Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Saab
Officially Teased: 2008 Saab 9-3
Click for high-res gallery
Leaked photos had been dripping out onto the web all last week, and today, Saab officially released the first photos of the facelifted 2008 Saab 9-3. In addition to the wagon that we've all already seen, we now get our first look at the sedan. The release after the jump (which comes via the automaker's Australian division) is very, very lean on details -- this is basically a teaser ahead of the full release that's coming next month, when we can expect to see the convertible and the rear ends of the sedan and wagon.
Obviously, the Aero-X-inspired styling is in play, with the cars getting new front ends, a clamshell hood, and new lighting. As for the other changes, the release plays coy, saying that "significant developments" in design, performance, and handling are being introduced with the car. In Australia, it'll bow with gasoline, diesel, and BioPower engines. We'll probably hear more from the US side later this morning, and will update this post accordingly. We wouldn't be surprised to hear that we'll get the BioPower E85 engine, but not any diesels.
The Australian press release is pasted after the jump.
UPDATE: When the car arrives in the US, it will be available in two trim levels: 2.0T and 2.8 V6 Aero. Sounds like the BioPower's not in the cards for this market (at least not at launch). The US press release has also been added after the jump.
[Source: Saab]
Gallery: 2008 Saab 9-3
PRESS RELEASE (USA):
New Saab 9-3 range debuts for 2008 Model Year
Sharper Looks Showcase Enhanced Performance
Inspired by the award-winning Aero X concept car, the new Saab 9-3 range will feature bold styling and cutting edge technology for greater driving appeal.
With all-new front bodywork, 'signature' lighting, new door panels and rear styling features, the latest generation 9-3 acquires a more focused, assertive stance, reflecting the introduction of technical advances aimed at delivering an even more rewarding experience behind the wheel.
All new 9-3s are immediately recognizable by the sharper frontal styling, which adopts fascia, grille and surfacing themes first seen on the Aero X concept, together with a return of Saab's classic 'clamshell' hood design – first seen in the iconic 1967 Saab 99. The 9-3's new 'face' is reinforced by other exterior changes that all combine to give the range a clearer, more distinctive Saab identity.
"We are introducing significant developments across three key areas: design, performance and handling," says Jan Åke Jonsson, managing director of Saab Automobile worldwide. "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."
The new 9-3 portfolio continues to include Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible models. Available as the 2.0T and 2.8 V6 Aero, the range is expected in United States showrooms this fall.
Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. Visit www.saabusa.com for more information.
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PRESS RELEASE (AUSTRALIA):
New Saab 9-3 Range: Sharper Looks Showcase Enhanced Performance
Images of the new Saab 9-3 range released for the first time today, reveal the new 9-3 will feature bold styling, inspired by the award-winning Aero X concept car and cutting edge technology for greater driving appeal.
With all-new front bodywork, 'signature' lighting, new door panels and rear styling features, the latest generation 9-3 acquires a more focused, assertive stance, reflecting the introduction of technical advances aimed at delivering an even more rewarding experience behind the wheel.
Most noticeable is the sharper frontal styling, which adopts grille and hood themes first seen on the Aero X concept, together with a return of Saab's classic 'clamshell' design. This new 'face' is reinforced by other exterior changes that all combine to give the range a clearer, more distinctive Saab identity.
"We are introducing significant developments across three key areas: design, performance and handling," says Jan Åke Jonsson, Managing Director of Saab Automobile.
"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 global sales."
The new 9-3 range comprises Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible models, each offering a unique 'tri-fuel' engine choice of petrol, diesel or BioPower (E85).
Available in three forms, Linear, Vector and Aero, the new range will go on sale in Australia before the end of the year.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
zach 1:11AM (5/14/2007)
you know... i really like the way saab's look; but i just can't get over the fact that there's just typical GM underneath the skin... such a shame.
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Kwesi 1:22AM (5/14/2007)
i agree #1,...i hope this is more than a refeshen,..gm is doin wonders (im watching my words from now on) with the new holden platform, it would be a shame if this doest benefit from its engineering,..
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SilverAero 1:34AM (5/14/2007)
Thats one hell of a facelift. Not to say the old look was bad, but they just changed alot. I love it, but i hope they get rid of the GM radio.
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Smart 2:18AM (5/14/2007)
stupid clamshell hood. why?
this car used to have a beautiful, clean, timeless cutline from turn signal to A-pillar. Now it has a (ultra-trendy) clamshell hood cutline marring the fender. WHY? No reason whatsoever. Stupid, dumb, and ugly. barf.
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smartmlp 2:48AM (5/14/2007)
Wow, GM just keep rolling out these great products!
America FTW!
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Jason 2:59AM (5/14/2007)
The clamshell hood has marred many late GM vehicles. It's very GEO Tracker and Chevy Avalanche. A CHEAP CHEAP truckish toy look that has no place on a luxury vehicle. GM has no clue and should dump all their cars and stick to making their toys. Uhhh, I mean trucks.
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CheezeDog 3:04AM (5/14/2007)
Not bad looking, but Im wondering if GM did a good job maintaining Saabs Herritage on the inside as well as the outside.
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SilverAero 3:51AM (5/14/2007)
Are you guys un-informed, ignorant, or just stupid. The clam shell hood is Classic Saab. Read a book, or check wikipediia or something before writing this off as a truck trend. Saabs since the 70's had the clamshell hood until the 90's when GM took over. Saab is trying to get back to its roots, non GM roots. This car is beautiful. Best front end GM has on a car.
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DTRUTHS 8:59PM (8/30/2007)
I CERTAINLY AGREE
Luciano 4:31AM (5/14/2007)
It looks really good, the new face lift is well balanced. For sure an improuvement..
http://www.lucianobove.blogspot.com
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Jay 4:44AM (5/14/2007)
I'm at an impass here. I think the new nose by itself, looks friggen awesome! However, I can't help think it doesn't fit so well with the rest of the car...
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swe 5:29AM (5/14/2007)
i looked up that black one in the picture and found some info (maybe everyone already knows but what the heck..)
184 kW
automatic transmission
1630 kg weight
465 cm lenght
177 cm width
wheel dimensions are 215/55 R16 93V
and it's has an ordinary gasoline engine if any of this matters..
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PiCASSO 7:24AM (5/14/2007)
Beautiful front end. Love it.
I just hope that they've improved the interior bits, as even the last minor refresh doesn't do justice in a car that's priced with Lexus IS and BMW 3-series.
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jason 8:35AM (5/14/2007)
As a Saab owner I can saw the first two comments are spot on.. If the car were made by Toyota or another company with better quality control it would be a much nicer car. The design of the car is awesome and its an awesome car, but every other part on the motor gave up around 100k.
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Ligor 9:22AM (5/14/2007)
FWD, nuff said
the G35/CTS are way better options, but alas this will serve those in te snow belt, except that the CTS/G35 come with AWD as option so what's the point
it does look good though and hte station wagonn is one thing missing from the CTS/G35
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THOMAS 9:53AM (5/14/2007)
available in AWD, nuff said.
wait, maybe not. Cheaper new and wayyy cheaper used, nuff said.
wait, maybe not. The current CTS is not available in AWD, nuff said.
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g-ddidy 10:58AM (5/14/2007)
i love saabs, i hate saabs, i love saabs. I loved the old 9-3 on the outside but the inside was pure crap. I love the interior of the current 9-3 but the outside isn't really a saab. I remember when saabs were just compilations of beautiful curves, like a hot chick. Bring back the hot chick saabs.
g
http://www.cheapgreencar.com
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Matthew 11:34AM (5/14/2007)
IMHO, the Saab has always been a handsome, manly, speedy but efficient car. This design continues the the tradition with sporty/handsome design elements.
You can't sell new cars if they look the same as the old ones.
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Yago bal 12:11PM (5/14/2007)
"you know... i really like the way saab's look; but i just can't get over the fact that there's just typical GM underneath the skin... such a shame."
You are really misinformed... the "GM" underneath is so heavily modified that they have a different rear suspension, a different electronic and electrical system, and AWD... Everything else has been tuned by SAAB, so much that they sent the original 9-5 budget on it. :p And it's completely impossible to build it in any other (epsilon) plant besides Trollhattan.
So this isn't a standard GM epsilon car at all... Show me an AWD epsilon, please.
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SAAB VOLVO 2:12PM (5/14/2007)
I like it.
And now the 4weeldrive-model will be relesed too.
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