Black is back. 17 months Saab Turbo X.

How the time flies ! Actually, I wanted to write a report about the first 12 months with the Turbo X. Just over, because the Saab has been with us for 17 months now. And not a single kilometer was boring, every minute was fun. So everything in the green area with the all-wheel drive Saab?

In the meantime, almost 50.000 kilometers are on the clock, and the Saab is a diva. There were the ignition coils, which lost their grip after a hot Autobahn trip Frankfurt - Hamburg - Frankfurt and caused a startling moment. Cooled down, the Saab drove as usual, but confidence in Bosch products was gone. As a precaution, all 6 coils were replaced with the successor model with higher voltage. Since then it has been quiet, the problem is considered solved.

The button of the tailgate stopped his service, the boot lid then remained closed. We had already written about it. The Saab center Bamberg swapped for a used part, as a replacement from Saab was not available. Since then everything has been as it should be. The Saab runs and runs, has a good thirst, as you would expect from a turbo. Everything is possible between 7.xx in Sweden and 13.xx liters on the German Autobahn. It is only due to the traffic situation and the speed limits that appear far too often that it does not increase consumption. But…

He makes fun.

For consumption, the Turbo X delivers a fair value. The name: fun. CO2 fetishists should close the blog now horrified! The fun factor starts with the start. 30 second Turbo X warm-up sound at its best (yes, the eco-fraction should perhaps continue reading) - for environmental reasons - bring the engine up to temperature. Every tunnel becomes a sound festival, and the sunroof opens almost automatically. The Saab can do it, in Trollhättan they did a lot of work back then. The Turbo X is probably the last dinosaur to be able to conjure up a sound carpet.

The last of its kind.

Because the times are bad and the future looks bleak. The new Lexus IS has a sound generator that generates engine noises for the interior depending on the engine speed. Are you crazy, the Japanese? Not at all. The brand from Ingolstadt also shows what the coming years will bring. The new Audi S3 conjures up 300 hp in the compact class and - yes, really - canned engine sound. Audi S3 pilots are also provided with sound in the interior using a sound chip, and the sporty turbo sound is a simulation. You can save yourself an open sunroof or - even better - delete it from the surcharge list. Slices down is also unnecessary. The Audi driver's life, a computer simulation. Which is not only due to Ingolstadt, but also to the care of the European Union. Brussels is involved in every part of our lives with boundless concern.

Even worse, however, is a brand that a generation ago was considered a haven of style. Mercedes brings the AMG version of the A-Class, which tickles an enormous 360 hp from two liters of displacement. The Schwabenkiste causes electronically controlled misfires, which is out of place, because the sound does not come from a monoposto, but from a computer-controlled racing roll. It is not clear whether there will be a misfire-free downgrade kit for this embarrassing feature or whether the AMG customer will have to live with it. What times! People, take good care of your Saabs!

Strength 1: highway.

I've already noticed it several times: the Turbo X is the most active Saab of all time. Haldex coupling and eLSD tempt you to hunt curves, and the border area of ​​the Swedes is pushed to the limit with ingenious technology. Flying over the country road is fun and puts a smile on your face. The Saab arrows through the curves like on rails, as if all the trolls of Scandinavia were after it. To keep it this way, it is important to maintain the Haldex coupling accordingly. Saab spoke, if I remember correctly, of a 60.000 kilometer maintenance interval. We changed the oil at a good 45.000 at Saab Center Bamberg, and the result was a black broth. High time and the right decision! A change every 30.000 kilometers is recommended, and if you drive longer intervals, you risk your Haldex clutch and then unintentionally invest in a new, revised version that should be less susceptible.

Strength 2: long distance.

How good a car is or not, you can find out over a long distance. The last major trip led from Trollhättan to Northern Bavaria. 1.300 kilometers in a row - interrupted by two ferry trips and a meal break - speak for the Saab. So stress-free and with only two refueling stops, which is an achievement with the TX, you rarely get from A to B. Part of the good impression is also based on the right tires, which seems to be an issue with the Swede's chassis. We switched from Pirelli to Michelin, which has had a more than positive effect. More on this in the tire chapter.

Weakness: heat.

Is it because this car is from Sweden? Turbos like cool weather on principle. If it gets too warm, the performance drops. This tendency is particularly pronounced with the Turbo X. Everything is OK up to 25 degrees Celsius. Warmer is not good and is punished with refusal to perform. The 6-cylinder with its sequential turbocharger feels uncomfortable, and what feels like 50 of the 280 horsepower disappears into the Swedish wasteland. If you ignore this and still torment your TX, you should keep an eye on the display of the coolant liquid. It then moves up ...

The solution was, now no longer available, from Hirsch Performance. The increase in performance with 300 PS had a larger intercooler and changed software with an eye on thermal safety in the program. A new edition is part of bloggers wishful thinking and is far from reality.

Turbos new tires.

For spring, the Turbo X changed from a Pirelli tires Michelin Primacy 3. The French rubbers are not cheap at a good 200 euros each, but inexpensive. Because the behavior not only when wet, but also in general is far superior to the Pirellis. The Saab drives more smoothly, lies better, no longer rubs over the asphalt. The difference in quality is particularly noticeable after a few days of standing. The Pirelli tires wanted to be “warmed up” and ran noticeably out of round for the first few kilometers. The Michelins don't know this disease. Quality pays off!

After 17 months Turbo X.

Originally, you were spoiled for choice. Turbo X or Saab 9-5 II Aero XWD… The choice was not easy and fell in favor of the smaller Saab model. Which wasn't a question of money because the price was about the same. The Turbo X seemed more iconic, more active to drive, and the smaller dimensions were the decisive factor. The TX is now a collector's item, and many Saab partners have a copy in their own garage. With fewer than 100 copies in Germany, it is the most exclusive way of moving a modern Saab. I haven't regretted the purchase for a second! The heart of an automobile opens up early in the morning at the start. The fun potential is just right. Sure, if I see a 9-5 II, my eyes get big. But that's the world! You can not have everything…

Text: tom@saabblog.net

Pictures: saabblog.net