Test Drive Saab 9-3 1998 - 2002 Sedan

Swedes go!

The Swedish automotive company Saab, located in Trolhetten, is not far from the GCTEBORG, the manufacturer by world standards is not too powerful. And until recently, it was not particularly aimed at the conquest of the world car market, it was not fond of 150 cars per year, most of whom implemented in North America. However, GM marketers considered that from this original brand you can squeeze much more ...


Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, who has already replaced by the order of the outdated SAAB 9-3 hatchback (at the beginning of the Saab 900 career), a fundamentally new model. Its radical distinction from the previous one is the type of body, which has reflected in the title (how much it is Sport, we will try to determine during the test). The new 9-3 broke into the sector of compact sedans of a business class, which for old was a stranger. There are a lot of strong BMW players of the 3rd series, Mercedes C-class, Audi A4, Volvo S60, which simply will not give up their positions. The design of Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan found the development of ideas implemented when creating a model 9-5. There are family features, the car is definitely identified as Saab, while designers managed to avoid direct analogies, as the AUDI and A6 came out. Massive sidewalls, small front and rear skes, high, sharply chopped feed work on the image of a serious dynamic car with a distinct notch of sportiness. With the total length of the new model, the wheelbase is more than 71 mm, and the width is 55 mm, which should be positively reflected both at the comfort of passengers and on manageability. Having settled on a driver's seat, you realize that it is not for nothing that advertisers so actively exploit the drawing of one of the SAAB engineers with a little man getting a solid pleasure: the car was clearly built around the driver and for the driver. Ergonomics is designed to spend as much time as possible to get used to or searching the desired system or button. Everything necessary is grouped directly next to the wheel, so it does not have to be distracted from the road or reach it somewhere. Seats, successful compromise between rigidity and comfort, have a tangible side support. A wide range of electrically regulators will allow you to conveniently get any person regardless of its dimensions. The steering wheel with a competent sequence (diameter, however, it would be possible to do and smaller) also has a large range of adjustments and at any position does not cover the devices. Dashboard stylish and concise. It seems to consist of three sections-circles bordered by silver rings. In the center of the speedometer with a nonlinear scale, to the left of it the tachometer, on the right grouped the necessary pointers of the fuel level, engine temperature, and, of course, pressure pressure branded SAAB option. Illumination Scale Emerald green, arrows glow bluish-white nicely eye. Of course, there was no Night Panel without a branded function, which, by the way, can be programmed, ordering the speedometer backlight or up to 140 km / h or to the maximum. On the right of the steering wheel under the deflectors of the ventilation system there is a monitor of an infotainment system. It is easy to use it, all operations are performed using one rotating encoder knob (to the menu, naturally, some time have to get used to). Thus, you can manage the audio system, the air conditioning system and much more. However, what makes it pleases, and the usual buttons are preserved, so if you just need to change the station / track, the source of the signal or the direction of air streams, climb into the menu, distracted by the road, is not required.
 
There is another information display in the center of the torpedo, at the very base of the windshield. All the necessary information is displayed here: the temperature of the outer air, the time, the frequency of the radio station turned on, and if the satellite navigation system was working, then warning messages, as well as indications of the direction of movement. The display posted very well constantly in the field of view of the driver, it does not require even simple refocusing of view. In general, according to the saturation of modern electronic systems, the new Saab can become a leader in its class. With a built-in phone, Bluetooth wireless technology is supported, and fiber optic technology is used in the information and entertainment unit. The rest of the electronics is controlled by a multiplex bus. Unfortunately, the framework of the article does not allow to describe all the innovations applied by Saab in the model 9-3, the branded information on this topic occupies a Tomik in 90 sheets. On the central tunnel there is a selector of a five-speed automatic box with a manual switching function. For an additional fee, you can set the shift buttons on the steering wheel. Between the seats traditionally found a place and the ignition lock, in which there is now no mechanical secret part in different words, the ignition key has become completely electronic. Nearby is the parking brake lever, but it is so competently inscribed that it seems just a design element. It is symmetrically relative to the central tunnel, they have plastic lining. It can be used as a scraper from an inlet or holder for a CD. Passengers of the rear row trading on the previous model, with pleasure, the increase in the space in the legs, shoulders and above the head. The third is not superfluous, although, of course, if you remove it and leave the armrest thrown back, it will be much more convenient, and the built-in cupboard is designed for two persons. The luggage compartment is very impressive, and the reverse seat foldable or in parts, the rear seat back allows you to transport and long items. It's time to go. I am pulling the ignition key to the steering column, but I am uncomfortable in time. Every time you sit in Saab, the same thing happens. It is clear why the key made completely electronic, abandoning the metal sting ... I remember on one
 
9-5, which was provided to journalists to familiarize themselves, the coil of the steering column on the right side was so gradually the key that it was to change it. At idle, the engine works almost silently, but immediately declares itself, it is only slightly pressing on gas. In the process of movement around the city, it turned out that the review of back through the salon mirror leaves the exterior mirrors better. There are no other problems with visibility.
Adaptive automatic box, adjusts to the driver. If it does not suit you, you can go to manual mode. Personally, I did it only a few times more in order to familiarize yourself, because even in such a retardation mode when switching is large. The only plus the ability to slow down the engine, moving to lower transmissions, but it is relevant in winter on slippery roads. However, if the box control was put on the steering wheel, I would probably use a manual mode more often. Suspension with perfectly selected characteristics: It's a tough, sports, but at the same time on road irregularities neither the driver nor the passengers of discomfort are tested. In turns, she also showed himself with the best side of minimum rolls and close to neutral turning. The brakes are quite effective, in the critical situation, electronic systems will come to the rescue, which will reduce the braking path as much as possible, while ensuring the maintenance of control over the machine. The steering has an excellent feedback that in combination with the already specified properties of the suspension allows the driver to feel confident. When the limit speed reaches the turn, the light, without difficulty, the controlled demolition of the front axle begins, and the 9-3 SPORT SEDAN gas is screwed into the rotation. The only disadvantage of some flawed reaction with a quick handlebar and performing rearrangements.
 
When shifting the steering wheel on one side to another sometimes, the moment of hanging in it is inclined to blame the tires. 16-inch wheels for this machine are not enough both from the point of view of aesthetics and in the practical sense too high profile. Saab managed to create a truly serious competitor to the best representatives of the Compact Sedan Group. At the same time, 9-3 SPORT SEDAN is distinguished by branded identity and originality. An unequivocal minus is quite high price: the price visited us on the test machine $ 37.635.
 
Alexander Nidenz
 

A source: Magazine Motor [December 2002]