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Sportshatch Next Summer with Turbo V-6 / 9-5 Redesign

3K views 21 replies 11 participants last post by  CleveSaab  
#1 ·
Saab Plans Turbo V-6
By Peter Robinson
WardsAuto.com, Aug 5 2004

At 280-hp, the new turbocharged 2.8L will be Saab’s most powerful engine.

MILFORD, MI – Saab Automobile plans to drop a 280-hp turbocharged version of General Motors Corp.’s all-new 2.8L quad-cam V-6 into its 9-3 model.

The new engine, expected to be launched simultaneously with the introduction of the 9-3 Sporthatch wagon next summer, also will be offered in the 9-3 sedan and cabriolet.

However, it won’t be fitted into next year’s facelifted 9-5, which remains based on the old Vauxhall Cavalier/Opel Calibra platform.

Currently, Saab’s most powerful engine is the 250-hp 2.3L 4-cyl., which can be found under the hood of the 9-5 Aero.

For the 9-3, the single turbocharged unit develops “280 hp-plus” and will be tied to either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic gearbox.

In normally aspirated form, the Australian- or Canadian-made V-6, replaces GM’s Elsemere Port, U.K.-built V-6, and eventually will be made in 2.8L, 3.2L and 3.6L forms, though engineers claim the engine can go out to 4L by discarding the cylinder liners. Currently, the engine is offered as a 3.5L in models such as the Cadillac CTS.

The V-6, to be built at the rate of close to a half-million units per year, is planned for both multi-point fuel injection and direct (gasoline) injection, as well as various turbocharged applications. It will be capable of producing 200-370 hp and 190 to 350 lb.-ft. (258-475 Nm) of torque for a variety of global models, including cars from Vauxhall, Alfa Romeo SpA and Saab.
http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_saab_plans_turbo/index.htm
 
#7 ·
ok, no to the shiny black but can i get some technology?


-traffic link
-dvd audio
-satellite radio
-bluetooth(keep the touchpad)
-AWD
-dvd navi w/ voice activation
-6spd gearbox(auto)
-onstar(saab assist)
-aux in (vid,aud)
-a profiler system in which you can actually change settings
-power lumbar

-higher quality materials
-a notebook computer shelf(optional)
-pop up headamp washers


isn't that the same 2.8l from the 9-3X pushing out 280HP?
that vehicle had AWD and it was based on the Epsilon platform.
 
#8 ·
Saba said:
280hp in the 9-3 body, you won't need performance mods :cheesy:
Here is what I am thinking so far. We are starting with a V6, which means a twin turbo set up is very doable (and very powerful). It already has dual exhaust, but I would ensure it was dual all the way back with an x-pipe after the cats. Then you got to think about lowering and stiffer suspension. Also, if you look at the four banger they have in the Sports Hatch prototype, it has the IC towards the top of the engine. If they keep that style, can you say "Active Hood Scoop".

Oh yes, I'm very excited. 8)
 
#10 ·
squishmann said:
no, no hood scoop. i think they are ugly. i do like the idea of a second turbo charger. do you think that would be too much for that size engine? why not just upgrade the turbo?
The point of doing a twin turbo system as opposed to getting a larger turbo is spool up time. A smaller turbo spools up a lot quicker than a larger turbo, so you could get two turbos to do the work of a larger turbo, except they would spool up a lot faster.

And the hood scoop would provide better air temps, creating more hp.
 
#12 ·
i'd love the "bump up" in horsepower.

a hood scoop would be okay _if_ it's really necessary _and_ it's integrated into the hood and not sticking way up: mini cooper s hood scoop = good! 9-2x hood scoop = bad! (that kind of thing can really interfere with a car's looks.)

and, yeah, technology is good, too; especially, if it has a card reader and an mp3 player (or an mp3 player port)!

i'm just hoping the 9-3x (or whatever it's going to be called) gets a design makeover because already it looks like a mini "aztec." ...ugh. and the lines look too "'90's."

lastly, "white" shows dirt and/or "ordinary use" too easily; and over the years, it never looks "new." no, i'd need a dark interior.
 
#13 ·
So much for SAAB's longstanding commitment to its own Ecopower philosophy of efficient small-displacement, forced-induction powerplants.

"Sorry Lars, but that's not how we think here in Detroit. After all, we DID invade Iraq ......"

BTW, the new turbo V6 comes out with 9-3 Sport Hatch and also available in the Sports Sedan and CVT in Fall 2005.
 
#16 ·
Garuda said:
God a what a bunch of *** post on this site. If this is what the average Saab owner is like, I think I'll take an Acura TL for my next vehicle.
i'm not sure an "average saab owner" can be defined. (i've seen people put roof racks, bike racks, and/or bumper stickers
on saabs. personally, i would never do that to a saab, for example.)

acura's seem to be good cars.
 
#17 ·
I think the Dual turbo is more of a neat idea and boy toy/ Turbo driver's dream - but in realisitic life here - a larger Turbo single unit would actually create more power. have two tiny turbo's will certain make the spool up time quicker no diubt - but they are also limited as to HOW MUCH they can spool up and pull. If one had a larger turbo which fed off of both banks - the pressure would be there to support the single large unit and I do not see how a spool up time would lack - plus when it spoole it would go hard, and be able to keep pulling longer too. To me this makes more sense. I am not opposed to either the V6 or the dual turbo - but getting that V6 Turbo into a production car IS the first and most important Step GM/Saab can make. Are they going to continue the 9-2X? They should bad that - create an all new 2.3T beast. Bring back a few of the True Saab engineers (or good ol Carlson) for a special edition model - like a Viggen, the Aero or the SPG - but Bigger - Faster - And ALL new, and ALL Saab. :cheesy:
 
#18 ·
BurnsSide42 said:
... Are they going to continue the 9-2X? They should bad that - create an all new 2.3T beast. Bring back a few of the True Saab engineers (or good ol Carlson) for a special edition model - like a Viggen, the Aero or the SPG - but Bigger - Faster - And ALL new, and ALL Saab. :cheesy:
Or at least pop in the Subie XT or WRX STI's 2.5L turbo !

I heard/read somewhere that the Impreza/WRX-based 9-2X is a one-off production while the next-gen 9-2X will not be badge-engineered but rather Saab-engineered from the getgo, but no doubt using a new joint platform with Subie, Opel or Vauxhall.

Met good ol' Carlsson in person at SOC '04. Old bugger still keeps on ticking strong !

Cheers
 
#19 ·
Saab is fortunate they have world class engines from GM's stable to turbocharge. Without GM, Saab would be turbocharging 1980's junk.

No wait, actually without GM, Saab wouldn't exist, because there would be no one around to bankroll them given the billions of dollars they lost in the past 10 years. :cheesy:
 
#20 ·
Garuda said:
Saab is fortunate they have world class engines from GM's stable to turbocharge. Without GM, Saab would be turbocharging 1980's junk.

No wait, actually without GM, Saab wouldn't exist, because there would be no one around to bankroll them given the billions of dollars they lost in the past 10 years. :cheesy:
And what good it that? They still can't make cars, which can compete with what comes out of Japan and Germany. And in typical GM fashion the new Saabs are heavily discounted just so they move off the lots. Plus by building cars that cater to the mainstream more and more, you’ve managed to alienate many of the loyalists who enjoyed the weirdness of Saab and paid good money for it. This would have been well and good since that apparently wasn't paying the bills but new buyers aren’t exactly breaking down the doors to the dealerships now are they? Well done GM, with progress like this in a few years you will be second to Toyota, and you will deserve it. Not ever ripping off Subaru will save you.
 
#21 ·
Garuda said:
Saab is fortunate they have world class engines from GM's stable to turbocharge. Without GM, Saab would be turbocharging 1980's junk.
So all those 80's saab engines are junk? Those early engines evolved into the engines fitted to 9000's and 9-5's in the 90's and beyond, as well as the GM 900 and first generation 9-3. Junk? - I think not. Saabs own engines are extremely strong and durable as Talledega proved, they are also extremely tunable to boot. Saab have produced some of the finest 4 cylinder engines ever to be fitted to a car.