October 15, 2007

First Drive: 2008 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan/SportCombi

2008 Saab 9-3 SportCombi. Click image to enlarge

Review and photos by Grant Yoxon

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Photo Gallery: 2008 Saab 9-3

Washington, DC - Saab has introduced the 2008 9-3 Sport Sedan and SportCombi with revised exterior treatments inspired by its Aero-X concept car.

Powertrain options remain the same, at least for now, with the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder in the base car and the 2.8-litre turbocharged six powering Aero models. This latter engine receives minor tweaking to improve horsepower by five to 255 hp. However, in the spring, Saab will introduce a 280-hp version of the 2.8-litre coupled with a new all-wheel drive system termed XWD (Cross Wheel Drive).

Styling changes on the new 9-3 are derived from the Aero-X concept, voted "Best in Show" at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show (http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/06ny/060417-1.htm ). While Saab claims that more than 70 percent of the Aero model's exterior panels are new, the most evident changes are in front of the A-pillars where the grille is now deeper and more pronounced, and new up-swept headlight assemblies and prominent trapezoidal air intakes give the 9-3 a more aggressive front-end look. Removing the rubber bumper and door guards really smoothes out the body work all around. A new clam shell hood pays respect to a traditional Saab styling cue.

2008 Saab 9-3 base (top photo), 9-3 SportCombi (middle photo) and 9-3 Aero. Click image to enlarge

The clam shell hood responds to criticism the company has received in recent years that Saab was losing its distinctiveness within the potpourri of GM brands (the 9-3 uses the same Epsilon platform used for the Opel Vectra and Chevrolet Malibu). While retaining (or reinventing) a feature as retro as the clam shell hood might limit styling creativity, the new hood integrates well with the new, steeply raked front end design.

Inside, you will still find the ignition key mounted on the centre console, a placement that has been a uniquely Saab feature since 1967, and which is as closely identified with Saab as a left of steering wheel ignition position is to Porsche.

Saab introduced new interior styling treatments for the 2007 model year and these carry over into 2008. A high point of the Saab interior is its extremely comfortable front seats, while limited rear seat leg room continues to be an issue.

New features for 2008 include standard Xenon cornering headlamps on Aero models, new 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels, and on all models, standard flat windshield wiper blades, tire pressure monitoring system, rain-sensing wipers, and OnStar.

At its North American press launch held recently in Washington, DC, Saab brought both base and Aero models, in sedan and SportCombi (wagon) configurations, equipped with both manual and automatic transmissions.

2008 Saab 9-3 Aero (photos one and three) and SportCombi. Click image to enlarge

The convertible was not available. The sedan and SportCombi are on sale now, while the convertible arrives this month. The closed cars are manufactured in Sweden while the convertible is built by Magna in Austria.

Also available for a limited test was an Aero sedan equipped with Saab's first all-wheel drive system, XWD, pronounced we were told, so as not to confuse it with some other manufacturer's all-wheel drive systems, as Cross Wheel Drive.

To develop XWD, Saab turned to Haldex, a company with vast experience in all-wheel drive systems. This is the fourth generation of Haldex all-wheel drive and incorporates some innovative features guaranteed to move Saab from not on the list to the top of the list when considering vehicles with all-wheel drive: pre-emptive engagement of the rear wheels to optimize traction at take-off, and an active rear limited-slip differential that allows variable torque transfer between the rear wheels.

The system is governed by its own electronic control unit, which functions in harmony with the engine, transmission, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes.

At take off, the system directs power to the rear wheels, giving maximum traction immediately for smooth, strong acceleration from rest without hesitation. Most other systems won't direct torque to the rear wheels unless the front wheels slip first.

2008 Saab 9-3 Aero (top) and the author behind the wheel of the 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD. Click image to enlarge

In normal driving conditions, the front wheels receive 90% of the power, but get on the gas and power is seamlessly directed to the rear wheels. Push the car to the limits of traction and an electronic limited slip differential comes into play, transferring up to 40% of the torque between the drive shafts and sending power to the wheel with the most grip. The system measures wheel speed, yaw rate and steering angle to balance oversteer and understeer characteristics, improving stability and road-holding.

This means that the car relies less on the electronic stability program (applying brakes and cutting engine power) and more on the distribution of torque to maintain stability - a much better situation for drivers who like to drive. By momentarily applying more or less torque to either of the wheels to help the rear of the car more closely follow the direction of the front wheels, the limited slip differential can keep the car better balanced and more tightly controlled without requiring "outside" intervention from electronic stability aides.

Still, in my limited test on a low-speed slalom and through a grassy area set aside for testing, the system wouldn't let you hang the rear end out too much before bringing on the electronic aids and slowing things down - a good thing for inexperienced drivers.

I'll need more seat time to evaluate Saab's XWD when the car comes to North America in the spring.

2008 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD (top) and 2008 Saab 9-3 SportCombi. Click image to enlarge

XWD will be available on Saab Sport Sedan and SportCombi Aero models, in combination with a more powerful 280-hp 2.8-litre turbo engine that delivers almost 15% more torque (295 lb-ft) to exploit the greater traction that XWD makes available. Pricing for the XWD models has not yet been announced, but expect a premium in the $2,200 to $2,500 range.

Pricing for the 2008 Saab 9-3 starts at $35,950 for the base Sport Sedan and $37,550 for the SportCombi with manual transmission. The Aero Sport will list at $43,990, SportCombi at $45,690. An automatic transmission adds $1,500. Pricing for the convertible has not yet been announced.

If you can't wait until spring for Cross Wheel Drive, you won't be disappointed in the front-wheel drive models available. While their faces may have changed, driving characteristics remain the same, providing a good balance between ride comfort and handling. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder is the more nimble of the two, but the Aero models provide excellent power and a more solid, comfortable ride over bumpy roads.

Manufacturer's web site

• Saab Canada