Saab 9-3 TTiD gets sampled - 40mpg combined!
The Saab 9-3 was redesigned for the 2008 model year with styling updates, a new all-wheel-drive system and refreshed gasoline engines. Unfortunately for American consumers, perhaps the most impressive power-plant isn't available here. European buyers have the option of GM's latest Family B 1.9L TTiD diesel engine. The 180hp engine is equipped with a sequential dual turbocharger system that allows for quick response at low speeds and improved power and torque across the board. ABG got to take a short drive in the 9-3 diesel last summer and loved it. Now AutoSpectator has had a chance to try out the new car which has a combined rating of 40mpg (U.S.) on the EU cycle.
[Source: AutoSpectator, thanks to Jean-Michel for the tip]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brian 7:22PM (5/26/2008)
How/when can I buy one of these? What is taking GM so long to bring European diesel cars to the US? There is demand! We're out here waiting!
Could these be brought to the US and homologated "grey market?"
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Bob 3:16PM (9/06/2008)
GM and Saab are being foolish. As a Saab owner since the 1970s, one of Saab's great selling points was to be on the engineering cutting edge, particularly when it related to fuel economy and a "green" product. Sadly this no longer seems to be the case--at least in the US. As a result Saab is increasingly looking like all other cars and losing the cachet which brought so many of us to it. Lacking a diesel or hybrid alternative, I settled on buying a diesel VW the last go around rather than buy a Saab.
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 12:36AM (1/13/2008)
GM's latest diesel engine? This is a joke, right?
Surely this is the Fiat twin-stage turbo available in a 190hp version for Fiat-Alfa-Lancia and to third parties in this 180hp version..:
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/06/fiat-19-jtd-m-new-twin-stage-turbo.html
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Throwback 7:55AM (1/13/2008)
As part of their divorce GM got propreitery use of Fiat's diesel technology.
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rgseidl 9:48AM (1/13/2008)
With its dual turbos, this engine is a direct competitor to BMW's acclaimed 204hp 2.0L four-banger. No long ago, you'd have needed a 3.0L V6 to deliver similar torque, torque dynamics and rated power.
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 11:40AM (1/13/2008)
Yes, I read at the time that GM would get access to Fiat technology (obviously not all of it as the 190hp version doesn't seem to be included), but there's quite a stretch of the imagination to state that this is GM's latest diesel. Obviously this is Fiat's diesel which GM (among others) gets to use.
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mike 12:46PM (1/13/2008)
That's O.K. as far as it goes, but what ever happened to that "Promise of Automation" where I could order the Engine I Wanted, like a 150 hp diesel, instead of the one GM Picks for Me, at the Luxury Level I want?
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 9:55PM (1/16/2008)
I hope Fiat are going to make a smaller version of this engine - say 1.3 litres or less. It would be great to see the 40 mpg combined go up even further and the emissions cut back even more!
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