Across Australia, there are a number of Saab Car Clubs; Victoria, NSW, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia have a Saab club.
Because of this, and due to the fact that in Australia, near Melbourne, is a perfect test track belonging to GM-Holden (Lang Lang Proving Ground), Saab is once (2007) decided to create an event for journalists, in order to promote the Turbo X models and new drive XWD drivetrain.
XWD, an acronym for Cross-Wheel Drive, is an advanced all-wheel drive system designed by Haldex in partnership with Saab, Also known as Haldex Generation 4.
Saab made then several such events, from which we could see interesting videos of Saab Performance: off-road, on gravel, sand and mud, and combined.Here are some of the more interesting videos.
This video was filmed at the Australian GM test track outside of Melbourne, the previous day was the motoring press track day. The Australian Saab Club members were invited to a full on track and test day, sideways over 100 km/h through the dirt sections and flatout on the skid pan. A new XWD Saab 9-3 as driven on the test course by a member of the Saab Performance Team:
Saab Turbo X in the wet, driver – P Johansson:
Saab 9-3 Turbo X on dirt track GM proving grounds in Australia,driver: P Johansson:
A quick Turbo X peek
It’s not wishful thinking, it’s just inconceivable that the Saab name will permanently die. The aerospace industry shall not and the Saab automotive brand remains a desirable badge. What is a NEVS? Another anonymous entity.I just hope in 5,10, 20 years the name plate is brought to life properly. A shame VW has Audi and Skoda but I always felt Saab would be a good FWD sub-BMW fit to a broader global market than Mini. Likewise how do we look at rebadged Yank tin wearing Holden badges?