Autoblog

When car makers don't have anything truly new to offer, they often make special editions. Such is the case right now with Saab. General Motors' Swedish brand is putting out its second limited run version of the 9-3 convertible this year. Unlike the somewhat garish Yellow edition that came out during the summer, the new one is more subdued. The latest special edition 9-3 Convertible is meant to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the very first Saab convertible from 1983. The special part comes in a choice of Jet Black, Carbon Grey and the new Bright Champagne. Power comes from the standard Saab 2.0L turbo with 210 hp. The anniversary convertible will magically appear on the show floor at the LA Auto Show next week without a press conference before it goes on sale in January at the "bargain" price of $46,725. The 9-3 is a nice enough car, but with pricing like that it's no wonder the brand is struggling.


[Source: Saab]

Click to enlarge the Yellow Edition

Just as spring seems to have finally arrived in force around here, Saab dropped us a line this morning to let us know that it's releasing a new special edition of the 9-3 convertible. The 2008 Yellow Edition is the third of the type following the 1991 original and the 1997 version. The new Yellow Edition gets propulsion from Saab's 210-hp 2.0L turbo four cylinder with either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed autobox. Befitting the name, the body is coated in Lynx Yellow paint (although I don't think I've ever actually seen a Lynx in this particular shade of yellow), and you get 17-inch alloys, a rear spoiler, and a laundry list of standard equipment. The Yellow Edition will cost Saab aficionados an extra 3 grand over the standard convertible with an MSRP of $42,830. If you are so inclined, head on down to your Saab dealer while they last.

Update: We just some additional info from Saab. It looks like their will only be about 300 Yellow Editions for the US although the final number isn't nailed down yet. Interiors will be available in black or parchment (light cream), with tops of black, tan, or blue.


[Source: Saab]

click above image for many more high-res pics of the 2008 Saab 9-3

The new Saab 9-3 in all of its various forms (Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible) has been the worst kept car secret of 2007. For weeks engineers and more recently executives have been driving the new 9-3 around Trollhattan, Sweden for all to see. The day has finally come, however, for the actual unveiling of the new 9-3, and it's accompanied with more high-res pics than you can wave a white flag at.

The big news, of course, is the Aero X-inspired front end design. No, not everyone will like it, especially considering the current model's design was considered a sharp execution of Saab's traditional styling elements. Nevertheless, the look has grown on us considerably since we first saw spy photos, and the new clip up front is considerably bolder and more aggressive than the current model's. The clamshell hood adds a nice crease to the car's otherwise soft lines, and the trapezoidal lower air intake flanked by a pair of recessed fog lights really fills out the car's chin nicely.

More info as well as press releases for all three models can be found after the jump. All of the high-res pics released by Saab today can be found in the two galleries below.

[Source: Saab]

click above image for high-res version of the Saab 9-3 Convertible on ice

Saab has put the chill to one of its 9-3 Convertibles to celebrate its 60th year in the automobile manufacturing business. The display is located at Sweden's ICEHOTEL, which itself is made out of pure ice. At first glance, we thought an entire 9-3 Convertible had been dipped into a giant vat of H20 and frozen, but the press release reveals it's actually parked in an ice garage comprised of 60 ice blocks harvested from the nearby Torne River. The structure weighs an impressive 30 tons and the blue-lit Saab can reportedly be seen from a kilometer away. About 500 people will attend the Saab Ice Experience at the ICEHOTEL, including customers, VIP guests and select dealers, until the whole thing melts away on March 18th.

[Source: Saab]