Saab 9-3 Cars For Sale In United States

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In early 1998, the Swedes presented an updated version of their 900th model. By analogy with the new flagship of the company - the Saab 9-5 sedan - the car was named 9-3.

Outwardly, it was very reminiscent of the ancestor of the 900th model, only the front part became more like a Saab 9-5. The biggest update in the interior is the speedometer with a non-linear scale, the digitization of which is "stretched" to 140 km / h and "compressed" after. Scales of a similar plan are widely used in aircraft engineering.

The first generation Saab 9-3 has three body types. For the most practical, 5-door hatchback. To maintain the sporty image of the model - a 3-door hatchback. For those who like to stand out from the city stream - a beautiful convertible. It was produced in Finland at the Valmet Automotive plant.

There were five engines for them, and all four-cylinder. Two gasoline naturally aspirated displacement of 2.0 and 2.3 liters and a capacity of 130 and 150 hp. respectively, a 2.0-liter gasoline turbo version delivering 185 horsepower, and a 2.2-liter turbodiesel - 115 hp.

The fastest modification of the 9-3 series was named 9-3 Viggen in honor of the first jetth fighter firm. This model was equipped with a turbocharged 2.3 liter engine producing 225 hp. The car received reinforced, compared to the standard version, brakes and a stiffer sports suspension, which was developed in conjunction with specialists from the British company TWR.

Three types of transmissions were installed on the Saab 9-3. The most exotic and very rare was a mechanic with an automatic clutch (such a box is called Sensonic). Gears are switched there like in any manual box - by moving plever, but there is no clutch pedal at all! Sensonic appeared in 1995, but after several years of production of this transmission, Saab decided not to make it anymore - it turned out to be too expensive and not in great demand. But the standard 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic of the Japanese company Aisin have established themselves as very reliable gearboxes.

The car is distinguished by a high degree of equipment: the basic version is already equipped with a hydraulic booster, air conditioning, airbag, ABS and power accessories. AerodynamicsAn electronic molding kit is also included as standard. In addition, Swedish cars have such an unusual twist as the night mode of the instrument panel illumination, when the readings of the on-board computer, air conditioning and everything else go out, except for the speedometer backlight.

It is noteworthy that the Saab 9-3 is one of the safety record holders in its class. In addition to the extensive programmed crumple zones in the front and rear, the passenger compartment of the vehicle is equipped with a very robusta load-bearing structure with multiple stiffeners from floor to roof. In addition, active head restraints SAHR (Saab Active Head Restrains) and a complete set of airbags are responsible for providing passive safety here.

In the fall of 1999, the Saab 9-3 Aero appeared. This car took an intermediate position between the "simple" 9-3 with a 185 hp turbo engine. and a 225-horsepower Viggen.

For many fans of powerful turbocharged engines, he became the first affordable car of this class, combining the prestige of the brand, remarkable power and moderatethe price.

A cramped cabin, an abundance of instruments - all this requires mastering and getting used to, which does not come immediately. There is even a boost pressure sensor, and in principle, the operation of the on-board computer is not easy to figure out without reading the instructions - it has so many functions. The number of buttons per square meter around the driver of the Saab 9-3 Aero is hard to find equal. They are scattered everywhere: mirrors control - on the front door pillar, power windows - between the driver and passenger, the trunk lock - in the center of the driver's door upholstery. Sport modeis activated by a button on the automatic gearbox handle, and the winter mode is the same, but located already next to the gear selector. This is Saab's signature style, different from the generally accepted one.

The two-liter engine was brought to a power of 205 hp. The power unit was installed on a standard 9-3 chassis, which led to a noticeable decrease in handling and directional stability at high speeds.

In 2002, the brand new 9-3 debuts. The appearance of the second generation marked a major change in the brand's policy. First, they gave up scrapspackaging hatchback in favor of the classic representative sedan. The name Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan was not chosen by chance. With this step, the company's marketers emphasized the character and features of the model. The 9-3 family also includes a station wagon and a convertible.

The second generation Saab 9-3 was built on the Epsilon platform on which the Opel Vectra is based. In fairness, it should be noted that many of the elements are specially modified and configured differently. The rear suspension uses new flexible elements designed to provide a steering effect when cornering. And the helmsmanThe mechanism of our own - "Saab" - development.

The car is equipped exclusively with turbo engines and new mechanical and automatic transmissions. The rear has a ReAxs multi-link suspension, and the steering has been redesigned to improve its sensitivity and precision. The range of electronic active safety systems has been drastically expanded: the 9-3 received anti-lock and traction control systems, brake force distribution systems on the straight line and in corners, and the stub system is also included in the list of optionsESP. All these measures are intended to help the 9-3 model compete on an equal footing with its premium brand classmates (primarily the BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-class). It is remarkable that with all the innovations, this car is two hundred percent Saab.

A worthy vehicle with stylish looks and artfully designed interiors. Thanks to the well-thought-out interior space and the latest technological developments, the salon has turned out to be comfortable, cozy and excellently equipped. Saab, according to the style of interior design of its cars,is true to tradition, so the interior has not undergone significant changes for several decades. The interior decoration is dominated by a strict color scheme, which is also typical for the entire model range of the company. To decorate the space, both classic materials are used - for example, leather, as well as ultramodern fabrics and plastics. For the interior design of the second generation Saab 9-3, textured fabric with leather inserts was used. Leather inserts in the door panels are combined with leather-trimmed seats, steering wheelscaffolding and gear lever. Fully upholstered leather seats can be ordered if desired.

Compared to the previous model, the interior of the car has become more spacious. The driver's seat is very well equipped. The steering column is adjustable in height and tilt. The three-spoke steering wheel fits comfortably in the hand and completes the feeling of complete control over the car. At both low and high speeds, the steering response is excellent, and the external sentronic control keys allow you to shift the gear of the sequential without taking your hands offsteering wheel. Also on the steering wheel are buttons for controlling the audio system, allowing you to increase the volume or switch the station without being distracted from the road if you want. Under the right hand there is a convenient adjustable armrest, behind which there is an additional 12V socket.

The ignition switch (which is quite common, but only for SAAB) is placed in the tunnel between the front seats - right behind the gearshift lever.

The safety of the car is at a very high level, as evidenced by the EuroNCAP tests, where the SAAB 9-3 received five stars - the highest mark. In stdArtistic equipment includes front airbags for the passenger and driver, side and upper airbags, belt pretensioners, active front seat head restraints and many other systems that ensure safety in emergency situations.

Well, the main advantage of Saab is the famous turbo engines, in the production of which Swedish engineers have reached a high level in 25 years. For the 9-3 Sport Sedan, the Swedes have developed a new two-liter engine with an aluminum block and cylinder head. There are three options:about the unit. The most modest is the 150-horsepower 2.0t engine. Further in the lineup there is a 2.0T engine (unlike the previous one in the capital "T"), which already develops 175 hp. The top 2.0 Turbo engine with a more efficient turbocharger develops 210 hp.

The Saab 9-3 remains a front-wheel drive vehicle as before. The engines are paired with a five- or six-speed manual transmission. And for a surcharge, you can get a five-speed "automatic" "Saab Sentronic", with a gearshift function on the steering wheel. The car is presented in three trim levels: "Linear "," Arc "and" Vector ".

For production vehicles, there are two types of suspension - standard and sports, which is only installed on the Saab 9-3 Aero. Structurally, the suspensions are the same, but for the Aero the suspension is "sharpened" differently - in a sporty way.

At first, the Saab 9-3 of the second generation was produced only in the sedan body, but already in 2003 a convertible appeared (Convertible). Despite the obvious external similarity with the Sport Sedan, the version with a folding roof was made not on the basis of the sedan, but separately from it - development models were paralleledbut.

It is known that such a body structure reduces its rigidity, and this negatively affects handling and comfort. The Swedes have improved the torsional rigidity index three times compared to the previous model! This was achieved due to the fact that the front and rear parts of the car, as well as the side power elements are united by a kind of stiffening ring, which largely compensates for the absence of a roof, having a positive effect on driving performance and passive safety.

Convertible is traditionally modern for everyoneSaab offers the highest level of protection. It is implemented as follows. The front seats have integrated frames on which the seat belts are attached. Frontal cushions are adaptive, their anti-shock effect depends on the force of the impact. Side airbags protect the head and torso of those sitting in the car and also have two stages of operation.

The list of electronic devices includes "active" head restraints SAHR (Saab Active Head Restraints), which protect the neck and spine of the passenger from injuries in a rear impact. If it comes to a coup, thenSeveral protection components (the DynaCage system) come into action at once: the seat belt pretensioners are triggered and the safety bows at the rear are “fired”. A powerful body structure with reinforced front struts and a calculated deformation algorithm leaves a large margin of space for those sitting in the car in the event of an accident.

According to the ideology of the Saab 9-3 family, excellent handling is one of the main advantages of this model. The suspension is exactly like the 9-3 Sport Sedan. Its settings should please the active driver.

Dvthe gamers are also familiar to us from the sedan. These are two-liter sixteen-valve units equipped with a turbocharger. Power - 175 or 210 hp. There are three gearboxes to choose from: two manual (six steps for powerful versions and five for weaker ones) and a new automatic with the possibility of manual sequential switching Saab Sentronic. The peculiarity of this box is that it adapts to the driving style of the person sitting behind the wheel and road conditions.

The roof is another design masterpiece. It automatically folds in twenty seconds. Moreover, in"Combat position" frees up decent space in the trunk. The roof of the convertible is mounted on six brackets (in the past there were five).

Improved vibration and noise insulation. The drag coefficient Cx is a very decent 0.34 for a convertible.

The model is positioned by its creators as a means of transportation for those who do not like compromises and are used to being guided in life not only by considerations of rationality, but also by emotions. Like the very first Saab 9-3 convertible, the new car is focused primarily on the AmericanKansk market. Collected at the Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik plant in Austria.

In the fall of 2005, sales of upgraded versions of the Saab 9-3 with an updated engine lineup began in Europe. Since the 2006 model year, the range of engines has been opened by a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine with a capacity of 122 hp, followed by a 2.0-liter turbo version with a capacity of 150 hp, 175 hp. or 210 hp (Aero version). The line of power units is crowned with new 2.8-liter turbocharged Holden turbo engines with a capacity of either 230 hp or 250 hp.

In addition, some markets offerTurbo diesel engines with a volume of 1.9 liters are used, developing 120 hp in the 8-valve version, and 150 hp in the 16-valve version. The turbo diesel meets Euro 4 environmental standards and is equipped with a new self-cleaning particulate filter that significantly reduces CO2 emissions. The choice of gearbox - 5- or 6-speed "mechanics" or 5- or 6-speed "automatic".

The monumentality of the center console, the instrument cluster and the overall styling of the cabin are made in the tradition of the Saab brand. The steering wheel upholstered in soft leather has the usual set of buttons: audio control,abundant telephone, cruise control. In addition, there is a new button that controls the AVR system, which allows the driver to give voice commands by operating the navigation system, built-in telephone, CD player and radio. The Saab 9-3 Sport sedan also uses the ComSens system, which cuts off emergency warnings or incoming calls to the built-in mobile phone when the driver drives the car in extreme modes. At the end of the "dangerous modes" indicators on the panel light up and incoming calls startt be accepted. The same system includes the "night panel" function, which leaves only the backlight of the speedometer in the dark, so as not to distract the driver in the dark.

Outside, it's the same Saab 9-3. Body-colored bumpers and door sills give the vehicle a more aggressive look. 17-inch wheels and a boot lid spoiler leave no doubt about the sporting ambition.

In the summer of 2005, sales of the Saab 9-3 Sport Combi, a sports station wagon based on the 9-3 Sport Sedan, began in Europe. For the sake of dynamic styling, the designers refused toincreasing the length of the body, as a result, the volume of the luggage compartment is from 419 to 1273 liters. The range of engines and equipment is similar to the sedan.

The next update Saab 9-3 will receive in mid-2007, taking some features from the Aero X concept. But a completely new generation of the 9-3 model can be expected no earlier than 2010. According to some reports, four-wheel drive will be available as an option on the sedan.

List of the Saab models