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By
EWAN KENNEDY
4 February 2008
Saab has taken the interesting move of offering a turbo-diesel
engine in its sporting convertible. Though diesel sports variants
are common in Europe, Australian importers have been reluctant to
introduce them in cars in this country, feeling the engines are
aimed more at the buyer of economy models than at the sporting
driver.
Swedish Saab has never been worried about heading off in new
directions, so the decision to go the diesel route doesn’t come
as a surprise. Power for the Saab 9-3 TiD convertible comes from
1.9-litre four-cylinder unit producing 110 kW and 320 Nm. This
engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a
sequential change, as well as offering a sports setting in the
full-automatic mode.
This Saab convertible has healthy on-road performance that’s
probably enough for the needs of most drivers. However, the
performance doesn’t kick in until the turbo has passed the
turbo-lag stage. This lack of initial throttle response may faze
some drivers expecting an instant surge of power and torque that’s
the norm with a sporty model. Then again, you can adapt your
driving style to the engine’s characteristics and overcome some
of the effects of the lag.
And there's no denying that getting over 1000 kilometres
between refills is a pleasant experience.
Fuel consumption was typically eight to ten litres per hundred
kilometres in suburban running. This dropped to only six to seven
litres per hundred in country and motorway driving.
Drive the car with the top down during your pre-purchase road
tests. The engine noise can be obtrusive when idling, such as in
traffic, but is generally swept away by the wind rush once the
Saab is up to decent speeds.
This open-top car is almost a full four-seater, though it helps
if two of the occupants are on the short side as rear seat legroom
is somewhat limited. The back seats themselves are a good size;
perhaps if they were shorter it might be easier to get more
comfortable in them. Anyway, not many people buy a convertible as
anything other than as a special conveyance for one or two.
Saab has retained a soft-top roof, not opting for a folding
hardtop as have most of the competitors. This gives it a purer,
sportier look when the top is in up; after all, reason the Saab
designers, what's the point of having a convertible if others all
around you aren't aware of the fact all the time?
The rear window is glass, not plastic as in a lot of the older
soft-tops. This makes for more efficient window demisting and a
longer overall life.
The Saab's folding roof can be opened or closed in just 20
seconds. All it takes is a push of one button, there are no
catches to fasten/unfasten. So you can drop the top in plenty of
time at red traffic lights; or raise it at the last moment when
the rain that has been threatening all day finally arrives.
Cleverly, the luggage space automatically adapts to the roof
being up or down, so you no longer have to worry about manually
setting it. It’s capable of carrying a decent amount of luggage,
golf bags or shopping if you load it intelligently.
This latest Saab convertible was designed from the ground up as
an open-top two-seater, not adapted from the 9-3 coupe body. So it
has a much more integrated look and, even more importantly, a
rigid feel. No soft-top is going to feel as taut on the road as a
closed car, but the Saab does a nice job of smoothing out all but
the roughest of roads.
Handling aims towards the comfort end of the scale, but this
sporting model has decent turn in and is happy to negotiate bends
at speeds higher than those likely to be attempted by most owners.
Safe understeer is there if you tackle bends too hard and the Saab
has plenty of safety items to protect occupants should the driver
manage to get it all wrong.
Saab convertibles have been favourites in Australia for many
years over the last two decades. This latest model is the best of
them all. Its combination of good looks, soft-top, and now decent
performance from an economical turbo-diesel engine means that
status is likely to continue for a long time yet.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
9-3 Linear 2.0t 2.0-litre turbo two-door convertible - $65,500
9-3 Linear 1.9TiD 1.9-litre diesel two-door convertible - $68,000
9-3 Linear Sport 2.0-litre turbo two-door convertible - $67,500
9-3 Linear Sport TiD 1.9-litre diesel two-door convertible -
$70,000
9-3 Vector 2.0T Convertible 2.0-litre turbo two-door convertible -
$72,600
9-3 Aero Convertible 2.8-litre turbo two-door convertible -
$90,800
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: $2500 option in all models
CD Player: Standard in all models
Central Locking: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Stability Control: Standard in all models
Traction Control: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (9-3 Linear Sport 1.9TiD 1.9-litre diesel
two-door convertible)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.910 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 17.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 90.4 x 82.0 mm
Maximum Power: 110 kW@ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 320 Nm @ 2000-2750 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 4.05:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4629 mm
Wheelbase: 2605 mm
Width: 1711 mm
Height: 1428 mm
Turning Circle: 10.5 metres
Kerb Mass: 1684 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 58 litres
Towing Ability: 1600kg with braked trailer
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: H-formed twist-beam rear axle, coil springs,
anti-roll bars
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 10.4 secs
Standing 400 Metres: 17.3 secs
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.3 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years / unlimited km
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Marque Publishing Company
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