SAAB and ALFA and APPLES

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

Please don't confuse that grotty little Vauxhall (2.5 V6) engine with a 
real SAAB engine. It took years for SAAB to correct the cheapo shortcuts 
Standard Triumph insisted that Ricardo Engineering put in the original 
"SAAB" four cylinder. In fact, not until the 16 valve version did the 
engine truly achieve it's potential.

As far as ALFA Turbo and SAAB turbo please remember we poor sods in North 
America don't get to drive the ALFA Turbo. I didn't suggest a SAAB 9000 T 
would outrun an ALFA 164 L from 0-60 (0-100 km/hr) but it will outrun one 
from say 100 to 160 km/hr, hands down. You can't beat midrange boost, 
whatever you might think about waste gates (a wastegate is misnamed, as 
nothing is wasted, without one the turbo just blows out the head gasket 
after one run!).

The reference to the similar cars was a reference to the common bodyshell 
design and a few other bits and pieces. More than just the floor pan is 
involved, the basic safety cage shares some common engineering. Even so, 
the ALFA is clearly an ALFA both in styling and driving experience, ditto 
for the SAAB. You can enjoy both even though they are closely related concepts.

Cheers


Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
91 Alfa 164L, White, original owner

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