Saab 9-3 Turbo X
Saab 9-3 Turbo X — spec data and generation history.
Saab's halo car — a one-year-only limited-edition AWD 9-3 launched 2008 to celebrate 30 years of Saab turbocharging. 2.8 V6 turbo (276 bhp), Saab Cross-Wheel-Drive (XWD) all-wheel-drive system with rear electronic LSD, six-speed manual or 6AT. All cars finished in jet black with a fully matte-black grille (no chrome) and copper-coloured interior accents. 500 cars built for the UK, 2,000 worldwide. The fastest factory Saab ever built before bankruptcy — and the only Saab with proper performance AWD. Cult money — values have climbed steadily as Saab parts get harder to find.
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive

Mk1
2.8 V6 turbo XWD — 276 bhp, 0-60 in 5.5s.
- + Saab XWD with electronic LSD
- + Limited 500 UK cars only
- − Saab bankruptcy 2011 — parts
- − Rear LSD reliability
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
- Saab parts thin — bankruptcy 2011
- Rear electronic LSD failures
- XWD Haldex pump
- Cam carrier oil leak (V6)
