind the wheel) Peter Johansson (pictured), it will be "at least two years" before any other manufacturer -- even GM affiliated companies -- will be able to access the technology.
Johannson is a third-generation Saab stalwart and has been intimately involved with the development of XWD and eLSD (Johannson's father, Sigge, sold the patent for the precursor LSD to Haldex in 1987). He stresses the strength of the system, and the manufacturer's expertise, is the integration of the eLSD and all-wheel-drive set-up with the car's other chassis and electronic systems.
As passionate about all-wheel drive as the part-time racer is, he stresses Saab is not about to become an all-wheel-drive-only marque.
"XWD has a role to play, but Saab will continue to offer both XWD and front-wheel-drive cars," he says.
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