Saab Unhatches an All-New 9-3
The hatchback is gone. Long a trait of Saab cars, the 2003 9-3 will be
available only as a 4-door sedan, at least until a convertible arrives in
the 2004 model year. And the new 9-3 shares General Motors' global Epsilon
platform.
While it does look significantly different from the outgoing model, there
is no mistaking this is a Saab — but now it's sleeker, less egg-shaped and
uses a well-defined crease just below the beltline to form a powerful rear
three-quarter view. The overall length has remained virtually the same, but
both the wheelbase and the width have increased by about 2 in., with most of
the extra room given to the rear-seat passengers.
Three "forms" (as Saab likes to call them) or trim levels will be
available: Linear, Arc and Vector, with the last being the performance
model. The Viggen will be dropped. Two 2.0-liter turbo-charged 4-cylinder
engines will provide the power — 175 bhp and 195 lb.-ft. of torque for the
low-pressure turbo, and 210 bhp and 221 lb.-ft. for the high pressure. The
base engine uses an updated 5-speed manual, with the high horsepower engine
receiving an all-new 6-speed. Both engines can also be mated to Saab's new
5-speed automatic, called Sentronic, which allows for manual shifting.
Steering wheel-mounted shifters will be optional.
