9-3 Convertible Special Edition and 9-X “Air” BioHybrid Convertible Concept Car.
Boston, December 2, 2008:
The first ever Saab Convertible made its world debut at the Frankfurt auto show in the fall of 1983. Now, 25 years later, a Special Edition of the Saab 9-3 Convertible in bright champagne metallic makes its debut in Boston at the New England International auto show, which opens to the public this Thursday, December 4 . In addition, the futuristic 9-X “Air” BioHybrid Concept will also be featured at the Saab display in Boston. Well received at its world premiere in Paris earlier this fall, the 9-X Air is an innovative design study exploring what a next generation open-air Saab could look like.
Saab surprised the automotive world when it pioneered the concept of a ‘four season, four-seat’ soft top Convertible. Designed to be practical and stylish, the Scandinavian-styled convertible changed the perception of open top vehicles to be used all the year round.
“Saab has sold more than a quarter of a million convertibles worldwide and the latest edition of the 9-3 highlights the timeless design and responsible performance that Saab convertibles have always represented, ” said Steve Shannon, executive director, marketing and product, Saab Automobile USA.
The special edition Saab Convertible will be available in three metallic colors to include Jet Black, Carbon Grey and the new Bright Champagne. It features Saab’s signature 2.0-liter, 210 hp four cylinder engine and can be matched to six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.
Special content includes influences from the Turbo X performance model, such as the design of the front bumper and steering wheel plus carbon fiber interior finishes and black floor mats with grey binding. Like the Aero version, the rear shows dual exhaust pipes and an anthracite grey bumper insert. Five-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels will be standard.
Expected to arrive in dealer showrooms in January 2009, the Saab 9-3 2.0T Special Edition Convertible will be priced starting at $ 46,725 including destination charges.
As a hint where Saab might take its convertible in the future, the 9-X Air BioHybrid concept will also be featured at the New England International Auto Show in Boston. Well received at its world premiere in Paris last October, the 9-X Air is an innovative design study exploring what a next generation open-air Saab could look like.
Featuring a unique Canopy Top and a wraparound glasshouse that includes the rear screen, the 9-X Air breaks the mould of conventional convertible design by offering four-seat accommodation within the close-coupled proportions of a sports car.
Its distinctive silhouette is defined by prominent rear pillars that mount the flat-folding Canopy Top and also anchor the separate, recessed rear screen. Top down, the 9-X Air is designed to offer fresh air motoring free from buffeting. Top up, it assumes the look of a true coupe.
Designed in parallel with the 9-X BioHybrid concept, the 9-X Air shares its highly efficient powertrain. The small, 1.4-liter Saab BioPower engine offers responsible performance by combining engine rightsizing with turbocharging, the use of E85 bioethanol fuel and hybrid technology.
The 9-X Air underlines Saab’s leading role in convertible design and is revealed 25 years after the first convertible from Saab was shown at the international Frankfurt Show. Full details and more images are available at www.media.saab.com
Saab is a division of General Motors Corporation. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of the Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For the 2009 model year, Saab offers 7 different models that deliver 27 mpg or better according to EPA Highway fuel economy standards.
In addition to 4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty, including roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, every new Saab comes with 3 years/36,000 miles no-charge scheduled maintenance plus standard Onstar and XM Satellite radio. Visit www.saabusa.com for more information.
Press Release - SaabUSA
Visit our showroom today or find us online by CLICKING HERE
Herb Chambers Saab - 877-205-6529
1172 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02314
Please Visit These Other Herb Chambers Sites:
Herb Chambers MPG - CLICK HERE
Herb Chambers Hybrids - CLICK HERE
Herb Chambers Customer Service - CLICK HERE
Herb Chambers Company Sponsor of Luxury Car Dealers Boston - CLICK HERE
Originally known as Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Svenska Aircraft Company), Saab is a Swedish company that began manufacturing automobiles in 1949. The company’s early designs placed an emphasis on aerodynamics that is reflective of its history as an aircraft manufacturer. The first production Saab, the 92, boasted a lower coefficient of drag than many modern cars. The 93, unveiled in 1955, was powered by a three-cylinder, 33-horsepower engine, and featured the distinctive fastback profile that made early Saab cars among the most recognizable automobiles on the road. By the time the ’50s drew to a close, Saab’s lineup had grown to include the 95 wagon (capable of seating up to seven) and the 93 750 Gran Turismo, the automaker’s first series-built sports car.
The marque started the ’60s with the introduction of its successful Saab 96. With a production run of 20 years, this was the car that made Saab a recognized presence in the international market. The decade also saw the launch of the Saab Sport coupe. Scoring numerous wins on the rally circuit, the coupe marked Saab as a force to be reckoned with. The Sport’s success on the track inspired a name change; it later came to be known as the Saab Monte Carlo 850. The Saab Sonett II, with its body of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, also made its debut during the ’60s, as did the Saab 99, which was the first to feature the manufacturer’s trademark wraparound windshield.
In 1973, Saab gave birth to the 99 Combi Coupe. The car came to be definitive of the Saab brand; with its hatchback and fold-down rear seat it offered remarkable utility. By the end of the decade, Saab had rolled out the 99 Turbo, which was a forerunner in harnessing turbo technology for use in production cars. The company also introduced the Saab 900, which held the distinction of being the first car to offer a cabin air filter.
During the 1980s, Saab cars (especially the Turbo models) gained American popularity as young urban professionals (yuppies) sought them out. The decade saw the launch of the Saab 900 Turbo, the Saab 900 Turbo Aero (the world’s first car to offer a 16-valve turbo engine) and a popular convertible version of the 900.
In 1990, General Motors bought half of Saab’s automotive division. The decade saw the launch of a revamped 900; the car offered a bevy of cutting-edge safety features, including three rear three-point seatbelts and rear side-impact protection. By the time the ’90s drew to a close, Saab had also unveiled the 9-5, its first premium four-door sedan. The car offered a host of new technologies such as ventilated seats. It was also the first to offer Saab’s Active Head Restraints, a system designed to prevent whiplash injuries.
By the 2000s, General Motors had bought the other half of Saab Automobile. Despite the brand’s position on the leading edge of safety technology, Saab’s popularity in the U.S. has waned (however, the marque continues to be a big seller in Europe). Some have blamed the brand’s poor performance domestically on GM’s badge engineering of Saab cars. New models like the 9-2X and the 9-7X were based on platforms lifted from other GM brands — Subaru and Chevrolet, respectively. Still, many touches of individuality remain, and the brand has much to offer those who embrace its singular personality.
Please Visit These Other Herb Chambers Sites:
Herb Chambers MPG - CLICK HERE
Herb Chambers Hybrids - CLICK HERE
Herb Chambers Customer Service - CLICK HERE
Herb Chambers Company Sponsor of Luxury Car Dealers Boston - CLICK HERE
