Saab 9-3 AERO V6 For Sale

if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object(); window.yzq_d['UEpjQFf4eEQ-']='&U=12cjr0abf%2fN%3dUEpjQFf4eEQ-%2fC%3d-1%2fD%3dHEAD%2fB%3d-1%2fV%3d0'; if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object(); window.yzq_d['UUpjQFf4eEQ-']='&U=13l0hopj5%2fN%3dUUpjQFf4eEQ-%2fC%3d200101456.201965577.203250011.200060250%2fD%3dN%2fB%3d200784459%2fV%3d1'; HomeNews/ReviewsFeaturesPhotosBuySellForumVideosGreen CentreFrankfurt 2007 if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object(); window.yzq_d['UkpjQFf4eEQ-']='&U=12a1gbsek%2fN%3dUkpjQFf4eEQ-%2fC%3d-1%2fD%3dMH%2fB%3d-1%2fV%3d0'; NewsReviewsPreviewsWomen´s ReviewsVan Reviews Cars > News and Reviews > Car Reviews > Saab > Saab 9-3 2.8T V6 AERO if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object(); window.yzq_d['U0pjQFf4eEQ-']='&U=12bsrnn30%2fN%3dU0pjQFf4eEQ-%2fC%3d-1%2fD%3dOEM%2fB%3d-1%2fV%3d0'; Saab 9-3 2.8T V6 AERO Saturday January 13 (First written on 2006-10-10) The Saab 9-3 2.8T V6 Aero Sports Saloon Offers A Threat To The Established Junior Executive Hierarchy. Andy Enright Judges How SeriousTest cars for a living and you quickly get a handle on their target clientele. Polo necked Guardianistas, cash-rich plumbers, old money on the slide or schoolgate mums you can find a car aimed at each of them. Saabs 9-3 2.8T V6 Aero is a tougher call. After driving it for a few hours, I got out, had a drink and drove it again. Still I was none the wiser, instead becoming fixated with the oleaginous, Bostonian Brahmin drawl of Loyd Grossman. "David," extended dramatic pause - "Who would drive a car like this?" Build Comfort Depreciation Economy Equipment Handling Insurance Performance Styling Value Think about it. The 9-3, be it in Sport Saloon or SportWagon guise, tends to appeal to those customers who admire a BMW, Mercedes or Audi but who either cant quite afford them or balk slightly at the rather brash image. Saab make great play of including themselves alongside these manufacturers in an artificial construct they dub the P7 (Premium Group of 7) which also encompasses Jaguar, Volvo and Lexus, but if they were entirely honest with themselves, theyd realise that from an image perspective theyd be propping up that particular table. Thats why the lower-end Saab models sell so well. Instead of poaching business from the German premium manufacturers, they instead siphon off sales from buyers who would have previously bought cars like the Ford Mondeo, the Honda Accord, the Toyota Avensis and the Peugeot 407. Trading up to a Saab 9-3 makes all sorts of sense in this instance. Instant status and a smug sense of superiority for minimal capital outlay seems a smart piece of business. Where the story becomes a little fuzzy at the edges is when splashing out for a top-end 9-3 and they dont come any further up the scale than this 2. 8T V6 Aero variant. The Sport Saloon is priced at £27,715 with the estate pitching in at £28,715. While still not exactly nosebleed pricing, its in the same territory as some quality stuff from BMW and Mercedes or, to put it another way, youve really got to want a Saab to sign up for this car. As usual it conforms to the Saab philosophy of offering a lot more power than its rivals; in this case a turbocharged 250bhp is at your disposal. Those with a quick grasp of mental arithmetic and even a rudimentary knowledge of engineering will appreciate that 89bhp per litre isnt a huge specific output for a turbocharged engine. The limiting factor in this instance is the fact that unlike many of its P7 rivals, drive is directed to the front wheels and putting a whole heap of power through the front wheels can have rather disappointing results."Top end Saab 9-3s face a demanding market"That said, the 9-3 2.8T V6 does an excellent job of masking the fact. Theres no riotous torque-steer as you accelerate the car, the most extreme manifestation being a gentle tug at the tiller under full throttle. Likewise there seems to be little in the way of wheelspin or obvious traction control intervention, on dry tarmac at least. If you must direct drive forwards, this is the way to do it. Given that a normally aspirated 2.8-litre V6 should be good for 220bhp or so, the turbocharger doesnt have a whole lot demanded of it and works unobtrusively in the background without the whines, hisses and other audible histrionics of other cars that lean more heavily on their blowers to bump up the power figure. Saab quote a sprint to 60mph of just 6. 7 seconds for the saloon model and itll run to a top speed in excess of 155mph. Make no mistake, this is a seriously rapid car, although one suspects that motorways and sweeping A-roads are more its forte than twisty country lanes. Standard specification in Aero trim includes a lowered sports chassis, uprated brakes, a six-speed manual gearbox, 17-inch alloy wheels with options for bigger rims, and a body coloured spoiler and skirts kit. Theres also chrome detailing for the exhaust pipes and window trims, leather-faced sports seats, a beautiful sports steering wheel with leather and metallic trim and further metallic detailing around the cabin. A Saab Infotainment and premium sound system is also included as part of the pack, although youll need to stump up extra if you want the desirable six-disc in-dash CD autochanger. The Sportwagon is well worth looking into. Unlike many vehicles that campaign in this class, the Saab offers some serious carrying capacity. Theres 419 litres available with the rear seats in place and a whopping 1,273 litres of space available with the seats folded down. The recessed sub floor allows valuables to be stowed out of the view of prying eyes and can also be used to store wet or dirty gear without muddying everything else up. Despite its sporting looks, the rear hatch is actually fairly steeply raked, allowing for additional carrying capacity. This is where some rivals fall down, favouring style over practicality. Saab aim to offer both. As long as you dont mistake it for a no-compromises sportster, theres little reason why you should be disappointed by the Saab 9-3 2.8T V6 Aero. Its well built, civilised and very good value for money. Its just difficult to see where the sales are going to come from. Those armed with a little knowledge may well decry it as a rebadged and made-over Vauxhall Vectra and it would be difficult to deny its roots. Those not so savvy will likely be swayed by an entry-level BMW or Mercedes and tick the badge delete box on the order form. Who does that leave? The nebulous leftovers are what Saab seem to be pursuing with the 9-3 2.8T V6. We wish them luck.Facts At A Glance CAR: Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon 2.8T V6 Aero range PRICES: £27,715-£28,715 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 17 CO2 EMISSIONS: 239g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 6.7s / Max Speed 155mph+ FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 28.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Traction Control, Stability Control, Cornering Braking Control, Saab Active Head Restraints WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4635/2038/1466mm Send by Messenger Email this article Print More news and reviews from Saab More motoring news Message Boards - Talk about it Latest Videos Latest Message Board Threads Got an opinion? Have your say! 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All rights reserved.Updated Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Help if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object(); window.yzq_d['VUpjQFf4eEQ-']='&U=13omo8r4l%2fN%3dVUpjQFf4eEQ-%2fC%3d200059816.201425037.202691559.200478791%2fD%3dFOOT%2fB%3d200395788%2fV%3d1'; if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object(); window.yzq_d['VkpjQFf4eEQ-']='&U=12d42ki1o%2fN%3dVkpjQFf4eEQ-%2fC%3d-1%2fD%3dFSRVY%2fB%3d-1%2fV%3d0'; if(window.yzq_p==null)document.write(""); if(window.yzq_p)yzq_p('P=5f.ajFf4ec9uHpqWTQID7wBQUd_.BU0FWpkABmzm&T=14h9phrh9%2fX%3d1292196505%2fE%3d97573893%2fR%3dukie_cars%2fK%3d5%2fV%3d1.1%2fW%3dJR%2fY%3dUKIE%2fF%3d2754580423%2fG%3dCnVraWVkYXRhCgo-%2fS%3d1%2fJ%3dCD79F857'); if(window.yzq_s)yzq_s(); || ", 'plr_ContentType': 'PAGESKIN', 'plr_ContentID': 'myContent', 'plr_ContentW': 994, 'plr_FrameTop': 90, 'plr_FrameSide': 130, 'plr_FrameBottom': 90, 'plr_HideElementsByID': '', 'plr_HideElementsByClass': '', 'plr_NoSkinInSkinResize': true }; var objPageSkin = new InSkin.Base('myPageSkin'); EVO NEWS CAR REVIEWS DATA VIDEOS FEATURES USED CARS BUYING GUIDES TRACKDAYS COMMUNITY WIN 3 ISSUES FOR £1 SHOP Search evo REGISTER LOGIN Free Newsletter Car Reviews: evo Car Reviews Saab 9-3 Saab 9-3 V6 Aero Rating: There’s an interesting Saab on the way, but the 9-3 V6 Aero isn’t it Text: Angus Frazer / Photos: Matt Vosper August 2007 Back in the mid-’80s a friend had a Saab 900 Turbo. He stuck it through a hedge one night at about 80mph; he blamed a fox that had apparently run out in front of him. But he walked away from it in an era when airbags were for Americans only, proving Saab’s reputation for safety and robustness. But back then Saabs were also seen as driver’s cars; they were seriously lusted after. It wasn’t that long since Saab had stopped rallying; they were still cool cars.It’s 27 years since Saab officially competed in a rally and it’s a long time since a Saab could be seen as a real drivers’ car. Now the Swedish company is hoping to put a bit of spirit back into the badge with its revised 9-3, available as saloon, sport wagon and cabrio. The 9-3’s new face has been inspired by Saab’s Aero X concept car, introduced at the 2006 Geneva show. The Aero version we tested features a more prominent lower grille, while all models get new headlamps, featuring an additional, thin, lighting strip above the main units. Sadly nothing of the Aero X’s futuristic interior is carried into the 9-3. Admittedly Saab freshened- up the cabin last year and has now introduced a Bose sound system and new roof lining. The overall design of the cabin still looks OK, but the quality of the plastics and the fit and finish is not good. Volkswagen and now even Ford build better interiors than this, never mind BMW and Audi.There are some good bits though. The seats remain as comfortable as ever; this is definitely a car you can settle into happily for a long day’s driving. And the straight bits of the journey are no problem, for Saab offers a decent range of engines, all turbocharged. There’s a four-cylinder 2-litre turbo that produces 172bhp on ordinary unleaded, but if you choose the new biofuel version – not a problem in Sweden where the stuff is sold almost everywhere – the same engine produces 197bhp and hits 60mph in 7.5sec as opposed to 8.0.It pulls well enough from low revs but it’s not the most civilised of units. Saab’s 2.8 V6 turbo is much more fun, offering 251bhp, a refined roar and 60mph in 6.5sec. It’s best enjoyed with the smooth-changing six-speed autobox, for the notchy six-speed manual takes the flow out of the driving experience. The 9-3’s brake pedal is well enough weighted though.Wafting along through the summer Swedish countryside at the launch, you find yourself almost falling for the comfortable 9-3. There is character to it and it does sort of make sense in these conditions. It’s when you try to tackle a few corners with some gusto that the reality and the rot set in.The new 9-3 is still based on the old platform and sadly in a series of tight corners it doesn’t take long to find the outer limits of its dynamic ability. The point at which you tire of the body sway and the nose-heavy attitude and resign yourself to a more relaxed pace still comes a lot earlier than it does in an Audi A4. When the Saab is saying ‘Game Over’, a BMW 3-series would just be inviting you up to the next level, with a few more left after that.The 9-3 is still no drivers’ car. But there might just be a glimmer of hope. Saab let us have a brief drive in a pre-production 276bhp V6 turbo, with the power going through all four wheels, not just the front. The four-wheel-drive setup, which Saab is calling XWD, uses the latest Haldex system. We tried it on gravel and a skidpan as well as on tarmac and it’s very good. With the sharper responses and superior roadholding it offers, it might just give Saab fans something to smile about when it arrives next spring. Might even make it easier to avoid foxes, too. More SAAB 9-3: News, evo News: Saab goes 4WDCar Reviews, evo Car Reviews: Saab 9-3 ConvertibleCar Reviews, evo Car Reviews: Saab 9-3 AeroCar Reviews, evo Car Reviews: Abbott Racing Saab 9-3 R3Car Reviews, evo Car Reviews: Saab 9-3 Aero Related Index Pages Saab Saab 9-3 Find a deal on this model from £18,173.00 with evo Click here and get 3 issues for just £1!For more performance car news and reviews, subscribe to evo magazine. < Previous Next > 0 Comments Bookmark this post with: More CAR REVIEWS evo Car Reviews Long Term Tests Citroen DS3 R reviewElectric Nemesis reviewNew Stratos supercar reviewDriven: Audi quattro ConceptNew BMW X3 reviewPorsche 911 Carrera GTS reviewSeat Ibiza reviewSee all evo Car Reviews Renault Clio WilliamsFord Fiesta Zetec SRadical Clubsport 1100Radical Clubsport 1100Infiniti G37S CoupeFord Fiesta Zetec SRenault Clio WilliamsSee all Long Term Tests Car Group Tests Audi R8 Spyder v supercar rivalsCitroen DS3 v hot hatch rivalsAston Martin Rapide v rivals370Z Roadster v its rivalsIbiza Cupra V Clio 200 CupMega hatch group testECOTY 2009See all Car Group Tests Advertisement Pictures EMAIL TO A FRIEND PRINT THIS evo RATING Strong engine, comfortable ride Still no real fun to drive evo SPECIFICATIONS Engine: V6, 2792cc, turbo Max power: 251bhp @ 5500rpm Max torque: 258lb ft @ 2000-4500rpm 0 - 60mph: 6.5sec (claimed) Top speed: 155mph (claimed) Price: £28,675 (saloon) On Sale: September SPONSORED LINKS Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs InfoOur Other Websites: The First Post | Auto Express | Custom PC | IT Pro | IT Pro India | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals | Competitions | Health & Fitness | CarBuyer © 2010 Dennis Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.Licensed by Felden || HOME NEW CARS NEW VANS USED CARS CAR NEWS HELP MY BUYACAR SIGN IN / REGISTER Review of the new Saab 9-3 2.8T V6 Aero MANUFACTURER SAAB BUY A NEW SAAB BUY A USED SAAB SUMMARY A CAPITAL INVESTMENT SAAB 9-3 2.8T V6 AERO (7.2 out of 10) REVIEW DATE: 2007-06-26 10:59:00.0 The Saab 9-3 2.8T V6 Aero Sports Saloon offers a threat to the established junior executive hierarchy. Andy Enright judges how serious. SAAB 9-3 2.8T V6 AERO NEW CAR ROAD TEST Test cars for a living and you quickly get a handle on their target clientele. Polo necked Guardianistas, cash-rich plumbers, old money on the slide or schoolgate mums - you can find a car aimed at each of them. Saab's 9-3 2.8T V6 Aero is a tougher call. After driving it for a few hours, I got out, had a drink and drove it again. Still I was none the wiser, instead becoming fixated with the oleaginous, Bostonian Brahmin drawl of Loyd Grossman. "David," - extended dramatic pause - "Who would drive a car like this?" Think about it. The 9-3, be it in Sport Saloon or SportWagon guise, tends to appeal to those customers who admire a BMW, Mercedes or Audi but who either can't quite afford them or balk slightly at the rather brash image. Saab make great play of including themselves alongside these manufacturers in an artificial construct they dub the P7 (Premium Group of 7) which also encompasses Jaguar, Volvo and Lexus, but if they were entirely honest with themselves, they'd realise that from an image perspective they'd be propping up that particular table. That's why the lower-end Saab models sell so well. Instead of poaching business from the German premium manufacturers, they instead siphon off sales from buyers who would have previously bought cars like the Ford Mondeo, the Honda Accord, the Toyota Avensis and the Peugeot 407. Trading up to a Saab 9-3 makes all sorts of sense in this instance. Instant status and a smug sense of superiority for minimal capital outlay seems a smart piece of business.Where the story becomes a little fuzzy at the edges is when splashing out for a top-end 9-3 and they don't come any further up the scale than this 2.8T V6 Aero variant. The Sport Saloon is priced at £29,310 with the estate pitching in at £30,410. While still not exactly nosebleed pricing, it's in the same territory as some quality stuff from BMW and Mercedes or, to put it another way, you've really got to want a Saab to sign up for this car. "Top end Saab 9-3s face a demanding market" As usual, it conforms to the Saab philosophy of offering a lot more power than its rivals; in this case a turbocharged 280bhp is at your disposal. The limiting factor in the bhp arms race in this instance is the fact that unlike many of its P7 rivals, drive is directed to the front wheels and putting a whole heap of power through the front wheels can have rather disappointing results. Saab's solution is their latest XWD all-wheel drive system which lays on active four-wheel drive and a 15% torque boost to the 2.8 V6 engine to make the most of the extra traction.That said, the standard 9-3 2.8T V6 does an excellent job of masking the fact of its front wheel drive. There's no riotous torque-steer as you accelerate the car, the most extreme manifestation being a gentle tug at the tiller under full throttle. Likewise, there seems to be little in the way of wheelspin or obvious traction control intervention, on dry tarmac at least. If you must direct drive forwards, this is the way to do it. A normally-aspirated 2.8-litre V6 should be good for around 220bhp so the twin-scroll turbocharger is worth a good 60bhp. It works smoothly with very little lag and strong pick-up from low revs without the whines, hisses and other audible histrionics of other cars that lean heavily on their blowers to bump up the power figure. Saab quote a sprint to 60mph of just 5.4 seconds for the saloon model and it'll run to a top speed in excess of 155mph. Make no mistake, this is a seriously rapid car, although one suspects that motorways and sweeping A-roads are more its forte than twisty country lanes.All the current Saab 9-3 models benefit from a facelift based on the Aero X concept car. The clamshell bonnet visually widens the front of the car and all external rubbing strips have been removed to give a cleaner look. There's a classier finish to the front grille and a set of LED light strips that sit across the top of the headlamp pod while the rear light clusters are shrouded in smoked glass. Inside, there's a more muted effect with less silver plastic.Standard specification in Aero trim includes the sports chassis, uprated brakes, sports bumpers, twin exhausts, bi-xenon headlamps with pressure washers and heated front seats. Safety provision runs to ESP stability control, active head restraints plus front, side and curtain airbags. The Sportwagon is well worth looking into. Unlike many vehicles that campaign in this class, the Saab offers some serious carrying capacity. There's 419 litres available with the rear seats in place and a whopping 1,273 litres of space available with the seats folded down. The recessed sub floor allows valuables to be stowed out of the view of prying eyes and can also be used to store wet or dirty gear without muddying everything else up. Despite its sporting looks, the rear hatch is actually fairly steeply raked, allowing for additional carrying capacity. This is where some rivals fall down, favouring style over practicality. Saab aim to offer both. As long as you don't mistake it for a no-compromises sportster, there's little reason why you should be disappointed by the Saab 9-3 2.8T V6 Aero. It's well built, civilised and very good value for money. It's just difficult to see where the sales are going to come from. Those armed with a little knowledge may well decry it as a rebadged and made-over Vauxhall Vectra and it would be difficult to deny its roots. Those not so savvy will likely be swayed by an entry-level BMW or Mercedes and tick the badge delete box on the order form. Who does that leave? The nebulous leftovers are what Saab seem to be pursuing with the 9-3 2.8T V6. We wish them luck. TOP 5 SAAB DEALS The results below show the top SAAB deals on buyacar Saab 9-3 1.9 TTiD 180 Vector Sport 5dr Diesel Sportwagon Price Read 9-3 Reviews Save Saab 9-3 1.8t Linear SE 2dr Auto Convertible Price Read 9-3 Reviews Save Saab 9-3 1.9 TTiD 180 Vector Sport 4dr Auto Diesel Saloon Price Read 9-3 Reviews Save Saab 9-3 1.8t Turbo Edition 4dr Saloon Special Edition Price Read 9-3 Reviews Save Saab 9-3 1.9 TTiD 180 Vector Sport 5dr Auto Diesel Sportwagon Price Read 9-3 Reviews Save VIEW MORE DISCOUNT SAAB DEALS RATING OUT OF 10 For: OVERALL 7.8 OUT OF 10 Performance 9 Comfort 8 Handling 8 Economy 7 Space / Versatility 8 Styling 9 Equipment 7 Build 8 Depreciation 6 Insurance 7 Value 9 VIEW DISCOUNT SAAB Let our car quote assistant help you configure your ideal new Saab - it's 100% free and easy to use... SAAB MODELS & PRICES Click below for more information: Saab 9-3 Saab 9-3X Saab 9-5 THINGS TO DO WITH THIS PAGE Email this page to a friend Bookmark this page Make a comment Report a problem Tag this page About us Contact us FAQ's Loans Buyacar blog Copyright © 2010 Buy a car ltd Site Map SiteNav SAAB DEALER Click to go back: Cars Saab Saab: 9-3 9-3X 9-5 Saab Saab Home Read all Saab Reviews Find a new Saab New Car Search Search by car: Or by budget: Advanced Search Find a Car Review Call us now 0845 226 0101 CLICK HERE FOR CONTACT DETAILS AND OPENING HOURS 0845 226 0101 Contact Buyacar › Live Help › Buyer's Guides › About Buyacar › Value My Car › See Top Deals › My Buyacar › || The AA.com homepage Skip to content Contact us Sign in Search Breakdown Cover Insurance Financial Services Travel Motoring Driving School Business Home > Motoring > Car Buyer's Guide > Car Reviews > Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8 V6 Turbo > Car Buyer's Guide Car Reviews Car Valuations Buying Advice Car Checking Car Service & MOT AA Tyres Windscreen and Glass Repair Safety & Security Fuels & Environment Legal Advice European Driving General Advice & Info Motoring Costs Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8 V6 Turbo October 2007 The 9-3 is virtually all new forward of the A-pillars Ratings Overall rating Value for money Costs Space and practicality Controls and display Comfort Car security Car safety Likes Purposeful, businesslike styling Saloon's rear seats fold flat for extra load space Excellent safety provisions Superb in-gear acceleration Gripes Some might consider interior to lack character Ride suffers noticeably on larger wheels Rising window line restricts view out of rear Gear change borders on lightweight It's one of the most recognisable shapes on the road thanks to its use of generations old styling signatures, but that hasn't stopped Saab giving the 9-3 a mid-life facelift. The revised 9-3 doesn't only come with new body panels however; there are new engine choices, improved transmissions and revised trim levels too. Saab's designers have taken their inspiration from the history books when re-penning the 9-3. The more aggressive appearance is largely reminiscent of the Saab 900 turbo. The clamshell bonnet makes a reappearance, the rising belt line is as distinctive as ever and so is the ""hockey stick"" curve of the C-pillar. As well as taking cues from the past, Saab has also looked to the future and incorporated elements from the Aero X concept car into the design, including a bolder front bumper with huge air intake and sill extensions. Saab is clearly searching for a way to make its models even more distinctive in the competitive premium end of the D-segment, and has come up trumps in a number of areas. Firstly, the stylish new headlights incorporate an eyebrow of light that makes the car instantly recognisable day or night and will be adopted as a future Saab signature across its range. Then, there's the inclusion of the first twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder engine in the world. The TTiD unit's tremendous torque is delivered alongside frugal fuel economy and smooth, lag-free, acceleration. A new two-litre turbo Bioethanol unit is also available in the revised model that actually delivers better performance when running on E85 fuel. Finally, the introduction of a highly advanced four-wheel drive system called XWD has allowed Saab to tune the range topping 2.8-litre V6 turbo to 280bhp. In standard front-wheel drive form, it delivers 255bhp. To counter the increased engine range, Saab has dropped the trim level selection from seven to four options. Of course, simplifying the model line-up makes choosing the right model considerably easier and for the busy executives the model is aimed at that's a real bonus; especially as there are Saloon, SportWagon and Convertible options to choose from. Our verdict on the Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8 V6 Turbo Saab's love of turbocharging has meant the company's car have always benefited from excellent performance, especially in the overtaking department. The 2.8-litre V6 takes that to another level with its tremendous pulling power from very low down. The fact that Saab has managed to keep the power in check through the front wheels is commendable, as is the tractable nature of the car under more sedate use. Costs The powerful engine comes with a liking for petrol, and the harder you push it the worse it becomes. Go easy and you can still expect to fall well short of 30mpg. Insurance premiums are liable to be higher than the less powerful variants too, although long service intervals will help ease the burden on the wallet. Space and practicality A roomy saloon, the 9-3's roofline is higher than much of the opposition's and pays dividends in terms of headroom. There's also a healthy amount of legroom for rear passengers. The rear bench of the 9-3 folds flat in a 60/40 configuration which offers some additional practicality in terms of load carrying although the rear parcel self stays in place. The boot is quite generous anyway, and will cope with day-to-day tasks with ease. New taillights feature smoked lenses Controls and display The 9-3's dashboard is designed to arch around the driver - an obvious nod towards the manufacturer's aeronautical history but one that serves a definite purpose. It means the controls and displays are within easy reach and line of sight. The switchgear feels robust if lacking in flair, but there are some neat touches such as the handbrake lever that sits flush with the centre console and the mid mounted ignition barrel. Comfort The 9-3 isn't quite as smooth and silent as some of the premium opposition, but it's still a very refined car that will waft serenely along a smooth stretch of tarmac given the opportunity. The larger diameter wheels of the V6 Aero model seem to pick out the bumps more readily but offer a far from uncomfortable ride. Inside, dual zone air con is standard and temperatures are also kept in check by heat absorbent windows. The 9-3's seats are particularly well tailored and extremely comfortable in the front and rear Car security As you would expect, the 9-3 features a strong security system including an alarm and immobiliser. The central locking, complete with deadlocks, is remote control operated from the key fob. Car safety Safety is on of Saab's fortes and the 9-3 doesn't disappoint. The driver is aided by electronic systems including mechanical brake assist, cornering brake control, electronic brake force distribution and Comsense, which silences communication functions while the driver is steering or braking heavily to avoid creating distractions. A five-star safety rating comes courtesy of rigid safety cell with crumple zones, active head restraints and multiple airbags. Driver appeal The 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 packs a real punch and the chassis has to work hard to put all the power down through the front wheels without turning the car into a wheel-spinning, torque-steer drunken mess. Saab has pulled it off though, through a clever combination of mechanical and electrical engineering. As a result the top of the line model is remarkably sedate to drive until the driver decides to make full use of the potential, at which point it's extremely quick but remarkably poised. Its overtaking potential is fantastic, thanks to the Turbo which provides torque across the rev range. There's nice engine and exhaust note when pushed hard, but the kids will sleep happily in the rear the rest of the time. The interior hints at Saabs aeronautic heritage Family car appeal The 9-3 is an excellent choice as a family car - and it's one that can straddle the line between respectable executive motor and weekend minibus with ease. Three children will sit comfortably in the rear for long journeys and the five-star safety rating and myriad of impressive safety features are sure to win over parents. First car appeal Younger drivers might want to consider something smaller that the 9-3 and would certainly be advised to buy something less powerful than the 2.8-litre V6. Particularly affluent or confident young drivers might well consider it a strong choice though, as it's comfortable well, equipped and quick and will almost certainly top your mate's hot-hatch. Quality and image The 9-3 already had a good image as a sensible and stylish choice and the mid-term facelift certainly hasn't done it any harm. Its more aggressive styling gives it more presence on the road and it looks just as impressive on the move as parked up. The build quality is first rate, with tight fitting panels and a solid feel to the switchgear. The materials used are impressive too with fine leather inside the Aero as standard. On the road, the sound engineering speaks for itself, albeit in hushed tones. Accessibility The 9-3 actually strikes you as quite a tall car, meaning the high roofline makes access for driver and front passenger particularly easy. The four-door layout of the saloon has been well thought out, with front and rear doors roughly equal in length so they can both be opened in tight parking spaces easily. There are no surprises with the door open and the seats are placed at a sensible height. Stereo and ICE (In car entertainment) A six-disc changer comes as standard with the Aero trim level trim, the controls for which are integrated into the minimalist centre console. With no sat nav display (it's a cost option that leaves no room for a disc changer) the controls are within easy of the wheel, although basic controls are built into the wheel anyway. Sound quality is good and aided by the car's refinement but a Bose upgrade is available if you really enjoy your music. The model features many classic Saab signatures Colours and trim There are no fewer than 12 colours available for the 9-3, nine of them metallic. Two new colours have been added during the refresh to beef up the range. The face-lifted model features some subtle, and some not so subtle changes to the exterior trim but the comfortable and business-like interior remains largely untouched. The new front bumper with a large air intake is the most obvious change, but keen eyes will also notice new headlights complete with signature eyebrow lighting strip, new door handles, meatier sill extensions and a lack of rubbing strips. The revisions give the model a neater, more assertive image. Inside, both the Parchment and Black options suit the styling. Parking Despite having plenty of glass on show, the saloon is a little awkward to reverse due to the window line that rises towards the rear, leaving only a small rear window from which to gauge where the boot ends. That said, reversing sensors are standard on the Aero model so there's little excuse for bumps and scrapes. Spare wheel Space saver spare included as standard. Range information Petrol engine options - 1.8-litre (122bhp); 1.8-litre (150bhp); 2.0-litre (175bhp); 2.0-litre (210bhp); 2.8-litre (255bhp); 2.8-litre (280bhp); 1.8-litre BioPower (175bhp); 2.0-litre BioPower (200bhp). Diesel engine options - 1.9-litre (120bhp); 1.9-litre (150bhp); 1.9-litre (180bhp) Transmission options: five-speed manual gearbox, six-speed manual gearbox, Saab Sentronic five-speed semi-automatic gearbox, Saab Sentronic six-speed semi-automatic gearbox, 5+2 speed automatic gearbox. Trim levels: Airflow, Linear SE, Vector Sport, Aero. Alternative cars BMW 3-Series Rear-wheel drive and equally comfortable Audi A4 You'll need the 3.2-litre petrol to match the Saab's pace Alfa Romeo 159 Beautifully styled and with a powerful petrol engine option Volvo V50 Another functional, stylish and safe Swede Over 1,200 more car reviews online All the reports since 1990 are available on this site, just search by make and model below. Step 1 > Select make Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Austin BMW Bentley Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Citroen Daewoo Daihatsu Dodge Ferrari Fiat Ford Honda Hyundai Isuzu Jaguar Jeep Kia Lada Lamborghini Lancia Land Rover Lexus Lotus MG MINI Maserati Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mitsubishi Nissan Perodua Peugeot Porsche Proton Renault Rolls-Royce Rover SEAT Saab Skoda Smart Smart Car Ssangyong Subaru Suzuki Toyota Vauxhall Volkswagen Volvo Yugo Other products & services Get a car data checkSafety recallsGet crash test resultsCar insurance quotesCar breakdown cover Related information Search car reviewsLatest car reviewsCars under review October 2007 Site map Mobile Site AA Zone AA Shop Jobs Affiliates / Advertising Press centre Public affairs Accessibility © The Automobile Association Limited 2010 Website Terms & Conditions Call Charges Privacy Policy Security || LOGIN REGISTER NEWSLETTER Home NEWS REVIEWS PRODUCTS COMPARE CARS VIDEOS BUYING USED CARS NEW CARS MOTORSHOWS COMPETITIONS 6 ISSUES FOR £1 Search Car Reviews: You're in - Car Reviews: First Drives Saab 9-3 Saab 9-3 Turbo X Latest offering from the quirky Swedish firm celebrates three decades of turbo power. Auto Express Car Reviews By Jack RixFebruary 2008 Rating: Saab's ageing model range is in desperate need of a boost. Last year alone saw UK sales drop by 12 per cent – but could this be the car to kickstart the comeback?The Swedish firm is convinced it is, not least because there are two roles the 276bhp 9-3 Turbo X has to play. Firstly, this very special variant celebrates 30 years of turbocharged Saabs. But more importantly, it’s also the first model to be fitted with the all-new XWD four-wheel-drive system.The innovative 4x4 set-up uses intelligent engine and gearbox software that not only splits torque between the front and rear axles, but also between the right and left rear wheels via a limited-slip differential. And boy does it work! On a test track, the amount of grip on offer seems endless. The sensation under hard cornering is amazing – it feels like the loaded up rear tyre is digging into the tarmac, and propelling you through the bend. This inspires confidence and makes for rapid progress along a twisty B-road.The Turbo X certainly looks the part, with a subtle bodykit and a smart set of gunmetal alloys. On the downside, black is the only colour which is available. Inside, there’s acres of leather and carbon fibre trim, and fans of the 900 Turbo of the Eighties will appreciate the retro-styled boost gauge on the dash.The twin tailpipes produce an addictive warble throughout the rev range, but the engine can’t deliver the same drama. With 276bhp it looks powerful on paper, although in reality the car doesn’t quite make the leap from potent family model to performance saloon. Lifeless steering and a vague gear-change don’t help, and the driving experience is never as good as the looks and figures suggest.We also had the chance to drive a 252bhp V6 Aero with XWD fitted. It felt just as fast, a touch smoother and the four-wheel drive dug in equally hard. Yet when you consider the prices of the Turbo X and Aero – £32,495 and £28,695 respectively – nearly £4,000 for an extra 30bhp and some minor styling tweaks looks poor value.As a tool for drumming up more interest in the brand – and launching its XWD transmission – the Turbo X can’t be faulted. However, as a stand-alone product, it doesn’t make nearly as much sense. Only 2,000 models will be produced, with 500 examples heading for UK showrooms. Deliveries start in March for the Turbo X as a saloon or Sportwagon estate, while XWD will be offered on Aero-spec variants from September. What Next COMPARE CAR LOANS COMPARE CAR INSURANCE For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift! < Previous Next > 0 Comment Be the first to comment on this article You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join. Email: Password: Sponsored Results More SAAB 9-3 articles Car ReviewsFirst Drives: Saab 9-3Driver Power 2008: Saab 9-3New Reviews: Saab 9-3First Drives: Saab 9-3 AeroFirst Drives: Saab 9-3Driver Power 2007: Saab 9-3First Drives: Saab 9-3 CabrioletFirst Drives: Saab 9-3 TiD ConvertibleFirst Drives: Saab 9-3 SportwagonFirst Drives: Saab 9-3 Sport Wagon AeroFirst Drives: Saab 9-3 Sport Wagon AeroFirst Drives: Saab 9-3 1.9TiD Vector SportFirst Drives: Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD 16vFirst Drives: Saab 9-3NewsAuto Express News: Special-edition SaabAuto Express News: Saab turbo specialAuto Express News: New Saab 9-3Auto Express News: New Saab 9-3 is put through pacesAuto Express News: New 9-3 shows its faceSpy Shots: Saab 9-3Auto Express News: New green 9-3 is pick of the crop Related Index Pages Saab Saab 9-3 Social Bookmarks Link to this article: For more details about purchasing this feature and/or images for editorial usage, please contact the Dennis Syndication team on pictures@dennis.co.uk Email a Friend Print this Pictures - Advertisement - Sponsored Results Free Brochures and Test Drives FIRST OPINION The Turbo X will certainly draw attention to Saab, but it’s a shame the car isn’t particularly fast in a straight line. The XWD system is fantastic, as it squeezes every ounce of grip from the chassis. However, the standard 9-3 V6 Aero is nearly as quick, £4,000 cheaper and exploits XWD just as well. Still, hats off to Saab for attempting to spice up the range. More than 150 orders for the Turbo X have already been placed, although we can’t help thinking these customers are buying with their heart and not their head AT A GLANCE Price: £32,495 Engine: 2.8-litre V6 Power: 276bhp Top speed: 155mph 0-60mph: 5.4 seconds (saloon); 5.6 seconds (Sportwagon) Economy: 26.4mpg CO2: 254g/km Standard equipment: Leather trim, 18-inch gunmetal alloy wheels, six-disc CD changer, rear spoiler (saloon only), performance brakes Find Used Cars Find your Saab 9-3 with our new used car search. £29675 - £18575 £18575 - £14575 Less than £14575 - Advertisement - Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs Info | Voucher Codes | SitemapOur Other Websites: The First Post | Custom PC | Evo | IT Pro | IT Pro India | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals | Competitions | Health & Fitness | CarBuyer © 2010 Dennis Publishing Limited. 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