The Saab they say doesn't exist - is how AutoExpress hams up this story.

They also talk about forthcoming convertible and hatchback options.

If you want to see how they have butchered this in photoshop they might have a pic on their website. Pop along if you can be bothered.

All I can say is thank god Saabs turn out very different to what AutoExpress reckons. http://www.saabscene.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Interestingly they say that becuase is shares floorpan with Vauxhall Vectra then ride and handling on the 9-3 will be improved. Erm, wasn't that the reason it was so terribly compromised in the first place (pre-epsilon times)????

AutoExpress. Good for a laugh, I suppose.

The Swedish company has denied the next-generation 9-3 will appear in estate guise, but a picture in the current issue of Auto Express magazine is all the proof you need that the stylish load-lugger is going to make production.

It sports more interesting styling than the 9-3 saloon we revealed in issue 703. The neat rear gives the car more of a hatchback stance, similar to the BMW 3-Series Touring, while stacked narrow rear lights mean it offers a wide tailgate opening and low loading sill.

It's the first mid-size estate in the Saab line-up since the 95 was withdrawn in 1978, and goes on sale in 2004. At the 9-3 launch in September, only a four-door saloon will be available, while three and five-door hatchbacks are also expected in 2004. A two-door tin-top, which will form the basis of a cabriolet, is tipped to appear next year to rival the likes of Volvo's C70 and the BMW 3-Series coupé. The estate pictured here will be the basis of a new 4x4, inspired by the 9-3X concept, which will do battle with the forthcoming BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander.

As with the saloon, the 9-3 estate will come with a choice of 2.2-litre normally aspirated and 2.0-litre turbo-charged engines, as well as a 3.0 TiD diesel sourced from the 9-5. A smaller oil-burner is also likely to appear, and will be the unit that Saab's parent company, General Motors, is developing with Fiat for use in the new Vectra.

As well as the engines, the 9-3 will share its platform with the Vauxhall, meaning it should address criticisms of the previous car's dull dynamics. It won't be a sporting machine, but as with the Vectra will have competent handling, an improved gearchange and a quiet, refined cabin.
By the time the 9-3 estate goes on sale, the 9-5 will be ripe for replacement. When the larger car is axed, its smaller brother will be left as Saab's only load-carrier until the 9-5 estate hits showrooms in 2006. Craig Cheetham


Article from: Auto Express

As with the saloon, the 9-3 estate will come with a choice of 2.2-litre normally aspirated and 2.0-litre turbo-charged engines[/b]Is this saying that Saab's line-up will no longer be completely turbo-charged?

Well Saab's own web site about the new 9-3 saloon states that all the engines are turbocharged

Personally, if they are going to drop the hatchback, then an sporty estate similar to the Mercedes C class estate would be nice - this was claimed in one of the AutoExpress articles about the new 9-3 I believe.

I would like a 9-3 estate with the 3.0TiD and auto-box with the optional paddles on the steering wheel - Saab are you listening

me too !

Well Saab's offical info pack states that there will, and always has been an estate option planned, and it will be out late next year. As usual, AutoExasperate are talking out of their collective boots.

Saab used the same excuse that they did with the 9000 to 9-5 transformation - the "hatch" version is replaced by a "Lifestyle Wagon"

They also maintain that the new 9-3 will be all-turbocharged. There has never been any plans to include the Open 2.2 litre petrol engine - the only involvement Saab have had with that is turbocharging it for Vauxhall/Opel, not for themselves - working in their capacity as Head of Compression Technologies for all of GM.

As for the similarities between cars on the Epsilon chassis, I don't think we have much to fear on that score - the Vectra's suspension is different, and predominately steel whereas the new 9-3 gets all-alloy suspension, and the chassis was pre-destined for the 9-3 and new Alfa 156. The Vectra was to be built on a separate chassis until the new Mondeo arrived and scared everyone witless with its handling - at that point Opel decided to use an evolution of the Epsilon chassis for the Vectra to give it better handling than their own in-house one.

Final proof is in the fact that apart from different suspension, the 9-3 actually has a shorter wheelbase and wider track than the Vectra, thus giving far better handling, and the alloy suspension doesn't take up as much weight, resulting in a lighter, more sprightly car....

Oh, as as for the diesel auto, fear not, the 9-5 is due to get the Sentronic paddle changes for the next model year, and likewise the new 9-3. Lesser models will get a 4-speed normal auto, whereas Vectors and Aeros with petrol or the 3.0V6TiD will get a five-speeder with paddle option. (the 2.2TiD only gets a 4-speed)

I have now come to the conclusion that anything that emanates from AutoExpresso Towers is utter rubbish - more reliable sources seem to be AutoCar and www.4car.co.uk (http://www.4car.co.uk), who I have to see be proved too far wrong.

The picture in Auto Express is obviously a photoshop job, like most magazines do to 'see through' the disguises used by car makers when they test cars, but is it just me or is the photo they modified the one they published last year of a slightly disguised saloon version!

The picture in Auto Express is obviously a photoshop job[/b]I'd agree with that - the rear light cluster is in sharper focus than the rest of the car.

Rear end looks like a Laguna estate. Can't see Saab letting an undisguised car on the roads so far before launch (if they are going to build it).

I've written to Autoexpress.. we shall see what they say...


Complete Tripe!

Saab have never denied they would make an estate version on the new 9-3!.. what they have said is they will not make a hatchback! (which is causing much consternation amongst current 9-3 hatch owners right now - and the reason Saab give, is they couldn't make the car necessarily stiff for it's new sporting pretensions.

Also there will be no non-turbo engines in the new line-up (just like right now) - you say there will be a 2.2, but you've probably confused that with the 2.2 Turbo Diesel unit.

Also the car you show is so obviously a photoshop special, just like your last so-called scoop - which looked NOTHING like the real car.

You should be ashamed with yourselves for such bad auto-reporting and misleading people!

Maybe you should just pay attention to Saab BBS - *http://www.saabscene.com *- at least you'ld be more correct than your current poor guesswork! - And I don't suppose we'll see you at the official release of the new saloon.. you'll be too busy from the comfort of your bedroom making up the launch.[/b]

So yet another car magazin puts out stuff which is obviously doo-doo. The problem is that they are not alone. If you have more than a vague knowledge of a subject you will find, more often than not, that any item in the media about it will contain mistakes and blatant untruths..

What really annoys me is that these people get paid good money to write rubbish and that people will then quote it as true. To quote from an old song "It must be true, for I read it in the papers, didn't you?"

Steve

Maybe you should just pay attention to Saab BBS - *http://www.saabscene.com *[/b]They already do - they just don't credit their sources!

James

They'll be publishing the photos from the 'Glad these aren't in SAABs design team' thread on the non technical board next, and claiming them as a scoop!