Saab test drive 9-3 1998-2002 sedan

Small Swedish fighter

Saab 9-3 Aero 2002 model year flew to Russia
 
Let me remind the reader that Saab is still making planes. Therefore, according to tradition, the most powerful modifications of cars have always been called Aero. The exception was made only for the Viggen super version based on the same Saab 9-3. But this sports model is produced mainly on order and a very limited circulation. Meanwhile, the demand is not only the pore (9-5), but for small Swedish fighters is growing, and a couple of years ago the company has established a serial production of a very fast nine or third. And more recently I updated it.
 
Small, but noticeable
 
In terms of dimensions, 9-3 are smaller than their brothers from the trollhttan and is close to VW Bora or BMW 3 series. But it exceeds many rivals from Germany in dynamic characteristics, as evidenced by one appearance. A powerful and rather low planted front bumper with black gills in the middle gives the impression that this device is preparing for take -off, even when standing. By the way, since this year the front bumper is whole, and in the Aero version it is almost the same as Viggen. The nozzle proudly protrudes from the low bumper, that is, the chrome pipe of the exhaust pipe. The trunk lid, powerful thresholds and three -beam discs 1 7 inches in diameter with low -profile rubber, completes this aerodynamic picture.
 
Opening the door, you will fall into the well -known cabin of the pilot, the interior of which in fact has not changed for many years, and does not change correctly. Great leather chairs have highly developed side support and a complete set of electrical adjustments. At the same time, unlike a number of other sports orientation machines, the seats are rather soft, you do not get tired even on long travels. The torpedo is made of carbon fiber, which makes a certain charm to the design of the salon. Despite a huge number of buttons and levers (the same plane), everything is at hand. Of course, the ignition lock is not in the steering column, but next to the hand brake handle and the windows buttons on the tunnel between the driver and the passenger.
 
By the way, this is also a kind of anti -theft system. You will not be able to get the key from the ignition lock until the automatic gear lever is in the PARKING position or, when it comes to a manual box, the back gear will not be turned on. We read the instrument shield perfectly, and the panel itself in the dark shines with a pleasant greenish color. On the sports trunk there are buttons to control a first -class audio system. The steering column itself is regulated only by horizontal, but it turns out to be sufficient to properly sit in the pilot’s chair, and the steering wheel will not obscure the scale of the main devices under any circumstances. And they should look at them, because under the hood of a 2-liter engine with a turbocharged capacity of 205 hp.
 
Flapped!
 
Honestly, I was a little upset, receiving Aero to the Aero test with an automatic gearbox. I really wanted to fully feel the power of a turbocharged engine. However, with the automatic rush, that is, acceleration, is so impressive that the comparison with the fighter does not seem to be a special stretch. Moreover, the acceleration is even, purely Saabovskoye, up to the number 235 on the speedometer. The main thing is to spin in time with a tight trunk and do not forget about the presence of the brake pedal. The honed steering allows you to clearly control the car in steep turns. True, personally, I was missing on long direct feedback on the steering wheel. Perhaps this is not a matter of setting up a hydraulic wrap, but in a winter studded rubber with a speed coefficient of only 160 km/h, which is a real trifle for Aero. But for our winter roads, such rubber is just right, and in corners it behaves quite decent.
 
Performing maneuvers on Aero is a pleasure. A hard sports suspension, although it shakes on Russian roads, provides an amazing tenacious of the machine. The shoulder has already rested on the door, and not to see the drift. Revustment from a row to a row is the same as a step aside - quickly, clearly, without the slightest roll. Of course, it is necessary to get used to the character of a turbocharged motor. The power explosion occurs, barely the tachometer arrow passes the mark of 2000 rpm. At this moment, you have to be on the alert and hold the steering wheel tightly. I admit, at first there were moments when I myself plugged the brake pedal with force in order to avoid meeting with the bumper in front of the running car.
 
Fortunately, the slowdown in 9-3 Aero is also all right. The brake pedal itself is tough, which requires purely male efforts. To help the driver - ABS and the system of distribution of brake efforts. Traction Control will also make mistakes. If you want to feel the full power of 9-3 Aero, then this system can be turned off by pressing the corresponding button on the central console. But then for the slightest miscalculations in the management you will have to pay yourself, and the front wheels will mercilessly dig the ground when they fully press the accelerator, and almost at any speed.
 
I must say about the sound of the exhaust and a slightly noticeable whistle of the turbine - just a symphony of speed! It is a pity that you can’t increase the volume -it does not allow the western western standards by noisiness. But actually, 9-3 Aero is also good because you can go quite calmly on it, realizing that in your will to change the character of the car at any moment-you just need to press the accelerator pedal.
 
Despite the fact that the version 9-3 Aero has recently appeared, the Swedish company blooming under the GM wing is preparing new surprises. Perhaps the main one is the appearance of the new model 9-3, this event is scheduled for August.
 
How much is a ticket?
 
A ticket to this Swedish plane, if you want to become his sovereign owner, costs $ 32,900. This is the price of a five -door Aero with a mechanical gearbox. The standard equipment of the model, in addition to all of the above, includes climate control and cruise control systems, the driver’s safety pillows and the front passenger, the anti-aggregation system and the color of metallic. Automatic checkpoint will increase the price by $ 1550. About a thousand will have to pay for an electric hatch in the roof. Want a tree in the cabin? There is no problem, another 500 dollars. In a word, you can always decide which class to fly - business or first. Only economy class in Saab does not exist.
 
Andrey Osipov
 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 2 (5), 2002]