A potent 550 bhp Saab 9-3 Aero Sport Saloon is being unleashed by Swedish rallycross champion Per Eklund in his pursuit of the 2005 European Rallycross Championship.
The 'extreme', all-wheel drive Aero, which can accelerate to 100 km/h faster than a Formula One car, has been developed in co-operation with Saab Automobile and is sponsored by Clarion and Shell. It is the first rallycross application for the 9-3 Aero Sport Saloon and replaces Eklund's previous 9-3 hatchback model, in which he won the 2000 European championship and last year's Swedish series.
The Sport Saloon bodyshape provides improved aerodynamics, with less drag resistance and lower high-speed lift forces. The car's revised suspension geometry, allowing wider front and rear tracks, and its longer wheelbase are also expected to give better handling and stability. Using carbon fibre and other lightweight materials, Eklund's team has also been able, for the first time, to meet the European championship's minimum weight requirement, 1200 kilos this year, putting their car on an equal footing with competitors using WRC-based cars.
The Saab 2-0-litre engine, developed by local engine tuner Trollspeed, punches out a remarkable 550 bhp and 750 Nm peak torque, despite the presence of a mandatory 45 mm air restrictor. The all-wheel-drive transmission gives even more impressive traction, catapulting the car to 100 km/h from a standing start in just 2.2 seconds, about a second faster than a current Formula One car.
The car has made an encouraging debut so far and Eklund says he is looking forward to showing the car's true potential in coming rounds.
"This is undoubtedly the most competitive car we have ever developed," says Eklund, 58, who has twice won his class for Saab at the famous Pike's Peak hillclimb in the United States. "The Sport Saloon body gives us a better balance and more effective aerodynamics. On smooth circuits, we will also be able to run the car much lower. I am very optimistic about our chances and can't wait to show what we can really do."
