More details on Saab’s new 9-3 plus new twin-turbo diesel and AWD tech

Posted Fri Jun 8 2007 1:07 PM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Saab is celebrating 60 years of manufacturing cars with a series of events and festivities planned for the Swedish town of Trollhättan this weekend. Officials have been getting around town in pre-release versions of the upcoming facelifted 9-3, and there were plenty of fans on call to snap these latest spy pics of some of the new cars.

Very little details have been released about the new 9-3, but an Italian magazine appears to have acquired what seems to be the official press release.

Some of the more interesting pieces of information include details about a new twin-turbo diesel engine labeled the 1.9TTiD that’s said to develop 180hp, as well as two V6 engines developing 255hp and 280hp respectively. Another option will be a flex-fuel 2.0L turbo with 200hp on tap.

However, the new twin-turbo diesel engine is by far the highlight of the range. Developing up to 400Nm of twist, and consuming just 6.4L of fuel per 100km, the compact powerplant is on par with similar engines from the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz and also meets full Euro 5 emissions regulations.

The biggest tidbit of info, however, was about the new 4WD system. Labeled XWD, the new electronically controlled traction system can send up to 100% of drive to either the front or rear wheels, and then can also cut the power or applies the brakes if it detects more slippage.

Via:

Reader Comments

Fri Jun 8 2007 2:41 PM
Gus says

I'll take the convertible, with the diesel and all wheel drive please.
Of course I'm dreaming, that combo will never sell here in the US. Shame.
Sat Jun 9 2007 12:28 AM
Donkebaza says

It looks kind of odd from the side view.. Size really does matter, the car is totally "under wheeled". But it doesn't seem have room for much more. Silly stuff!
Sat Jun 9 2007 12:29 AM
Donkebaza says

It looks kind of odd from the side view.. Size really does matter, the car is totally "under wheeled". But it doesn't seem to have room for much more. Silly stuff!
Sat Jun 9 2007 9:39 AM
HECTOR says

OMFG! It looks even worse from the side...

A fitting thing from a company that boasts *born from jets* as their slogan. Next time you fly think how it would make you feel to know that the company that built the plane was *born from cars* and started by *car engineers, only one of whom had a pilot's license*.

You look at this travesty of a car and you know why GM is in trouble...
Sat Jun 9 2007 1:53 PM
admin says

Yeah, it seems Saab\'s designers didn\'t take the Auto Design 101 course that says a car should have huge flares to make it look more aggressive.
Sun Jun 10 2007 5:00 PM
HECTOR says

Like the oversized clown arches on the MB S class! LOL... You're killing me man...

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