Saab 9-3 Convertible 1.8t Range
All right, so cost isnt your first consideration when buying a premium-badged four-seater convertible but its still pretty important. Even at entry-level point, the Germans will charge you a lot for this kind of car, with fees ranging from £25,000 for Audis drop-top A4, through to over £32,000 for a Mercedes CLK. There is another alternative however, and its deservedly a British best seller.
Saabs 9-3 Convertible has already established a strong British following in second generation form and most buyers tend to opt for one of the 1.8t variants featured here and priced from £25,975. Factor in the extra equipment you get in comparison with rival German marques and the price difference becomes surprisingly large. Its also worth bearing in mind that the Saab offers more space than an A4 or a CLK of this type.
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Front and side airbags, active head restraints, central locking, alloys and a remote control alarm with immobiliser are standard fare, even if you go with Linear SE trim. Both cars share the same 150bhp petrol engine thats good for rest to sixty in ten seconds on the way to 127mph. Which is quite as fast as you really want to go in a car of this type. In fact, its a deal faster than youd have wanted to go in the first generation 9-3 Convertible, a car that on the wrong road could handle like a ferry in a choppy sea.
The MK2 model is much better and a decent match for its illustrious German competitors. This car reflects the Swedish marques recent quest for dynamic excellence. When work began on this 9-3 Convertible, Saabs designers were determined to imbue it with the same handling characteristics as the acclaimed 9-3 Sports Saloon. In order to overcome the loss of rigidity caused by removing the roof, a secondary supplemental chassis was developed, effectively a ring of steel linking and reinforcing the front rear and side structures.
The result is a car devoid of the shake, rattle and roll of many convertibles. Of course, many drivers wont care a jot about chassis stiffness, but the result is a car that drives more smoothly, that allows its suspension to work properly and which also permits designers to work to fine tolerances in the construction of components like the electric folding hood.
"Its easy to see why Saab enjoys so much success with the 9-3 Convertible"
Ah, the hood. The Saabs hood may not be of the trendy folding hard top variety, but for a ragtop its very impressive. Electrically operated, it requires no unlatching or arcane procedures to operate, and retracts in just 20 seconds, making it possible to drop the top at traffic lights without the potential embarrassment of being caught at half mast when the lights turn green. The hoods operation is very slick indeed.
Instead of flipping up, an aluminium tonneau cover raises itself and then slides back, making for a quicker operation and a better seal than a traditional hinged cover. Saabs CargoSET system is another innovation of which the Swedes seem proud. This self expanding trunk frees up a useful amount of luggage space in the boot the kind of space that convertible owners in this class must usually forgo. The hood itself is triple skinned for improved noise and thermal insulation and is available in black or blue.
In order to counter the dinginess that most convertibles suffer from when the hoods up, the Saabs hood is internally trimmed in either beige or light grey. The attention to detail is laudable. A small gutter has been sewn into the side of the fabric to prevent water droplets dripping onto the seats and theres also what Saab calls a surround trim. This is basically a horseshoe-shaped line that runs from the base of each door pillar and incorporates the panels on top of the doors, the rear side trims and most of the tonneau cover.
Its finished in a crackle matt black paint but can also be specified in body colour. Its a neat design idea that works particularly well with brighter colours. All the current Saab 9-3 Convertible models benefit from a facelift based on the Aero X concept car. The clamshell bonnet visually widens the front of the car and all external rubbing strips have been removed to give a cleaner look.
Theres a classier finish to the front grille and a set of LED light strips that sit across the top of the headlamp pod while the rear light clusters are shrouded in smoked glass. Inside, theres a more muted effect with less silver plastic. Saab has developed a system they refer to as ReAxs, which passively steers the rear wheels to cut out the turgid understeer many powerful front wheel drive cars suffer from. Other novelties include DynaCage; Saab-speak for two spring-loaded rollover hoops that are recessed behind the rear head restraints which automatically deploy if the car thinks its falling over.
Perhaps the most intriguing development is CargoWing, a rear spoiler that can convert into a ski or snowboard holder! Overall, its easy to see why Saab enjoys so much success with the 9-3 Convertible. Its well priced, safe, well equipped and packed with innovation. It may not have quite the same feeling of subjective interior quality as some rivals but, even in entry-level 1.8t form, it undeniably offers more power per pound.
Try one before you buy something else.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Saab 9-3 Convertible 1.8t range
PRICES: £25,975-£28,540 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 206g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 127mph / 0-60mph 10.0s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 33mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, Active Head Restraints, ABS, DynaCage, integrated front seat belts
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4635/2038/1435mm
