Skip advert
Advertisement

Saab 9-3: Saab goes all-wheel drive

Saab adopts all-wheel-drive system on revised 9-3 range. The new cars will also get a 296bhp twin-turbo V6

Saab 9-3

fter struggling with front-wheel drive for so long, Saab has finally acknowledged the shortcomings of the layout when it comes to transmitting 250-plus turbocharged horsepower to the road while steering at the same time. It has announced that it is to introduce a Haldex-based all-wheel-drive system on its top-of-the-range 9-3s.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The change will come when the revised 9-3 range arrives in the UK in September. All the current engines will be available, but with the addition of a new, 296bhp, twin-turbo V6 range-topper that will be good for a speed-limited 155mph and a sub-6sec dash to 60mph. There will also be a high-performance sequential twin-turbo 1.9-litre diesel in the range, with four-wheel drive to help it cope with 178bhp and over 300lb ft of torque.

On the outside Saab has re-introduced the classic clamshell bonnet (a Saab signature much- missed in recent years) and has given the front grille a more aggressive design, while all cars will get trick white tail-lights like those seen on the current estate versions.

Disappointingly, the current interior – one of the weakest areas of the 9-3 – will be carried over to the new model. We'll have to wait until the all-new 9-3 arrives in 2010 before this finally gets revised.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Audi RS3 v Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes-AMG A45 S – car pictures of the week
Hot hatch test
Features

Audi RS3 v Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes-AMG A45 S – car pictures of the week

In the latest issue of evo, we test three of the most sophisticated hot hatches on sale against each other on road and track – these are our favourite…
29 Mar 2025
Honda Civic Type R (FN2) – the car world's greatest misses
Honda Civic Type R FN2
Features

Honda Civic Type R (FN2) – the car world's greatest misses

Its lineage contains some hot hatch greats, but the late-noughties Civic wasn’t one of them
26 Mar 2025
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 – front
Reviews

Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power

A screaming 296bhp Honda VTEC engine and a full chassis upgrade package turn the NC-generation Mazda MX-5 into something altogether more thrilling
25 Mar 2025