2008 Saab 9-3: New Look Heralds 4WD System

Motoring Channel Staff - 18/June/2007

Trollhättan, Sweden — We recently published photos of the all new Saab 9-3 SportCombi models on the Motoring Channel, and the public response to the redesign has been favourable thus far. The piercing new look is fairly eye catching but remains true to traditional Saab design cues and borrows a few elements from its bigger brother, the 9-5.

Regarded from the front or back, the new 9-3 design is unmistakably Saab. Furthermore, the Scandinavian automaker has made a number of changes to the 9-3 line-up that range beyond just the visual, including the most powerful engines ever seen from the European company, and the inclusion of an AWD 'Aero' sports model that can transfer 100% torque to the rear axle.

The Swedish car maker has released photos and information on the entire range of the 2008 model 9-3, including the sedan, wagon, and convertible models, and its abundantly clear that Saab is moving forward with momentum.

Range-topping 9-3 Aero Sport Sedan and SportCombi models will be available with AWD transmissions, called Saab XWD (cross wheel drive), which will be mated to powerful 208kW (280hp) V6 turbo engines for performance levels never seen before in the 9-3 range.

Saab's global managing director, Jan Åke Jonsson, hopes the raft of new features that spread across the 9-3 range will increase the appeal of the new model: "We are introducing significant developments across three key areas: design, performance and handling. The result is a major step forward in strengthening the visual and driving appeal of our core product line-up, which accounts for about two-thirds of Saab’s global sales."

A Saab spokesperson confirmed that the new 9-3 range are scheduled for an Australian launch in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Design

The new 9-3 range features wrap-around headlights similar in design to those seen on the 9-5 Saab models, and the new 'face' features a more angular and aggressive design seen on the lower apron. 

More of a front end touch-up than an completely new design, Saab says the new look was inspired by the Aero X concept car, and was crafted to reinforce the range's sporty appeal. 

Everything forward of the A-pillar is new, so almost the entire front end of the new 9-3 range has been re-sculpted. Readers with an eye for detail will notice the new front fascias, light assemblies, as well as the flared side sill extensions. Saab says its styling strategy aims to bring together contemporary and classic Saab design themes in a progressive, modern expression of the brand's distinctive character.

The deeper, more prominent evolution of the Saab grille adopts a theme first seen on the Aero X concept car, and together with the new headlamp lenses gives the car a more prestigious look. There's also a bold new hood design, incorporating a 'clamshell' shape across its breadth (a styling cuefirst seen in the iconic 1967 Saab 99) and generates an almost retro look and feel.

With its swept-back look and wrap-around headlights, the new Saab 9-3 models have more of a family resemblance to the 9-5, and as befits the performance oriented Aero models bolder body work and larger wheels will be included. The Aero models get deeper from aprons, lower side skirts and subtly reworked tail ends. 

Compared to the previous model 9-3, the all-new cars have a cleaner image thanks to the removal of all external rubbing strips from bumpers and doors.

Tri-Fuel Power

Saab has coined the term 'tri-fuel' to describe the engine range for the new 9-3, which includes petrol, diesel, and ethanol fuelled engines.

The range-topping engine for the new 9-3 model is the petrol powered 2.8-litre V6, which is turbocharged to increase its performance hit. Available only on the Aero models, this new engine is one of the most powerful ever fitted to a Saab and in combination with the proposed XWD system could produce the sharpest, quickest Saab in history.

Featuring 4-valves per cylinder, the 2.8-litre V6 is similar in design to the previous 2.8 turbo (reviewed here) is uprated from 184kW to 208kW and torque has risen by 50Nm from 350 to 400Nm. Saab revealed that to achieve this significant hike in power and torque, the turbo boost pressure was increased from 7.2 psi (0.5 bar) to 11.6psi  (0.8 bar). 

Saab expects the new model to be far quicker than its precursor, and it claimed to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds, with the 80 to 120km/h fifth gear roll on taking in 7.9 seconds.

Other petrol engine options in the Saab 9-3 range include a lower power 188kW version of the 2.8-litre V6 turbo, and there's also a range of 2.0-litre turbo engines to suit a range of requirements, outputting 110kW (150hp), 129kW (175hp) and 147kW (210hp).

The diesel engine range includes a powerful new 1.9-litre 4-cylinder engine with a two-stage turbocharging system. Saab claims this twin stage turbo system is a world first in the premium car segment, and gives the sub 2.0-litre engine high power levels: 132kW (180hp) and 400Nm of torque. The class-leading engine returns combined fuel consumption of 5.9L/100km for the Sport Sedan which is highly economical.

The final engine type in Saab's new 'tri-fuel' range is the BioPower engine, but it's still unclear whether this engine type will make its way to Australia. Displacing 2.0-litres, the turbocharged BioPower engine uses E85 fuel (85% bioethanol, 15% gasoline) to deliver increased engine power and performance, as well as reduced CO2 emissions.

The new 9-3 BioPower 2.0t engine delivers 147kW (200hp) and 300Nm of torque, which is an improvement on the first generation BioPower engine. Saab claims the 9-3 BioPower 2.0t Sport Sedan can can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds when running E85 fuel, and 8.5 seconds when running exclusively on petrol.

Generally speaking, E85 fuel has a higher octane rating (104 RON) than gasoline (98 RON), and turbocharging with this fuel allows the use of a higher boost pressure and more advanced ignition timing than is possible with gasoline. This gives more engine power, without risk of harmful 'knocking' or pre-detonation.

Saab AWD System: XWD

Saab has revealed the active, all-wheel-drive system (coined XWD) will initially be offered on Aero versions of the 9-3 Sport Sedan and SportCombi, in combination with the range-topping 206kW V6 turbo engine. As well as improving handling and stability in all varying conditions, the new system is expected to increase the 9-3 Aero's straight-line performance. Buyers will be able to choose from 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

The new XWD system is state-of-the-art says Saab, and includes two innovative features: 

Pre-emptive engagement of the rear wheels to optimise traction at take-off
Active rear limited-slip differential (eLSD), allowing variable torque transfer between the rear wheels

We can reveal that the Saab XWD system is a fully automatic, on-demand system capable of sending up to 100% of engine torque to the front or rear wheels whenever necessary, which is a very good thing. The XWD system works in tandem with a sports-tuned ESP throttle/braking intervention regime, which according to Saab provides more scope for closer driver involvement.

Rather than use a mechanically-driven central differential like some Torsen AWD systems, the Saab XWD system is governed by its own electronic control unit which works by engaging a Haldex coupling system to transfer torque between the front and rear axles.

Unlike a lot of AWD technology, which requires the detection of wheel slip before drive is transferred to the rear, the XWD system will respond to large throttle inputs by transferring most of the power to the rear wheels for maximum traction and strong acceleration from standstill. Through corners, the XWD system draws on sensors that measure wheel speed, yaw rate and steering angle to ensure power is transferred where its needed and also to balance oversteer and understeer.

Saab explains that in highway cruising conditions, when traction or optimum grip is not an issue, only 5% to 10% of engine torque is typically transmitted to the rear wheels, which helps to save fuel.

The ultimate ‘icing on the cake’ with Saab XWD is the eLSD option. This is the first application of an electronically-controlled, rear limited slip differential in this segment of the market. The eLSD operates via pressurised clutch plates and in icy, wet, or split-friction conditions it uses inputs from the rear wheel speed sensors and can transfer up to 40% of torque between the drive shafts, to whichever wheel has more grip. Not unlike Honda's Super Handling AWD (SH-AWD) system, the Saab XWD can also apportion torque between the rear wheels.

Saab has stated that the XWD system will be available in Europe from the beginning of 2008.

New Saab 9-3 General Features

All Saab 9-3 models purchased with automatic transmissions will benefit from a Sport Mode that is initiated via an instrument panel button. Simply put, it aligns gear selection more closely with the intentions of the driver. If the driver momentarily lifts of the throttle, the current gear will be held for more effective engine braking and a quicker acceleration when required. During braking, downshifts are also faster and more closely matched to the rate of vehicle deceleration.

Optional 'cornering' xenon headlights are now offered, which are linked to the steering input and can swivel up to 15 degrees when negotiating a corner at speeds above 15km/h and at speeds above 110km/h the low beam is also automatically raised slightly for improved illumination.

A tyre pressure monitoring system is offered as option on Aero models and comes as standard if 18-inch wheels are specified, allowing drivers to see exactly how much air is in them.

For the audiophiles out there a high-end Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system will be available as an option on all Sport Sedan and SportCombi variants. According to Saab, it offers exceptional sound reproduction through five channels from CD, MP3 or XM digital radio sources. Surround sound quality is automatically provided even if a CD is not encoded for it, and it features 11 (sedan) or 10 (combi) speakers, and the performance is optimised for the acoustic requirements of the cabin. A DVD and satellite navigation system is also offered.

Model Range

One of Saab's spokespeople confirmed the new 9-3 range is scheduled for an Australian launch in the fourth quarter of 2007, while North America and Europe will get them in the third quarter, and the range spans three body types:

• Sport Sedan

• SportCombi

• Convertible

Related Articles:
- Saab 9-3 SportCombi (2008)
- Saab 9-5 Linear (Road Test)
- Saab 9-3 Aero (Road Test)
- Saab 9-5 (2006)