Saab 4WD future

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Swedish carmaker Saab confirmed last year it would develop a lifestyle all-wheel-drive vehicle similar in style and concept to the Subaru Outback and Volvo XC, or Cross Country.

But it said a production model would not appear until 2004. Now, however, it's understood its all-wheel-drive development programme has been put forward by Saab owner General Motors and that a variant of the 9-3 sedan will be the company's first all-wheel-drive model.

GM, a 50 per cent owner of Saab for more than 10 years, picked up the remaining chunk of the company last year. It also grabbed more than 20 per cent of Subaru in a share-swap arrangement that was finalised in January.

GM said it would work with Subaru, acknowledged as the world's foremost all-wheel-drive carmaker, on developing special technology and niche models.

Now industry analysts in Europe are saying that development has already spilled over into Saab testing different all-wheel-drive systems, including that used by Subaru.

However, the possible technical hitch here is that Subaru's system fits perfectly with its low-slung boxer engines. Saab, of course, uses conventional north-south four and six-cylinder units.

Just how far Saab has progressed with all-wheel-drive was revealed when it confirmed a surprise entry in the Pikes Peak hill-climb in America on July 4.

Veteran Swedish driver Per Eklund will pilot a 512kW 9-3 Viggen in the annual event and in doing so will attempt to break the 10-minute barrier for the 156-corner, 20km gravel road.

GM believes optional all-wheel-drive models will help Saab boost its modest annual production of about 130,000 vehicles.