New Saab prices get airing

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Saab is expected to price its new 9-3 sports sedan line-up from under $60,000 when it is launched in New Zealand next week, an Australian motoring industry source told Automotive News.

Four new 9-3 Saabs will go on the market here over the next six months. The Arc and Vector models will be unveiled in Auckland on Tuesday, the entry-level Linear early next year and the top-line Aero about May/June.

The Arc and Vector will be priced between $66,000 and $74,000 and the Linear from $59,995, Automotive News was told. The high-performance Aero is expected to come in at around $80,000.

The prices were faxed across the Tasman last week and said by our source to be "accurate to within $200-$300."

Each 9-3 model will be powered by a turbocharged 2-litre engine mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or five-speed automatic with manual override the Swedish company calls Sentronic.

The power output of the four-cylinder engine varies across the range. The Linear produces 110kW/240Nm, the Arc and Vector 129kW/265Nm and the Aero 155kW/300Nm.

The manual entry-level Linear is expected to cost $59,995, the automatic $63,300.

The Arc, the "luxury" 9-3, has been priced at $66,995 for the manual and $70,300 for the automatic.

The Vector, the 9-3 with sportier fittings and suspension setting, will cost $70,995 for the manual and $74,300 for the automatic.

Saab Australia, which look after distribution in New Zealand, refused to comment on the prices. Marketing executive Paul Ellis said they were "interesting but speculative."

"Whatever the prices for the 9-3 are, you can be assured they will be competitive in the New Zealand market," he said.

The cost of the Arc and Vector would work out to be about $7000 more expensive in New Zealand than Australia. The manual Arc there is $A52,900 ($NZ59,200) and the manual Vector $A56,900 ($NZ63,700).

The 9-3, the first new 9-3 model in nine years, is the biggest product development programme in Saab history.

It is also the first compact sedan in Saab history and therefore the first to challenge such prestige rivals as the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. Saab claims the 9-3 range offers class-leading levels of refinement, performance and comfort backed by a three-year/100,00km warranty.

The designated luxury model Arc boasts standard equipment including leather upholstery, woodgrain trim, electrically adjustable drivers seat, 16-inch alloy wheels, 150 watt CD sound system and the very latest in driving and safety systems.

The Vector adds a stronger sporting expression with sports body kit, sports chassis and 17-inch alloy wheels and low-profile tyres for improved road holding. The sports theme extends to the interior with dual-tone seats and matt chrome highlights.

Passive safety systems include ReAxs rear steer for improved steering and cornering as well as CBC (Cornering Brake Control), ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) and TCS (Traction Control System). Like the premium 9-5 range, each 9-3 gets Saab's active head restraint, an anti-whiplash system, which automatically moves upward toward the back of the head when an occupant's torso sinks back into the seat during a rear-end crash.

The body of the new 9-3 is the same length as its predecessor but Saab has increased the width by 55mm and wheelbase by 71mm to improve interior room, especially for rear passengers.

Electronics include Bluetooth wireless communication technology, which allows mobile phones and laptop computers to talk to the car.

There is a new display, called SID, or Saab Information Display, which sits high on the redesigned centre console.

The quirkiness of its aircraft-influenced cockpit has been softened, but the ignition key still sits between the front seats.