Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition : NEW EDITION

Expert Rating:

Saab's special edition 9-3 ups the anti from a value for money standpoint. Steve Walker reports.

People used to look down their noses at tubocharged cars, the turbo viewed as something of a blunt instrument, a cheap, cheerful and somewhat crude way of increasing performance. Saab was one manufacturer that stuck with the technology, however, and today the industry's view of forced induction has changed markedly. Turbocharged engines are everywhere and suddenly Saab's overwhelmingly turbocharged engine range looks firmly back in vogue. What a great time, then, for the Swedish manufacturer to rub its rivals' noses in it with the 9-3 Turbo Edition.

The turbo is still a relatively affordable route to improved performance but the latest technology has ironed out some of the pitfalls. Today's more efficient turbocharged engines iron out the peaks and troughs in the power delivery for a smoother experience. They also work more efficiently, saving fuel. As a result, the turbo is more regularly employed as a means of fitting smaller capacity engines to cars to improve economy without sacrificing performance. The engines in the Saab 9-3 are fine exponents of this and buyers attracted by their cost-cutting potential seem likely to appreciate the value-added Turbo Edition models. It's the more affordable engine options in the 9-3 range that get the Turbo Edition treatment. Three diesel options and a petrol make the roster, all of them complete with a turbo or two. The 1.8t is the petrol engine, a 148bhp unit that can get the 9-3 through the 60mph barrier in 9 seconds. It's the most affordable way into a Turbo Edition car but the 1.9TiD diesels will be preferable, particularly for those covering higher mileages. The 1.9 TiD is available in 118bhp or 148bhp states of tune. The less powerful car takes a rather sluggish 11s to cover the 0-60mph sprint while the higher powered version matches the 9s time of the petrol. At the top of the range is the 1.9 TTiD which has a pair of turbochargers and 178bhp. It can do an 8s sprint and has a particularly muscular feel through the gears.

"The 9-3 is no spring chicken these days but its looks and driving experience still stand up to scrutiny"

The 9-3 driving experience hasn't changed all that much. The ride and handling compromise is still very well judged and comfort inside the car is excellent thanks to great seats and a multi-adjustable driving position. Our only comment is that the pedals are a little clumsier than you'd expect in a car with enthusiast pretensions. The front end of the latest 9-3 isn't quite so outrÃ© as its bigger brother, the 9-5. The Dame Edna spectacles are thankfully absent and in their place is a classier finish to the front grille and a set of LED light strips that sit across the top of the headlamp pod like an illuminated eyebrow. They do look very smart but after all the Audis that use them and now this Saab, we could get a glut of the things. Call it the styling fetish of 2007/08, much like jewel effect lights and clear indicators have been in the mid Noughties. The clamshell bonnet is a very deft touch, at once drawing on Saab's history and visually widening the front of the car. All external rubbing strips have been removed to give a cleaner look and the Saloon and Convertible both adopt the Sport Wagon's smoked white rear light clusters. The cabin is a little more muted than before, Saab cutting back on the silver painted plastics which can only be a good thing. Otherwise there are still plenty of traditional Saab design cues such as the key located on the transmission tunnel and the slab-fronted fascia panel. Build quality is good if not quite as gratuitously over-engineered as some premium rivals. In fact it's possibly not as slick as a Ford Mondeo inside the 9-3, which probably says as much about Ford's aspirations as it does Saab's. Choosing a Turbo Edition model over a conventional Saab 9-3 looks a shrewd move when you examine its specifications. All versions are fitted with 17" alloy wheels, full leather trim, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a nine-speaker stereo and cruise control. There's the usual 9-3 choice of saloon or SportWagon estate bodystyles and the pricing is set at a level that should tempt customers out of their mainstream medium range saloons. An automatic transmission is also available. Competing as it does in the hinterland between the medium range and compact executive market sectors, the 9-3 has to have its running costs well buttoned down. Business users account for a major proportion of sales and they aren't shy about going over the figures with an eagle eye and a calculator. Thankfully, the EcoPower technology now fitted to the 9-3 diesels helps them produce competitive economy and emissions. The 1.9 TiD diesel produces 137g/km of CO2 with 54mpg economy on the combined cycle. Step up to the 1.9 TTiD engine and the costs barely increase despite the improved performance. The emissions from this impressive unit are 139g/km and economy is rated at 53mpg. Saab's longstanding connection with turbocharging technology should stand it in good stead now that everybody's using them. The 9-3 is no spring chicken these days but its looks and driving experience still stand up to scrutiny and the Turbo Edition models bring useful added value to the package. The 1.9 TTiD engine is a particularly strong contender with its blend of parsimony and performance and although it's at the more expensive end of the 9-3 Turbo Edition range, it's certainly the most attractive choice. All of the diesel engines produce good economy and will serve company car drivers well but the 9-3 is up against some stiff competition from younger models so the Turbo Edition's value boost couldn't really have come at a better time.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Saab 9-3 Turbo Edition range
PRICES: £19,995-£23,576 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 13-14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 137-144g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.9TTiD] 0-60mph 8s / Max Speed 140mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.9TTiD 150bhp] (combined) 53.3mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Traction Control, Cornering Braking Control, Saab Active Head Restraints
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height (Saloon) 4635/2038/1466mm