Saab Special Edition 9-3 Aero
The Age
Saturday November 15, 2008
DURING the week-long party earlier this month around which a couple of horse races managed to break out, Saab has flaunted its connection with the Melbourne Cup Carnival with a limited-edition convertible release.
The Saab Special Edition 9-3 Aero Convertible made its international debut outside the company's marquee at Flemington.The Aero convertible, priced from $95,000, will come with a choice of a 1.9-litre, 132 kW TTiD diesel engine or a 2.8-litre, 206 kW V6 turbo, with either matched to six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.While the 16-valve, two-stage turbo engine caters to drivers "unwilling to sacrifice performance in the interests of fuel economy", to quote Saab's own words, the TTiD Aero convertible is the fuel-efficient choice, returning 5.9 L/100 km for the manual and 6.9 L/100 km for the automatic.Distinctive 18-inch wheels, a bold front bumper treatment and a sports steering wheel have been lifted from another high-end Saab, the Turbo X. Carbon-fibre decor inside lends a classy feel, although 60th anniversary floor coverings somewhat confuse the issue of this variant's reason for being.-- STEVE COLQUHOUN
© 2008 The Age
