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Saab-i Digital Newsletter |
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Hi,
Welcome to the December issue of Saab-i.
In the last issue of Saab-i we brought you news of Saab’s success in the IIHS crash tests, and this month safety is once again in focus. You’ll find an article about safer driving with winter wheels and, even as I write, news is coming in of Saab’s excellent performance in the IIHS/Thatcham whiplash tests.
On the product development front, we have details of a remarkable new BioPower Saab turbo engine, and with Christmas just around the corner, you can pick up some last-minute gifts from the Saab Expressions range. Finally, may I wish you Season’s Greetings from everyone here at Saab, and a very happy new year.
Best regards,
Knut Simonsson |
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In the October edition of Saab-i, we reported on the success of the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan in the IIHS crash tests. Now we’ve just received great news from two safety test institutes on both sides of the Atlantic.
The whiplash tests were conducted by the worldwide members of the International Insurance Whiplash Prevention Group (IIWPG). The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan was awarded the top rating of ‘Good’ by Thatcham in the UK, while the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and new Saab 9-2X were both awarded the highest rating of ‘Good’ by the International Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US.
The results are based on each car’s performance in dynamic rear-impact tests, and no doubt these Saabs were rated highly due to the Saab Active Head Restraint (SAHR) system. Saab was the first company to install Active Head Restraints, and research has shown that, when compared with older Saabs without SAHR (which were already among the best in the market), the SAHR system reduces the risk of serious neck injuries by up to 75% in rear-end collisions. |
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This positive news follows results just in from the US Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) report, in which the Saab 9-5 Sedan topped the luxury midsize category for relative frequency of injury insurance claims. The study analyses and then compares cars on the basis of cost of injuries sustained following on-road crashes.
Both the 9-5 Sedan and 9-5 Wagon achieved a rating of “substantially better than average” for injury claims in the luxury midsize category, with the Saab 9-5 Sedan scoring 53 percent better than average, while the Saab 9-5 Wagon was rated 39 percent better than average. Saab would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate Saab drivers, who played a significant role in achieving these results.
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 To view the complete report, visit the HLDI website at www.carsafety.org | Go to top  | |
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As the rising cost of fuel and environmental issues continue to feature in the headlines, we at Saab are keen to stay one step ahead in the search for new, more efficient technologies. Our latest development, a BioPower 2.0 liter turbo engine, will be launched next summer, initially in Sweden.
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The engine can run on a combination of ethanol - an eco-friendly renewable energy source - and regular gasoline. This mixture produces lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and therefore could result in beneficial environmental and business tax incentives. Not only that, but this revolutionary new engine can improve fuel consumption when driving with heavy loads, and during testing has shown a 15% improvement in fuel economy at higher speeds.
The most common type of ethanol to be found at filling stations, E85, has a high octane rating (104 RON), which makes it particularly suitable for Saab turbo engines. The result is a significant increase in maximum engine power, boosting the Saab turbo engine from 150 to 180 bhp. It is also a very flexible technology, as Kjell Bergström, President and CEO of Saab Automobile Powertrain AB, explains:
“The engine management system automatically adjusts for the type of fuel so, if there is no ethanol available, the customer can simply run on gasoline at any time. Furthermore, turbocharged engines are particularly well-suited to exploiting the benefits of ethanol and our work with this engine indicates there is a great deal of development potential for this fuel.” |
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As winter descends upon us, driving conditions take a turn for the worst, with wind, rain and snow a daily obstacle in some parts of the world. Which is why it’s worth thinking about the most crucial link between you and the road – your tyres.
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While in harsher climates it’s natural (and often a legal requirement) to change to winter tyres, those of you who live in milder climates may not have given it much thought. However, winter tyres are a smart choice for a variety of reasons.
No matter what the weather conditions are like, road surfaces offer less grip in the winter due to lower temperatures. Winter tyres are made from a softer compound of rubber, making them much more effective in the cold. Furthermore, the heavier, deeper tread patterns provide more grip and better braking on wet tarmac and snow-covered roads, and also help to prevent aquaplaning.
When combined with light-alloy wheels, your Saab will maintain its dynamic performance all-year-round. For more information about safer winter driving, contact your local Saab dealer, who can recommend the best type of tyre to suit your requirements.
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