The 2008 Saab 9-3’s elegant styling and smooth performance made it a smart choice for an entry-level convertible.
2008 9-3 Convertible was the result of more than 20 years of experience building practical and elegant four-seaters. This Saab's vehicle was at the top of its class regarding structural integrity, build quality, and driving refinement. In addition to the practical attributes, it had a high driving appeal thanks to the 9-3's superb handling dynamics. For 2008, the 9-3 received a mid-cycle refresh. The front end was adorned with a grille inspired by the 2006 Geneva Motor Show's Aero X concept.
Powered by an all-aluminum 2.8-liter V6 turbocharged engine, the 9-3 offers sporty amenities similar to a sports sedan. The rigid exterior builds a solid foundation for suspension systems with impressively low noise and vibration levels.
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The 9-3 was one of Saab's most popular cars, and the exterior reflected a somewhat Scandinavian design. The most noticeable elements of the revamped design included a new grille, rounded hood, and body-side moldings. The addition of the new grille was appreciated as it paid homage to popular former Saabs like the 99 and 900. The deep and prominent grille on the 9-3 was inspired by the Aero X concept car. Sweeping headlights were the signature element of the carmaker that completed the exterior look with style. Moreover, the upswept rear edge of these units introduced a Saab design concept from the 9-5 line and old 900 models. The center wing design on the grille was kept as a nod to Saab's aviation background.
A front bumper and splitter assembly with a deep, trapezoidal air inlet, much more apparent on Aero variants, matched the swept-back frontal lines. Deep black vents flanked the grille, encased in matte chrome like the grille. These, like the Aero X idea, were meant to be a metaphor for a jet engine's intakes. The adoption of a distinctive Surround Trim, defining the transition zone between the car's exterior and interior, was a novel design detail never seen previously in Convertible form. It was a U-shaped line that ran from the bottom of each A-pillar backward, combining slender panels along the tops of the doors, rear side trims, and the majority of the tonneau cover.
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The general interior design echoed through the exterior's curves and flowing lines. Similarly, the fascia, supportive seats, door panel, trim shapes, and the feel of the tactile, soft-touch controls were all highly modern adaptations of traditional styling. The interior was characterized as pleasant and harmonic with a typical Swedish touch that could only have come from Saab. Hydroblox, the first water repellent seat upholstery to be installed on a convertible, was among the high-quality materials used. The underside of the cloth seat covering was coated with a polyester membrane to prevent water penetration. Both seating arrangements were well-shaped and cushioned, with deep squabs, significantly superior to the flat and commonly seen narrow bench seats. The back seat cushion was likewise stretched outwards at each end in a soft concave arc all the way up to the side panels.
For the infotainment, the carmaker offered three options to choose from. The base 'Saab Infotainment' system had an RDS radio and a single-slot CD player; the 'Saab Infotainment CD Changer' system added an in-dash 6-disc facility Saab Infotainment Plus' system added satellite navigation with a big, 6.5-inch color touch-screen and voice control. Each infotainment system included a CD player that could play MP3 audio discs. Auxiliary audio input was also included as standard. Development of cutting-edge technology first seen on a Sports Sedan, fiber optics were employed to create a high-speed base for the car's extensive entertainment functions. All three audio system options, the Bluetooth Phone Integration System (BPIS) with voice control, the GPS navigation system with DVD reader, and the OnStar telematics service, make use of it.
A standard for all trims was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 210 HP and 221 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel-drive 9-3 Aero vehicles received a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 with 255 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque. A turbo-6 powered All-wheel-drive Aero sedans and wagons with a higher boost rating of 280 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque. All 9-3s came standard with a six-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic transmission was also available as an option on 2.0Ts, while Aeros could get a six-speed automatic transmission. Both automatics have distinct sport and manual modes.
Antilock disc brakes, stability control, OnStar telematics, active head restraints, and front-seat side airbags were standard on all 2008 Saab 9-3 models. Full-length side curtain airbags were also standard on the sedan and SportCombi wagons, while convertibles received a rollover protection system. The sedan and wagon trim also received four out of five stars for frontal-impact protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicle achieved five stars for front-occupant safety and four stars for rear-occupant safety in the side-impact category.
The 2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible was the perfect combination of efficient and elegant Scandinavian aesthetics. The car was adorned with several features that were first of its kind in a convertible, thus paving the future.
Sources: Top Speed, Edmunds, US News
A silent soul who dares to dream, Vrushali Padia is passionate about writing ever since her college days and has written in diverse niches. She is now an Electronics Engineer and a Writer. When she is not writing, she's exploring.