2003 Saab 9-3 Vector Sport Sedan Review
SEE ALSO: Saab Buyer's Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS Have Saab cars changed since the car-making portion of the company was absorbed by General Motors a few years ago? Yes. Has it been a change for the worse, with Saabs, previously known for their unique character and quirkiness, made into little more than badge-engineered Opels? Not a chance. While there are quite a few parts from the vast GM parts bin in the new Saab 9-3, and it is a more mainstream design than earlier 900 or 9-3 models, the 2003 Saab 9-3 sedan is a car that could be built only by Saab. It is also the first fruit of an ambitious development program by the Swedish manufacturer, which hopes to use the 9-3 and derivatives, including an all-wheel drive crossover vehicle, to double its sales volume. Three distinct varieties, given architectural names, of Saab 9-3 are currently offered. The well-equipped Linear starts the line, powered by a 175-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled engine. It is expected to be the high-volume model. The Arc satisfies a need for more luxury and performance, with more convenience features and a higher-boost version of the 2.0-liter engine with 210 horsepower. The Vector is the performance model, with the 210- horse engine, a sport-tuned suspensions, and interior and exterior sport styling cues. I had the chance to spend a day driving the Linear with a five- speed automatic when it was introduced to the press last Fall, and I've been driving a Vector with the standard six-speed manual gearbox for the past week. In either form, the newest 9-3 is a fitting heir to the line that started with the first Saab Turbo 25 years ago, with a great balance between performance, efficiency, handling, and comfort. Saab is covering the market well with the 9-3 choices, too. The Linear is priced and equipped to appeal to people who want to step up from a the more common domestic and Japanese sporty family sedans, while the Arc adds luxury touches. And the Vector is, so far, the ultimate Saab Turbo for the faithful. APPEARANCE: One look at the 9-3 and there will be no doubt as to the manufacturer. The aerodynamically-rounded front, with its three-port grille flanked by covered headlights, is classic Saab but leaner and sleeker than the previous 9-3 or the 9-5. It states the car's sports mission well, particularly in the Vector, which has a lower ride height and deeper air dam than other models, and more pronounced side sills. The bulge in the hood and slope of the windshield reinforce the 9-3's performance mission, aided by its rounded-wedge profile and high, well-defined shoulder line. The alloy wheels, shod with ultra-low profile 45-series performance tires, fill the wheel arches. The 9-3 Vector is a mature sports sedan, so there is no lurid wing at the back, only a discreet ducktail spoiler. COMFORT: As outside, the interior of the new 9-3 is similar to that of its predecessor but leaner and more contemporary. It's also a touch larger. The Saab faithful will feel right at home, while newcomers will quickly appreciate the logic behind the design. And, yes, the ``key'' (now an electronic device) still goes into the center console, so as not to cause knee damage in the event of an accident. In the Saab manner, the instrument panel has a large face that wraps around the driver, cockpit-style, to present gauges and controls in clear, logical groupings. Adjustability of the front seats, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, and the close position of the gearshift lever allow nearly any driver to easily find the perfect driving position. Although the three trim levels have slightly different interior appointments, all have leather seating. Befitting its sports mission, the Vector features more-bolstered sport seats, chrome- bezeled instruments, and matte-chrome trim on the doors and console. SAFETY: Saabs are designed for real-world safety, and have been since long before any government requirements. The 9-3 has the strongest safety cage of any Saab, ever, surrounding the passenger cabin, with front and rear crumple zones, side protection, active head restraints, and more passive safety features. Good handling and brakes help active safety, while several advanced antitheft systems discourage thieves. ROADABILITY: The new 9-3 is slightly longer, wider, and lower than the car it replaces, which helps stability at speed. But increased chassis rigidity is the main benefit of the new platform, and Saab's engineers have taken advantage of this with a new suspension that features modified MacPherson struts in front and the ``ReAxs'' multilink rear suspension that is designed to give a small amount of passive rear-wheel steering to reduce the front-wheel drive car's tendency to understeer. The result is top-notch front-wheel drive sports sedan handling, especially with the firmer springs and shocks in the Vector. PERFORMANCE: Saab has been a leader in turbocharging technology since the first Turbo model in the late 1970s. The 9-3's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine puts those years of expertise to good use. Although the aluminum alloy engine block is (more or less) the standard GM L850, just about everything else - the cylinder head, cams, pistons, rods, and crankshaft - is strictly Saab. Saab's ``Trionic'' series of engine management systems have always been at the forefront of electronic technology, and the Trionic 8 is no exception. It helps both versions of the engine make smooth, efficient power, with good driveability characteristics. The ``2.0t'' in the Linear has 10.2 psi of boost, for 175 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 195 lb-ft of torque from 2500 to 4000 rpm. It matches well with the five-speed automatic transmission. The Arc and Vector get 12.3 psi of boost, for 210 hp at 5500 rpm, with 221 lb-ft of torque from 2300 to 4000 rpm. The excellent six-speed manual gearbox shines here, with smooth, precise linkage. Power is good at any engine speed above 2500 rpm, with an immediate turbo rush above 3500. A high 9.5:1 compression ratio makes the transition to and from turbo boost smooth and civilized, with no sudden ``light switch'' power spike to upset the car in a corner. CONCLUSIONS: The 2003 9-3 should please both longtime Saab fans and newcomers to the brand. SPECIFICATIONS 2003 Saab 9-3 Vector Sport Sedan Base Price $ 32,495 Price As Tested $ 35,910 Engine Type turbocharged and intercooled dual overhead cam 16-valve inline 4-cylinder Engine Size 2.0 liters / 121 cu. in. Horsepower 210 @ 5,500 rpm Torque (lb-ft) 221 @ 2,300-4,000 rpm Transmission 6-speed manual Wheelbase / Length 105.3 in. / 182.2 in. Curb Weight 3,285 lbs. Pounds Per Horsepower 15.6 Fuel Capacity 16.4 gal. Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium Tires P225/45 WR17 Pirelli P-Zero Rosso Brakes, front/rear vented disc / vented disc, antilock, brake assist, and stability control standard Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut / independent multilink with coil springs Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive PERFORMANCE EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 22 / 31 / 23 0 to 60 mph 7.3 sec Coefficient of Drag (cd) 0.28 OPTIONS AND CHARGES Touring Package - includes: rain-sensing wipers, parking assist, bi-xenon headlights, in-dash 6-CD changer $ 1,195 Power glass sunroof $ 1,100 Front heated seats $ 495 Destination charge $ 625