With the advent of the new version of the Saab car in 1998, a long time has passed. For a dozen years that have become for Saab 9-3 a period of active positioning and fruitful development, the sedan calmly followed the European trends in the automotive industry, not yielding to its competitors either in reliability or as an assembly.
Swedish designers have brought the general outlines of the original version Saab 9 3 under the obsolete model with serial number 900. The main “blow” fell on the front of the car, thus, the manufacturer managed to maintain recognition with the old project, emphasizing belonging to its line, and, at the same time, to achieve a noticeable resemblance to the Saab sedan 9 -five.
First generation Saab 9 3
If we talk about the interior of the then Saab 9 3, then the speedometer has undergone strong changes, acquiring a non-linear scale, where the interval from 0 to 140 km / h has become more sparse, and everything that goes further is crowded on a small interval. Obviously, the idea of such a speedometer was inspired by instruments that can be found in airplanes.
The first generation version 9-3 of Saab cars offered us a choice of 3 body types. Each settled on the version that best suited to the status of the driver: a 3-door hatchback for lovers of sports spirit, a 5-door hatchback - the most practical, and for ardent individualists - a luxury convertible.
The arsenal of engines Saab 9 3 contained several types of four-cylinder units:
- 2 petrol engines with 130 hp and 150 hp, with a displacement of 2 liters and 2.3 liters, respectively;
- Gasoline turbo engine for 2 liters, with a 185 hp;
- Diesel turbo engine of 2.2 l, 115 hp
The most high-speed modification of the Swedes decided to call the 9-3 Viggen, once again, associating the car with a fighter. The fifth engine is a 2.3-liter turbocharged unit with a capacity of 225 hp. In the load to the expensive engine, the car received reinforced brakes and a sports suspension of increased rigidity, the creation of which Saab engineers worked alongside with TWR specialists.
Saab 9 3 provided for 3 types of PPC. First, this is the Sensonic manual transmission, which was installed least of all, which is why it was extremely rare. A feature of this exotic system was the automatic clutch, that is, the clutch pedal was not intended as such. The Sensonic system can also be called experimental, because it was of more scientific interest than practical, as evidenced by the high cost of production and small demand. But two other transmissions from the Japanese company Aisin - automatic 4-speed and 5-speed - seemed more traditional and reliable to buyers.
A high level of equipment has always been inherent in this Saab car model. Starting with the basic version, the package included air conditioning, power steering, airbag, ABS, and an aerodynamic set of moldings. Another interesting “trick” of Swedish cars is the night mode of instrument lighting, when the readings of the air conditioning system, on-board computer and other systems are dimmed, and the backlight is kept only at the speedometer.
Recommended article: Citroen Chinese office radically upgraded C5 sedanSaab 9 3 car может похвастаться и отличным уровнем безопасности. Чтобы стать рекордсменом в своем классе, помимо обширных зон запрограммированной деформации, расположенных в задней и передней частях кузова, автомобилю пришлось обзавестись прочным “скелетом” с ребрами жесткости по всему периметру от пола до крыши. Полный комплект подушек и активные подголовники SAHR взяли на себя ответственность за обеспечение безопасности в салоне.
The appearance of Saab 9 3 Aero
It would seem that Saab can offer every car enthusiast an optimal assembly in accordance with the required technical characteristics and design, but this did not at all serve as an obstacle for the company to present its new product - Saab 9-3 Aero in 1999. Combining the remarkable power, reasonable price and prestige of the brand, the car became a real outlet, and in fact, the first car of this class available to a wide circle of fans of powerful turbocharged engines.
Plunging into the salon Saab 9 3 AeroIt is difficult to get rid of the emerging feeling of claustrophobia, created either by a small cabin volume, or by an abundance of instruments that fill it. To a huge number of different indicators and sensors, among which there is even a boost pressure sensor, in any case will not be able to get used immediately. But in the function of the onboard computer you should not even meddle without mastering the corresponding manual perfectly. How much time it takes the user to search and master all the buttons, the concentration of which per square meter just rolls over, it is difficult to imagine. First you have to find the control buttons for the trunk lock on the driver's door in the very center of the upholstery, and in order to start driving the mirrors, you need to go to the front door pillar. Between the driver and passenger lurking buttons control windows. A little more will have to sweat, before realizing that the sport driving mode is activated with a button on the grip of the automatic transmission, and the winter mode is hidden next to the gear selector. All in the unique spirit of Saab.
The new Saab 9 3 Aero got a two-liter 205 hp engine. Despite the increased power of the engine, put it on the old chassis, thereby condemning the car to reduce the exchange rate stability and control at high revs.
The Second Coming Saab 9 3
The second generation of Saab 9 3 cars was based on the Epsilon platform used, it should be noted, in the Opel Vectra. In defense of the Swedish manufacturer, it can be said that many elements were intentionally refined and otherwise configured. Among such changes is the use of special malleable elements in the rear suspension, providing the effect of “steering” in corners. The steering mechanism is altogether attributed to the company's development company.
Of the equipment to choose from, only turbocharged engines are offered, as well as updated manual transmissions and automatic transmissions. At the rear of the Saab 9 3, the multi-link ReAxs suspension now flaunts. The degree of sensitivity of the steering mechanism is brought to the proper level, realizing increased accuracy of work. To improve active safety, the Saab 9 3 “hung” the anti-skid system, anti-lock system, brake force distribution systems in bends and on straight road sections. Also, the range of electronic security systems has expanded the ESP system. Undoubtedly, with such reliable rear Saab 9 3 it has become easier to compete with premium representatives of the class, headed by Mercedes-Benz C-class and BMW 3-series. Surprisingly, having absorbed the key innovations of automobile production, Saab 9-3 remained true to its unique concept, recognizable in every detail.
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For some time, the second generation of the Saab 9-3 was produced only in the sedan, however, the year 2003 was barely in time when a convertible appeared. Rejecting the similarity of the appearance of the cabriolet with the Sport Sedan version, the truth is revealed: the folding-roof car was created not on the basis of a sedan, but in parallel with it, separately.
The negative influence on the comfort and controllability of the change in the body structure was eliminated by the Swedes by increasing its rigidity by combining the front, rear and side parts, as well as the power elements into a single ring of rigidity. So, road performance and passive safety, despite the lack of a roof, managed to be maintained at the proper level.
The key advantage of the model, according to the ideology of the Saab 9 3 family, is perfect controllability. And, if the suspension here is an exact copy of the Sport Sedan's suspension, then its settings will most likely come to the liking of the active driver.
Взглянем на Saab 9 3 Specifications. Шестнадцатиклапанные двигатели с турбонаддувом, 2,0 л., мощностью 210 л.с. и 175 л.с. явно перешли в наследство от седана. Из возможных комплектаций трансмиссии имеем на выбор 3 варианта: 2 ручные КПП (5-ти и 6-ти ступенчатые), а также адаптивная к манере вождения и дорожным условиям автоматическая коробка передач. Последняя система также реализует возможность ручного секвентального переключения. Роботизированная коробка передач является на данный момент самым свежим технологическим веянием в масштабе главных автомобильных систем.
It takes only 20 seconds to fully fold the convertible's roof. The roof of the updated car is fixed on six brackets. Interior noise insulation and vibration resistance of the car were also significantly improved.
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Build a new gig from Saab was made at the Austrian automotive plant. Saab 9 3 cabriolet embodied the idea of a vehicle for those who are not used to compromise and prefer in life to be guided by rational considerations not in isolation, but on a par with emotions. Thus, the model with a folding roof was created primarily with a bias on the preferences of buyers from the west.
Further development of the Saab 9 3 version
Soon, in the fall of 2005, work began on updating the engine range for the Saab 9-3. Upgraded devices came out in series; the start was set by a 122 hp gasoline engine with a volume of 1.8 liters. Dealers began to offer this naturally aspirated engine already in 2006. Behind it appears the turbocharged unit, a volume of 2.0 l., Presented by versions with a capacity of 150 hp, 175 hp. Another turbo engine that develops 210 hp. offered for the Saab 9 3 Aero. The latest in this trend were Holden turbo engines, a volume of 2.8 liters and a power of 250 hp. and 230 hp
Turbodiesels are also available, but only for certain markets. For Saab 9 3 Specifications Such an engine look like this:
- 8-valve version, which has a volume of 1.9 liters and power 120 hp
- 16-valve version with the same volume and with a power of 150 hp
If this can be called features of a turbodiesel, then this unit complies with the Euro 4 environmental standards, equipped with an anti-soot self-cleaning filter system that reduces the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The choice of gearbox to the engine is as follows: manual or automatic, 5 or 6-speed.
From the middle of 2005, sales of the Saab 9 3 Sport Combi started. This is a sports wagon, which is based on the same model Sport Sedan. The whole range of equipment and engines migrated from the 9-3 sedan. Taking care of maintaining the dynamics of the car, the engineers quickly rejected the idea of increasing the length of the body, thereby securing the status of a mid-size car.
The last update, which is worth mentioning, is the modernization of 2007, which left an imprint of the Aero X concept on the Saab 9-3 model existing at that time.
In addition to the above, I want to share a video about Saab 9-3, where you can look at cars in action, as well as learn about the features of the car in comparison with other cars.
