Saab 9-3. 2002–11, 2013–14 (prod. n/a). 4-door saloon, 5-door estate, 2-door convertible. F/F, F/A, 1796, 1998 cm³ petrol, 1796, 1998 cm³ bioethanol, 1910, 2171 cm³ diesel (I4 DOHC), 1910 cm³ diesel (I4 OHC), 2792 cm³ (V6 DOHC). New 9-3 moved on to latest GM Epsilon platform, shared with Opel Vectra C. Some Saab styling touches on grille and C-pillar shape, but less distinctive. More aerodynamic, with C_d falling to 0,28. Convertible from 2003, SportCombi Estate followed in 2005. Facelift in 2007, XWD (all-wheel drive) from 2008. Raised crossover estate dubbed 9-3X, from 2009. Very good roadholding and handling, living up to performance positioning, but average on many other dynamic aspects. Production ceased 2011 as Saab went bust, but new owner NEVS recommenced production in December 2013, with the main difference the absence of the griffin badge due to licensing issues. Production stalled again in May 2014 after the city of Qingdao, one of NEVS’ investors, failed to front up with money. At the end of 2015, NEVS announced a leasing deal in China where it would supply 150,000 9-3 electric vehicles to 2020, though the cars would not bear the Saab name. The first of the new electric 9-3s appeared in Tianjin in 2017.

Manufacturing locations: Trollhättan, Sweden; Graz, Austria

Marque: Saab | Model: Saab 9-3 | Predecessor: Saab 9-3 (1998–2003) | Successor: NEVS 9-3