TurboNines.com

Vote for the Saab 99 Turbo as Best Car Magazine's Best Hot Hatch of All Time: Yes We Can!

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:20:26 PST

UK buff book CAR Magazine is running a poll - a vote to determine the best hot hatch of all time. The field is wide and the competition strong, but there it is on the list... the Saab 99 Turbo. Admittedly, it's a maverick in a field of GTis and the like and that's why we have hope. Consider us the annoying campaign worker with the obnoxious sign and more obnoxious line outside your local polling place telling you who to vote for and click on through to CARmagazine.co.uk and cast your ballot.

Find of the Day: 84K Mile Blue Viggen Coupe on Ebay

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:50:38 PST

We've got an admitted soft spot for Viggens and blue Viggen coupes... well... that might be the softest. We've found this clean 84k mile example owned in the Miami area on Ebay. It looks fantastic on those mesh rims, though it appears the owner still has the stock 5-spokers if that's more your style.

Unlikely Candidate: Saab 9-5 BioPower Contests Gumball 3000 Road Rally

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:19:16 PST

It'd be hard to top last years 10th running of the Gumball 3000 - a road rally / rager that trekked from San Francisco to the Beijing Olympics. This year, the race will go with a true red, white and blue them and travel across the United States, from L.A. to Miami.

We've just learned that a Saab 9-5 SportCombi BioPower will be joining the fun. The trial certainly won't be an easy one for the Saab, competing against the likes of Porsche 911 Turbos, Lamborghini Gallardos and even a Bugatti Veyron. To top that off (pardon the pun), the 9-5 is a BioPower and E85 isn't exactly available at every corner gas station in the States. More to come as we hear it, but for now read all about the Gumball 3000 at its official website after the jump.

Hirsch Performance for Saab Coming to America? It's Kind of Already Here.

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:57:45 PST

Headlines of Swiss-based Saab tuning house Hirsch Performance coming to America over at TrollhattanSaab made our pulse quicken today. The editors there received a hopeful email saying "Please check our website regularly the following months. We might announce details about the availability of our products in the U.S.," and from that are theorizing Saab might sell Hirsch products through dealers.

Several years ago, that was the intent as Saab North America ran a press release suggesting it could happen. Not much came of that program though... so what do we think of the news from TrollhattanSaab?

Well, to be fair ElkParts alread sells a fairly wide range of Hirsch parts. Another option might be establishing a Hirsch Performance North America dealer and wholesale program as other hallmark tuning houses like Heico Sportiv (Volvo) and Abt Sportsline (Volkswagen and Audi) have done. This would give Hirsch a market presence and possibly even dealer sales without jumping through so many federalization and testing hoops. Whatever they do, we vote 'yes please' to any consideration of further tackling the American market.

Comprehensive OEM Saab Wheel Gallery Posted at TrollhattanSaab

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:16:30 PST

The guys over at TrollhattanSaab have published a truly comprehensive gallery of OEM Saab wheels. The mix covers just about everything back to 1998, including part numbers. If you're thinking about an upgrade for your Saab, it's definitely worth a check. See it all after the jump.

GM TE Based Cadillac SRX Details Revealed Ahead of Detroit, First Look at Saab 9-4x Chassis Mate

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:46:58 PST

General Motors has dropped more photos and details of the new 2010 Cadillac SRX - Caddy's new crossover that shares the GM TE chassis set with the Chevrolet Equinox and, more importantly on these pages, the upcoming Saab 9-4x. If we were impressed by the Equinox, we're moreso with the Cadillac as it shows even more upscale potential for TE. All-wheel drive isn't termed XWD as it is at Saab (and Haldex), but the descriptive text sounds the same. Read the press release for the TE-based SRX after the jump, and don't miss the associated gallery of photos.

Another Saab 9-5 Drawing from ViBilagare.se

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:43:07 PST

Here's the latest in rendered speculation of the next-generation Saab 9-5 sedan. Found at ViBilagare.se via TrollhattanSaab.net, the drawing shows one more artist's take on the upcoming Saab flagship. The drawing is just that, and not terribly life like, so we'll see how accurate it is. It's certainly interesting to look at though. We like the aggressive lower air inlets and what looks like LED foglights.

Kickin' It Oldschool with a Saab 95 Via Flickr

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:22:22 PST

We found this Flickr feed via TrollhattanSaab and like what we see. It's an orange Saab 95 V5, lowered aggressively - tasteful and more aggressive the a standard specimen of the type. More after the jump.

Stockholm-Based Oh Laura Single Used in Saab Commercial

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:16:16 PST

We missed the commercial, but just found a feature on the Swedish band Oh Laura and their single 'Release Me' that was used by Saab. If you are like us and use TV commercials as a source for good new music, then you might want to check them out. We did and, yes, it is available on iTunes.

Carbon Fiber Accessories for the Cigar Afficianado

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:08:58 PST

If you're a connoisseur of cigars and into cars, take note. Xikar has released a line of their cigar accessories like a windproof lighter, cutter and case with carbon fiber accenting. Squint and it'll match the faux carbon fiber in your Turbo X or pony up for the carbon-bedecked body kit from Hirsch and really impress your friends with a fetish for the dark woven stuff. More after the jump.