Autoblog

Click image for gallery including one additional angle

It's starting to look like GM's going to have a hard time keeping a lid on all the new Saab stuff. Late last night, Trollhattan Saab posted what appear to be official renderings. The Internet game of one-upmanship is now afoot, with Saab Scene posting what are purportedly the first official photos of the 9-3 SportCombi. Looks good. With the Saab AWD system, which they're apparently going to call XWD, it should look even better to the folks who live in areas where the climate gets sloppy come winter months. We'll bring you more leaked information news as it comes out.

[Source: Saab Scene]

Swade over at Trollhattansaab.net, the mecca of Saab sites on the web, has again come through with a tantalizing shot of the 2008 Saab 9-3. Shown winter testing someplace where it's really cold and snowy, this 9-3 SportCombi test mule is sporting a new grille design that evokes the longish snout of the Aero X that was so well received at last year's Geneva Motor Show. Swade notes the new nose isn't a total transfer of the Aero X's look, probably because this refreshening will be a transition face for the 9-3 that bridges the current model and an all-new model that's still a few years out. Nevertheless, this grille is much taller than the current model's, and therefore the smallish intakes anchored to the headlights stretch farther down towards the center now to meet the main grille. Also noted is black tape at the top of each headlamp that could be covering a strip of LED daytime running lights.

[Source: Trollhattan.net]

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In celebration of its diamond anniversary, Saab is offering the 9-3 and 9-5 with special 60th Anniversary Edition trim packages. Outside, the cars receive a glitzy Ice Blue metallic finish and 17" rims. The theme inside the cabin is darker, with black leather seats and dark walnut trim setting the tone. Gray inlays and an embossed Saab logo add some more interest to the buckets, and matching-pattern floormats sit in the footwells.

In addition to that, the 9-3s get a high-zoot audio system, power seats, and foglamps. The 9-5s get the Visibility Package that features Parking Assistance and xenon headlights, among other things. Sedan, convertible, wagon -- all bodystyles for both the 9-3 and 9-5 are available in 60th Anniversary trim, so Saab's got you covered whether you need to haul the kids and family dog or if you're a sun-worshipper looking for a little wind in your hair.

On the 9-3 sedan, ragtop, and SportCombi the Anniversary package adds $1,825 to the price of the car. For the 9-5 sedan and SportCombi, the increase is smaller, coming in at $1,595. The press release after the jump goes into a little more detail, but as "paint & wheel" packages go, this one seems pretty nice. Happy shopping.

(Gallery, press release after the jump)

[Source: Saab]