Lifted from www.saabzone.com (http://www.saabzone.com)

Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan

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Peter Augustsson - Saab head manager - wants to increase sales from now 135 000 units/year to 250 000 units/year in only six years. The new Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan is the first step in this process.
The sales for the new 9-3 is going to be launched in the September 2002. The first body-style we'll see is a Sport Sedan, later Saab will launch a Convertible, wagon and a cross-over coupe.

The first sketch:
Saab engineer creates marketing image

During the early development stages of the new 9-3 Sport Sedan, Saab's chief chassis engineer, Ekkehard Schwartz, was asked to describe the car's core appeal. Instead of sketching anything from the car itself, his immediate response was to draw the image of an exhilarated driver.

The whole idea, he explained, was to build the car around the driver, focusing on achieving an interactive experience behind the wheel. Every element of the design of the new Saab 9-3, therefore, aims to improve communication to and from the car, involving rather than insulating the driver. That includes the design of the chassis, the powertrain, the steering, all controls and the immediate driver's environment, the cockpit of the car.

Rounding off the sketch, he added a big grin to the driver's face. The pure joy of driving is, ultimately, what it's all about, he concluded.

Ekkehard's original sketch has now been adopted as a key image in the international marketing campaign to announce the arrival of Saab's first compact sports sedan. "My artistic abilities may be rather limited, but it is clearly the message that counts," he said. "although I think I shall be staying with my career in chassis development work."

World Première:
All-new Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan
· First Saab positioned in premium, compact Sport Sedan segment
· Best-ever chassis dynamics for close driver involvement
· Long wheelbase and wide track for good handling and spacious interior
· New powertrain includes lightweight, aluminum turbo engines
· New five-speed automatic transmission and six-speed manual gearbox
· In-house Saab electronics for sophisticated powertrain behavior
· Fiber optic electronics for advanced, modular ‘infotainment’ systems
· Exceptionally strong bodyshell for good handling, refinement and safety
· Second generation Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR)
· Load-limiting seat-belts, dual stage front airbags and roof rail airbags
· ‘Profiler’ customization program and choice of three specification levels

The all-new Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan is the first step in the biggest product development program in Saab’s history. It spearheads the arrival of an entirely new family of cars, each focused on meeting the particular requirements of a different niche in the market.

As Saab’s first contender in the premium, compact Sport Sedan segment, the focus for the new 9-3 is dedicated to delivering a unique, ‘fun to drive’ experience that promises to set new standards for the class.

The coupé-like silhouette, with steeply raked windshield and rear window and short front and rear overhangs, communicates a strong, sporty stance, which is reinforced by negative wheel cambers. The overall look is designed to convey a sense of movement even when the car is stationary. The shape of the windows and the wedge-like profile also combine with the integrated headlights and grille to give the car its distinctive Saab identity.

Excellent aerodynamics including a high competitive 0.28 drag coefficient, result in low lift forces at the rear axle, improving high speed stability and braking. Careful airflow management also benefits the driver by helping to prevent road grime building up on the rear windows and lights.
The new model comes with a choice of three new, 2.0-liter, all-aluminum turbocharged engines, ranging in power from 150 (110 kW) to 210 bhp (155 kW), and a 125 bhp (92 kW), 2.2-liter turbo diesel. The front-wheel-drive transmissions include five and six-speed (option) manual gearboxes and a five-speed automatic with Saab Sentronic manual selection and the option of steering wheel controls. There are three ‘Forms’, or specification levels: Linear, Arc and Vector, plus an Aero high performance variant.

Compared to its predecessor, the new 9-3 offers more spacious accommodation, particularly for rear passengers, within the same overall length. Front and rear width is increased by 55 mm and the wheelbase is 71 mm longer.

It is price-positioned to compete with the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Volvo S60. Sales commence from September and Saab dealers can already take customer orders.

The main features of the new 9-3 contribute to an enriched, sporty driving experience in four key areas: driver involvement; refined performance; driver adaptability and driver-centered design.

Driver Involvement
The new 9-3 is the product of the most exhaustive development program in chassis dynamics undertaken by Saab. The handling of the car, its sensitivity to driver inputs and a high degree of feedback all combine to deliver a level of driving involvement and pleasure that challenges the class benchmark. The main highlights include:

· ‘ReAxs’ passive rear wheel steer characteristic. The kinetics of the rear suspension are tuned for a unique rear wheel steer response for optimum handling and stability

· Four-link independent rear suspension. High lateral stiffness for stability and grip; longitudinal compliance for ride comfort

· Low mounted steering rack gives excellent feel and precision with progressive power assistance and fast responses.

· Front suspension is by McPherson struts with lower A-arms mounted on a hydroformed (hollow), rubber-isolated sub-frame. High lateral bushing stiffness for good steering response and precision; high longitudinal compliance for ride comfort.

· Advanced chassis electronic systems. Saab-tuned ‘user friendly’ ESP (Electronic Stability Program). Mechanical brake assist, EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), CBC (Cornering Brake Control) and TCS (Traction Control System) all standard features.

· Optimized braking power. Front and rear brake discs in three and two sizes respectively, depending on specification.

· Minimized unsprung weight for better ride quality. Hub carriers and toe and lower rear suspension links in aluminum. Anti-roll bars in hollow section steel.

· ‘Shear’ bushing at top of rear shock absorber mountings for compliant ride quality and effective vibration suppression.

Responsive Performance
Saab is a center of expertise within General Motors for the development of turbocharged gasoline engines and the new powertrain adds enhanced refinement and driveability to Saab’s traditional strengths of high torque for strong, mid-range pulling power. It also delivers a level of sporty performance in keeping with the chassis’s dynamics, further reinforcing the new car’s driver focus. The main highlights include:

· New all-aluminium 2.0-liter turbo engine. Saab developed and tuned for 150 bhp/110 kW (badged 1.8t), 175 bhp/129 kW (badged 2.0t) and 210 bhp/147 kW (badged 2.0T) with high torque for swift overtaking. All internal components unique to Saab. Balancer shafts and dual-mass flywheel for greater running refinement.

· Sophisticated powertrain performance. Highly sensitive and precise throttle control, adaptive torque delivery and smooth power on/power off characteristics from new Trionic 8 engine management, latest version of Saab’s own 32-bit in-house system.

· More transmission choice. Uprated five-speed and all-new six-speed Saab manual gearboxes. Five-speed, adaptive automatic transmission with Saab Sentronic manual gear selection and optional steering wheel controls.

· Unique ‘pendulum’ engine mounting. Engine noise and vibration is reduced by installation of rods at the base of the engine for optimal torque control.

Driver Adaptability
In addition to its driver-focused chassis dynamics and powertrain performance, the new 9-3 is also designed to adapt to a wide range of driver needs, establishing a close interaction with its owner. Main highlights include:

· ‘Profiler’ customization. A wide range of functions can be pre-set according to personal preference including: anti-theft alarm, parking assistance, rain sensitive wipers and automatic climate control.

· Advanced electronics. Most extensive automotive systems use of fiber optics. With a signal capacity 50 times greater than conventional wire circuitry, fiber optics provide a high speed platform for advanced in-car ‘infotainment’.

· Dual zone air conditioning with automatic balance control. Senses changes in sunlight or shade outside the car and automatically adjusts airflow to keep interior temperature constant.

· Satellite Navigation. Designed by Saab with tailor-made software, including voice instruction, location and route storage and dynamic route guidance, avoiding traffic jams, for example.

· First vehicle-integrated Bluetooth™* application. Bluetooth wireless technology enables short-range communication between devices such as telephones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and computers. The new 9-3 supports hands-free voice control and calling via a Bluetooth headset, as well as wireless dial-up networking functionality using a Bluetooth PDA or laptop.

· Three specification levels. ‘Linear’ includes understated interior with fabric upholstery and anthracite trim. ‘Arc’ adds 16-inch alloy wheels and ruched leather interior with poplar wood trim. ‘Vector’ has 17-inch alloy wheels and a sports leather/fabric interior with matt chrome trim. The ‘Aero’ variant is the performance flagship of the range with lowered, sports tuned chassis and bodystyling, available only with the 210 bhp engine.

· Additional load-carrying potential. A standard 60/40 split fold rear seat with ski hatch allows occasional extra cargo to be effortlessly carried.

· Lower running costs. Longer service intervals and reduced workshop times minimize inconvenience for the owner and reduce scheduled servicing costs by 30 per cent, compared to previous model. On-board algorithm adapts oil change cycle to how car is used.

· Host of comfort features. Designed to make living with the new 9-3 as convenient as possible, these include: door mirrors that automatically reposition after being folded; a remote window and sunroof operation and ‘halo’ perimeter lighting at night.

Built Around the Driver
In common with all Saab cars, the new 9-3 is built from ‘the driver outwards’. That means the cabin ergonomics, the instrumentation, the controls and the seating position are all developed from the driver’s perspective. Its safety functions are, of course, shared by all who use the car. Main highlights include:

· Cockpit feel. The main instrument panel arcs around the driver. Logical layout and tactile feel to controls. Steering wheel adjusts for both rake and reach. Green instrument illumination and Night Panel function for restful night driving.

· High position display. Saab Information Display (SID) located on top of the fascia near the base of the windscreen, close the driver’s natural field of vision. Screen shows satellite navigation directions, as well as radio settings and warnings.

· Structural strength. With a torsional rigidity of 22,000 Nm/degree of deflection, the bodyshell is more than twice as stiff as its predecessor’s. This contributes to outstanding ride and refinement, handling and safety properties.

· Designed for Real-life Safety. 75 crash configurations carried out during development, utilizing Saab’s 6,000-strong database of real-life road accidents. Tests include truck-to-car side impacts, car-to-car frontal impacts with a closing speed of 120 kph and replica moose impacts.

· Second generation Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR). Pioneered by Saab, these help prevent neck injury for front seat occupants in rear-end impacts. Now improved for even quicker action.

· Integrated safety features. Seat belt pre-tensioning and load limiting for all outer seating positions, combined with dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted side airbags and side roof rail airbags.

Announcing the arrival of the new model, Peter Augustsson, Saab Automobile’s President and CEO, said: “ This car offers a level of driver involvement and responsive performance never seen before from Saab. The integration of a fine-handling chassis with the new, refined powertrain delivers a true ‘fun-to-drive’ package.

“It is a formula designed to appeal to young, premium car buyers who place a priority on a rewarding driving experience but who also want to express their individuality through choosing a distinctive, less commonplace brand.”

New Saab 9-3 Technical Specifications and performance

Engine
Gasoline:
1988 cc. 4 cylinders. In-line. Aluminium cylinder head and block. Turbocharged, intercooled. DOHC, 16-valve. Balancer shafts. Dual-mass flywheel. Front, transversely-mounted, hydraulically-damped. Front wheel drive. Diesel:
2171 cc. 4 cylinders. In-line. Aluminium cylinder head and cast iron block. Turbocharged, intercooled. SOHC, 16-valve. Balancer shafts. Dual-mass flywheel. Front, transversely-mounted, hydraulically-damped. Front wheel drive.

Transmission
5/6 speed manual gearbox. 5 speed automatic transmission, Saab Sentronic manual selection. Steering wheel buttons selection, automatic (option). Clutch:
Single, dry-plate, diaphragm spring.

Suspension
Front:
McPherson struts and gas shock absorbers. Anti-roll bar. Hyrdoformed sub-frame. Rear:
Independent, four link, including toe-link. Coil springs. Gas shock absorbers. Anti-roll bar. Sub-frame.

Steering
Rack and pinion, hydraulic power assistance. Turning circle: 10,8 m (kerb to kerb) Lock to lock: 2,97 turns

Brakes
Hydraulic, dual circuit, vacuum booster. ABS,TCS, mech. brake assist. Discs:
283/300/312 mm, ventilated steel (front) 276/290 mm, solid steel (rear)

Weights
Kerb:1440 - 1490 kg (EU)
Max. gross:1970 - 2020 kg (EU)
Max. towing weight: 1600 kg (braked)
750 kg (unbraked)
Distribution:60% f /40% r

Capacities
Fuel tank:62 liters
Trunk:425 dm3
Washer Reservoir: 5.0 liters[/b]

That's a long one! OO err Mrs.

Good coverage in Autocar!!
[expletive deleted] in AutoExpress - didn't have the grace to admit they got the grill wrong!!

correction to the cc - if it is 86 mm stroke and 86 mm bore then the displacement is 1998cc. So as it is all-alloy it will be the scaled down 2.2 Ecotec that features in top line Vauxhalls, ie Astra and Zafira turbos, but with Saab treatment so they will have totally different characteristics. It will be a different engine to the one I am accustomed to in my SRi Vectra.

I want the 175 hp version.

It has had a reasonably good write up, the pictures in the mag actually do it justice.

But hold on a minute, my Dad has the bragging rights in Denbigh Golf club as the old 9-3 has the rare distinction of being one of the FEW cars that you can get TWO MOTORISED GOLF TROllEYS in the boot leaving a lot of embarassed teutonmobile drivers some of whom whose cars cannot even manage ONE. The new 9-3 actually has a SMALLER boot - has it lost its' advantage??

Whatever a 2.0t Vector will be on my driveway in September 2003!

Looks like the brief was "man and machine in perfect harmony".

Er, anyone old enough to remember that slogan?

Yet more goodies from the rumanian web-page; a Q&A coloumn (I haven't seen these on the other official pages). Not anything revolutionary new, most of it is expected or commented, but here it's official.
#5 A: Yes. We intend to produce high performance versions.
- I think that's the only confirmation I've seen that there's coming something more than the Aero

#7 A: Yes, there will be an all wheel drive .

Well, here it is, all of it:
New Saab 9-3 Q & A

Model

1. Q: Compared to the concept models you have been showing us, this car looks rather conventional. Why did you not opt for more ‘Saabish’ (different) styling?
A: See question 15.

2. Q: The current 9-3 is a hatchback, why is the new 9-3 a sedan?
A: Many more people in this sector of the market want a sedan. This is the fastest growing segment on the market. The new Saab 9-3 is the most versatile sedan in its class. If they want even more versatility etc, they will opt for a wagon.

3. Q: Do you have more details about this new family of 9-3 models? Will there be convertible, wagon and coupé versions? If so, when will they be launched?
A: The 9-3 family will be expanded later with a cabriolet. It will be followed by a couple of other models including one with AWD. Naturally we cannot comment on details.

4. Q: What about the 9-3X ‘crossover’ concept car? Is that also in the new range?
A: With this car we want to showcase our future design intentions and sporty and multidynamic brand character. In three years time you might expect a car of this type in the marketplace. It is not possible for us to comment with further details right now.

5. Q: Will there be high performance versions of this car, like BMW M-series, Merc’s AMG and Audi’s S quattros?
A: Yes. We intend to produce high performance versions.

6. Q: Is there also a collaboration with Hirsch?
A: No decision has been made on that.

7. Q: Will there be 4WD?
A: Yes, there will be an all wheel drive. Our plans are to introduce the crossover with all wheel drive.

8. Q: Will it always be possible to buy a cabriolet?
A: Yes, the old one will be produced right up until the new 9-3 cabriolet is introduced, and also will be produced in Austria.

Q. Will the new engines do away with the old 1900 rpm flatspot?