Photo Credit: Saab History

Saab Automobile Germany is offering a special “Erik Carlsson” Edition of the Saab 9-3. This model is a truly to the rally legend’s recent 80th birthday.

Here is the press release loosely translated by Google:

Saab 9-3 Erik Carlsson

* Special model for the 80th Birthday of the rally legend
* Modern technology and all-wheel turbo engine with 240 hp

Rüsselsheim. Two victories in the Saab 96 in the legendary Monte Carlo Rally and a hat trick in the RAC Rally in England, the Swede Erik Carlsson and rally legend made. Also known as “Carlsson on the Roof” the Saab ambassador celebrated his 80th Birthday in March. For the Swedish premium brand, it was reason enough with the special model Saab 9-3 Erik Carlsson rally as a tribute to remember their traditions and rally successes. The Saab 9-3 Erik Carlsson Saab presents itself as a typical combination of sportiness and safety – with a powerful 240 hp engine and the ultra-modern four-wheel drive XWD (Cross Wheel Drive) and electronic differential lock ELSD.

Sport-feeling – outside and inside

A doppelflutige exhaust system, a subtle, silver-colored front spoiler, a diffuser on the rear and standard 18-inch wheels give the Erik Carlsson Saab 9-3 a sporty appearance. Optional is a sports exhaust system, a sports suspension and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The interior consists of sporty-elegant impression continued: door, cockpit and center console in Carbon Fairings optics contribute to the sporty character of the tactile quality of leather dashboard, hand brake and shifting.

Saab Drive – Power with Responsibility

The heart of the new Saab 9-3 Erik Carlsson is the partner with Saab Hirsch Performance engine and developed the modern four-wheel Saab XWD technology. The two-liter turbo engine makes 240 hp and a torque of 350 Newton meters. That makes a sprint from stand to 100 in just 7.3 seconds, top speed is 245 km / h. Despite the impressive performance of the fuel consumption is only 8.2 liters per 100 kilometers.

The modern Saab XWD all-wheel system distributes the torque of the motor depending on the needs continuously between the front and rear axle and ensures optimal grip and stability in all situations.

An important part of the system is an electronically controlled torque distribution (TTD – Torque Transfer Device), the force is distributed between the axles. A valve increases or decreases the hydraulic pressure on the Nasskupplung inside the TTD is activated or deactivated, and so gradually the rear axle. The degree of slip is, how much the rear wheels are driven. The force distribution between the two axes can, in extreme cases by almost 100 percent vary. The electronic locking differential (ELSD) – also standard part of the special model – works on the same principle: It distributes the engine driving the rear axle in practice, also with close to 100 percent of the wheel, which has more grip.

The Saab 9-3 is Erik Carlsson as a sports sedan from 42,350 euros, the Sport Combi will cost 43,950 euros.

Photo Credit: Cape Cod Online

This past weekend, a 2008 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan was involved in an accident in Kurt Vonnegut’s old neighborhood, Cape Cod, Massachusetts because a driver of a Chrysler Jeep Wranger ran a stop light.

No one was killed, thankfully, but I never miss hearing outcomes as mentioned below. The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan is the safest model ever according to the IIHS videos, and it shows!

The driver of the Saab was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

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I have recently read an acceptable review of a 2009 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD SportCombi. The journalist that did the review, peaked my initial interest with the following opener where I was throwing my hands up saying, yes finally someone with their head on straight.

“The end of the sport-utility era is upon us. It is now time to explore outside of the box and delve into the world of wagons.”

Already grinning, I continued reading and realized that this individual had some background when it came to the Saab product range over the years, but I was surprised about his shock and awe about the ignition being between the seats. I guess this person had more experience with Saab 9000s where the ignition was in the conventional location instead?

The journalist went on to say that the navigation system and the bluetooth systems were lacking, and I should add, this makes sense given they were clear after thoughts, even though the nav system was integrated whereas the bluetooth system was obviously not.

What I did like was, for a brief moment anyways, an actual mention of the XWD system onboard where it handled predictably in slush and snow. Of course, I really wanted more, because couldn’t that have been said in any auto review anytime, anywhere? Furthermore, where was the eLSD? That wasn’t even mentioned at all.

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Here is the third and final installment for the new Saab television ads from McCann-Erickson for the 9-3 range.
 
These tv ads began with the “recycle” spot back in the summer with the 9-3 convertible, then this fall the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan “Read The Road” XWD spots, and today the 9-3 SportCombi, complete with a Saab bicycle on the roof.
 
All three of these ads were filmed at Freezeout lake in Montana last summer The ad itself is merely the Saab driving in a nice location with some recognizable music, where is the creative here? I would have expected something a bit more impressive given its the first ad for the 9-3 SportCombi with McCann.
 
The ads only featured the 9-3 model range including the 9-3 Convertible, 9-3 Sport Sedan & 9-3 Sport Combi all in silver.

 
General Motors Launches Saab 9-3 Range “Surprised” from a series of ads for the rest of their brands. The ad begins with the IIHS safety ratings about the Saab 9-3 range, then ends with a “surprised” question at the end, followed by a spliced in “red tag” event blurb which ends January 5th, 2009.
 
In General Motor’s attempt to sell their brand and make some cash in the process, they are working hard at eliminating inventory, but potentially at the expense of customers, who may be turned away by the association with GM. Remember the old saying “Guilty by Association”?
 
So, in answer to GM’s ad, I will answer their “surprised?” tagline. I am surprised how you bought a brand, then nearly 20 years later you decided to sell it because you finally had realized that you’ve exhausted it and now actually had to invest it. Furthermore, I am also surprised how you believe that today, after all of the ongoing negative press GM is associated with, you believe it is a good idea to associate a good brand like Saab with GM, and tell everyone about it too!
 
So yes, I am surprised of many things, but I should say I am no longer surprised by GM’s mismanagement of Saab as it’s par for the course. They have proven that they do not value investing in the Saab brand. Surprised? Not so much, if you spend the time and do your research.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile AB

In 2004, the current model of the Saab 9-3 Convertible has been produced by a company through a contract with Saab Automobile AB called Magna Steyr located in Graz, Austria.

Prior to this production taking place here, the convertible was historically produced from 1986 until 2003 at the Valmet plant in Uusikaupunki, Finland.

The contact of the Saab 9-3 Convertible with Magna Steyr at the Graz, Austria facility ends at the end of 2009.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

The Saab 9-3 Sport Combi was launched in 2005 in Trollhattan, Sweden as the 4 millionth car to be produced by Saab. The first model came as a 2006 Model year as a 5-door wagon, while adopting the “Combi” phrasing as a throwback to the Combi Coupe launch back in 1974.

The SportCombi was an addition to the 9-3 Sport Sedan model, but a design continuation of both the 9-3X Concept Car as well as the 9-3 Sport Hatch Concept designed by Einar Hareide, Taras Czorny, as well as Anthony Lo & Michael Mauer.

The Saab 9-3 SportCombi continues to be produced in Trollhattan, Sweden.

This model for Saab came equipped with the following specifications:

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Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

The Saab 9-3 SS Convertible was released in 2004 in lime yellow and was an instant success continuing the sales that the 9-3 Sport Sedan received a year earlier.

The Saab 9-3 SS Convertible was designed in Sweden, yet it continues to be produced in Graz, Austria.

The convertible also has the the highest safety rating from the IIHS and continues to be a leader in its segment.

This model for Saab came equipped with the following specifications:

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Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan global launch took place at the Canary Islands and marked the first Saab in the lineage since 1974 to be without a hatchback.

The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan or 9-3 SS for short, was designed by Einar Hareide and is produced in Trollhattan, Sweden.

It has the highest crash test safety rating by the IIHS in comparison to the 9-3 and NG900 in 2004.

This model for Saab came equipped with the following specifications:

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Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

Saab Automobile USA are releasing a “25th Special 9-3 Convertible” which will be showing at the Los Angeles Auto Show that begins on November 22nd.

This edition, as I suspected is only for the United States, because back in September Saab Automobile released an almost identical version called the “Air Edition” for Europe, although that version had multiple engine options along with uniform aluminum colored Turbo-X wheels.

This “25th Anniversary” edition is interesting, because although technically it has been 25 years since the 900 Cabriolet Prototype hit the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1983, however Saab Automobile released a Saab 9-3 Convertible “20th Anniversary” edition back in 2006, two years ago, not 5.

I do want to use this an opportunity to thank former President of Saab-Scania of America, Bob Sinclair for the idea of the convertible and pitching it to Sten Wennlo back in 1983, and getting the prototypes built by ASC (American Sunroof Company) here in the United States. I also want to thank Saab Automobile USA for recognizing this during the 20th anniversary of the convertible in 2006 by having a media event in Southern California showing appreciation to Bob Sinclair.

The press release is below, and as you can see there is only one engine option for this U.S. edition unlike Europe, and omitting the Turbo-X wheels, but instead including an abundant set of wheels from inventory that debuted a whole three years ago. Why is it that Saab Automobile continue to waste time and energy on something like this, where an anniversary edition was already done 2 years and with much better execution I must say.

While the Saab 9-3 Convertible in its present form is a good car, this special edition is redundant and in my opinion undermines the 20th edition Saab 9-3 convertible launch back in 2006. The least they could have done, as one commenter on Motortrend suggested: “Outfit the converitble with a burgundy leather interior and white exterior paint job if they were serious about making it a true historical “anniversary edition” successor.”

I suggest you read what others are also saying on Motortrend and Autoblog.

For Immediate Release — November 12, 2008

American debut at Los Angeles auto show
Saab Celebrates 25 years of Convertibles with Special Edition
DETROIT – The first ever Saab Convertible made its world debut at the Frankfurt auto show in the fall of 1983. Now, 25 years later, a Special Edition makes its American debut at the Los Angeles International auto show which opens to the public on November 22. This new version of the Saab 9-3 Convertible will be showcased in a unique bright champagne metallic color.
Saab surprised the automotive world when it pioneered the concept of a ‘four season, four-seat’ soft top Convertible. Designed to be practical and stylish, the Scandinavian-styled convertible changed the perception of open top vehicles to be used all the year round.

“Saab has sold more than a quarter of a million convertibles worldwide and this latest edition highlights the timeless design and responsible performance that Saab convertibles have always represented,” said Steve Shannon, executive director, marketing and product, Saab Automobile USA.
The special edition Saab Convertible will be available in three metallic colors to include Jet Black, Carbon Grey and the new Bright Champagne. It will feature Saab’s signature 2.0-liter, 210 hp four cylinder engine and can be matched to six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.
Special content includes influences from the Turbo X performance model, such as the design of the front bumper and steering wheel plus carbon fiber interior finishes and black floor mats with grey binding. Like the Aero version, the rear shows dual exhaust pipes and an anthracite grey bumper insert. Five-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels will be standard.
Expected to arrive in dealer showrooms in January 2009, the Saab 9-3 2.0T Special Edition Convertible will be priced starting at $ 46,725 including destination charges.