Skip advert
Advertisement

Saab 9-3: Saab goes all-wheel drive

Saab adopts all-wheel-drive system on revised 9-3 range. The new cars will also get a 296bhp twin-turbo V6

Saab 9-3

fter struggling with front-wheel drive for so long, Saab has finally acknowledged the shortcomings of the layout when it comes to transmitting 250-plus turbocharged horsepower to the road while steering at the same time. It has announced that it is to introduce a Haldex-based all-wheel-drive system on its top-of-the-range 9-3s.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The change will come when the revised 9-3 range arrives in the UK in September. All the current engines will be available, but with the addition of a new, 296bhp, twin-turbo V6 range-topper that will be good for a speed-limited 155mph and a sub-6sec dash to 60mph. There will also be a high-performance sequential twin-turbo 1.9-litre diesel in the range, with four-wheel drive to help it cope with 178bhp and over 300lb ft of torque.

On the outside Saab has re-introduced the classic clamshell bonnet (a Saab signature much- missed in recent years) and has given the front grille a more aggressive design, while all cars will get trick white tail-lights like those seen on the current estate versions.

Disappointingly, the current interior – one of the weakest areas of the 9-3 – will be carried over to the new model. We'll have to wait until the all-new 9-3 arrives in 2010 before this finally gets revised.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI
Cheap sports cars
Best cars

Best used sports cars – proper performance cars for less than a new Golf GTI

With the sun shining and fuel prices palatable, now is the time to indulge your used sports car desires
1 Jul 2025
New 2026 Ferrari Amalfi revealed – physical buttons return in the 631bhp Roma replacement
Ferrari Amalfi front
News

New 2026 Ferrari Amalfi revealed – physical buttons return in the 631bhp Roma replacement

The Ferrari Amalfi picks up where the Roma left off, as a more capable, debugged super GT that’s finally brought back buttons
1 Jul 2025
Can Lotus survive its latest crisis?
Lotus factory
Opinion

Can Lotus survive its latest crisis?

Lotus’s latest troubles are grabbing headlines, but the writing’s been on the wall for some time.
28 Jun 2025