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Should SAAB be forever stuck in 4 cylinder land? Its steadfastness to the 4 cylinder concept, while popular among SAAB loyalists, is not popular among the car buying public spending near $40 large on a car. Hence, the (re) intro of a V6. It's a new engine, and over time it may become a trademark staple in the lineup, as much as the 4cylinder turbo ever was. That is, if the company remains viable in the next few years...but I digress.
The current V6T was co-developed with SAAB specifically for the current application. Don't know why you don't think it is a "real" SAAB engine. From the press release linked below (from TSN):
The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan Aero with its new 2.8V6 Turbo engine is, quite simply, the fastest accelerating car ever to carry the Saab badge. It represents the culmination of almost 30 years' experience from Saab as acknowledged leaders in the art of turbocharging.
For the first time, Saab customers will be able to enjoy the combined benefits of turbocharged power and six cylinder refinement in a purpose-built package. With massive pulling power (350 Nm) spread widely across the engine's speed range, the 250 bhp/184 kW 2.8V6 Turbo generates more torque than most other six cylinder gasoline engine in the Saab 9-3 segment.
Saab Automobile Powertrain's expert knowledge and experience of turbocharging is recognized by its role as a Center of Expertise within General Motors for the development of turbocharged gasoline engines. The Swedish engineers were therefore closely involved during the conceptual design and development of GM's new global V6 engine architecture, ensuring it included the possibility of a turbocharged application."
Currently, there are normally apsirated 6 cylinder engines in cars that produce more HP and get equal if better gas mileage than the revered B235R engine. Almost all the cars in the C&D comparo had higher displacement V6s with equal MPG to the V6T.
Heck, my wife's '05 Odyssey has a 255hp i-VTEC 3.5L V6 that is rated at 20 city/ 28 hwy - a minivan that seats 8 and that weighs nearly 1000lb more than a similarly powered '05 9-5 Aero wagon.
I had an '82 900T, which blew a turbo at 70k miles and was retired (traded). My '94 900SET ran great until it was retired in '02 at 125k. My current '01 9-5 wagon recently suffered the dreaded sludge problem (despite being meticulously maintained with 5k oil changes) and was at the dealer for nearly 3 months waiting on a new engine block being shipped from Sweden (rental car (Chevy Malibu) and repair tab picked up by SAAB). Stuff happens.
Nonetheless, this SAAB diehard is looking forward to the '06 Aero SportCombi, as it will replace my 9-5 wagon soon.
posted by 70.180.12...
2006 Saab 9-3 Aero Features Six-Cylinder Turbo Power
, Sat, 5 Nov 2005 15:58:42, Mon, 7 Nov 2005 15:54:13, Fri, 4 Nov 2005 19:08:57
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