2006 Saab 9-3 Review

Specifications

Versatile Swede

At the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, Saab will introduce yet another vehicle into its rapidly-expanding family. The 9-3 SportCombi (sold elsewhere as the SportWagon) is Saabs third wagon, fitting in between the larger 9-5 and smaller Subaru-based 9-2x, propelling the Swedish firm into the sporty lifestyle station wagon market. Occupied by the likes of the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3-Series Touring, Jaguar X-Type Wagon and the Lexus IS 300 SportCross, these cars aim to carry more but still please the eyes of their owners, by trading off maximum load-lugging capabilities for style and flair.

When the second-generation 9-3 was launched in 2003, Saab fans around the world were shocked, because the brand had dropped the hatchback body style. Devotees argued that the hatchback is what made the smaller Saab stick out visually amongst the masses of compact luxury cars, with its additional practicality and space.

However, Saab had its own reasons for dropping the bodystyle, namely that it sacrificed all-important structural rigidity, and that hatchbacks proved to be far less popular than conventional sedans in the compact luxury segment.

Some call it brand dilution, loss of identity, or even treason, but it must be recounted that Saab was in a life-and-death situation. The $500 million yearly losses of the Swedish brand prompted the money-shakers at GM to dictate the final ultimatum: become profitable, or face the chopping block. Compared to its makeshift 9-2x and 9-7x models which are a rehashed Subaru Impreza Wagon and a Chevrolet Trailblazer respectively, and North American exclusives, the 9-3 SportCombi is a true Saab, something that fans should be pleased about.

While the SportCombi isnt the hatchback that hardcore Saabians have been demanding for the past two years, the 9-3 SportCombi should answer the cries for a midsized Saab with practicality. The Combi ought to be a suitable upgrade for long-term Saab owners wishing to move up from their hatchback 900s or first-generation 9-3s without defaulting to the new 9-3 SportSedan. Saab also hopes to attract to the brand a few people in the market for a compact wagon, in the same way the SportSedan brought in first-timers.

The 9-3 SportCombi is essentially the production-ready version of the 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept which debuted at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 2003. Like the concept, styled by Taras Czornyj, the SportCombi uses certain optical tricks to lower the cars focal center of gravity, preserving the sedans sporty look. The tapered and inset rear windows feature unique curves which are akin to hockey sticks, while the upper window line is angled in such a manner as to convey a sweeping motion from front to rear.

Matching the wedge-like profile and provocative bodywork is the steeply-raked tailgate. The uncluttered lift gate, with its simple aluminum patina, stretches below the bumper line for easy loading. The Sport in the SportCombis styling is also exercised at the rear through an integrated rooftop spoiler, dual cannon-style exhaust tips and the pillar-like, frosty white LED tail lamps.

Chances are, should you spot one of these wagons on the road, you will have caught a glimpse of its tail, and with good reason. The 9-3 SportCombi is the vehicle in which Saab will introduce an all-new 2.8-liter turbocharged V6. Derived from the new modular GM engine range, this particular variant serves up the latest motor technology including variable valve timing and a twin-scroll turbocharger. Rated at 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the new engine ties the 9-5 Aero as the most powerful production Saab to date, surpassing the previous generation 9-3 Viggen.

While Saab will offer five other engines in the Combi, including the all-new 1.9-liter, 150-hp TiD common rail turbodiesel motor, and the entire series of Saab-engineered inline-fours, North American buyers will have the choice between a 210-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four, and the larger V6. Down the road, its expected that Saab will also introduce the 175 hp variant of the 2.0 turbo four as an entry-level model. The new V6 motor in the SportCombi Aero will also appear on other 9-3 Aero models for 2006.

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard with a five-speed automatic as an option. State-of-the-art stability control program (ESP) is also standard, while Aero models will receive the higher-spec ESP-Plus and Hill Start Assist to prevent rollbacks when starting on hills, on cars equipped with the manual gearbox.

Not surprisingly, the 9-3 Sport Sedan is Saabs best effort to date in on-road performance, with the problem of torque steer cured, the steerings feedback enhanced, and the fitment of a firm but absorbent suspension system. Saab claims that the SportCombi will achieve the same level of dynamic prowess as the sedan thanks to its super-rigid body, rated at 21,000 nm/degree, nearly equal to that of the sedan, despite the open interior of the wagon and the brilliant Re-Axs passive rear wheel steering system.

Saab also boasts that the SportCombi has stellar aerodynamics, drag rated at 0.33 Cd. Even more impressive is that this 9-3 has zero front and rear axle lift, a claim which one would expect to hear coming from a Ferrari or Porsche press release. In any sense, these two traits should make this wagon rock-solid at high speed.

With all this technical talk, weve almost overlooked the main purpose of the SportCombi - the extra space. Because the rear quarters arent limited by a sloping fastback, this junior Saab can hold up to 14.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up, and (44.95 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. Saab has also added a clever feature called TwinFloor, which can be folded up to reveal extra storage space.

Many have criticized Saabs recent changes as detrimental to the brands values, but this can be easily proven wrong with the new SportCombi model. It has the same smarts, style, and sophistication as the 9-3 sedan, plus the ability to carry more - all without sacrificing true Saab character.

Pricing of the junior wagon should be competitive, starting somewhere slightly below the $30,000 mark, well in tune with the competition. Deliveries should start during the third quarter of 2005.