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Nargess
Shahmanesh-Banks test drives the Saab 9-3 convertible
The model for the 9-3 Convertible was already more or less chosen when
ex-chief designer, Michael Mauer, arrived in 2000. However, he did manage
to insert some influence on the final design of the car. "I convinced
the group that we should change the rear-end. I thought this aspect of
the car at that time was very boring and didn't have real character
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His ideas certainly worked, with the replacement model carrying through
much more of Saab's design heritage. The topless model retains the brand's
web-shaped profile signature. The style can be described as modern-Scandinavian
so that form follows function in a non-showy package, coupled with a new
European outlook. "I think a Saab should have a distinctive character.
It is tough to define this, but it is to have more character than other
cars," said Mauer at the time of launch. Additionally, the use of
six, instead of five braces has contributed to a more coupé looking
cabriolet.
Under the bonnet is an all-aluminium 2.0 litre turbocharged engine configured
for two levels of power output: 175 or 210bhp. Transmission choices includes
an improved five-speed and a new six-speed manual gearbox as well ash
adaptive five-speed automatic transmission.
Maximum power on the 2.0t litre is 129kW (175bhp) at 5,500rpm. This allows
for a maximum torque output of 265Nm at 2,500 to 4,000 rpm. On the 2.0T
litre engine maximum power is higher at 155kW (210bhp) at 5,300rpm and
maximum torque is at 300Nm at 2,500 to 4,000rpm. The 2.0t makes it from
0-100kph at 9 seconds on the five-speed manual gearbox and in 10.5 seconds
on the five-speed automatic. This model reaches a top speed of 220kph
on the manual and 215kph on the automatic. The 2.0T is a little faster
reaching 0-100kph in just 8 seconds on the six-speed manual and in 9 seconds
on the automatic, with a top speed of 230kph on the manual and 225kph
on the automatic.
The car is being built at Saab's production facility in Magna Steyr, near
Graz in Austria. They went on sale in September 2003.
This is a car for the less conventional buyer. "The main thing about
Saab," Mauer explained, "is that we have had strange and quirky
cars in our heritage. We have a certain reputation, but to survive as
a carmaker we need some products that are less extreme. The 9-3 convertible
is also an image builder but probably in the more conventional sense."
Mauer has since left to direct Porsche design, but the 9-3 Convertible
retains its earlier emotive quality.
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August 2005
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