cool - I'll have to get that issue

 

Ttiwwop

 

Agreed!

 

cover pic not on Autoweek's site yet

 

Does Barnes/Noble still sell Autowk?

 

first place I look was on trollhattansaab.net for the pic

not there before but it's up there now
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/03/saab-turbo-x-covered.html

 

Article Linky-link

 

redirecting most of the power to the front wheels in normal driving

So it is a FWD biased AWD system? Not like Quattro/Symmetrical?

 

didn't we go over this in the Turbo X thread a long time ago. the car can divide its power "100% from the front to rear" and "40% to the rear tire with more grip" and during launch " sends up to 65% of its power to the rear." i would rather have this cause it would save on gas my friend has an A6 2.8 and that thing sucks on gas.

 

Yes, but I think it may have a "launch mode" or similar.

 

It would be neat to have selectable modes for the AWD. After watching a FWD bias AWD in the mud, I can honestly say it doesn't look nearly as fun as AWD should be.

 

Symmetrical AWD can transfer power also. A fwd biased AWD system kind of blows, because you have to wait for the car to shift power once the front wheels begin slipping.

I will have to try it out. I still want an xwd combi, but I want to see what it drives like and if it rotates and powers through like Sube's awd or if it is more like Volvo's awd.

Hopefully, the newer Haldex system eliminates the weaknesses of Volvo's Haldex awd.


EDIT, that response was not directed towards JK, I took too long typing.

And yes, now that you have witnessed FWD biased awd it loses its luster...but here's hoping that this revised system doesn't react that way. Otherwise, I don't really seeing it being a "competitive" car.

 

By all accounts I've heard/read and just looking at the engineering of the system, it should be a totally different ballgame over the older Haldex systems.

It is not a permanent AWD system like Symmetric or quattro, but it is probably the most advanced and dynamically capable non-permanent system to date.

My guess is, that if you don't like the dynamics as much in the snow or dirt, the system will be modifiable, just like the Haldex of previous gens. My cousin has a World Challenge S60R with a modified Haldex (40% front, 60% rear, permanent) and it's not at all like a standard Haldex S60R.

VW guys have been hacking Haldex since the late 90's.

I can't wait to give it a spin...I really see this as a affordable S4 competitor (or 335xi), not really a rally car (3700 pounds? oooof). The 9-1 size car would be better for that.

 

About two ago I sent them a letter stating that they should return to their roots and actually review cars that "average" people buy. I like reading about high output super cars as much as the next guy, but when every cover features some limited production million dollar car, it's hard to get excited.

Glad they took my advice

 

Only 600 to the US with no plans to make more for 2009.

Hmm...

I thought these are supposed to hit dealers in April? Is there even a full review of one yet? Is Saab just not letting the big mags test them on their own?

 

All but 40 are sold. This according to Saab at NYIAS.

 

I can't wait to go redline one at the local dealership.

 

good luck with that considering all of the ones I know of are pre-ordered and have names on them already.

Gary Blakes is getting 4.... 3 SS's and a SC. All manual except one of the SS's. All are sold.

 

Wonder if they'll be good with test drives...600 = 12 per state, so 2-6 per dealership. And I'm sure it will be biased towards New England.

 

Hawaii is getting 9.

 

Solves that problem.

 

Saab of Fishers has two coming in, guaranteed. Talked to the sales guy today about arranging a test drive.

 

Nice dealership. Way better than their sister store, Saab of Indy.

 

See post 20

 

Yes, and 40 across the country is not many... I would be very shocked if any dealership let him test drive one.

 

This article actually gave the car a fair shake, read the article in Automobile, they weren't that fair with it. At least Autoweek mentioned the "classic" boost gauge as part of the Turbo X package properly. I love automobile mag, but when they talk about "comes with a boost gauge" when they are talking about Saabs, Really, don't they ALL have a guage (saab turbos that is)? Meant to say it the other way around I would guess, just a point that the whole article felt like it was written by the guy who pulled the short straw for assignments.