If nothing else, Johansson knows how to enjoy his toy. Nor does he aim to be a quarter-mile hero. With the car's programmable active differentials, he can shift the car from AWD to rear-drive effortlessly. "If I want to play, it is very easy to smoke the rear tires," he says, smiling.
We would hardly expect everyone to run out and buy a Saab after having seen this one, but as long as the likes of Johansson and his 9-3 X4R are around, the Saab tuner underground is getting one hell of an image boost.
2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO X4R
Layout
Longitudinal front engine, all-wheel drive
Engine
'94 Saab 900 transplant, 2.0-liter in-line four, bottom end rebuilt to 9.35:1 compression, custom forced induction system with Turbonetics compressor and Racecoolings intercooler, custom head and valvetrain, custom intake manifold, Pectal T6 ECU
Transmission
Tractive five-speed sequential manual, AP Racing triple-plate clutch, Trollspeed lightweight flywheel, Tractive four-wheel-drive system with programmable hydraulic differentials, custom hybrid driveshaft
Suspension
Custom Bilstein race coilovers
Brakes
Tarox 12-piston calipers, 15-inch rotors (f), Tarox 8-piston calipers, 14.2-inch rotors (r)
Wheels and Tires
BBS RS GT, 10x20Yokohama Advan Sport, 255/30
Exterior
Carbon fiber bumper, fenders, rear bumper extension, roof and trunk lid, aluminum hood, Wargia rear wing
Interior
Multi-point rollcage, Sparco Evo VTR race seats, Sparco harnesses and steering wheel, carbon floor plates, custom dash and center console
Performance
Peak Power: 802 bhp
Peak Torque: 572 lb-ft