CD01 9-3 LAYOUT

CD01 9-3 LAYOUT 3/21/03 4:21 PM Page 4

the old 9-3 was missing. With the old car’s combination of torque steer and copious body roll, you’d aim for a turn apex and hope you got within five feet of it. The new car slices right to it. If there are bumps in the turn, the steering wheel gives you a little jiggle, which is just the sort of communication we look for. The brakes felt strong and hauled the car down from 70 to 0 mph in 172 feet. If the 9-3 were still a hatchback, it would be a sporting machine that could inhale a kitchen table. As a sedan, it relies on that freight-train engine that never felt soft, a competent chassis, a 148-mph top end, and a price that undercuts the German guys’. How much cheaper is tough to say because of the different options packages, but a fourwheel-drive Audi A4 with the 220-hp V-6

C / D TEST RESULTS

beat, such as the $31,730 Acura 3.2TL Type-S and the $31,190 Cadillac CTS. Without the hatchback, the 9-3 has to slug it out with all the other sedans in this ● crowded, competitive segment. SAAB 9-3 VECTOR Vehicle type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

ACCELERATION Seconds Zero to 30 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.5 40 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.2 50 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.4 60 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.3 70 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9.7 80 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11.9 90 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14.7 100 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18.7 110 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22.7 120 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28.2 Street start, 5–60 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8.2 Top-gear acceleration, 30–50 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18.2 50–70 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.0 Standing 1/4 -mile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15.4 sec @ 93 mph Top speed (drag limited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148 mph

Price and option breakdown: base Saab 9-3 Vector (includes $625 freight), $33,120; Touring package (consists of rain-sensing wipers, parking assist, bi-xenon headlights, and in-dash CD changer), $1195; heated front seats, $495

Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182.2 in Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68.3 in Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56.4 in Frontal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22.9 sq ft Ground clearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.6 in Curb weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3361 lb Weight distribution, F/R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59.8/40.2% Fuel capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16.4 gal Oil capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.3 qt Water capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.5 qt

Major standard accessories: power steering, windows, seats, and locks; A/C; cruise control; tilting and telescoping steering wheel; rear defroster

CHASSIS/BODY Type . . . . . .unit construction with 2 rubber-isolated subframes Body material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .welded steel stampings

Sound system: Saab AM/FM-stereo radio/CD changer, 7 speakers

INTERIOR SAE volume, front seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 cu ft rear seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 cu ft luggage space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 cu ft Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bucket Seat adjustments . . .fore and aft, seatback angle, front height, rear height, thigh support Restraint systems, front . . . . . .manual 3-point belts; driver and passenger front, side, and curtain airbags rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .manual 3-point belts, curtain airbags General comfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .poor fair good excellent Fore-and-aft support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .poor fair good excellent Lateral support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .poor fair good excellent

Price as tested: $34,810

ENGINE Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .turbocharged and intercooled 4-in-line, aluminum block and head Bore x stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.38 x 3.38 in, 86.0 x 86.0mm Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122 cu in, 1998cc Compression ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9.5:1 Engine-control system . . . . . . . . . .Saab Trionic-8 with port fuel injection Emissions controls . . . . . . .3-way catalytic converter, feedback air-fuel-ratio control, EGR, auxiliary air pump Turbocharger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mitsubishi TD04 Waste gate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .integral Maximum boost pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.3 psi Valve gear . . . . . .chain-driven double overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, hydraulic lifters Power (SAE net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210 bhp @ 5500 rpm Torque (SAE net) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221 lb-ft @ 2300 rpm Redline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6400 rpm

BRAKING 70–0 mph @ impending lockup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172 ft Fade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .none light moderate heavy HANDLING Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.83 g Understeer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .minimal moderate excessive PROJECTED FUEL ECONOMY EPA city driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 mpg EPA highway driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 mpg C/D-observed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 mpg INTERIOR SOUND LEVEL Idle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 dBA Full-throttle acceleration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 dBA 70-mph cruising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 dBA

DRIVETRAIN Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-speed manual Final-drive ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.91:1 Gear Ratio Mph/1000 rpm Max. test speed I 3.77 5.0 32 mph (6400 rpm) II 2.04 9.2 59 mph (6400 rpm) III 1.32 14.2 91 mph (6400 rpm) IV 0.95 19.6 126 mph (6400 rpm) V 0.76 24.8 148 mph (6000 rpm) VI 0.62 30.0 146 mph (4860 rpm) DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES Wheelbase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105.3 in Track, F/R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59.8/59.3 in

CURRENT BASE PRICE* dollars x 1000

ACCELERATION seconds

0—60 mph 1/4-mile

BRAKING 70—0 mph, feet

SUSPENSION F: . . . . . . . . . . . .ind, strut located by a control arm, coil springs, anti-roll bar R: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ind, 1 trailing link and 3 lateral links per side, coil springs, anti-roll bar STEERING Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rack-and-pinion, power-assisted Turns lock-to-lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.0 Turning circle curb-to-curb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34.4 ft BRAKES F: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12.3 x 1.1-in vented disc R: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11.4 x 0.8-in vented disc Power assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vacuum with anti-lock control WHEELS AND TIRES Wheel size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.0 x 17 in Wheel type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cast aluminum Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michelin Pilot Primacy, 215/50WR-17 Test inflation pressures, F/R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41/41 psi

ROADHOLDING 300-foot skidpad, g

EPA CITY FUEL ECONOMY mpg

LEXUS IS300

BMW 330i

BMW 330i

AUDI A4 3.0 QUATTRO

SAAB 9-3 VECTOR

SAAB 9-3 VECTOR

LEXUS IS300

AUDI A4 3.0 QUATTRO

BMW 330i

BMW 330i

AUDI A4 3.0 QUATTRO

SAAB 9-3 VECTOR

SAAB 9-3 VECTOR

SAAB 9-3 VECTOR

AUDI A4 3.0 QUATTRO

BMW 330i

AUDI A4 3.0 QUATTRO

LEXUS IS300

LEXUS IS300

LEXUS IS300

0

8

16

24

32

40

0

4

8

12

16

20

*Base price includes freight, any performance options, and all applicable luxury and gas-guzzler taxes.

118

160

165

170

175

180

185

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

0

5

10

15

20

25

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