Saab's new 9-3 (2007): first official pictures

By Ben Whitworth

First Official Pictures

15 May 2007 11:47

Is this really an all-new Saab 9-3?

It’s as new as new Saab 9-3s get, until the real new 9-3 arrives in 2010. The Swedish company has once more given its ageing 9-3 a new lease of life with this heavily revised new version – topped of by a rapid 300bhp twin-turbo performance version. Due to arrive here in September, the 9-3’s new styling will also be adopted by the cabriolet and estate versions. There’s no word on pricing yet, but expect a small increase to the familiar line-up of Airflow, Linear SE, Vector Sport and Aero models, with prices starting at around £18,000 for the entry-level 1.8-litre model. The 9-3’s out-my-way looks draw design inspiration from the Aero-X concept car shown at the Paris Motor Show last year. Check out the deep shield-shaped grille emblazoned with the Saab name, the similarly aggressive flanking nostrils, the welcome return of the clamshell bonnet and boldly flared front wheelarches.

Hard to tell I’m afraid. These will be the only pictures Saab will release of its new baby until September. We know the cabin is, bar a few minor modifications, carried over in its entirety from the outgoing model, while the rear of both hatch and cabrio get the opaque ‘ice-cube’ tail-lights of the estate. The doors are reskinned, in keeping with the rest of the sheetmetal changes Those of you who ever had the misfortune to drive the wayward Viggen – a car that sits beneath the entry for torque steer in the Oxford Concise Dictionary - will be glad to hear that Saab has installed a simple but effective Haldex type all-wheel-drive system to tame all that power. The 2.8-litre biturbo unit – borrowed from the outgoing Aero model – gets a raft of mechanical and electronic upgrades to boost power to 300bhp, with an anticipated 300lb ft of torque for searing in-gear go. Expect a 6.0sec dash to 60mph and an electronically controlled 155mph top speed. And no Viggen badge.

By Ben Whitworth