LS2 for 9-7x???

[CosmicSaab]

I just came across something rather interesting that has the potential to make the 9-7x truly interesting. The Chevy SSR (also based on the GMT360 platform that the TrailBlazer and 9-7x uses) is going to be getting a version of the LS2 (LS2 2.0). The LS2 is the engine used in the new C6 Corvette. This begs an interesting question, will it be used in the 9-7x? According to what I have read it will also probably be used in the TrailBlazer SS. The 9-7x is supposed to be getting engine upgrades before any other GMT360 though, which means that Saab and GM may just have something up their sleve that no one saw coming; a 9-7x with Corvette power! 8)

The SSR will also get a 6 speed stick shift to go with the LS2 2.0. Once again since the tranny will be GMT360 compatible that means that is could also be put in the 9-7x. The 9-7x may get a stick shift like a true Saab after all :!

Any thoughts?

[Mattlach]

I have lived in the U.S, for 6 years now,and I have never been able to understand the appeal of performance trucks/suv's

Take something thats heavy and designed for utility, and try to make it run like a small light sportscar. Makes no sense.

I mean, I'm not a fan of Trucks/SUV's to begin with, but I usually understand why people get them...

But when I see a big red Dodge truck with the "Hemi" logo on the back of it - even though I am half American - I can't help but point and laugh and say something to the extent of "dumb american"

My $.02

[CosmicSaab]

Originally Posted by Mattlach

I have lived in the U.S, for 6 years now,and I have never been able to understand the appeal of performance trucks/suv's

Take something thats heavy and designed for utility, and try to make it run like a small light sportscar. Makes no sense.

I mean, I'm not a fan of Trucks/SUV's to begin with, but I usually understand why people get them...

But when I see a big red Dodge truck with the "Hemi" logo on the back of it - even though I am half American - I can't help but point and laugh and say something to the extent of "dumb american"

My $.02

No it doesn't make sense, but it is interesting, and could help make the 9-7x stand out from the competition.

I don't think SUVs should go fast, Hell I get nervous going 75 mph in my father's Tahoe, I could do very illegal tripple digit speeds in my 9-3SS and it would be perfect. I did 115 mph on the "Autobahn," and it is just super stable. :wink:

[Mattlach]

Originally Posted by E715

No it doesn't make sense, but it is interesting, and could help make the 9-7x stand out from the competition.

I don't think SUVs should go fast, Hell I get nervous going 75 mph in my father's Tahoe, I could do very illegal tripple digit speeds in my 9-3SS and it would be perfect. I did 115 mph on the "Autobahn," and it is just super stable. :wink:

Yeah. My *ahem* "Autobahn" experience at 155mph in my 9-5 Aero felt perfectly stable, but I drove my friends dads truck, and it was scaring the **** outta me at 65-70mph...

[CosmicSaab]

Originally Posted by Mattlach

Yeah. My *ahem* "Autobahn" experience at 155mph in my 9-5 Aero felt perfectly stable, but I drove my friends dads truck, and it was scaring the *** outta me at 65-70mph...

The "Autobahn" around here always has too many cars on it for me to be able to get up past 115. In fact normally I am unable to get past 90.

And the trucks/SUVs just feel really not good at speed. Maybe the 9-7x will be different. I have never driven a "performance" SUV like an X5.

[saabluster]

As much as we complain about how they handle bad and are slow why complain if they try to make these beasts just a little fun. I'm not opposed to them making them fast as long as they make it handle which it seems like SAAB is going to do.

[squishmann]

i have driven the Touareg at high speeds(100+) and i felt in control.

there may be future engines in the works, but not for this generation 9-7,

maybe when they change the body style. i don't see why anyone would pay more than 50k for a 9-7

[Lodro]

Originally Posted by E715

The SSR will also get a 6 speed stick shift to go with the LS2 2.0. Once again since the tranny will be GMT360 compatible that means that is could also be put in the 9-7x. The 9-7x may get a stick shift like a true Saab after all :!

Any thoughts?

No offense intended, but dream on. :-)

Anyway, note that a manual gearbox is not compatible with the mandatory woman-holding-cellphone-to-her-right-ear driving mode.

[baco99]

Originally Posted by Mattlach

I drove my friends dads truck, and it was scaring the *** outta me at 65-70mph...

i know what you mean. i felt the least safe driving my family's Honda CRV on the highway. what a terd!

[CosmicSaab]

Originally Posted by Lodro

No offense intended, but dream on. :-)

Anyway, note that a manual gearbox is not compatible with the mandatory woman-holding-cellphone-to-her-right-ear driving mode.

Dream on to which part? The SSR will get the 6 speed, that's fact. The 9-7x and the 6 speed is just a thought.

[fabric]

Originally Posted by E715

Dream on to which part? The SSR will get the 6 speed, that's fact. The 9-7x and the 6 speed is just a thought.

Good old GM. No doubt they *could* put the 6 speed in. *will* they?

I actually don't think there's a huge market for manual SUVs. BMW is the only one that offers one, and in my un-scientific poll of looking into X5 windows, I'm not sure I've seen one manual yet. I think that only like 10% of new cars sold total are manuals.

Stupid lazy 'Muricans.

[squishmann]

bmw isn't the only one. i think a sentronic transmission would be cool.(6speed)


i think the benchmark for suvs right now is the touareg/cayenne model. noone does it better.

if saab could take what's in that car and offer more interior space and a longer wheelbase version then they would have the best SUV ever. and also a DVD based navi system

[fabric]

Ok, the CR-V and RAV4 have manuals. They are hardly SUV's, though.

Which other's that are actually in the Saab's price range have manuals?

[Lodro]

Originally Posted by fabric

Which other's that are actually in the Saab's price range have manuals?

As someone pointed out X5, but also X3, of course the X3 is quite a bit smaller. [Edit: then the 9-7x neé trailblazer, I mean. The X3 is actually almost as large as the X5 inside.]

Not a direct competitor, but the Volvo V70R is AWD and has a 6spd manual. That is the car I am looking at.

[PunktKruger]

The V70's not even an SUV though, really.

[Lodro]

Originally Posted by PunktKruger

The V70's not even an SUV though, really.

Yah I know -- it is a bit of an unfair comparison, but only because so many SUVs are completely maladapted to their intended use.

Still, it has awd, will probably do just as well (or better) in a lot of funky conditions than car based utes like the FX and SRX, and can hold far more than say an FX. Plus its got a much lower cg. And it hauls a**. I think you can see why we're considering it over an SUV. :-D

[fabric]

Originally Posted by Lodro

As someone pointed out X5, but also X3, of course the X3 is quite a bit smaller.

I pointed that out.

[fabric]

I've done a somewhat extensive look for SUVs with manuals. Looks like it's only available on the smaller SUVs, and it looks like only on the 4 cylinders.

So BMW is really the only company to offer manuals with the SUVs. And it's only available on the X5 3.0, not on the V8 models. The X3 it's available on both models.

Guess there's just not a market for them, so I have little expectation of seeing a manual 9-7.

[benji9k]

Originally Posted by fabric

So BMW is really the only company to offer manuals with the SUVs. And it's only available on the X5 3.0, not on the V8 models. The X3 it's available on both models.

Jeeps still come with manuals.

[Lodro]

Originally Posted by benji9k

Jeeps still come with manuals.

Just the Wrangler though, right? Or can you get one on a Liberty? Note that ity would matter, the Liberty drives like a drunken pig.