Specifications for the 9-3 Aero 2014

71 thoughts on “Specifications for the 9-3 Aero 2014”

1. No more ReAxs ?

   • No more shark fin antenna as well. The ReAxs will be missed though.

     • ReAxs is essentially intrinsic to the rear suspension geometry, plus the bushing calibration. I bet it’s still there, they just didn’t come out and name it. I love the OnStar antenna!

     • Thought that`s for the satnav.

     • The shark fin antenna is indeed at satnav/phone antenna. Since that is not available, there is no need for the antenna. Radio antenna has always been in the window(s) (except convertible). Saab used to have dummy fins (for the look) on cars that did not have nav and phone preparation.

       • The pictures of the real car show a shark fin antenna.

         • Well, could be that they place a dummy on the roof/ they include an antenna with the phone preparation (tel1) or indeed provide a nav/telephone antenna that can be used when installing an aftermarket navigation system. (OEM satnav antenna on my ’06 9-5 is plug and play with a kenwood DNX-system)

   • ReAxs is a trademark, and I it may belong to GM. There is no need to name the rear suspension ReAxs if you have to pay to GM just for using the name, although you have the rights to build that suspension.

     My 0.02$

2. So 5 notable changes here:

   1) No XWD.
   2) They exchanged using sport seats for bucket seats. In a sport model. Wow.
   3) No more Bose, only the base ‘Saab Audio’ system. I guess Bose was one of the suppliers that “peaced-out”.
   4) R.I.P. SAHR
   5) Only two colors available. Black and silver.

   • I hope they get some form of navigation screen/system in place of the base system pretty soon. The base radio seems a little out of place, especially considering the price.

     Then again, it wouldn’t require that much effort to get a third party nav system once you’ve bought it.

     • Not the Kenwood that SAAB Parts (as was) are pushing – no steering wheel button bluetooth control.

   • “…Anti-whiplash protection” = SAHR
     XWD still to come, the seats look quite good, black an silver are the most wanted colors…
     I’m with you…Audio and Navigation need improvement. This for sure is a fanbase car. I’m curious for the facelift. I think then we will see what NEVS can do.

   • I agree, it would have been great to see an upgraded audio/nav system and xwd as an option, but I understand that NEVS is just spooling up. As long as I can get a lightning blue 9-3 sportcombi xwd with a killer infotainment system (with a HUD) in Canada (sometime in the future), I will be happy 🙂

     • I’m waiting for the same option. My kid probably wants another red one like the one we have today but lightning blue looks damn good on the 9-3SC !

   • 6. No HiPer-Strut. This is, of course, GM IP, though I gather Ford and the others have things to go up against it now. And was it only on the 9-5 (2010-11, top-spec, Aero in the US), and not the later 9-3s? I sure enjoy it on my 9-5 Aero, though the XWD may deserve most of the credit. When I had a 9-5 Turbo4 +Hirsch (so 260bhp) it could have used it to counter the torque steer, and especially bump-steer. Direct sales may be the future, but I would still need to test-drive it somewhere.

     • Hi-Per strut was never offered on the 9-3.

     • Does anyone know if this engine is the same 4 cyl. one used in the past?

   • I had to rub my eyes several times when I saw that stereo on the new NEVS 9-3. I’m sorry if I sound like a party pooper here, but come on people – GM used that same stereo which BTW sounded terrible on their cheep Saturns with slightly different nobs about 10 years ago. I’m not sure what NEVS is thinking, they should’ve at least equip the car with some infotainment system that lines up with today’s standards not the left overs from GM era. I wish them good luck with the sales but the reality is there are new players in the market who are offering good products at decent price i.e. KIA

3. Excellent spec; two points I personally don`t like are the lack of a spare wheel and the chrome trim around the instrument panel, which, on the first 9-3 I had, reflected annoyingly in the windscreen. But overall it looks as good as ever.

   • The donut spare you can probably get. I added one to my 2011 9-5, from a junkyard, for about 20 cents on the dollar. (I told them I had a 2010 Buick LaCrosse.) Almost nothing comes with one nowadays, I gather for weight due to fuel economy regulations. And in fairness, I haven’t given the can-of-goo-and-a-pump a try. Maybe it would do, if you’re out of range to call a truck.

     • When I’m replacing my first set of tires, I usually go to a junkyard or E-Bay and find a used rim. Then I have the tire shop pick the best of the tires I’m taking off the car and mount it on that rim. I carry a full sized tire unless I really need the space for something else temporarily. I don’t like the donuts. A full sized spare is so much better.

     • I had split sidewall taht no can of goo could have coped with, I was glad of my spare wheel that came as standard.But I realise that weight saving leading to better fuel consumption is the reason. Angelo V has the right idea.

4. Look at teslamotors.com as benchmark for selling online or mini-auctions.nl

5. A real nice car, hope that everythign goes well with NEVS and they stay on the line.

6. At this point I am just glad NEVS is making progress 🙂

7. Saab is alive, good luck everybody, Long live Saab / NEVS!

8. Did I miss something? Who manufactures the engine?

   • GM. Same engine that powered the Griffin.

9. Now that it’s real, I’m feeling a lot better about NEVS/Saab. My take on this first production model: It is a great looking 9-3, inside and out. I am glad that a NAV system cluttering the dash isn’t standard—-that should always be an extra cost option or higher trim level. I don’t want to worry about expensive updates or software failures/unavailability. I’m happy with my Magellan which moves from car to car. I think the interior is clean and uncluttered, functional and with very Scandinavian design heritage. I would have loved to see more colors available but completely understand why they are starting with just two—and frankly, these two colors are solid choices—hard to go wrong with either and I’d have a hard time deciding, but might settle on black—or silver! Both are nice though I think I like black on this model/this size car. I think silver looks better on larger cars and trucks. The wheels look good and the new Saab emblem looks wonderful to my eyes! My criticism of NEVS communication and business plans not withstanding—-the fact is, in December of 2011, in all honesty, I’m not sure how most of us could have reasonably expected Saab to be up and running in two years, selling new cars. No matter how you look at it, this is an achievement—an impressive one. I hope NEVS makes good on the plans to sell Saabs in more markets and I hope the U.S. is one of those markets. Congratulations to NEVS—everyone from their owners top brass management all the way across the board to the people building these cars and maintaining the factory. Nice going.

   • Agreed, Angelo, 100%.

     • +1

       • Well said, Angelo. An amazing first effort, and things will only get better! ( I do hope that they got a different supplier for the hood badge. )

   • ++

   • Beautiful car. But who is going to buy this thing for $42k? I am perplexed here…

10. We’ll I can’t say that I would pony up the $44 grand for this car, but happy they are only making a few of them. I’m sure the new 9-3 redesign is going to blow this out of the water. Just wish they would give us a taste of it? Anyway are there any other choice of wheels or Hirsch?

    • But if it’s true that the 44 grand includes a 25% VAT, it starts to look a lot more competitive.

      • And service for 3 years, and “cart injury” (door dings?) coverage. It was said, in here, that this was in line with comparable models from Mercedes, etc., and in fact 10% cheaper than before. The prices don’t necessarily jive across markets.

        • Jibe. (egad. I think the browser inserted this error, in the name of “correcting” me.)

      • That would make it $33K in the USA which would be about what I would expect. Congratulations to NEVS but when it’s time for me to buy a new car in a couple of years, I definitely would absolutely require a Sports Combi, XWD, and a sunroof, along with an upgraded entertainment system. And oh yeah, it’s got to be either a high performance hybrid or ICE powered.

        As to the entertainment system, I’m not up-to-date with what the state of the art is, but instead of a factory installed NAV system, it sure would be nice to have a factory installed premium sound system with a good quality color screen (perhaps touch) that integrates with an iphone or other smart phone so that a phone based navigation system (such as google maps) would be slaved onto the screen along with music and such from the phone.

        I also think that a web-based ordering system is fine with delivery centers within 200 miles of major US metropolitan areas, along with a network of authorized service centers.

        • Slap an iPad over it, but they’d need an app that would take over the other stuff underneath (A/C, car config, etc.). They could be first, and they wouldn’t be the last. I rented a Ford Fusion with a new Sony-developed system for all this, and it SUCKED. Let Google Maps do it, guys, they’re good at it. (Among other things, the Sony system violated the direct-manipulation rule: you see a light on, and you have to hunt for the nearby button to turn it off. Bzzzzt! Next!)

        • The automotive industry is insanely competitive. I am a true Saab enthusiast but at $33K USD…the market has just moved on. Seriously, the new WRX will be priced 4-5K under this price point and its a better–more modern–car. Volvo’s S60 T5 and the 320i are about the same price and 99 out of 100 will choose the Bimmer/Volvo (we are the 1%)!

          Of course none of this matters at the moment because NEVS is not selling in the US (yet), but if it does decide to in the future they are going to need a honest (realistic) target price that brings people into dealerships or even cross shops online.

          • I think there have always been “better” cars than Saabs, at lower prices, depending on your definition of better. The appliances that Toyota and Honda offer are more reliable and so is my refrigerator. The old WRX was a boy racer that I wouldn’t want to own. I think the 9-2 cleaned up some of the crapwork on it nicely—I didn’t consider it the clone that others did—it had some Saab refinement in and out that upgraded it in a noticeable way. I agree that the price needs to be more affordable and that could mean a base model without all the bells and whistles. I do think the future should include a slightly smaller 4 door hatch that appeals to a whole new market—-THAT can be the one to go head to head with Subaru and others. I think the 9-3 has to find its own niche again. A lot of Swedish car buyers are ready to buy one—including in the U.S.

      • In Europe we pay massive taxes on a car. (for comparison: SAAB 9-3 Aero, sames specs as the NEVS, list price in 2010: 48.300 euro incl taxes and 29.787 euro ex taxes) Therefor you can not convert the list price straight into US dollars. The list price of the NEVS SAAB is relatively competitive over here.

    • Angelo notwithstanding, NEVS are wise not to give us a taste of the facelift — not yet — lest it cannibalize the (likely small) sales of the 9-3N. Even saying that there’s one in the works is uncharacteristically forthcoming, for them, given what we’ve heard so far. Also, their own web site now firms up other markets from “a possibility” to “will be available” (though still not saying which markets). So maybe they’re hearing us.

      • I don’t need a taste of the facelift—-but definitely the “upgrade” from “a possibility” to “will be available” is what I have been asking for and what should have been said out of the gate. But make no mistake about it—-I’m very pleased with this restart—-I think they got this very right from a technical standpoint. Really happy for NEVS, Saab and all of us enthusiasts. NEVS has delivered on a promise and that can’t be overstated—-they came through in a big way today.

11. I’m slightly disappointed that there isn’t any options or anything new to look at.
    But that’s probably just my curiosity speaking. Objectively speaking, this is a pretty good way to get things going.
    No one in Sweden can complain that there aren’t any cars available, they start manufacturing and get things going with no options and less logistical obstacles, black or silver, nubs or no nubs and take it slowly and securely.

    All the better then to jump head in with everything fresh out of the gates and all the problems that risk coming with such a venture.

12. So it’s now end of day ! Have we any figures of forward orders?

13. Back in 2012 the aero griffin was sold for $46873-49464 here in sweden. So the new price tag isn’t so bad. Also, you guys in the US always got fully equipped cars to a lower price than ours prices, which is why Saab never really made a big profit of selling over there. Let’s just be happy over that NEVS managed to start up after a short amount of time, SAAB IS BACK, and we’ll just have to wait and see what the upgrades will be.

14. I know this is just a start and I’m quite happy for those back to work in Trollhatten. I’m just hoping the facelift is substantial…lets give it some seats any Saab enthusiast could be proud of for pete’s sake.

    • I’ve learned not to judge seats by their looks. Hard to believe they’d put anything inferior to the previous one. Probably closer than we think to this http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2008/08/27/19/07/2009_saab_9-3_aero-pic-54310.jpeg

    • +1

15. I wish Nevs/Saab the best…. I just bought a used 2008 9-3 2.0 loaded and really enjoy the car its very underrated by many americans, there loss lol.. This will be a long haul in a world of financial uncertainty with many unknowns.. I am not quite sure of Nevs end game in all this…. One thing is for certain battery or electric cars technology still is years away from perfection.

    Hopefully they will put a high emphasis on gas technology,,, If not they will fail. It will be a huge undertaking to come back to the US and gain consumer confidence and for some difficult to layout thousands for their products. Big advertising and consumer relations will be a must… Not sure if Nevs will care much about the US. At the very least 2 maybe 3 years at best…. Sadly every day that goes by will make it more of a long shot… Many Saab owners have moved on.

    Hopefully 6 months from now we will have a map.

16. Considering it is not more than one year and three months since NEVS bought the bankruptcy estate, I think it is very impressive that they have come this far. Remember – this is just the beginning! 🙂

    • I Really hope so……… I agree its a huge step…. Takes years to R&D a new car let alone cars….

17. With 225/45 tires on 18″ wheels, the total diameter seems to have increased With 1 inch since my -08 9-3. Or did this happen With the Griffin in -11?

    • Yes, I noticed that. Wonder what it`s done for the gearing? My UK SE version of the Griffin has 225/45 tyres on 17″ wheels, although it is a TT Diesel.

18. It is nice that new Saabs are being produced and a familiar one at that. This is much better December news than the December of 2009 and 2011!

    To the pricing discussion, I see it was covered that you can’t just use the exchange rate to come up with US dollars, with or without VAT. Market pricing is a must.

    I may need a reminder about the spec on 9-3 automatic transmissions, but is a six-speed automatic something that existed before NEVS? My 2010 automatic (in a US non-Aero SC) is a 5-speed.

    • As far as I can remember all the MY11 transmissions where six speed, automatic and manual.

      • Thanks Red J. After seeing your reply I did a search on SU and found the post on the Independence Editon that referenced how it was available in both a 6-speed manual and automatic. I did remember the NG 9-5 had the 6-speed auto but I just couldn’t recall the 9-3. How quickly we forget when the cars aren’t out there to remind us.

19. Call me a pessimist, but USD 43 K for a facelift of a 15 year old design is something for dy hard fans. In my country (Holland with extra BPM tax on new cars) you will be looking at over USD 50 K. Feels like the ghost of VM is still there. Good marketing and too high priced. During his reign I was quoted a new 9-5 Tid Vector (and that was a nice NEW design) at USD 78 K (over 60.000 EUR), holding the same “old” diesel engine as my 9-3 Tid. If NEVS wants to become successful on the European market: Look at the prices of Audi and BMW. For the 9-3 at the A4 and 3, for possible 9-5 at the A5 and 5. Try aiming at >=8% cheaper, next design your car arround that idea and offer it as something different in design (Scandinavian design), driving experience and price. Make your profit on 9-3 private sales and have your factory run break even on 9-3 sales to car fleet owners. Design and sell (profitable on all customer segments) a 9-1 and 9-5 If they do SAAB still will never become mass market nevertheless (which is good) but will at least have substantial numbers to produce to survive as car manufacturer.

20. Great to see this happen! Long live Saab!
    Even as it is somewhat dated design & tech. I´d take it over any VAG product of same pricerange.
    Too bad they couldn´t get xwd (elsd) there, but maybe in the future. But to be honest, I would not consider getting one before NEVS can get the line really rolling. I had way too much hassle with our previous 9-3 during bankruptcy. Parts, service, warranty etc.
    But if they´ll get everything sorted in the future and new model coming, then why not?

21. After 15 Saabs, sadly my wife has said no to any more. Understandably really considering a whole host of reasons. Perhaps she might not feel this way if we had been able to get a 2011 9-5 wagon instead of a sedan and if the car hadn’t spent three months in the shop waiting for repairs that should have taken two weeks tops. Lease will be up in September.

    Doubt Saab will have enough presence in the US by then to make any difference. Plus we are having parts availability problems on our older 9-3’s and 9-5’s.

    I’m a hardcore Saab fan so for most of the US who is not nearly as interested in Saabs as I am, I think Saab will have a hard road back here, if it ever returns at all. I will believe it when I see it.

    Wife wants an SUV now. I will miss the fun of driving, even at my age (63).

    • David: Depending on your price point and the size SUV your wife would like to drive, I’d be looking hard at the KIA Sorrento at the affordable end of the Spectrum and perhaps a BMW if you plan to spend more. Mazda also has a couple nice choices and Subaru’s tall wagons (Forester or Outback) are solid vehicles too. Parts availability on older cars can be a problem even for pedestrian makes. My next door neighbor gave up on an old Toyota Camry because the service station said the part was unavailable. His guess is that after they charitably “bought” the car from him (for next to nothing) they miraculously found the part—-because he then saw the car driving around. But normal channels truly didn’t have the part—-I’m sure they had to go into junkyards or something. Granted, this car was MUCH older (early 90s). I fully expect that Saab parts will be harder and harder to get for my own 2004—-I guess I’ll drive it as long as I can. Fortunately, I do have other cars, so if I’m without it, I can wait a while. But at some point, it just becomes not only an inconvenience, but also a mental drain when you keep calling to check and there’s still no part—-your car is sitting on someone else’s property night after night—-not cool. And for those who have been through it, Saab left a bad taste in their mouth. And I’m positive there are a lot more people like you—-who might make a leap of faith on the next incarnation of Saab but are kept in check by a spouse or someone else who probably has more good sense than to gamble loss of warranty and no parts if things go kaput again. I do believe Saab is going to make a go of it in North America again. I don’t know when…or how…or with what model…or how seriously…but I think to ignore this market is to admit being uncompetitive and a poser. So they’ll likely try something here. If they do it properly—-with the right car, at the right price and the required promotion to make it happen—-they can succeed in some way. No, not selling as many cars as Honda, but increasing volume and making sales, making money. If they come in weakly, they will fall flat. And the people who buy from them will end up like Daihatsu or Daewoo owners. Time will tell. I’ll consider a new Saab for sure if I get the chance to own one. Much will depend on NEVS themselves—-as a corporation/company, will they improve their culture enough to give me the confidence that they are in this for the long haul, that they’re serious? Will we feel as though our cars will have resale value and that the people running NEVS are passionate about what they are doing and will be in this to win? So far, precious little of that spirit has “leaked” from NEVS headquarters. It’s like pulling teeth trying to get even a small morsel of enthusiasm from them—-how they feel about their cars, what their plans are for expansion, how they feel about Saab—-the history, the present, the future. They are silent to a fault. If they can improve enough in that area to make enough people dream of owning their products, they’ll sell more and in turn, the demand will be greater for used Saabs—-propping up that collapsed market for NEVS Saabs and for older ones too. Time will tell.

22. I’ve driven Saab’s since I got my license when I was 18. I actually learnt to drive in them.
    Manual of course.

    Its great that Saab is back. I guess there a type of car that don’t won’t understand until you own one. Even my first car a 82 900i. It would start on 2 cyls then after a few stabs of the pedal it would be smooth sailing. It refused to die. Just like the brand. I commend these guys will and tenacity to get a the ball rolling so quickly. Good on you fellows

    And by the way. That car looks fantastic. It looks so right. And for the price its a well made unit. If you only make 10 a week there is going to be so much for time to build them better. Compared to these manufacturers that build cars at a breakneck pace.
    And anyhow. Ive never considered saab a cheap brand. So you have to pay a premium for them.

    I will have to say though, that if they were to open up to other markets. Especially greater europe there has to be a diesel option. And a wagon. They probably already know this. Theres not enough infrastructure in the would yet for full blown electrics. Maybe hybrids ( self charging ones not plug in like volvos product.

23. Well jut so long as they get back to the convertible. Would be great as a hybrid as well.
    But . . . .
    Infotainment needs a whole lot of work. If they get to NA in 2 years time, there won’t be any competing vehicle sold that won’t be well along in that department. Radio needs XM/Sirius as part of it. Amps and speakers must be highly capabale. Needs to accept Bluetooth stereo input from external device. Must provide for Bluetooth syncing at least 5 different phones. Must control external devices such as Android and Ipad. Must support voice activation for phone calls. Must support internet interface at least through bluetooth to data service in phone.

    Want to to no more, just go look at what is already in the market place now and interpolate just a litte to see where they MUST go.

24. Wow. Although I admire NEV’s attempt to resurect SAAB (some say SAAB died after GM bought them) trying to sell a 10+ year old platform at $42k is almost as bad as trying to resurrect Chevy Chase in 2013 for a spot on Saturday Night Live. I almost want to pull a Howard Stern, “dont be stupid you moron” sound gag with the NEVS executives. Really man. This car was decent in 2002 but even in the Chinese market it doesnt compete with really anything. Resurrecting this is like it’s own SAAB Zombie Apocalypse but worse. It just wont die. I hope I am wrong but NEV’s shareholders will be screaming bloody murder when the investment reports come out. When I learned that NEVS was resurrecting the 9-3 I thought it was a very bad April Fool’s joke come late. This 9-3 was probably one of the worst interior jobs in the history of the modern automobile industry, peeling dash polymers, seats that discolor (mine did twice), and cupholders that easily break….

    • Except for a minor gap in the door trim, the interior of my 2010 9-3 is great…the most comfortable seats I have ever had in high quality leather and perfectly functioning cup holders that are used every day.

      I could see wanting more legroom in the rear. But, in terms of style and function, I don’t think the interior could be better for this class of car.

      • I’m happy with my 9-3 TID Vector with extra full leather interior also. But that’s a car I bought 8 years ago and now has 350.000 km on the clock. When I’m going to buy a new car today, and spend considerable money on it, I want something new. Something at todays’ standards and because it’s SAAB beyond. Unless NEVS has a bargain on a facelifted 9-3 to bridge the time before the new thing is there. But this price is far from a bargain.

    • I do not understand either. They had better taken more time and start-up the business with something desirable like the last 9-3 concept of the VM days. Sure a handful of people will buy it, but by far not enough to start a production line for. This revitalization is only costing money and delaying what realy matters: Coming up with a real new SAAB that sells.

      • Taking more time than they already have to restart would have been disastrous. People who are not in tune with advertising/marketing can’t fully grasp the damage that has been done to this brand by being out of action this long—-and also don’t realize that the longer they were/are away, the more money it would require to re-establish Saab to potential customers. NEVS is doing the right thing by acting as quickly as they could under very difficult circumstances to get a model to market—-even if it’s not the new wizardry some are clamoring for. As I wrote on another thread: “NEVS needed to get cars back in production SOONER than this (ideally). Their only chance at all of getting cars available was either to forge a partnership with some other company and rebadge someone else’s car as a Saab—-or restart production of the 9-3. To be selling a car now, those were the only two choices. There is no way a new model could have been finished and on the line at this point in time. So picking between a rebranding of something or resumption of the 9-3, I guess the 9-3 wins out, for me at least. And the idea of staying out of the market until the Phoenix could be finished up—-would have been a complete non-starter. That would take too long—-and enough damage has been done already. They are doing the right thing as far as building the 9-3—-they are doing the wrong thing by not saying more about Saab—-and they need to be assuring people in no uncertain terms that Saab will be back in other world markets—-and should be projecting when that will be. Their communicative skills are horrendous. But their instincts of the factory restart, getting suppliers on board, building some cars—-all good.”

      • E: Also, I think that restarting the factory for the 9-3 is also a great thing for the future model. Get these people back to work, building cars. Get the suppliers chain greased and figure out who you can count on and who needs to be replaced (as far as suppliers go). The restart might not be a big splash as far as the car goes—-as some of you seem tired of the 9-3. But I think from a technical standpoint, getting all systems in order in preparation for the new model is a necessity or at least very smart. By the time the new model is ready for production—-they’ll have an experienced group with proven systems and procedures to build and deliver cars. This is the ramp up—-happening now. And the fact that 9-3s are coming out and being made available is a nice bonus—-it means the brand is back at retail, which has ended a two year slide—-and it readies NEVS to conquer bigger mountains with new models and expansion. I’ve criticized NEVS on some matters as everybody knows—-but in this regard, they have really taken care of business and are showing that they’re for real. They made a believer out of me by reopening the factory and building new cars—-even if it’s the “old” 9-3 (which by the way, I still like a lot—-crisp sheetmetal and at least in my mind, a nice interior).

Comments are closed.