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2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible
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What Changed for 2008:
The 9-3 replaced the 900 in Saab's U.S. lineup in 1999. Though based on General Motors' Epsilon platform, which it shares with other GM cars (including the Saturn Aura and Pontiac G6), the Saab offers its own styling and exclusive turbocharged engines. It is also the only Epsilon-based car in the U.S. available as a sedan, wagon and convertible. For 2008, the 9-3 lineup takes a twist: Along with revised styling, the 9-3 gets an optional AWD system (which Saab calls Cross Wheel Drive, or XWD). The 9-3 is the first production car to use the fourth-generation Haldex differential, Saab claims. The 9-3 XWD also offers an optional electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential (eLSD). The XWD system is available on the top-of-the-line Aero model; to compensate for the extra weight, the 9-3 XWD's engine gets a boost in power to 280 hp. A limited-edition 9-3 Turbo X picks up where the 9-3 Viggen left off when it was discontinued in 2002. It features the 280-hp V-6 engine, XWD, sport-tuned suspension, and black paint.
Model Lineup
The 2008 Saab 9-3 sedan, wagon (SportCombi in Saab parlance) and convertible are available in 2.0T and Aero trim levels; the sedan and wagon are also available in Turbo X trim. The 2.0T models get a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine; power windows, mirrors, locks and driver's seat; leather seats; alloy wheels; dual-zone climate control; cruise control; rain-sensing wipers; CD/MP3 player; and satellite radio. Options include a navigation system; parking assist; power front seats with memory for the driver's seat and mirrors; sunroof; and semi-aniline leather seats. The Aero adds a 250-hp turbocharged V-6 engine; sportier body trim; upgraded stereo and interior trim; power passenger seat; and sunroof. The XWD system with 280-hp turbo V-6 engine and electronic limited-slip differential are added to the options list, though they are not available on the convertible. The limited-edition Turbo X adds black paint, unique body trim, the XWD system with eLSD, "Turbo Heritage" boost gauge and a personalized message on the electronic dashboard display.
Powertrain
The 9-3 2.0T is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 210 hp at 5500 rpm and 221 lb.-ft. of torque at 2500 rpm. The Aero comes with a 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 engine; it puts out 255 hp at 5500 rpm and 258 lb.-ft. of torque at 2000 rpm in front-wheel-drive form, 280 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque with AWD. All 9-3 engines come with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard; a 5-speed automatic is optional on the 2.0T, while a 6-speed automatic is offered for V-6-powered 9-3s. Both automatic transmissions feature manual gear selection as well as a new Sport mode.
Safety
All versions of the 2008 Saab 9-3 come standard with front and front-seat-mounted side air bags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control; sedan and wagon versions also get two-row side curtain air bags. Both sedan and convertible versions of the 9-3 earned a “Best Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with top ratings in frontal and side-impact tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 9-3 sedan and wagon 4 out of 5 stars in its frontal impact test. In the side-impact test, the 9-3 was awarded 5 stars for front occupants and 4 stars for rear occupants. Rollover rating for the 2008 Saab 9-3 is 4 stars. As of this writing, the NHTSA has not crash tested the 9-3 convertible.
Technology
According to Saab, the 2008 9-3's XWD system is the first to use Haldex's fourth-generation center differential. The system has the ability to pre-emptively send power to the rear wheels immediately upon take-off, rather than waiting for wheel slip at the front. An optional electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) means the system can shift power to the left-rear or right-rear wheel as needed for optimum traction.
- Revised front-end styling inspired by Aero X concept car
- 70 percent of sheetmetal on sedan is all new
- New clamshell-style hood
- Clear taillights
- Side-sill extensions now standard across the range
- New all-wheel-drive (AWD) system with 280-hp V-6 engine
- New limited-edition "Turbo X" model
- New Sport mode for automatic transmission
- Optional active headlights that turn with the steering wheel
- New tire-pressure-monitoring system
The 9-3 replaced the 900 in Saab's U.S. lineup in 1999. Though based on General Motors' Epsilon platform, which it shares with other GM cars (including the Saturn Aura and Pontiac G6), the Saab offers its own styling and exclusive turbocharged engines. It is also the only Epsilon-based car in the U.S. available as a sedan, wagon and convertible. For 2008, the 9-3 lineup takes a twist: Along with revised styling, the 9-3 gets an optional AWD system (which Saab calls Cross Wheel Drive, or XWD). The 9-3 is the first production car to use the fourth-generation Haldex differential, Saab claims. The 9-3 XWD also offers an optional electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential (eLSD). The XWD system is available on the top-of-the-line Aero model; to compensate for the extra weight, the 9-3 XWD's engine gets a boost in power to 280 hp. A limited-edition 9-3 Turbo X picks up where the 9-3 Viggen left off when it was discontinued in 2002. It features the 280-hp V-6 engine, XWD, sport-tuned suspension, and black paint.
Model Lineup
The 2008 Saab 9-3 sedan, wagon (SportCombi in Saab parlance) and convertible are available in 2.0T and Aero trim levels; the sedan and wagon are also available in Turbo X trim. The 2.0T models get a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine; power windows, mirrors, locks and driver's seat; leather seats; alloy wheels; dual-zone climate control; cruise control; rain-sensing wipers; CD/MP3 player; and satellite radio. Options include a navigation system; parking assist; power front seats with memory for the driver's seat and mirrors; sunroof; and semi-aniline leather seats. The Aero adds a 250-hp turbocharged V-6 engine; sportier body trim; upgraded stereo and interior trim; power passenger seat; and sunroof. The XWD system with 280-hp turbo V-6 engine and electronic limited-slip differential are added to the options list, though they are not available on the convertible. The limited-edition Turbo X adds black paint, unique body trim, the XWD system with eLSD, "Turbo Heritage" boost gauge and a personalized message on the electronic dashboard display.
Powertrain
The 9-3 2.0T is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 210 hp at 5500 rpm and 221 lb.-ft. of torque at 2500 rpm. The Aero comes with a 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 engine; it puts out 255 hp at 5500 rpm and 258 lb.-ft. of torque at 2000 rpm in front-wheel-drive form, 280 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque with AWD. All 9-3 engines come with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard; a 5-speed automatic is optional on the 2.0T, while a 6-speed automatic is offered for V-6-powered 9-3s. Both automatic transmissions feature manual gear selection as well as a new Sport mode.
Safety
All versions of the 2008 Saab 9-3 come standard with front and front-seat-mounted side air bags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control; sedan and wagon versions also get two-row side curtain air bags. Both sedan and convertible versions of the 9-3 earned a “Best Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with top ratings in frontal and side-impact tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 9-3 sedan and wagon 4 out of 5 stars in its frontal impact test. In the side-impact test, the 9-3 was awarded 5 stars for front occupants and 4 stars for rear occupants. Rollover rating for the 2008 Saab 9-3 is 4 stars. As of this writing, the NHTSA has not crash tested the 9-3 convertible.
Technology
According to Saab, the 2008 9-3's XWD system is the first to use Haldex's fourth-generation center differential. The system has the ability to pre-emptively send power to the rear wheels immediately upon take-off, rather than waiting for wheel slip at the front. An optional electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) means the system can shift power to the left-rear or right-rear wheel as needed for optimum traction.