Saab builds on its strengths

Saab has let slip some further information about the next 9-3 (more here) to hit our roads later this year.

New panels forward of the A pillars lend the new 9-3 a look derived from the Aero X concept car unveiled at last year's Geneva motor show.

C/D pillar styling and the clamshell bonnet -- a traditional Saab styling cue -- will be integrated in a more modern styling form that recalls the company’s aviation design heritage.

Saab claims the revised frontal styling has lowered the drag coefficient to 0.28Cd for the sedan and 0.33Cd for the SportCombi wagon. The wagon is the first Saab to achieve zero lift values at both the front and rear.

Efficiency has taken a step forward with the engine options for the new model. In addition to the petrol and Diesel engines available in the superseded model, the new car will be sold with two 'BioPower' E85 options, running a mix of petrol and up to 85 per cent of ethanol by volume.

That means the engine line-up will comprise:

The flex-fuel engines are a high-performance turbo derivative and a naturally aspirated engine which is available for all grades barring the Aero models.

One problem that has been a bug-bear for Saab and 9-3 owners in the past, torque steer, is eliminated in the new Aero variants through an all-wheel drive system, named 'Saab XWD'.

This system is a fully automatic on-demand system that can channel 100 per cent of torque to the rear wheels, if required. This system raises the operating threshold for the electronic stability program by balancing the torque split to a finer degree than in two-wheel drive cars.

As with arch-rival Volvo in some of their AWD S60 models, the 9-3 Aero variants use a Haldex multi-plate clutch system to adjust the torque split from front to rear. An electronically controlled limited slip rear differential comes standard with the 9-3 Aero and is a first for Saab.

Relaying the torque to the final drive system is the job of the six-speed manual transmissions that are standard for vehicles fitted with the V6, the turbo-Diesels and all turbo engines, except the low-boost 110kW engine.

A conventional five-speed automatic transmission option is available with all engines except the 155kW turbo engine, which will be offered with a '5+2' transmission, featuring two intermediate gears for kick-down.

The body of the new 9-3 boasts high torsional rigidity, put at 22,000Nm/degree of deflection for the sedan; marginally less for the SportCombi with the large aperture for the tailgate.

This rigidity partly stems from extensive use of high strength and ultra-high strength steel, accounting for as much as 60 per cent of the body's weight. As a consequence, there are benefits for both active and passive safety.

For the new car, Saab designers strove to make the driving position highly practical and within easy range of all controls.

The design brief called for some innovative solutions to common problems faced by drivers, day to day. Dealing with distractions is one such problem.

Saab's 'ComSense' function will delay audible warnings or phone calls if the system detects the driver operating the indicators or pushing the brake pedal hard. This system also combines with the rheostat for the instruments, dimming the lighting at night.

Also serving to reduce driver fatigue and distraction, a 'profiler' system allows a wider range of customisation of control settings. Climate control, clock, speedo scale calibration, parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers can all be adjusted to suit the driver's personal preferences.

When it goes on sale in Australia, the new 9-3 will be available in three grades, 'Linear', 'Vector' and 'Aero'. The two interior colour scheme options will be light or dark ('Parchment' and 'Black', respectively).

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