2008 Saab 9-3 Pictures -Exterior and Interior
Saab is a small Swedish car company with a long history in rallying on the one hand and safety research on the other, with a small but loyal following around the world. It has been effectively turned into the American marketing arm of Germany's Opel by its owner, General Motors, using many parts, systems and chassis also used by GM's German brand.
For 2008, Saab 9-3 benefits from more powerful engines and a radical new front and rear-end redesign. The cabin is largely unchanged. Saab claims that, in addition to the new look, front, side and rear, it has made some 2157 changes to the details of the 9-3.
On freeways, we found the 9-3 rides quietly and lets you listen to the music. The front-wheel-drive Saab 9-3 Aero V6 we drove was smooth and quick. On back roads, the handling was responsive; it handled bumps well, in corners and over rises. The seats are comfortable.
All-wheel drive will be available on late-2008 Saab 9-3 models. The XWD all-wheel-drive system is made by the Swedish company Haldex, which also supplies systems to Volvo, Ford, Jaguar, Volkswagen, and Audi.
It's the fourth-generation system, and it is said by Saab to be the fastest-acting, best all-around system in the world, moving engine torque from front to back and side to side as needed, and using an optional eLSD electronic
limited-slip differential at the rear that can juggle up to 4 percent of the supplied torque between the left and right tire as necessary. Saab claims an Aero V6 XWD can outrun a $150,000 Porsche 911 Turbo through a slalom with this system.
Lineup
The 2008 Saab 9-3 lineup includes six models, starting with the 2.0T sedan ($28,385) packing the turbo four-cylinder engine. The 2.0T is available with a choice of six-speed manual, five-speed automatic or six-speed automatic.
The 2.0T Convertible ($39,710) and 2.0T SportCombi wagon ($29,630) are similarly equipped.
Interior Saab spent all of its budget money for the 2008 9-3 update on the body, the engine upgrades, and the XWD system, so there was little left over to redesign the interior, which is why it looks so similar to the interior in the outgoing version of the 9-3.
All models will come with black, not gray, instrument panels, and have OnStar, XM Satellite Radio, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a built-in tire-pressure monitoring system as standard equipment. A hot Bose 11-speaker sound system will be optional on late-2008 models.
2008 Saab 9-3 Specifications and Features;
2008 9-3 Performance, Engine & Power Specs
- Turbo compressor
- 1,998 cc 2.0 liters in-line 4 front engine with 86.0 mm bore, 86.0 mm stroke, 9.5 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder LK9
- Premium unleaded fuel 91 and Fuel consumption: EPA 08 urban (mpg): 19, country/highway (mpg): 29, combined (mpg): 23, 8.1, 12.3, 9.8, 23, 35 and 28
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- 16.4 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 13.7
- Power: 157 kW , 210 HP SAE @ 5,500 rpm; 221 ft lb , 298 Nm @ 2,500 rpm
2008 9-3 Weight, Lights & Exterior Dimensions Specs
- Body color front bumpers, part-painted rear bumpers
- Day time running lights
- Driver power heated body color door mirrors, passenger power heated body color door mirrors with switch
- External dimensions: overall length (inches): 182.9, overall width (inches): 69.0, overall height (inches): 57.1, wheelbase (inches): 105.3, front track (inches): 60.0, rear track (inches): 59.3 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 39.
- Projector beam lens halogen bulb headlights
- Luxury trim wood/woodgrain on doors
- Black paint
- Fixed rear window with defogger
- Tinted glass on cabin
- Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,175
- Windshield wipers with automatic intermittent wipe and rain sensor
2008 9-3 Brakes, Suspension & Handling Specs
- Four-wheel ABS
- Brake assist system
- Four disc brakes including two ventilated discs
- Electronic brake distribution
- Electronic traction control via ABS & engine managemen
- Immobilizer
- Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
- Stability control
- Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs
2008 9-3 Cargo, Stereo Speakers & Interior Feature Specs
- 12v power outlet: front and 2
- Air conditioning with climate control and rear outlet
- Element antenna
- Peripheral anti-theft protection
- RDS audio system with satellite and CD player
- Cargo area light
- Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 15.0
- Cellular phone other
- Clock
- Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption and range for remaining fuel
- Full dashboard console with open storage box, full floor console with covered storage box
- Delayed/fade courtesy lights
- Cruise control
- Front seats and rear seats cup holders pop out
- Door ajar warning
