As Saab is kept in limbo under new owners NEVS, the scene is still analyzing their prior products they’re still causing confusion. Yes, Saabs are cool, but it seems nobody is able to put their finger on exactly why that is.
Matt Farah was left a tad stumped after driving two modified Saabs, a newer 9-3 Viggen (Swedish for thunderbolt) and a 900 turbo. The latter was a good experience, having had a full working over by its owner.
The Viggen didn’t impress Farah, and he called it laggy and not very fast – as reference, the manufacturer claimed it could hit 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and go all the way to 250 km/h or 150 mph (electronically limited).
They limited the 2.3-liter 230 hp turbo engine’s torque in first and second, giving the full 350 Nm / 260 lb-ft in third, fourth and fifth. It was not really known as a sprinter in its day, but it’s known to have very strong pull once at speed.
The 900 turbo was far more to Farah’s liking, but that was partly due to the fact that it was much more heavily modified and therefor faster and more fun, as you’ll see in the Drive video posted below.