Born from jets, sort of...
Svenska Aeroplan Aktie(B)olaget was established in 1937 primarily to build planes for the Swedish Air Force. Realizing the demand for military aircraft would decline with the end of World War II, Saab wisely decided to get into the car business, and pronto. By 1947, the company was ready with its first production car, the 92.
An aero-shaped two-door car with its two-cylinder, two-stroke gasoline engine powering the front wheels with an independent suspension front and back; after 91 aircraft designs, the next Saab design project didn't exactly follow post-war car design convention.
Recent 'Saabaru' 9-2X compact and 'TrollBlazer' 9-7X sports-utility-vehicle aside, Saab hasn't strayed too far from their original 92's design philosophy. So much so that today one can easily find tangible links between that first '47 Saab and this $56,675 2007 Saab 9-3 Convertible 60th Anniversary Edition.
Celebrating 60 years
Not to be confused with last year's 20th anniversary special edition 9-3 Aero Convertible, the '07 Anniversary Edition package is available as a $2,045 option on 9-3 Convertibles and SportCombis; $3,395 on the Sedan. (This celebratory package is only available with the 210 hp 221 pound-feet of torque 2.0-litre inline-four cylinder engine; not the 250 hp 258 lb-ft of torque turbocharged 2.8L V6 Aero models.)
Checking off the Anniversary Edition limits one to the test car's Ice Blue, or Jet Black or Steel Gray metallic exterior colours. There are also new 17-inch wheels sporting 235/45 R17 all-season rubber, front fog lamps and a rear deck lid spoiler.
Inside, the dual power front seats and black leather interior receive special stitching, dark walnut interior trim and a premium sound system.
Interior updates for '07
In addition to new body-colour panels that surround all four passengers, an all-new dashboard design arrives with the removal of the often-distracting centre mounted Saab Information Display. The new design incorporates the climate control system used in the larger 9-5, with three knobs in lieu of a myriad of buttons, all framed with a distinctive, thin bead of aluminum trim.
Svenska Aeroplan Aktie(B)olaget was established in 1937 primarily to build planes for the Swedish Air Force. Realizing the demand for military aircraft would decline with the end of World War II, Saab wisely decided to get into the car business, and pronto. By 1947, the company was ready with its first production car, the 92.
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| The Anniversary Edition is only available in Ice Blue, Jet Black or Steel Gray metallic exterior colors. |
An aero-shaped two-door car with its two-cylinder, two-stroke gasoline engine powering the front wheels with an independent suspension front and back; after 91 aircraft designs, the next Saab design project didn't exactly follow post-war car design convention.
Recent 'Saabaru' 9-2X compact and 'TrollBlazer' 9-7X sports-utility-vehicle aside, Saab hasn't strayed too far from their original 92's design philosophy. So much so that today one can easily find tangible links between that first '47 Saab and this $56,675 2007 Saab 9-3 Convertible 60th Anniversary Edition.
Celebrating 60 years
Not to be confused with last year's 20th anniversary special edition 9-3 Aero Convertible, the '07 Anniversary Edition package is available as a $2,045 option on 9-3 Convertibles and SportCombis; $3,395 on the Sedan. (This celebratory package is only available with the 210 hp 221 pound-feet of torque 2.0-litre inline-four cylinder engine; not the 250 hp 258 lb-ft of torque turbocharged 2.8L V6 Aero models.)
Checking off the Anniversary Edition limits one to the test car's Ice Blue, or Jet Black or Steel Gray metallic exterior colours. There are also new 17-inch wheels sporting 235/45 R17 all-season rubber, front fog lamps and a rear deck lid spoiler.
Inside, the dual power front seats and black leather interior receive special stitching, dark walnut interior trim and a premium sound system.
Interior updates for '07
In addition to new body-colour panels that surround all four passengers, an all-new dashboard design arrives with the removal of the often-distracting centre mounted Saab Information Display. The new design incorporates the climate control system used in the larger 9-5, with three knobs in lieu of a myriad of buttons, all framed with a distinctive, thin bead of aluminum trim.
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| Many unique SAAB-specific elements are carried over into the new 9-3. |