Saab's flyers

Saab is aiming high with the launch of its super-swift Aero range, writes ALASTAIR SLOANE.


A few years ago Saab did some research into brand awareness, asking the target audience what they knew about a carmaker called Saab.

The results: yes, almost everyone had heard of Saab but didn't know much about its cars, other than some of them looked funny and they were made in Sweden.

The researchers then turned to 100 Saab-owners, asking whether they had known much about Saab cars before they bought one. Nearly 70 per cent replied that they didn't. It was only after they had driven a Saab that they reached for their chequebooks.

That's been Saab's problem in many markets all along. It's certainly had a loyal following but still remains a small-time carmaker whose vehicles need to be driven to be appreciated.

Or rather, it was a small-time carmaker. Last year's production of 128,000 cars is expected to double over the next decade now that General Motors owns Saab outright.

GM bought the remaining 50 per cent of Saab last year, after owning half the carmaker since the last day of 1989. It was content with its half-share through the 90s, until Ford last year bought Swedish rival Volvo and said immediately it would develop the marque. A four-wheel-drive crossover model, like a Honda CRV, was mentioned.

Saab had already been looking at an all-wheel-drive lifestyle variant of the 9-5 stationwagon, something along the lines of Subaru's Outback, and a small-car rival to the Audi A3.

But GM wasted no time in saying it would also develop Saab further, utilising GM's other European subsidiary, Opel. A sports car and a people-mover were talked about for some time after Saab launches the next-generation 9-3 in 2004.

Meantime, Saab's all-turbo Ecopower line-up in New Zealand has been boosted by the super-swift Aero range, which arrives soon.

There are five, four-cylinder Aero models - the 9-5 sedan and wagon, powered by a 169kW version of the 2.3-litre engine, and three 9-3 models, which use a 151kW version of the 2-litre powerplant.

The 9-5 sedan costs $95,900, the wagon $98,900. The 9-3 coupe costs $68,200, the sedan $70,200 and the timeless convertible $98,500.

"Aero marks the return of mainstream performance to Saab," said Bob Maron, managing director of the carmaker's Australia and New Zealand arm. "We now have the complete and exciting Saab range we've been striving for. The line-up takes us into the new millennium with confidence and stability, and will help us to keep improving customer satisfaction and residual values."

As European cars go, the 9-5 and 9-3 Saabs - the convertible 9-3 is an exception - don't hold their prices as well as they should.

They mightn't have the dynamic driving pleasure of some BMWs, the presence of a Mercedes-Benz, the understated aggression of an all-wheel-drive Audi or the more popular image of Swedish rival Volvo.

But they are damned fine cars nevertheless - cleverly designed, strong, superbly built and equipped, with arguably the best seating and interiors on the market and an innovative history of safety.

The Ecopower engines are good for big miles, too. A feature of the high-output engines is the available torque, on-tap energy which provides slingshot mid-range acceleration. Saab believes such available power aids overtaking and therefore safety.

The 2.3-litre engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox develops 350Nm of pulling power between 1900 and 4000 rpm, although an "overboost" function makes 370Nm available for 20 seconds. The automatic model produces 330Nm.

The 2-litre engine in the 9-3 manual model puts out 280Nm between 2200 and 4600 rpm. The automatic manages 250Nm between 1900 and 5750 rpm.

Saab has tweaked the suspension on the Aero range to improve handling and stability, and all models are lavishly equipped and include the latest safety technology.

The 9-5 Aero sedan and wagon are positioned above the SE models but below the flagship 9-5 Griffin sedan. The 9-3 Aero models replace the 9-3 SE range.