Saab 9-3 Carlsson Edition for Germany

Now THIS is something grrrrrooovy.
Saab Germany have teamed up with Saab’s official tuning house (and Saabs United sponsor) Hirsch Performance AG, to develop the latest in a long line of Carlsson Edition vehicles.
Below is the press release translated from the original German by Mr G.Oogle.
——
Saab 9-3 Erik Carlsson

• Special model for the 80th Birthday of the rally legend
• Modern all-wheel technology and turbo engine with 240 hp

Rüsselsheim. Two victories in the Saab 96 in the legendary Monte Carlo Rally and a hat trick in the RAC Rally in England have made the Swede Erik Carlsson a rally legend. Also known as “Carlsson on the Roof”, the Saab ambassador celebrated his 80th Birthday in March. For the Swedish premium brand, that is reason enough to remember their tradition and sporting successes with a special model – the Saab 9-3 Erik Carlsson.
The Saab 9-3 Erik Carlsson Saab presents itself as a typical combination of sportiness and safety – with 240hp engine and the ultra-modern four-wheel drive XWD (Cross Wheel Drive) and electronic differential lock ELSD.
Sport-feeling – outside and inside
A doppelflutige exhaust system, a subtle, silver-colored front spoiler, a diffuser on the rear and standard 18-inch wheels give the Erik Carlsson Saab 9-3 a sporty appearance. Optional is a sports exhaust system, a sports suspension and 19-inch alloy wheels.
The interior continues the sporty-elegant impression: door, cockpit and center console in Carbon Fairings optics contribute to the sporty character and the tactile quality of leather dashboard, hand brake and shifting.
Saab Drive – Power with Responsibility
The heart of the new Saab 9-3 Erik Carlsson is the engine developed with Hirsch Performance with the modern four-wheel Saab XWD technology. The two-liter turbo engine makes 240hp and a torque of 350 Newton meters. That makes a sprint from stand to 100 in just 7.3 seconds, top speed is 245 km/h. Despite the impressive performance, the fuel consumption is only 8.2 liters per 100 kilometers.
The modern Saab XWD all-wheel system distributes the torque of the motor depending on the needs continuously between the front and rear axle and ensures optimal grip and stability in all situations.
An important part of the system is the electronically controlled torque distribution (TTD – Torque Transfer Device). The force is distributed between the axles. A valve increases or decreases the hydraulic pressure on the Nasskupplung inside the TTD is activated or deactivated, and so gradually the rear axle. The degree of slip is, how much the rear wheels are driven. The force distribution between the two axles can, in extreme cases, vary by almost 100 percent. The electronic locking differential (ELSD) – also a standard part of the special model – works on the same principle: It distributes the engine driving the rear axle in practice, also with close to 100 percent of the wheel, which has more grip.
The Saab 9-3 is Erik Carlsson as a sports sedan from 42,350 euros, the Sport Combi will cost 43,950 euros.