Saab News - Saab 9-3 Aero now available with diesel in Australia

, Saab, Pacific Region

The Astra isn’t the only GM model getting a new diesel option in Australia. The performance Aero model of the Saab 9-3 is now available with a 177hp 1.9L diesel. The 295lb-ft of torque is apparently enough to motivate the 9-3 Aero TTiD at similar rates to the gas engined version. The gas-fueled model however cannot approach the 41.3mpg (U.S.) rating of the manual transmission model. Even the automatic version achieves 34.6mpg (U.S.). The diesel in the Saab has the two-stage turbocharger setup with a smaller turbo for quick low speed response and a second larger unit for maximum power. Here in the U.S., the Aero with the 2.8L turbo V6 is rated at a mere 16/24mpg by the EPA. Even accounting for differences in test procedures, the diesel is clearly far more efficient than the V6. Unfortunately, here in the States we again don’t have this option.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

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[tags]saas cars, saab news, saab models[/tags]

Subaru Legacy STI rumored to have 450 hp

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Subaru, Rumormill

When another batch of spy photos of the upcoming Subaru Exiga surfaced yesterday, we didn’t give it much thought. We pretty much know the styling direction and dimensions of Subaru’s new people mover, but one portion of AutoExpress’ article caught our attention. In addition to the Exiga joining a new Legacy sedan and Outback wagon in 2009, Subaru’s future drivetrain plans include dropping the 3.0-liter boxer and reworking the 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines to increase efficiency and power. The naturally aspirated 2.0-liter will supposedly produce 200 hp, while the current turbocharged 2.5-liter will exceed 300 hp. While neither of which is huge news, AE also mentions that a Legacy STI is on the way with a turbo’d 3.7-liter producing close to 450 hp. Whether or not such a beast will actually come about is open to debate, but when it does, we hope that Subaru has the foresight to make it available in the U.S.

[Source: AutoExpress]

 

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Subaru releases specs on Impreza WRC 2008

Filed under: Motorsports, Subaru

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Subaru Impreza WRC 2008.

WRC teams are gearing up in Greece ahead of this week’s Acropolis rally, and just before its world racing debut, Subaru has released the details on its all-new Impreza rally car. You can pore over the specs after the jump, but the highlights of the Impreza WRC2008 include a 1994cc turbocharged flat four, running an IHI turbo equipped with the WRC-mandated 34mm restrictor plate and Subaru’s own anti-lag system to produce 300 hp at 5,500 rpm and… wait for it… 479 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm.

Power is sent to a six-speed electro-hydraulic transmission, through an electronically controlled center diff and down to the wheels through mechanical differentials, fore and aft. Bos shocks are being used in conjunction with the front and rear MacPherson setup, while AP Racing, 310mm discs are clamped by six-piston calipers both in front and in the rear. BBS wheels are fitted at all four corners, with 15-inchers used for gravel stages and 18-inch rollers for tarmac attacks. The rally racer’s weight is set at the WRC minimum of 2,712 pounds. As always, you can follow the progress of the Impreza and the rest of the teams at the WRC website.

UPDATE: We’ve added a video of the WRC2008 Impreza during a shake-down run after the jump, courtesy of Carscoop.

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VIDEO: Making of Pontiac G8 “Spy Hunter” commercial

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Pontiac

We’re sure you remember the Pontiac G8 “Spy Hunter” commercial that we posted on in mid-March. Arguably the best car commercial, ummm… EVAR, the spot drops Pontiac’s new rear-wheel-drive sport sedan smack dab in the midst of our favorite top-down, 2D driving game from 1983. The visuals are so impressive that we were actually shocked to learn from the video after the jump that everything you see in the commercial is entirely computer generated, including the Pontiac G8 itself. The “Making of Spy Hunter - Pontiac G8 GT” pulls back the curtain on a small team of computeristas who are responsible for the ad and apparently had way too much fun making it. They somehow acquired a vintage Spy Hunter sit-down arcade machine from the Reagan era and drew inspiration for the project from a mysterious cat that pokes it head out of holes in the ceiling. Just watch the video…

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Hybrid Jags and Land Rovers coming in five years

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, SUVs, Government/Legal, Green, Jaguar, Land Rover

With the cash-infusion that Jaguar and Land Rover are getting from their recent acquisition by Tata Motors, hybrid vehicle development for the two brands is now underway. Indeed, production hybrid vehicles are expected within the next five years. A three-liter liter diesel six cylinder engine, an enlarged version of the current 2.7 liter, and a new five-liter direct injected V8 will be used for these planned hybrids. While JLR knows it wants a hybrid, the exact system for development is still under debate. Mercedes plans to use a new transmission from supplier ZF for its upcoming S-Class, and Jaguar is said to be considering this unit as well. According to Autocar, another option for Land Rover is known internally as the ‘Electric Rear Axle Drive’ electric motor.

Both Jaguar and Land Rover have recently received government funding for the development of eco-friendly technologies, and much of the work for the upcoming hybrids is expected to be completed as part of these initiatives.

[Source: Autocar]

 

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