Saab Turbo-X & Cross-Wheel Drive Opportunities

Posted on 29. Feb, 2008 by Ryan in 2000-2009

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

The 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo-X is what is referred to as the “halo” vehicle for Cross-Wheel Drive (XWD) for the Saab Automobile Brand. Having had the chance to briefly test drive a prototype last summer, here in the Washington, D.C. area, I was certainly brought up to speed on the driving characteristics of this new technology, but I must admit that a more inclimate terrain would have helped paint a better picture of these capabilities for the visitors here on Saab History.

Following this test drive, I was invited to see, following the global launch in Frankfurt, the North American Launch at the Boston Auto Show on November 27th, 2007. It was at this event that my curiousity peaked with regards to Saab’s new cross-wheel drive system.

As of late, there have been a number of members of the press such as Edmunds, Expressions and others who have apparently had been test driving and reviewing this 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo-X up in Northern Sweden while staying at the Ice Hotel. The Ice Hotel, I should add, is now one of the quintessential Scandinavian experiences today. So, as I mentioned, I am delighted to see that these members of the press have had these experiences and have had nothing but positive reviews across the board, but one question has been asked of me here on Saab History: Where are the Saab Enthusiast bloggers such as Saab History, Trollhattansaab and others, and where are their reviews of the Turbo-X from a driving perspective? As far as I know, neither of us have been invited to this event to test drive the Turbo-X, and we aren’t exactly sure why. I think that we would like to be optimistic that we will also get our opportunity to test drive the Turbo-X to share with other Saab enthusiasts, but where and when, we do not know. I should emphasize if it is not already abundantly clear, the Saab 9-3 Turbo-X is clearly an enthusiast vehicle for the Saab Automobile brand. On the topic of “enthusiast”, in mind, I see that there would be some strong value in having enthusiasts report on this enthusiast vehicle TO other enthusiasts.

It is my hope that the Saab Enthusiasts get a chance to experience the Turbo-X before not too long. I have also said it before and I’ll say it again, Saab Automobile USA needs to apply a similiar program that Saab Automobile Sweden is doing up in Northern Sweden to the United States. This program should be applied modified to suit the New England region of the United States. In New England, Saab USA’s original home market, and President of Saab Automobile USA, Steve Shannon‘s roots, and still makes up approximately 40% of Saab Automobile USA’ sales nationwide. These factors alone, combined with the incredible snowfall this year in this region should make New England an important area in which to carry out a promotional program like this with the Saab Turbo-X and Cross-Wheel Drive.

This program should include aggresive real-life test drive promotions during the winter season (think snow & ice) where perspective buyers could experience cross-wheel drive in their own elements in key geographic areas managed by local dealerships and Saab Automobile USA in the North East as I have mentioned earlier.

It is important to remember that besides a program like this with the Saab dealerships in the United States, you also have the ski resort demographic to market and promote this technology to, also in New England. The Ski Resorts have indicated here on Saab History, that they are eager and waiting for Saab to come back to that venue and promote their Cross-Wheel Drive with the Turbo-X.

From the enthusiast oriented test drives of the Turbo-X, to specific Saab dealerships doing test drives with the public in appropriate geographic regions, to Ski Resorts in New England showcasing the Turbo-X & Cross-Wheel Drive, Saab Automobile USA has a plethora of great resources in which to showcase and promote the XWD, and therefore the oportunities would appear almost limitless for the brand in the United States.

It is my hope that we can see many these opportunities combined with many others, begin being explored in the immediate future here in the United States during this monumental milestone for the Saab Automobile brand with Cross-Wheel Drive. This much anticipated and awaited technology is just too important and critical today for the Saab Automobile brand and therefore these opportunities cannot be overlooked.

Tags: 9-3, 9-5, Automotive Component Group, Boston, new 9-5, New England, new saab 9-3, President, saab, saab 9-3, saab 9-4x, saab 9-5, saab 9-5 wagon, saab 900, saab 9000, saab 99, Saab Automobile, saab ng900, Sweden, United States