Images of the new face-lifted Saab 9-3 have been unveiled for the first time, with the car ready for UK arrival this autumn.
First looks show that some of its designs are taken from the dramatic Aero X coupe concept car that was the centrepiece of the Saab stand at the 2006 Geneva motor show. These include the shape of the bodywork under the window line and the car’s front windscreen pillars.
The car, which will challenge BMW’s 3 Series, has a completely new front end and now includes a clamshell bonnet (one that folds over the front wings), a grille with extra chrome detailing, revised lights, and a reshaped lower air intake. The top of the windscreen has been lowered to give the 9-3 a furrowed-brow appearance.
Minor changes have been carried out on the rear of the car (still being kept secret), along with changes to the sides. These feature a more upswept window line, a wider shoulder under the windows, larger door handles, and reshaped sills.
Details on the car’s mechanical changes are being kept quiet for now, but the current range of engines - 1.8, 1.8 turbo, 2.0 turbo, 2.8 V6 and 1.9 turbo-diesel - are expected to be included in the new range.
But Saab has announced that a wider range of engines, capable of running on bioethanol as well as petrol, will be included, along with a high-performance diesel model too.
More details on the revised 9-3 from Saab are expected next month.
