Review: Saab Mk.2 9-3 sedan (2002-11)

Review: Saab Mk.2-I 9-3 sedan (2002-07)

Overview

Released in November 2002, the Saab Mk.2 Series I (Mk.2-I) 9-3 was available as a compact executive sedan; the 9-3 SportCombi wagon has been reviewed separately. Manufactured in Trollhattan, Sweden, the front-wheel drive Mk.2 9-3 sedan range initially consisted of three variants – the 1.8t, 2.0t and 2.0T – though all were powered by 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines. In 2005, the range was expanded with 2.8-litre turbocharged petrol engines and, in 2007, 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engines. The full range is given in the table below.

Engines: B206, B284L and Z19DT

Of the engines,

• The 2.0-litre Ecotec LK9 petrol engines which had aluminium blocks and cylinder heads, double overhead camshafts, twin balance shafts, four valves per cylinder and compression ratios of 9.5:1. However,
  • For 1.8t variants, B207E engine had a Garrett GT2052s turbocharger which provided maximum boost pressure of 0.50 bar;
  • The 2.0t variants, the B207L also had a Mitsubishi TD04-11TK turbocharger with peak boost pressure of 0.70 bar; and,
  • For 2.0T variants, the B207R engine had a more Mitsubishi TD04-14T turbocharger which provided maximum boost pressure of 0.85 bar;
• The 2.8-litre B284L (or LP9) V6 petrol engine had an aluminium alloy block and cylinder head, sequential fuel injection, a Mitsubishi TD04 twin-scroll turbocharger (maximum boost pressure of 0.5 bar), double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder (with sodium-filled exhaust valves) and a compression ratio of 9.5:1; and,
• The 1.9-litre Z19DT turbo-diesel engine had a cast iron block, an aluminium alloy cylinder head, common-rail direct injection, a GTA17V Garrett variable geometry turbocharger, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, exhaust gas recirculation and a compression ratio of 17.5:1.

Body and dimensions

Compared to the Saab Mk.1 9-3 , the Mk.2 9-3 was 6 mm longer (at 4635 mm), 51 mm wider (1762 mm), 45 mm taller (1466 mm) and had a 70 mm longer wheelbase (2675 mm). Furthermore, torsional rigidity for the Mk.2 9-3 was 22,000 Nm/degree, more than double its predecessor.

Suspension

The Mk.2 9-3 had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, four-link rear suspension with passive rear wheel steering (Saab’s ‘ReAxs’).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the 9-3 sedan included dual front airbags, front side airbags with head/thorax protection, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, cornering brake control, traction control, anti-submarining front and rear seats, active front seat head restraints and front and outer rear seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2002 Mk.2 9-3 sedan – with a 2.0-litre petrol engine – achieved a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.15 out of 37. In the frontal offset impact test, the front occupants’ chests were subject to high forces and a point beneath the steering column posed a risk to the driver’s knees. In the side impact and pole tests, maximum points were awarded; a further two points were awarded for advanced seatbelt reminders.

Features

Standard features for the 9-3 Linear included 15-inch alloy wheels, a seven speaker sound system with a CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a cooled glovebox, heated front seats, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, 60/40 split and folding rear seats with a ski-hatch, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, two 12 volt power outlets and an immobiliser. From February 2004, the Linear editions were also fitted with leather seats (until 2006, see below).

The 9-3 Arc was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat, front fog lights, wood veneers and a full-size spare wheel. Released in October 2006, the Linear Sport edition effectively replaced the Arc, but omitted the Arc’s power adjustable driver’s seat.

Compared to the Arc, the 9-3 Vector featured 17-inch alloy wheels with low-profile tyres, sports leather/textile interior trim and chrome-finished instrument dials. From 2004, the Vector editions were fitted with leather seats, while automatic models gained steering wheel gearshift buttons.

The range-topping 9-3 Aero was distinguished by its thirteen speaker sound system with six-disc in-dash CD player, premium leather seats with two-tone upholstery, power adjustable front seats with driver’s seat memory settings, rear parking sensors, rear spoiler and remote anti-theft alarm; automatic models also featured steering wheel gearshift buttons.

2006: 9-3 sedan update

In January 2006, however, price cuts for the Linear resulted in it being fitted with ‘leatherette/woven textile’ seats and steel wheels, though a Linear Lux was also introduced which retained leather seats and alloy wheels. Visually, the 2006 models could be identified by a new steering wheel and updated alloy wheel designs.

2007: 9-3 sedan update

The 9-3 sedan was updated for 2007 with a new front fascia, instrument display and switchgear. Furthermore, Bluetooth connectivity was made standard across the range, while there were also new paint colours, revised suspension settings and improved sound insulation.

Review: Saab Mk.2-II 9-3 sedan (2007-10)

Overview

Released in November 2007, the Mk.2 Series II (Mk.2-II) 9-3 sedan introduced a revised range, updated styling and E85 compatible engines for the 2.0t BioPower variant. The Linear Lux and Linear Sport editions were discontinued, but the range was subsequently expanded with the introduction of a 1.9-litre twin-turbo diesel engine (the ‘1.9TTiD’ variants) and Turbo X edition (see table below).

Visually, the Mk.2-II 9-3 sedan could be identified by its more aggressive appearance with a larger grille and headlights, reshaped bumpers, daytime running lights and flared side sill extensions.

Z9DTH engine

Compared to the 1.9-litre Z19DT turbo-diesel engine, the Z9DTH twin-turbo diesel engines had two sequential BorgWarner R2S turbochargers (with maximum boost pressure of 1.8 bar) and a lower compression ratio (16.5:1 compared to 17.5:1). From idle to 1500 rpm, exhaust gases were solely directed to the smaller turbocharger. From 1500 rpm to 3000 rpm, exhaust gases were split between the turbines, providing greater boost pressure. From 3000 rpm, only the larger turbocharger was engaged.

Features

Compared to its Mk.2-I predecessor, standard features for the Mk.2-II 9-3 sedan were improved –

• Linear editions gained leather seats;
• The Vector received rear parking sensors; and,
• The Aero was fitted with an eleven speaker Bose sound system, bi-xenon headlights and power folding mirrors.

2008 9-3 2.0t BioPower Black Turbo

In May 2008, the limited-run 2.0t BioPower Black Turbo was released. Compared to the Linear edition, the Black Turbo was distinguished by its 18-inch alloy wheels with sports suspension and 235/45 R18 tyres, front fog lights, steering wheel gearshift buttons, floor mats, sports bodykit and Jet Black metallic paint finish.

2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X

Released in June 2008, the Turbo X was fitted with a more powerful 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine than the Aero (maximum boost pressure increased from 05 to 0.8 bar), 10mm lower suspension, stiffer springs and dampers, self-levelling rear dampers and an ‘XWD’ all-wheel drive system (see below). Compared to the Aero, the Turbo X was distinguished by its 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 R18 tyres, black leather sports seats, ‘carbon-look’ interior trim and a Jet Black metallic paint finish.

The Turbo X was also fitted with an upgraded braking package consisting of 345 mm by 30 mm internally ventilated front discs and 292 mm by 20 mm externally ventilated rear discs.

In normal conditions, the XWD system provided a 90:10 front:rear torque split, but the pre-tensioned clutch could provide a 50:50 front:rear torque split if a loss of traction was anticipated. Furthermore, the XWD system included an electronically-controlled limited slip rear differential which could transfer up to 40 per cent of torque between the drive shafts to whichever rear wheel had more grip in order to provide a yaw damping effect.

Cessation of imports

Imports of the 9-3 were discontinued in June 2010 following General Motor’s sale of Saab to Spyker.

Brochure

• Brochure: Saab 9-3 Turbo X (October 2007)

Review: Saab Mk.2-III 9-3 sedan (2011)

Overview

As part of Saab’s short-lived return to Australia, the Mk.2 Series III (Mk.2-III) 9-3 sedan was released in March 2011. The Mk.2-III 9-3 sedan range consisted of two variants, the 2.0t BioPower and 2.0TS, offered in Linear and Aero editions respectively.

Features

Standard features for the Saab 9-3 Linear included 16-inch alloy wheels, seven speaker sound system with CD player and MP3-compatibility, dual zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats, heated front seats, rear fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlets, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Saab 9-3 Aero was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with upgraded brakes, an eleven speaker sound system with six-disc CD player, power adjustable front seats with driver’s seat memory settings, bi-xenon headlights with washers, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, power-operated folding door mirrors and an alarm.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Saab Mk.2 9-3