XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3

**nsap** · 05-15-2008, 11:00 AM

XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3
May 15, 2008
www.gminsidenews.com
By: NSAP

The arrival of the mid-cycle enhancement GM performed on the 2008 Saab 9-3 brought the very-welcomed addition of the stellar XWD all-wheel drive system. However, for the 2008 model-year XWD has only been on the Turbo X models and optional on Aero models. That changes for 2009.

Starting with the 2009 model-year XWD will be optional on the 2.0T models, which are the base models. The 2.0L Turbo models have 210 HP and are not seeing any other major changes. The XWD system will still only be offered on sedan and SportCombi models. The convertibles chassis is not setup for all-wheel drive.

In addition, the 280 HP rating currently on the Turbo X models has been extended to ALL Aero models for 2008. That 280 HP is made from the Turbocharged 2.8L HF V6. Currently all non-XWD Aero's are rated at 255 HP.

AndrewGS · 05-15-2008, 11:07 AM

It's good to see that you don't have to get all that expensive power to get that great XWD system. Too bad about the Cabriolet model though. Saab could have a niche with a great handling, all-weather convertible.

69Firebird400 · 05-15-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

It's good to see that you don't have to get all that expensive power to get that great XWD system. Too bad about the Cabriolet model though. Saab could have a niche with a great handling, all-weather convertible.

Well, Audi sells AWD convertibles too. Does BMW as well?

AndrewGS · 05-15-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

Well, Audi sells AWD convertibles too. Does BMW as well?

How could I forget the A4 Cabrio Quattro?

BMW doesn't do AWD on the 3er Cabrio.

CamaroCrazy · 05-15-2008, 11:55 AM

Hmmm, I'll have to take a test drive in the new 280hp FWD Aero model. I drove a 2007 FWD Aero model with 255hp once and I loved it.

I just wish Saabs weren't so expensive purchased new. I priced out my ideal 9-3 once and it was more expensive than my ideal CTS! In that case, I'll take the CTS. Saab is not on par with Cadillac in my book.

If I was seriously considering this car, I'd probably wait until a 2009 Aero showed up on someone's used car lot and save a bunch of $

Mplsspyder · 05-15-2008, 02:27 PM

Now if some factory would offer an AWD retractable hard top convert for those of us in the northern climates it would be killer.

genjy · 05-15-2008, 06:51 PM

The AWD system probably can't be retrofitted to the 9-3 Convertible due to extra braces and bars that the convertible chassis has.

F14CRAZY · 05-15-2008, 08:49 PM

I might have missed something, but is the Haldex system for manuals, automatic, or both?

This changes things...will my next vehicle be an Outback XT or a 9-3 Sportcombi XWD...

DuSpinnst · 05-15-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genjy

The AWD system probably can't be retrofitted to the 9-3 Convertible due to extra braces and bars that the convertible chassis has.

Add to the fact they are barely the same.

The 9-3 Vert cannot even be built on the regular 9-3 line. It pretty much is on its own platform.

montrealvue · 05-15-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

This changes things...will my next vehicle be an Outback XT or a 9-3 Sportcombi XWD...

My dilemma as well. I am leaning towards the Sube due to more rear passenger room. I am torn as I love the 9-3's powertrain. Sadly, the Sportcombi is the only GM vehicle I would consider. I wish GM offered more wagons!

**nadepalma** · 05-16-2008, 04:20 PM

Good. I'm glad to see this. It was about time - I got tired of all those A4 Quattro drivers thinking they were the only game in town in the entry-level lux-sedan market with turbo4s and AWD.

They get on my nerves.

AbsoluteSaab · 05-17-2008, 11:19 AM

you can have manual or Automatic (6-speed Sentronic with variable gear-shift and sport mode) with XWD

mbukukanyau · 05-17-2008, 12:23 PM

What I do not understand is why Saab Turbo V6's cannot make 300 BHP... Cadillac does that without a turbo..
Are the Saab's twin turbo's?

**nsap** · 05-17-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

What I do not understand is why Saab Turbo V6's cannot make 300 BHP... Cadillac does that without a turbo..
Are the Saab's twin turbo's?

The 2.8L Turbo is capable of up to around 350 HP with nothing more than DI. However the 9-3 variant does not have DI....although it is coming.

AbsoluteSaab · 05-18-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsap

The 2.8L Turbo is capable of up to around 350 HP with nothing more than DI. However the 9-3 variant does not have DI....although it is coming.

THE 2.8 V6 can produce more than 350hp without DI, but without the resources they can't get the engine to 'breath' any more than it already does in its current setup. Not too much is required, a larger inlet and better Inter-cooler will have the car running with an approx. 15% HP hike. So we can look at around 320hp.

Do not be surprised if we see this figure quoted on the next gen 9-5 Aero.

For an individual tuner this isn't a problem, But for a manufacturer who offer a 5 Year warranty. You have to make sure the engine is not going to cost millions in recalls.

Saab use a twin scroll Turbo with the 2.8

05-15-2008, 11:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
nsap Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Drives: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP On Order: 2009 Ford Focus SE Posts: 13,900	XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3 XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3 May 15, 2008 www.gminsidenews.com By: NSAP The arrival of the mid-cycle enhancement GM performed on the 2008 Saab 9-3 brought the very-welcomed addition of the stellar XWD all-wheel drive system. However, for the 2008 model-year XWD has only been on the Turbo X models and optional on Aero models. That changes for 2009. Starting with the 2009 model-year XWD will be optional on the 2.0T models, which are the base models. The 2.0L Turbo models have 210 HP and are not seeing any other major changes. The XWD system will still only be offered on sedan and SportCombi models. The convertibles chassis is not setup for all-wheel drive. In addition, the 280 HP rating currently on the Turbo X models has been extended to ALL Aero models for 2008. That 280 HP is made from the Turbocharged 2.8L HF V6. Currently all non-XWD Aero's are rated at 255 HP. __________________ Gen V V8 info? E-Mail Me

05-15-2008, 11:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
AndrewGS 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Spring, TX, MX (Houston) Drives: 1986 Ford RS200 EVO Posts: 6,430	Re: XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3 It's good to see that you don't have to get all that expensive power to get that great XWD system. Too bad about the Cabriolet model though. Saab could have a niche with a great handling, all-weather convertible. __________________ Andrew - MySpace - KD5FHW 1995 Buick Roadmaster Limited - LT1, 4L60E, 2.93 Gears, 260HP, 4,200LBS, 15.4SEC 1/4-MI, 21MPG 2005 Chevrolet Silverado C1500 LS - LM7, 4L60E, 3.73 Gears, 300HP, 4,200LBS, 15.0SEC 1/4-MI, 19.1MPG Janesville Assembly - 1919-2010 - 91 Years of Excellence "Dammit, I'd piss on a spark plug if I thought it'd do any good!"

05-15-2008, 11:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
CamaroCrazy 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Drives: 1994 Camaro Z28 2000 Camaro Posts: 254	Re: XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3 Hmmm, I'll have to take a test drive in the new 280hp FWD Aero model. I drove a 2007 FWD Aero model with 255hp once and I loved it. I just wish Saabs weren't so expensive purchased new. I priced out my ideal 9-3 once and it was more expensive than my ideal CTS! In that case, I'll take the CTS. Saab is not on par with Cadillac in my book. If I was seriously considering this car, I'd probably wait until a 2009 Aero showed up on someone's used car lot and save a bunch of $ __________________ 1994 Camaro Z28 2000 Camaro Webshots: My Camaros, the Camaro Concepts, and Buick in China Past Cars: 1974 Chevrolet Monte Carlo - 400ci, 3spd auto, 10 MPG! 1984 Chevrolet Impala - 305ci, the most reliable car I ever owned, miss it dearly 1998 Pontiac Grand Am - I will never buy FWD again.

05-15-2008, 02:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mplsspyder Walking Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9	Re: XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3 Now if some factory would offer an AWD retractable hard top convert for those of us in the northern climates it would be killer.

05-15-2008, 06:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
genjy 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,609	Re: XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3 The AWD system probably can't be retrofitted to the 9-3 Convertible due to extra braces and bars that the convertible chassis has. __________________ 2008 Volvo turbo hatchback w/ 6sp manual - Volvo for life 2006 Mazda mini-minivan w/ 5sp manual - zoom zoom zoom

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05-15-2008, 08:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
F14CRAZY 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dimondale, MI Drives: '89 Buick Reatta Posts: 3,614	Re: XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3 I might have missed something, but is the Haldex system for manuals, automatic, or both? This changes things...will my next vehicle be an Outback XT or a 9-3 Sportcombi XWD... __________________ '07 Subaru Forester: my do-everything everyday driver and first new vehicle. Manual trans. 23k miles as of 3/19/08, 24,2xxk miles as of 3/30/08 '89 Buick Reatta: "Project GS"...3800 SII S/C, 6 speed manual '94 Buick Century wagon: 3100 V6, business vehicle Past: '92 and '93 Ford Explorers, '03 Mercury Mountaineer

05-16-2008, 04:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
nadepalma GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 4,969	Re: XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3 Good. I'm glad to see this. It was about time - I got tired of all those A4 Quattro drivers thinking they were the only game in town in the entry-level lux-sedan market with turbo4s and AWD. They get on my nerves. __________________ "La vita è come un albero di Natale..c'è sempre qualcuno che ti rompe le palle!" "Forza Azzurri" "Veritas vos Liberabit" "You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves" -Abraham Lincoln "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried" -Winston Churchill "In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a Congress" -John Adams

05-17-2008, 11:19 AM	#12 (permalink)
AbsoluteSaab 2.4 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Jan 2005 Drives: Saab 9-3 VIGGEN Coupe Posts: 104	Re: XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3 you can have manual or Automatic (6-speed Sentronic with variable gear-shift and sport mode) with XWD

05-17-2008, 12:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
mbukukanyau 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In front of my computer Drives: 2006 HHR 2002 Corolla-Before I saw the light Posts: 7,158	Re: XWD Widely Available on 2009 9-3 What I do not understand is why Saab Turbo V6's cannot make 300 BHP... Cadillac does that without a turbo.. Are the Saab's twin turbo's? __________________ China can drill for oil of the Florida coast, but we cannot. Thank you Congress for your foresight

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