The Joy Of X

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday October 24, 2008

Susan Bredow

Saab pays tribute to its pioneering 900 Turbo of 1976. It's surprisingly good if you aren't fussy about the colour.

A half-dozen years ago the former footballer had a great idea. He decided to buy a new Holden Monaro CV8 and hot it up with a sports exhaust system. This had the effect of coaxing out a slightly better performance more akin to the HSV GTO, which is the car he really wanted but couldn't quite bring himself to buy.

The new exhaust was so loud we could hear him coming at least two blocks away. When he drove into the garage the racket was enough to shake the house until the engine was shut down.

He quickly realised he wasn't 20 any more. In fact he wasn't 30 or 40 any more and constant noise when you are a few years further down the track can be rather hard on the nerves. So the car went back to the shop to get the original exhaust put back on.

Understanding his sensitivity to noisy engines, I am ready when - about two, maybe three minutes, after he gets into the Saab Turbo X - he says: "I couldn't live with that drone." While the Saab's sound falls a long way short of a hotted-up Holden, it is incongruous coming from what I had imagined was a conservative Scandinavian in a rather plain wrapper.

That's where I was completely wrong about this car and I was pleased to have my preconceptions proved misconceptions.

This is no ordinary run of the motorvag Saab. It's a special edition of just 2000 made to mark 30 years since Saab introduced its pioneering 900 Turbo, the car that triggered a trend among makers looking to get ultimate engine performance.

The Turbo X is a real driver's car. It might look subdued but take a closer look. Better still, get behind the wheel and have a go.

Even though there were more Saabs sold around the world last year than in any previous year, Saab is the first to admit it has a bit of a problem getting people into its cars.

The Swedish marque enjoyed a niche following here in the 1980s, especially among advertising types who followed each other around Paddington and McMahon's Point looking for parking spots for their dark grey cars with dirty wheels. I suspected they were following fashion rather than any desire to have an especially good motoring experience. But maybe the turbo was doing something for them that the rest of us missed out on.

This latest Saab, the most powerful ever, is one you would buy for all the right reasons. From the moment you hear the thrum of the turbocharged 2.8-litre V6, not rattling the mortar but letting you know it means business, you feel good about this car.

There are not many accoutrements in it that aren't absolutely necessary but unlike many sporty cars, it does have big armchair-comfy leather seats. Not that the cushions are deep enough to disguise fairly stiff sports suspension but you need to feel that to stay in touch with the drive.

The interior is slightly old-fashioned although the seats are heated, electrically adjustable and have three memory settings. The dash is minimalist. There's no debating about what exterior colour you're going to have. It will be black.

While the engine does run loudly when it starts, it settles to a quieter key that lets you know it's alive without rattling your fillings.

The Turbo X powers along and in sport mode gets from stop to 100kmh in less than six seconds. The turbo boost gauge is a replica of the original 900 Turbo display with an indicator that turns fluoro orange at night.

Owners can personalise the greeting they get when they switch on the ignition. Something like "hello, Susan, ready for take-off" or "all systems go, Susan". Just as well I don't have to decide.

Talk about a mythbuster, though. I didn't expect to be finding excuses to drive the car .

Keep an eye out for the Turbo X. The two big exhausts are a giveaway. As is the sound. You can't see the all-wheel-drive, the sports suspension or electronic control system but you will notice the wheels have that unwashed look, even when they are clean.

SAAB TURBO X

Price $91,300.

Extras Electrically operated glass sunroof, $2300; 19-inch, six-spoke alloy wheels, $2250; leather sports seats, door trim and armrest, $4000.

Engine 2.8-litre turbocharged petrol V6.

Power and torque 206kW, 400Nm.

Transmission Six-speed automatic with shift paddles.

Fuel consumption 10.9 litres/100km combined.

Safety Stability control, six airbags.

Brakes Ventilated discs front and back, anti-lock with electronic brake distribution.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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