2008 Saab 9-3 Aero "Scooped"

Logical. Since Saab was rather parsimonious with the official press kit including only a handful of front view pictures it was bound to happen again. Caught in a parking lot in Sweden by a reader of “forum.saabturboclub.com”, we get a better view of the sedan’s rear quarters with the crystal clear tail-lamps and the redesigned bumper. According to the Swedish car registry, the car we’re looking at is the Aero version fitted with the 250Hp 2.8-liter V6 motor and an automatic transmission. Via: forum.saabturboclub -Continued below

2008 Saab 9-3 Facelift: Officially Official – Press Release Included

We saw every single version uncamouflaged, we saw official renderings, we even saw press pictures; about time for Saab to come out with the “officially” official images and press release, don’t you think? Better keep your pants on though cause like the pictures, the press release is nothing more than a teaser, revealing what we already know or can see for ourselves: redesigned front end inspired from the Aero X concept, sales start this August. No word on the interior or the 290 Hp 2.8 V6 Turbo AWD version that’ll go on sale next spring but we suspect that Saab will give more info and pictures on the 2008 9-3 in the upcoming weeks. -Click “Read More…” to check out the press release

New Saab 9-3 Range: Sharper Looks Showcase Enhanced Performance

The new Saab 9-3 range will feature bold styling, inspired by the award-winning Aero X concept car, backed by cutting edge technology for greater driving appeal. .

With all-new front bodywork, ‘signature’ lighting, new door panels and rear styling features, the latest generation 9-3 acquires a more focused, assertive stance, reflecting the introduction of technical advances aimed at delivering an even more rewarding experience behind the wheel.

Most noticeable is the sharper frontal styling, which adopts grille and hood themes first seen on the Aero X concept, together with a return of Saab’s classic ‘clamshell’ design. This new ‘face’ is reinforced by other exterior changes that all combine to give the range a clearer, more distinctive Saab identity.

“We are introducing significant developments across three key areas: design, performance and handling,” says Jan Åke Jonsson, Managing Director of Saab Automobile. “The result is a major step forward in strengthening the visual and driving appeal of our core product line-up, which accounts for about two-thirds of global sales.”

The new 9-3 range comprises Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible models, each offering a unique ‘tri-fuel’ engine choice of gasoline, diesel or BioPower (E85). Available in three forms, Linear, Vector and Aero, the range goes on sale from August.

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2008 Saab 9-3 Facelift Leaked Pics Part XXVII

Just in case you were wondering how the 2008 9-3 looks like in silver colour… Like we predicted yesterday, this “leak-game” will continue till next week when Saab takes the lid of its revised 9-3. There’s one more pic after the jump -I mean for those of you still interested.

Technorati: Saab+9-3, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

2008 Saab 9-3 Facelift Official Images Leak

Come on; don’t tell us you're surprised; it's like an accident just waiting to happen. Apparently, like us, none of you will care about the “how’s & why’s” so lets jut get to the facts. The 2008 9-3 features a completely redesigned fascia inspired by the Aero X concept, new tail-lamps, Cadillac BLS door-handles and from May 2008, the first AWD version in the range fitted with a 290Hp 2.8 V6 Turbo. We’ve only got two front view pictures of the 2008 9-3 Estate for the time being, but stay tuned on Carscoop, cause something tells us that we’re going to have the full press pack (at least image-wise) sooner than you think. –Continued after the jump

Technorati: Saab+9-3, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

2008 Saab 9-3 Sedan & Estate: Official?

We’re pretty sure that you too have had about enough with the 2008 Saab 9-3 leaks the past few months, so let’s just skip the blah-blah and get straight to the story. These allegedly official teasers CGI’s (computer generated images) were sent this morning to the mailboxes of several “John Doe’s”. Coincidently, some of those “John Doe’s” were members of Saab forums (Saabscene & Trollhattansaab) –need we say more? While one should be cautious about their authenticity, there shouldn’t be a doubt on whether Saab would actually send CGI’s instead of real images; let us remind you that the Swedes did the same with the Aero X Concept last year. We’ll know for sure next week when Saab officially releases the 9-3 facelift press kit. Till then feel free to browse all our previous stories on the 2008 9-3. -More images below

Pics Via: Saabscene & Trollhattansaab

Technorati: Saab+9-3, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

2008 Saab 9-3 Sedan Facelift: Caught off-guard again

I think I’ll write off the carelessness factor for the streak of 9-3 sightings in public streets the past month or so. Maybe Saab needs attention for the media or something. In any case it’s plain crazy. Anyhow, in this week’s 9-3 Facelift update a reader of saabturboclub forum snapped the sedan version totally uncovered for the very first time. As with the Estate and Cabriolet versions, the updated Sedan features a new front end inspired from the 9-5 and a few other minor exterior changes. Also, as we’ve been tipped by insiders, the new top-of-the-range 9-3 will be equipped with AWD and an upgraded version of GM’s 2.8-liter V6 Turbo pumping out approximately 290Hp. -More Images after the jump


Pics via: Saabturboclub

Technorati: Saab+9-3, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

2008 Saab 9-3 Cabriolet Scooped Once Again...

Ok, it’s getting kinda silly now; I mean, just about every 10 days we’re getting a new set of images featuring the facelifted without any or with very little camouflage on it! These images were taken by a member of the Saabturboclub forum who caught the rag-top 2008 9-3 roaming the streets without a care in the world. Follow the jump for the image gallery or click here to see our previous post on the revised 9-3 that includes inside info.

Pics Via: saabturboclub

Technorati: Saab+9-3, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

2008 Saab 9-3 Cabriolet Facelift Snapped Naked

Looks like Saab folks have been pretty careless lately as the upcoming 2008 9-3 (has been caught unguarded and unmasked for the second time this month not by pros but by a random reader. Following the revealing 2008 9-3 SW snap shots an AMS reader managed to catch an unmasked facelifted 9-3 Convertible parked at a petrol station just begging to be immortalized by his cell phone camera. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

In comparison with the facelifted SW we showed you a couple of weeks ago the Convertible gets the same 9-5 inspired front end with the “Aero-X” type grille and eyelash-headlights. The difference is that the Convertible features a different bumper and heaps of chrome accents that make it look very busy. In the rear-end the facelift Convertible gets a set of clear tail lamps and a chrome insert while the bumper looses its protective pads. Unlike the sedan and SW versions, the redesigned soft-top 9-3 doesn’t get the Cadillac BLS door handles.

The 2008 9-3 Sedan, Cabriolet and SW versions will go on sale this fall but there’s a good chance that we'll see the first official pictures quite sooner as according to inside info, GM's planning to reveal initial info in mid May. -Via: Automotorsport

Technorati: Saab+9-3+Convertible, 2008, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

2008 Saab 9-3 Facelift Scooped Unmasked!

Who needs spy photographers when you’ve got readers that manage to take shots of totally undisguised future models like the 2008 MINI Clubman featured in our previous post or the Saab 9-3 Facelift shown here! Thanks to an eagle-eyed reader of Swedish magazine TeknikensVarld who was thoughtful enough to share the cell-phone pics we won’t have to wait till autumn to see how Saab will integrate the 9-5 grille to the 9-3.-Continued: Click “Read More…” below

However, the redesigned front-end and the Cadillac BLS door handles aren’t the only highlights of the facelifted 9-3. We spoke to a Saab PR and apart from learning that 2008 9-3 will be presented at the Frankfurt Show in September with European sales starting in October, we were informed that the new top-of-the-range 9-3 will be equipped with AWD and an upgraded version of GM’s 2.8-liter V6 Turbo
pumping out approximately 290Hp. Pics Via: Teknikens Varld

Technorati: Saab+9-3, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

2008 Saab 9-3 gets a mini-facelift

Following last summer’s interior-upgrade, the Swedes are getting ready to give the 9-3 a mid-life facelift as these scanned pics from Aftonbladet prove. The 2008 9-3 was caught out testing in Sweden and by the looks of it, it’ll get a brand new front end that’s obviously influenced from the sexy Aero-X concept plus a new set of door handles…straight from its Americanized cousin, the Cadillac BLS. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the rest of the article plus extra pictures

Aftonbladet also suggests that the redesigned 9-3 will receive a suspension upgrade. And some useless but nevertheless interesting info; the guys over at Trollhattansaab who posted the scanned pics also checked out the license plate of the covered-up 2008 9-3 at the Swedish car registry. Turns out that the car shown here is a 9-3 Combi 1.9Tdi owned by “SAAB AUTOMOBILE AKTIEBOLAG” (who else could it be…) and it was first registered on the 9th of January 2007. Via: Trollhattansaab

Technorati: Saab+9-3, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images

Spoiled brat receives a Saab 9-3 Convertible for her birthday…

Dad’s up for a bad surprise when he reveals his birthday present (a brand new Saab 9-3 Convertible) to his teenage daughter… Albeit we can’t vouch for the video’s authenticity –it could be a staged hoax to stir up a bit of attention on Youtube, I’m pretty sure that many of you would have just "loved" to be in dad’s place. Really, how would you have reacted in this situation?

Technorati: Saab+9-3+Convertible, Youtube, video, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007

2007 Saab 9-3 Facelift

The Swedes just gave their mid-size 9-3 range yet another mild facelift which mainly concentrates on the car’s interior. The front fascia, instrument displays and controls are given a cleaner and sharper look, while also promising to improve driver interaction and communication.

The sporty performance of the mid-range 175 and 210 bhp turbo engines is also brought into sharper focus by the standard fitment of a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission.

Press Release

Design Focus: The main instrument panel, including new infotainment systems, is now framed by a matte chrome line, with the same finish given to all key controls, which are now rotary in function. In overall visual effect, the new cockpit is a modern interpretation of the look of the classic, first generation Saab 900 main fascia, while the move to rotary controls also reflects a design theme found in the Saab 9-5.

As part of the strategy to improve driver interaction, the interior design team has also focused on rationalizing the number of separate information displays and single-use buttons. As a result, all key driver information is now presented in the main instrument cluster, eliminating the need for the previous high level supplementary display on top of the main fascia. This centralizes driver information and warning messages to a single zone, in the lower portion of the speedometer, improving communication as well as the aesthetics of the cockpit design.

For the same reason, the ‘Profiler’ facility, offering driver pre-sets for a wide range of functions is now operated via steering wheel buttons, instead of a push/select fascia knob, with on-screen prompts and selections shown in the main instrument display. Automatic climate control modes, the clock/alarm, speed scale illumination and, where fitted, the anti-theft alarm, parking assistance, rain sensitive wipers and heated seats can all be tailored in this way.

The main instrument dials and Saab-signature air vent controls are now also finished in matte chrome trim. The instrument graphics are given a sharper, clearer look, while another Saab-typical feature, green instrument illumination, is retained

All occupants benefit from dual- zone automatic climate control (ACC), which is now fitted as standard throughout the range. The simplified display panel features rotary controls and fewer buttons.

The rest of the interior is unchanged across the range, except for the addition of a matching trim insert on the glove box lid. For Linear Convertibles, the fabric seat panels, which are treated with a hydroblox water repellent membrane, are now black for both parchment and gray interiors.

Infotainment improvements: A choice of three 'infotainment' systems is offered, each of which includes a CD player compatible with MP3 music discs. Also fitted as standard is an auxiliary audio input.

The standard 'Saab Infotainment' system includes an RDS radio and single-slot CD player, 'Saab Infotainment CD Changer' adds an in-dash 6-disc facility and 'Saab Infotainment Plus' includes a GPS satellite navigation system with a larger, 6.5 inch color touch-screen and voice control. In addition to a 'bird's eye view' map selection, direction arrows from the high position display are now shown on the touch-screen.

All three 'infotainment' systems can be combined with a new hands-free mobile phone facility, the Bluetooth Phone Integration System (BPIS), which replaces the previous in-car integrated phone option. After an initial 'pairing' set-up procedure, a Bluetooth-enabled phone will automatically connect wirelessly to the audio system whenever the user enters the car. The phone is then operated by voice control or steering wheel buttons, with call information shown in the main instrument display. BPIS also eliminates the need for a fascia key pad. For recharging and connection to the car's external antenna, a phone dock in the center console is available as an accessory.

The enhanced audio range includes a new tailor-made Bose sound system, offered exclusively in the Sport Sedan. With two rear woofers and twin amplifiers, its performance is optimized for the acoustics of the sedan cabin, giving an impressive, expanded 'concert hall' sound reproduction. This system is identified by Bose branding embossed on the outer front speaker grilles.

Externally: The Model Year 2007 Sport Sedan and SportCombi range is distinguished by the introduction of a new dark gray 'Titan' metallic paint finish. A stunning pure 'Arctic White' solid color and a 'Smoke Beige' metallic finish are added to the Convertible palette. 'Electric Blue' is now available throughout the Convertible range.

Technorati Tags: Saab+9-3, Sport+Sedan, SportCombi, Cabriolet, Cabrio, press+release, 2007, auto+news, automotive, automobile, cars