Saab have had a bit of a nightmare year. They were hit hard by the credit crunch, along with most other car manufacturers, and for a while it looked like the brand may actually slip and slide slowly out of existence, leaving behind only a legacy of reliable and sporty cars that were never loved as much as they should have been. However, where other brands simply folded or accepted huge government loans, Saab actually managed to find themselves a buyer, someone who wanted to take on the brand and keep the factories banging out great and critically acclaimed cars. And so it came to be that in the first months of the new decade, Saab was purchased by Spyker. And began ushering in a whole new era.
So, what are Saab doing to celebrate this news? Well, they obviously attended the Geneva Motor Show, a prestigious event that it is fair to assume most people though Saab wouldn’t ever attend again. Not only did they attend, but there was an air of excitement in the air, perhaps generated by the belief that this purchase meant the brand would be alright. On top of the events they made us even more excited about the fact that Saab would be sticking around my introducing their new Turbo X range, a souped up version that can be applied to the 9-3 Saloon or Sportswagon.
So, what does this upgrade mean to Saab owners and fans? Well, it probably won’t mean much at all if you own a Saab already, or if you are planning to buy a used Saab at any time soon. However, if you are hoping to buy a brand new Saab then it will mean that you can choose the Turbo X model alongside the existing Saab 9-3 standards, which is especially worth consideration if you want a bit of extra power or spunk for the Saab’s engine. The real upgrade, however, isn’t to the Turbo X engine, but to the brand new TX Design pack. This is a pack of extras and upgrades designed to make your Used Saab look even better than it already does, and it packs quite a visual punch.
Starting form the inside, with grey piped floor mats, a sexy and tactile leather steering wheel, and a carbon fibre interior trim that looks like something you may well find in a spaceship rather than in a car. The touches aren’t ostentatious, but they are smooth and sophisticated and kind of gorgeous. Then, of course, you get the exterior upgrades. The spoke alloy wheels that instantly add a sporty appeal. The optional metallic and coloured paintjobs that you wouldn’t get as standard, which work brilliantly in combination with the aerodynamic bumpers and other such sport additions.
All in all, you can see that this isn’t just another “pack” produced by a company to make them a bit of extra mullah. Instead this is more of a welcome back to the fold, reminding people of the exciting things to come with the Used Saab brand.