13 Sep 07
Saab is celebrating 30 years of turbocharging with its Turbo X special-edition 9-3. Available only in black, in saloon and estate forms, it showcases Saab's XWD four-wheel-drive technology, and has a 280bhp version of the 2.8 V6 engine good for 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds.
The performance-orientated XWD set-up automatically distributes torque between the front and rear axles and between the rear wheels, working in conjunction with an electronic limited-slip rear differential.
The suspension, stability control and throttle responses all have a sporty set-up, and there are larger brake discs - 345mm up front and 292mm at the rear - to go with the 18" wheels. There's a bodykit and, inside, black leather on the sports seats and carbon fibre detailing.
Saab has also announced 9-5 Nordic Editions: based on the Vector specification, these limited-run versions have a full leather interior, cruise control, parking sensors, unique 17" alloys, upgraded audio system, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and, with the SportCombi estate, an underfloor storage tray and matte aluminium roof rails.
General updates across the 9-5 range for 2008 include standard colour-coded door handles and exterior trim, metallic trim in the Vector, new alloy wheel designs, and optional tyre pressure monitoring in the Aero, plus two new metallic paint colours.
Check out the rest of our Frankfurt Motor Show coverage
