kprm77
09-04-2002, 08:37 AM
Johan of the Saabec list posted the following about his impressions on driving the new 9-3. Johan kindly allowed me to post his thoughts here too.
Last Friday Filip and I visited the importers to drive the new 9-3.
For the test drive itself we were given a 9-3 Vector in silver, though for
admiration purposes they gave us a 9-3 Arc in the new dark green
(anthracite green).
Driving
The only car available was an automatic with the optional sequential gear
change. This is not yet on the steering wheel - Saab are still trying to
decide whether they should put the buttons on the wheel itself or stick to
the paddles behind it, à la 9-5. (Yes, you can now order a sequential
gearbox for the 9-5 too; the same goes for the new navigation system.) So
sequential shifting had to be done with the gear lever.
The version they gave us to play with was the 2 litre with 175 bhp - also
known as the 2.0t.
I found it something of a cultural shock: roadholding is spectacular,
absolutely staggering! Electronic stability system, TCS, and so on -
incredible. The Vector comes with special bi-colour shaped seats, aluminium
interior finish, leather gear knob, gaiter and steering wheel, superb
5-spoke 17" wheels, sport skirts - the list goes on.
The Arc is the "luxury" model, with wooden trim, leather, 16" wheels etc.
At last Saab can keep up with the market: 18" wheels, tyre pressure
monitoring, integrated navigation system, special remote control, EBD, ESP,
TCS, integrated parking sensors, external mirrors that fold away
electrically...
There are also three new colours: dolphin grey, anthracite green and a kind
of red. Sun green and hazel have been dropped due to non-existent sales.
The on board radio system is available in three levels: level 1 is a simple
radio CD (also called Infotainment 1). Level 2 lets you set various options
such as the alarm and the pre-heating system. Level 3 has the integrated
colour screen with full navigation. This will not be available until
January (this applies to the 9-5 too).
Sound is from 70 to 300 W
Engines are a marketing issue
"1.8t" - a 2.0 litre with 150 bhp (in direct competition with BMW)
2.0t - a 2.0 litre with 175 bhp
2.0T - full turbo 2.0 litre with 210 bhp (also called Aero)
2.2 Tid - a turbodiesel (regrettably not yet a common rail unit, but that
will be coming at the end of next year).
So far, 4-door three-box only. The convertible will be launched in Geneva
in March (we shall be going, of course!). They say the Estate will also
arrive next year.
My choice: 2.0t in Vector trim with 18" alloys.
Johan
Last Friday Filip and I visited the importers to drive the new 9-3.
For the test drive itself we were given a 9-3 Vector in silver, though for
admiration purposes they gave us a 9-3 Arc in the new dark green
(anthracite green).
Driving
The only car available was an automatic with the optional sequential gear
change. This is not yet on the steering wheel - Saab are still trying to
decide whether they should put the buttons on the wheel itself or stick to
the paddles behind it, à la 9-5. (Yes, you can now order a sequential
gearbox for the 9-5 too; the same goes for the new navigation system.) So
sequential shifting had to be done with the gear lever.
The version they gave us to play with was the 2 litre with 175 bhp - also
known as the 2.0t.
I found it something of a cultural shock: roadholding is spectacular,
absolutely staggering! Electronic stability system, TCS, and so on -
incredible. The Vector comes with special bi-colour shaped seats, aluminium
interior finish, leather gear knob, gaiter and steering wheel, superb
5-spoke 17" wheels, sport skirts - the list goes on.
The Arc is the "luxury" model, with wooden trim, leather, 16" wheels etc.
At last Saab can keep up with the market: 18" wheels, tyre pressure
monitoring, integrated navigation system, special remote control, EBD, ESP,
TCS, integrated parking sensors, external mirrors that fold away
electrically...
There are also three new colours: dolphin grey, anthracite green and a kind
of red. Sun green and hazel have been dropped due to non-existent sales.
The on board radio system is available in three levels: level 1 is a simple
radio CD (also called Infotainment 1). Level 2 lets you set various options
such as the alarm and the pre-heating system. Level 3 has the integrated
colour screen with full navigation. This will not be available until
January (this applies to the 9-5 too).
Sound is from 70 to 300 W
Engines are a marketing issue
"1.8t" - a 2.0 litre with 150 bhp (in direct competition with BMW)
2.0t - a 2.0 litre with 175 bhp
2.0T - full turbo 2.0 litre with 210 bhp (also called Aero)
2.2 Tid - a turbodiesel (regrettably not yet a common rail unit, but that
will be coming at the end of next year).
So far, 4-door three-box only. The convertible will be launched in Geneva
in March (we shall be going, of course!). They say the Estate will also
arrive next year.
My choice: 2.0t in Vector trim with 18" alloys.
Johan