llanody: Saab 9-3 Convertible Aero

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The car was badged as 93 starting in the 1999 model year, when they revised the naming strategy of their small car to match that of the larger 95 . Saab consistently advertises it as 9-3, pronounced as "nine three". The Saab 9-3 was launched in 1998 for the 1999 model year essentially as a rebadged 2nd Generation Saab 900 (1994-1998 model), and succeeded by a redesigned 9-3 for the 2003 model year. It is not to be confused with the Saab 93, pronounced "ninety three", which was a car produced by Saab from 1955 to 1960.

Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible

Tagged: 2009 Saab 9-3 Aero
The first generation 9-3, a substantially improved 'new-generation' Saab 900 was launched in 1998 for the 1999 model year. Saab claimed that 1,100 changes were made, including a revised suspension in an attempt to tighten up the handling characteristics of its predecessor, the Saab 900 (1994-1998 model). It featured slightly sleeker styling with some models sporting a black rear spoiler and removed Saab's trademark centrally-mounted "snow flap". It was available as a three or five-door hatchback, and as a two-door convertible. It was the last small Saab to use the company's H engine. Notable improvements over the Saab 900 were improved ride and handling and substantially improved crash-worthiness with standard side impact airbags with head protection and active headrests. The Saab 9-3 along with the Saab 9-5 and the Volvo S70 were the first cars in the world to earn the maximum score in a side impact augmented by a pole test[citation needed] based on Euro NCAP testing. The 9-3 continued the Saab safety tradition of performing a Moose Test.

Tagged: 2009 Saab 9-3 Aero

The 9-3 was available with a new variant of the B204 engine (B204E, 154 hp (115 kW)), a low pressure turbo (LPT) engine based on the B204L used in the last generation Saab 900. For the U.S. market, all 9-3s were turbocharged petrol engines with the "full pressure turbo" (B204L, 185 hp (138 kW)) as the standard offering, and a "HOT" (B204R, 200 hp) variant in the SE models for the 1999 model year. The 2000 model year saw a revision from SAAB's Trionic 5 to Trionic 7 engine management system. The first generation 9-3 was also the first Saab available with a diesel engine, an Opel sourced engine shared with the Opel Vectra.

Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible

A Saab innovation is the 'Night Panel', carried over from the Saab 900, which permits dousing of the instrument panel lighting, except for essential information, for less distraction when night driving.

2008 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible

2006 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible

A high-powered version of the Saab 9-3 was the 'Viggen' (English: Thunderbolt). It was named after the Saab 37 Viggen aircraft. It is no longer in production due to the 9-3 hatchback body style ending after 2002.

2008 saab 9 3 convertible 7

2002 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible

2005 Car Review: Saab 9-3 Aero
It came with a turbocharged 2.3 L engine, (B235R) giving 225 bhp (168 kW; 228 PS) later 230 bhp (172 kW; 233 PS) on 20 psi (1.4 bar) of boost from its Mitsubishi TD04-HL15-5 turbocharger. Acceleration from 0–62 mph could be reached in 6.4 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h).[citation needed] To handle the high power and performance the following elements were changed/modified: