I was fortunate to spend this morning with John Libbos, the product manager for the Saab 9-3 and 9-5 here in the United States. Questions were asked and answered, and I’m very happy to let US readers know the following (non-US readers might want to scroll past and avoid the anger).


We’ve already heard the bad news - that there won’t be any eLSD option in the 2008 model year for Saab 9-3 Aeros equipped with XWD.


This decision has been taken to maintain the exclusivity of the Saab Turbo X for this model year.


The good news is that not only will the eLSD be available on the 2009 model, but it’ll also be part of the standard equipment for XWD-equipped Aero versions of the Saab 9-3. Previously, this was thought to be a $2,000 option, so its inclusion as standard equipment for 2009 is a major bonus for US customers.


John had no information on other markets around the world, but prudence would dictate that you should still count on it as an option as first thought. Prudence is a nasty woman.


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For those of you thinking “I’ll just wait for the 2009 model rather than get a Turbo X”, you should know that the Turbo X will have mechanical enhancements that the Aero won’t.


Whilst both will have the 280hp, 400Nm engine setup, the Turbo X will have a strengthened gearbox with no torque limiters in first and second gear, for instance.


I’m unsure of any other differences, but if this is typical of the differences between the cars - and if there are more of them that we don’t know about - then perhaps Saab might benefit from setting them out in a clearer fashion.


The Turbo X is going to be a special vehicle and I’d absolutely, knuckle-bitingly HATE to see them incentivised with discounts in order to clear the volume.


The full spec and differentiation with this model needs to be made clear, IMHO.


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