For Release: Aug. 1, 2005

SAAB 9-3

New for 2006

Model Lineup

Engines

Transmissions

2.0L I-4 Turbo

2.8L V-6T
(Aero)

5-spd man

5-spd auto

6-spd man

6-spd auto

9-3 Sedan

s

-

s

o

-

-

9-3 Aero Sport Sedan

-

s

-

-

s

o

9-3 SportCombi

s

-

s

o

-

-

9-3 Aero Sport Combi

-

s

-

-

s

o

9-3 Convertible

s

-

s

o

-

-

9-3 Aero Convertible

-

s

-

-

s

o

Key:
Standard s
Optional o
Not available –

SAAB DEBUTS 9-3 SPORTCOMBI MIDSIZE AND TURBO V-6 WAGON FOR 2006

Saab is in the midst of the most aggressive new product development offensive in its 58-year history, and the all- new Saab 9-3 SportCombi is an essential part of an expanding portfolio. The SportCombi moves Saab into the premium, midsize wagon segment for the first time by combining distinctive design, sporty driving dynamics and the functionality of a five-door.

Its strong, compact proportions reaffirm Saab’s tradition of sporty, versatile cars, and its cohesive five-door styling and solid, muscular stance clearly mark the SportCombi as a member of the 9-3 family.

The SportCombi, launching in the fourth quarter of 2005, will appeal to customers who need the versatility of a wagon, including smart load-carrying features and a generously proportioned cargo area, without compromising their desire for driving satisfaction.

Also for 2006, Saab merges the 9-3 Linear and Arc into a single base model; the 9-3 Aero receives a new 250-horsepower 2.8L V-6 Turbo engine; the Aero range gets new 17-inch wheels and tires; all sedan and convertible models now have body color door handles and the convertible has standard leather seating. The sedan and SportCombi now offer red walnut trim as part of the Premium Package.

9-3 SportCombi

Like the rest of the 9-3 range, the SportCombi is designed to deliver a unique, fun-to-drive experience that sets the standard for its class. I n 2004, Saab sold more than 27,000 9-3 models in the U.S. , including more than 6,100 convertibles.

The newest 9-3 SportCombi carries on the Saab tradition of five-door models that began in 1959 with the Saab 95 Wagon. In 1973, Saab launched another landmark design with the innovative Saab 99 Combi Coupe. Of the more than 500,000 Saabs on the road in the U.S. today, nearly half are hatchbacks.

The top-of-the-line, high-performance Aero SportCombi model features an all-new turbocharged aluminum 2.8L V-6 engine that makes 250 horsepower (186.4 kw) and 258 lb.-ft. (350 Nm) of torque. A 6-speed manual gearbox comes standard, and a 6-speed Sentronic automatic with steering wheel controls is available. The SportCombi can also be ordered with Saab’s 210 horsepower (157 kw) in-line 4-cylinder turbo.

With a wedge-like profile and Saab signature styling cues, the close-coupled proportions of the SportCombi include useful load-carrying features and a surprisingly spacious cargo area.

The exterior also offers a sporty, distinctive alternative to conventional wagon proportions, with the traditional Saab “hockey stick” beltline, fastbackrear quarter styling, steeply raked taillight lenses and LED bulbs.

The 9-3 SportCombi has zero lift levels at both axles (0.00 Clf and 0.00 Clr). The car has an excellent drag coefficient of 0.33, impressive high-speed stability, and a standard integrated rear roof spoiler.

Inside, the main cargo area floor lifts to divide the space into two separate sections and to reveal additional storage in the recessed sub-floor.

The Saab 9-3 SportCombi will have an MSRP of under $30,000.

9-3 Sedan and Convertible

For 2006, the sedan and convertible Linear and Arc models have been merged into a single base model. This model features a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo engine with 210 horsepower (157 kw), twin 5-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels, a power driver’s seat, body color rocker panels and bumper skirts, and an infotainment audio system with 150 watts and seven speakers.

The 9-3 Aero model features the new 250-horsepower (186.4 kw) 2.8L V-6 Turbo engine used on the SportCombi, and a choice of 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

The Aero model also receives 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels with 235/45 R17 all-season tires. Both sedan and convertible models also have body color door handles for 2006.

With a steeply raked windshield, wedge-like profile and short front and rear overhangs, all the 9-3 models convey a sense of movement even while standing still. The shape of the windows combines with the sleek, integrated headlights and grille to emphasize the distinctive Saab identity.

The 9-3 lineup is the product of the most exhaustive development program in chassis dynamics undertaken by Saab. The kinetics of the rear suspension, for example, are tuned for a unique rear-wheel-steer response to attain optimum handling and stability. The four-link independent rear suspension with high lateral stiffness adds stability and grip; longitudinal compliance enhances ride comfort.

The Saab 9-3 model lineup is built from “the driver outward.” That means the cabin ergonomics, instrumentation, controls and seating position are all developed from the driver’s perspective. As a result, the advanced safety features benefit all who use these vehicles.

Saab engineers developed the architecture for the 9-3 Convertible concurrently with the Sport Sedan and SportCombi, enabling them to incorporate their demanding requirements for an open-top car from the very start. The result is a premium convertible with a level of structural integrity, build quality and driving refinement that positions it at the top of its class.

 New 2.8L V-6 Turbo

The new 2.8L V-6 Turbo is the most sophisticated turbocharged engine ever offered in a Saab vehicle, delivering excellent responsiveness through low-speed torque and high-rpm power, as well as exceptional refinement. It features a technologically advanced 60-degree, dual overhead-cam architecture designed to produce strong power and excellent fuel economy to meet different needs in markets around the world.

Technology such as a twin-scroll turbocharger and variable intake valve timing helps the 2.8L V-6 Turbo achieve 250 horsepower (184 kw) and 258 lb.-ft. of torque (350 Nm) in the 9-3.

The V-6 has a lightweight aluminum cylinder block with iron cylinder sleeves, an aluminum structural oil pan and aluminum cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder. It builds on those strengths with components and technology developed specifically for the turbo system, including:

# # #

Contact:
Tom Beaman
Saab Communications
Phone: 313-667-6602
Fax: 313-665-0349
Email: tom.beaman@gm.com
Online: http://media.saab.com

GM of Canada Communications
Tony LaRocca
Phone: 905-644-1804
Fax: 905-644-3873
Email: richard.james@gm.com

GM de Mexico Communications
Juan Bernardo Urrutia
Phone: 011(5255) 5901-3046
Email: juanbernardo.urrutia@gm.com

SPECIFICATIONS

(See GM of Canada section for Canadian product differences.)

Overview

Models:

9-3 Sport Sedan , 9-3 Convertible, 9-3 SportCombi

Body style / driveline:

Sedan : 4-door, 5-passenger, front-wheel drive; Convertible: 2-door, 4-passenger, front-wheel drive; SportCombi: 5-door, 5-passenger, front-wheel drive

EPA vehicle class:

premium compact sport sedan, convertible and sport wagon

Manufacturing location:

Sedan & SportCombi: Trollhättan , Sweden ; Convertible: Graz , Austria

Key competitors:

BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Volvo S60, Volvo V50, Mercedes C-Class

Engines

2.0T

2.8L V-6T

Application:

std on base

std on Aero

Type:

2.0L I-4 high output turbo

2.8L V-6-cylinder high output turbo

Displacement (cu in / cc):

121 / 1988

170 / 2792

Bore & stroke (in / mm):

3.38 x 3.38 / 86 x 86

3.5 x 2.94 / 89 x 74.8

Block material:

aluminum

aluminum

Cylinder head material:

aluminum

356-T6 aluminum

Valvetrain:

dual double overhead chain-driven camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder, dual counter-rotating balance shafts

dual overhead cam, 4 valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing

Ignition system:

Saab Trionic-8

Bosch Motronic ME 9.6

Fuel delivery:

direct ignition, multi-point fuel injection

distributerless ignition, multi-point fuel injection

Compression ratio:

9.5:1

9.5:1

Horsepower (hp / kw @ rpm):

210 / 157 @ 5500

250 / 186.4@ 5500

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):

221 / 300 @ 2500

258 / 350 @ 2000

Aspiration:

water-cooled turbocharger with APC charge pressure control, intercooler

water-cooled turbocharger with APC charge pressure control, intercooler

Estimated fuel economy

(mpg city / hwy / combined):

23 / 34 / 28

TBD

Transmissions

Type:

5-speed manual,

std on base

5-speed Sentronic

automatic, opt on

base

6-speed manual,

std on Aero

6-speed auto,

opt on Aero

Gear ratios (:1):

 

First:

3.58 3.38

4.56

3.77

4.15

Second:

1.88 1.76

2.98

2.04

2.37

Third:

1.18 1.18

1.95

1.37

1.56

Fourth:

0.89 0.89

1.32

1.05

1.15

Fifth:

0.66 0.66

1.00

0.85

0.86

Sixth:

- -

-

0.71

0.69

Reverse:

3.43 3.17

5.02

3.54

3.39

Final drive ratio:

3.82 4.05

2.44

3.55

3.53

Chassis/Suspension

Front:

MacPherson struts, gas shock absorbers, anti-roll bar, hydroformed sub-frame

Rear:

independent, 4-link (including toe-link), coil springs, gas shock absorbers, anti-roll bar, sub-frame, Re-Axs rear-wheel steering system

Steering type:

power-assisted rack and pinion

Steering ratio:

16.0:1

Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:

2.97

Turning circle, curb to curb (ft / m):

35.4 / 10.8

 Brakes

Type:

4-wheel disc, hydraulic, dual-circuit with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), mechanical brake assist (MBA), vacuum booster, anti-lock braking system (ABS), traction control system (TCS) and electronic stability program (ESP), ventilated front discs, ventilated rear discs on Aero models

Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm):

front: 11.14 / 283 base; 11.81 / 300 Aero

rear: 10.87 / 276 base; 11.42 / 290 Aero

 Wheels and Tires

Wheel size and type:

9-3: 6.5 x 16 five-spoke twin, alloy wheels

9-3 Aero: 7.5 x 17 five-spoke, alloy wheels

Tires:

9-3: 215/55 R16 93H all-season radial tires

9-3 Aero: 235/45 R17 94V all-season radial tires

 Dimensions

Exterior

Sedan

Convertible

SportCombi

Wheelbase (in / mm):

105.3 / 2675

105.3 / 2675

105.3 / 2675

Overall length (in / mm):

182.5 / 4636

182.4 / 4633

183.2 / 4653

Overall width (in / mm):

69 / 1753

69.3 / 1760

69.4 / 1753

Overall height (in / mm):

5608 / 1433

56.4 / 1433

60.6 / 1443

Track (in / mm):

front: 59.9 / 1521

rear: 59.3 / 1506

front: 59.94 / 1521

rear: 59.3 / 1506

front: 59.9 / 1521

rear: 59.3 / 1506

Minimum ground clearance

(in / mm):

5.9 / 150

6.1 / 155

5.9 / 150

Curb weight (lb / kg):

Sedan: 3175 – 3285 / 1440 – 1490

Convertible: 3480 – 3700 / 1578 – 1678

SportCombi : 3175 – 3285

Weight distribution
(% front / rear):

Sedan : 53 / 47

Convertible: 60 / 40

SportCombi: 60 / 40

Interior

Seating capacity

(front / rear):

Sedan : 2 / 3

Convertible: 2 / 2

SportCombi: 2 / 3

Headroom (in / mm):

Sedan

Convertible

SportCombi

front: 38.9 / 988.1

front: 38.1 / 967.7

front: 38.9 / 988.1

rear: 37 / 939.8

rear: 37 / 939.8

rear: 37 / 939.8

Legroom (in / mm):

front: 42.3 / 1074.4

front: 41.4 / 1051.6

front: 42.3 / 1074.4

rear: 35.1 / 891.5

rear: 32.3 / 820.4

rear: 35.1 / 891.5

Shoulder room (in / mm):

front: 56.3 / 1430.2

front: 55.9 / 1419.9

front: 56.3 / 1430.2

rear: 55.1 / 1399.5

rear: 44.7 / 1135.4

rear: 55.1 / 1399.5

Hip room (in / mm):

 

front: N/A

front: N/A

front: N/A

rear: N/A

rear: N/A

rear: N/A

Capacities

 

 

Cargo volume (cu ft / L):

Sedan : 15 / 425

Convertible: 12.4 / 351 (with top up), 8.3 / 235 with top down

SportCombi: 14.8 / 419

Fuel tank (gal / L):

16.4 / 62

Engine oil (qt / L) :

6.3 / 6.0 4-cylinder

6.0 / 5.7 6-cylinder

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

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