Although there are only a few months left in the 2010 model year for most manufacturers, you can’t really blame Saab for getting a late start. The brand that almost vanished into the history books is back with just one model range until the summer release of the 2011 9-5, although a new slushy road-oriented 9-3X finally joins the lineup.
Saab says that the 9-3X will list from $37,800 when it goes on sale. It will come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive with an electronic limited slip rear differential and the automaker’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. An automatic transmission ($1,350), OnStar ($750), navigation ($2,145) and metallic paint ($550) are the only stand alone options, while a $1,895 Premium Package includes HIDs, a power passenger seat, memory for the driver’s seat and mirrors, rear parking assist and power folding/auto-dimming exterior mirrors.
Otherwise, the lineup stays mostly the same – although pricing drops across the board by $1,410 for the base 9-3 2.0T sedan to about $5,400 for the 9-3 Aero sedan and convertible. While some of the cut-rate pricing can be attributed to a more favorable dollar-to-Euro exchange rate, the Aero model loses its turbocharged V6 in favor of Saab ’s less powerful (but stronger selling) 2.0-liter turbocharged four.
Base 2.0T sedans start at $29,725 and will offer a handful of options, unlike last year’s convoluted three sub-model range. A $1,995 Comfort Package adds a power moonroof, seat heaters, headlamp washers, express closing for the windows and moonroof and an auto-dimming interior mirror with compass and Homelink. For $1,095, a Bose Centerpoint audio system will be on offer, while an automatic transmission ($1,350), 18-inch alloy wheels ($750), OnStar ($750), navigation ($2,145) and metallic paint ($550) are available as stand alone options.
2.0T SportCombi wagons start at $30,330 with front-wheel-drive and $32,395 with all-wheel-drive and offer the same options as their sedan counterparts.
The Aero adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a sport suspension, more aggressive front seats, a bodykit, a sport chassis and a unique steering wheel among other upgrades. A front-wheel-drive sedan lists for $35,340, while all-wheel-drive pushes the price to $38,115. Aero SportCombis are only offered with front-wheel-drive and they start at $37,020. Aeros offer the same stand alone options as 2.0Ts, as well as a $795 Premium Package that includes parking sensors, memory for the driver’s seat and power folding, auto-dimming exterior mirrors.
The convertible, long a staple of Saab’s lineup, returns with two models: The $39,990 2.0T and the $45,080 Aero. While the Aero convertible’s specifications mirror the sedan and SportCombi, the 2.0T offers two unique packages. At $795, the Premium Package adds heated seats and headlamp washers and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and Homelink, while the $695 Special Edition package includes a unique steering wheel, HIDs, and XM Satellite Radio.
Saab has not announced pricing or specifications for the U.S.-market 9-5. The automaker says it plans to return to the Canadian market soon, although it has not released a timetable. Former parent General Motors pulled Saab out of the market late last year when it dismantled the brand’s distribution network.
References
1. ‘Djupe Strupe and U.S. pricing…’ view
