Saab Great Britain commissions limited edition 9-3 to honour Rally legend

Erik Carlsson is a lively man of 81 years. He spends most of his time as an ambassador for Saab. But 50 years ago, Mr. Carlsson was busy winning consecutive RAC victories for the Swedish automaker.

Driving a 750cc, three-cylinder Saab 96, Carlsson won the Monte Carlo rally twice, and went on to win the Acropolis, the San Romeo and many other rallies of the early 1960's, giving Saab the worldwide recognition that it needed to become a global car brand.

So in many ways, Mr. Carlsson helped introduce Saab to the world.

And to honour his efforts, Saab Great Britain will be offering 96 Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson editions. The car is powered by a 280-hp 2.8 litre V6, and it will get from 0-60 mph in just 6.9 seconds.

The Carlsson edition features an advanced all-wheel drive system, called Saab XWD. It has an electronic rear limited-slip differential, and the computers constantly distribute the engine's 400 NM of torque evenly between the front and rear axles. The rear axle even splits its half of the torque evenly between the two back wheels.

Combine all of that technology, with a standard Sport suspension, 19-inch wheels, and a rear-levelling system. And you wind up with a Saab that not only honours a rally champion, but it handles like a rally car too.