wikedgolf
07-30-2004, 01:36 PM
Saab's diesel means business
Jul 30 2004
By Chris Russon
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icwales/jul2004/8/5/00039929-2444-110A-AD5E80C328EC0000.jpg
SAAB is out to do the business with the introduction of a highperformance diesel engine that is lean, green and definitely mean.
Making its debut in the 9-3 saloon in September, it is being aimed well and truly at the company car driver in the hope of boosting Saab's lacklustre sales in this part of the market where Audi and BMW dominate.
The reason for the German success is simple. Both the Audi A4 and BMW 3 series diesels are great to drive, frugal in terms of fuel consumption and, in comparison to the current 9-3 diesel, up to 8% cheaper when it comes to taxation.
That's a saving of around £45 per month for average Audi and BMW drivers - but it is all about to change.
Saab has consigned its long serving 2.2 turbo diesel to the scrap heap and brought in a state of the art 1.9-litre engine capable of developing either 120 or 150bhp.
The new motor comes from Saab's parent company GM and is a result of a joint development with Fiat that has already seen versions of this engine power the Vauxhall Vectra and Alfa Romeo 156.
It is an established performer, but Saab's engineers have taken it a step further by developing a new particulate filter that has slashed exhaust emissions and is maintenance free.
The result is a tax banding of either 16 or 17% for the new Saab as opposed to the 24% level which made its previous diesel so costly as a company car.
With masses of torque the engine gives the new 9-3 splendid performance. The 16-valve 150bhp version has a claimed top speed of 131mph, a brisk 0 to 60 time of 9.5 seconds and will return an average of 48mpg, while the eight valve 120bhp engine tops out at 125mph, completes the 0 to 60 dash in 11.5 seconds and averages 49 to the gallon.
That definitely puts the new Saab in the same league as BMW and Audi but to boost appeal further the Swedes are putting plenty of kit into the new 9-3.
Prices for the new diesels start at £18,995 - almost £500 less than the outgoing diesel - and sport models are also being introduced at £1,000 more.
These are highly equipped with the likes of cruise control, dual zone air conditioning, onboard computer, alloy wheels and parking radar all as standard and Saab claims that makes them more than £1,000 cheaper than its rivals.
The latest 9-3 models also feature voice recognition control for the car's 'infotainment' systems (entertainment, air conditioning and onboard phone and navigation equipment) as well as six-speed manual gearboxes as standard.
Later in the year six-speed autos will be available on the 150bhp models which will be a class leading feature.
Saab has always had a reputation for hi-tech safety devices - the 9-3 Convertible has just won top Ncap ratings - and the new models are no different.
All versions of the new 9-3 are fitted with a 'workload manager' to help the driver in these days of additional onboard electronics.
Saab has called it ComSense and it prevents unnecessary distractions when the system detects the driver has plenty to do. For example if it detects plenty of use of the throttle, gears and indicators ComSense will delay an incoming phone call or an instruction from the navigation system until things have quietened down.
The Swedes have great expectations for the new 9-3 and hope it will help push Saab sales in the UK past the 20,000 mark this year.
That will be a level it has not enjoyed for almost six years but at last Saab has a car that can compete with the best of the latest generation diesels not only in terms of performance and equipment but also in keeping those all-important business user costs down.
© owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror Plc 2004
Jul 30 2004
By Chris Russon
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icwales/jul2004/8/5/00039929-2444-110A-AD5E80C328EC0000.jpg
SAAB is out to do the business with the introduction of a highperformance diesel engine that is lean, green and definitely mean.
Making its debut in the 9-3 saloon in September, it is being aimed well and truly at the company car driver in the hope of boosting Saab's lacklustre sales in this part of the market where Audi and BMW dominate.
The reason for the German success is simple. Both the Audi A4 and BMW 3 series diesels are great to drive, frugal in terms of fuel consumption and, in comparison to the current 9-3 diesel, up to 8% cheaper when it comes to taxation.
That's a saving of around £45 per month for average Audi and BMW drivers - but it is all about to change.
Saab has consigned its long serving 2.2 turbo diesel to the scrap heap and brought in a state of the art 1.9-litre engine capable of developing either 120 or 150bhp.
The new motor comes from Saab's parent company GM and is a result of a joint development with Fiat that has already seen versions of this engine power the Vauxhall Vectra and Alfa Romeo 156.
It is an established performer, but Saab's engineers have taken it a step further by developing a new particulate filter that has slashed exhaust emissions and is maintenance free.
The result is a tax banding of either 16 or 17% for the new Saab as opposed to the 24% level which made its previous diesel so costly as a company car.
With masses of torque the engine gives the new 9-3 splendid performance. The 16-valve 150bhp version has a claimed top speed of 131mph, a brisk 0 to 60 time of 9.5 seconds and will return an average of 48mpg, while the eight valve 120bhp engine tops out at 125mph, completes the 0 to 60 dash in 11.5 seconds and averages 49 to the gallon.
That definitely puts the new Saab in the same league as BMW and Audi but to boost appeal further the Swedes are putting plenty of kit into the new 9-3.
Prices for the new diesels start at £18,995 - almost £500 less than the outgoing diesel - and sport models are also being introduced at £1,000 more.
These are highly equipped with the likes of cruise control, dual zone air conditioning, onboard computer, alloy wheels and parking radar all as standard and Saab claims that makes them more than £1,000 cheaper than its rivals.
The latest 9-3 models also feature voice recognition control for the car's 'infotainment' systems (entertainment, air conditioning and onboard phone and navigation equipment) as well as six-speed manual gearboxes as standard.
Later in the year six-speed autos will be available on the 150bhp models which will be a class leading feature.
Saab has always had a reputation for hi-tech safety devices - the 9-3 Convertible has just won top Ncap ratings - and the new models are no different.
All versions of the new 9-3 are fitted with a 'workload manager' to help the driver in these days of additional onboard electronics.
Saab has called it ComSense and it prevents unnecessary distractions when the system detects the driver has plenty to do. For example if it detects plenty of use of the throttle, gears and indicators ComSense will delay an incoming phone call or an instruction from the navigation system until things have quietened down.
The Swedes have great expectations for the new 9-3 and hope it will help push Saab sales in the UK past the 20,000 mark this year.
That will be a level it has not enjoyed for almost six years but at last Saab has a car that can compete with the best of the latest generation diesels not only in terms of performance and equipment but also in keeping those all-important business user costs down.
© owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror Plc 2004