Saab 9-3

The Saab 9-3 is an in early 1998 introduced, front wheel drive, five -seater passenger car model from the Swedish manufacturer Saab. Due to the bankruptcy of Saab, production was discontinued in December 2011. On September 18, 2013, the production started initially with pre-production vehicles again. On December 2, the series production starts.

• 2.1 facelift 2.1.1 2007
• 2.1.2 2011

9-3 I (Type YS3D, 1998-2003)

Saab 9-3 Sedan (1998-2003 )

The first 9-3 was the direct successor to the Saab 900 II

Due to the numerous changes ( depending on the source and counting 450-1100 ) mainly due to the mechanics, though not so much in design, model change can not be considered a " facelift " in the true sense. The most striking distinguishing feature are the modified tailgate with the now higher up, between the taillights mounted license plate, and the slightly modified radiator grille. To keep up to date crash safety is now also standard side airbags, which are integrated in the new seats. The first 9-3 was available as a five-door hatchback, three-door station wagon coupe and as a convertible. The drag coefficient was 0.34; However, for the model by Viggen front spoiler and improved underbody air flow 0.31. The attachments are also available as aerodynamics kit. After completion of the production of the 9-3 sedan in Trollhättan in summer 2002 Manufacturing According to Nystad / Finland was relocated. As of the 1999 model year is also the first Saab a standard developed by Steyr -Puch and Opel produced in Kaiserslautern diesel engine with 2.2 liter displacement, a VP44 injection pump from Bosch and two balance shafts, has been offered with initially 85 and later 92 kW.

In Nystad production of the first 9-3 series ended on 25 April 2003. Of the 7,789 built in Finland sedans were over 6,000 type Viggen. From 9-3 I 326 370 copies were made ​​.

Saab 9-3 Coupe (1998-2003 )

Saab 9-3 Convertible (1998-2003 )

Motors

9-3 II (type YS3F, 2002-2011 )

Saab 9-3 Sedan (2002-2007)

Even before the end of production of its predecessor followed in September 2002, the new model, which is based on the GM Epsilon platform. In contrast to the 900 of 1993 and 9-3 in 1998 was the new 9-3 not to buy more than hatchback variant, but as a notchback sedan. This should be the most appealing form with the highest sales figures at this time according to market research. The drag coefficient is 0.28. The convertible followed in August 2003. Contrary to widespread opinion, the Saab 9-3 II was just a modified Opel Vectra C, was available from only 30 percent of all parts in this car from the GM- shelf. The remaining 70 percent have been developed by Saab. This is also the reason why GM has no license rights to this car ( unlike the Saab 9- 5II and Saab 9 -4X).

As of March 2005, the station wagon was offered 9-3 ( Cd value 0.33; However, with larger frontal area than the Saab 9-3 I had ). He served as a so-called sport or lifestyle combined the same target group as the station wagons of the middle class, for example, BMW, Audi and Mercedes -Benz, which means that the manufacturer has driving skills and stylistic aspects under the term "sport" in front of the pure transport qualities found. In this ( by the name SportCombi underlined ) orientation of the 9-3 combi follows its larger sister model, the Saab 9-5. Accordingly, the boot capacity 419 l (combined ) decreased from 494 l to 425 l at 9-3 I (salon ) or.

For diesel engines, there was until 2004 only a slightly revised version of the 2.2 -liter engine from the previous model. As of 2004, there is the 1.9 - liter diesel engines developed in a collaboration between GM and Fiat with 110 kW ( 16 valves ) and 88 kW (8 valves). These are now fitted as standard with a maintenance- free particulate filter and comply with the Euro 4 standard. Since these engines are also used in almost all Opel, Alfa and Fiat models, a spare parts is usually easy and inexpensive. As with all modern diesel engines are broken swirl flaps and the EGR valve ( exhaust gas recirculation) is the most common source of error. Also, all 1.9 TiD models are available with 6- speed manual transmission or a 6- speed automatic transmission.

In deviating optics of 9-3 was also built as a Cadillac BLS Saab.

The Saab 9-3 II also has a high accident safety, peaking in 2002 at the Crash Test 5 of 5 stars.

As standard, there were:

• Driver and front passenger airbags
• Side airbags
• Head airbags (solid way to the rear )
• ABS
• ESP
• Traction control
• Cornering Brake Control
• Mechanical brake booster
• Electronic Brake Assist
• 2nd generation active head restraints on front seats
• Three-point inertia reel seat belts on all five seats
• ComSense ( delayed messages from the onboard computer in dangerous situations )

Saab 9-3 Convertible (2003-2007)

Saab 9-3 Sport Combi ( 2005-2007)

Facelift

2007

With the appearance of the 9-3 SportCombi, the interior has been revised and now offered a new navigation system, climate control and another lightweight design changes in the speedometer area.

In autumn 2007, the front styling was based on the Saab 9-2X sold only in the United States. To motor range two BioPower engines came with a turbo charger for all model variants - a 1.8t with 129 kW (175 hp) and a 2.0t with 147 kW ( 200 hp ) (18 per kW more than when operating with premium gasoline ). As a new diesel engine, a 1.9 TTiD with Biturbo, 132 kW ( 180 hp ) and 400 Nm (370 Nm with automatic transmission) has been introduced.

As of 2008, the 9-3 is also available with all-wheel drive (brand name XWD, a Haldex clutch fourth generation with electronic / hydraulic control and the rear differential ). As the first four-wheel drive model, the Turbo X limited edition model with 206 kW (280 hp) was introduced in late 2007. This vehicle was limited to 2,000 units.

In the spring of 2009, another work based on the combination model with SUV appearance was ( placed higher, black plastic trim ) is presented, which was sold from the fall of 2009 as a 9- 3X.

Rear view

Saab 9-3 Sport Combi ( 2007-2011)

Saab 9-3 Convertible (2007-2011)

Saab 9- 3X ( 2009-2011)

Rear view

2011

In spring 2011 the 9-3 got another facelift, with which he was given the name Griffin. This version has received many modifications to the front and rear in accordance with the Saab 9-5 II, an interior space with improved material quality and updated engines such as gasoline direct injection for twin-scroll turbo and technology for the 1.9 -liter diesel engines. In addition, the rear was " cleaned-up ". The thus attributable Cross logo was replaced with the first Saab models by the classic logo.

All the engines met from then on the Euro - 5 standard also.

For the end of 2012 the launch of the third generation of the 9-3 was planned. For this, both the Epsilon II platform and the smaller delta platform ( eg from the Opel Astra J known) used in the new 9-5 were originally studied, but finally decided that the current, already compared to the Epsilon - I platform modified platform of further 9-3 II. Due to the bankruptcy of Saab, these plans were not realized.

Dimensions

Specifications

• Note: The TiD or TTiD lettering of the 1.9 -liter model with 150 or 180 hp differs from the other diesel models by the red-colored letter T.

9-3 II (type YTN, since 2013)

Since 18 September 2013, the 9-3 is again produced in Trollhättan factory. Were prepared by first pre-production vehicles that have not yet had all the new features of the planned series production (type YTN ).

In August 2013, the owner NEVS a version with electric drive announced for 2014. In the same month the preparation of series production began.

On 2 December 2013, the series production started. In the Saab 9-3 from 2013, the engine delivers 2.0 liters of displacement with turbo 220 hp (162 kW). This engine of the Saab 9-5 II had already from the year 2010.

Racing

The Saab 9-3 Viggen Pikes Peak has been specially converted for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2000. For this purpose, the 2.0 16V Turbo ( B204L ) from the previous model Saab 900 was tuned by the resident in Trollhättan company Troll Speed ​​and reached 552 kW ( 750 hp ), 2 years later even 588 kW ( 800 hp). The driver Per Eklund was set up in 2000 with the car a class record of 11:20,580 minutes in class " Pikes Peak Open", which existed until 2012. 2002 Per Eklund achieved with the improved vehicle even a time of 11:13,200 minutes, but this time in the "Unlimited " class. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 2.3 seconds and has a four-wheel drive with programmable active differentials.