24 September 2002: The new Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon which goes on sale in Ireland this week will have all the qualities needed to successfully compete with any other car in the compact premium saloon segment, according to Saab Ireland’s Doug McCoy at yesterday’s press launch in the Merriott Hotel, Druid’s Glen, Co Wicklow.

Initially available in three trim levels, Linear, Arc and Vector, the 9-3 is targeted at youthful, professional and business orientated customers who want to enjoy sporty dynamic performance - and not follow the crowd.

Engine options range from a 125bhp, 2.2 litre turbodiesel mill to a choice of two new 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol units, one rather confusingly dubbed a 1.8t, the second is a 2.0t. They put out 150 and 175 bhp respectively.

The overall look, the crouched coupe like silhouette with short front and rear overhangs, a steeply raked windscreen and a wedge-like profile promises plenty in the way of excitement.

Buyers certainly get a unique “fun-to-drive experience and sporty performance from the 175bhp variant. Producing 265Nm of torque at just 2,500 rpm, it hits top speed at 225kph and traipses from 0 to100kph (62mph) in 8.5 seconds. (Anyone wanting more pep will find that the potent 210bhp Aero (300Nm at 2,500rpm) offers ‘get-up-and-go’ in spades. Available from March 2003, it belts from 0 to 100 kph in just 7.5 seconds with top speed limited to 235kph (147mph).

Prices, for the elegant and well-crafted nine-car strong 9-3 line-up, range from E33,900 (ex works) for the 150bhp turbo-boosted entry level Linear model to E41,150, ex works, for the top-of-the-range, Vector-badged, 125bhp 2.2TiD version.

Standard equipment on all models includes air-conditioning, traction control with ESP, single play CD, ‘lead-me-to-car’ lights, electrically operated windows and side mirrors, ABS, brake assist, electronic key with remote control, driver and passenger front airbags, front seat side airbags, roof rail airbag, immobiliser and three-point rear seatbelts.

Arc models attracting a premium of E5,500 , add on wood interior trim, 16-inch, ten-spoke alloys, automatic climate control, front fog lamps, leather upholstery and steering wheel. Fork out another E250 more on the Arc prices and you get Vector level specification. This includes 17-inch 5-spoke alloys and metal-look interior trim.

A long list of optional extras includes: metallic paint E825, automatic transmission with sentronic E3,000, sun-roof E1,500, rain activated wipers E160, auto dim inside mirrors, E170, parking assistance E500, full size spare wheel E100, four retractable dup-holders E100, Xenon headlights E1,000, electric driver’s seat E1,000 and heated front seats E325.

Saab Ireland is hoping to sell up 1,000 units of the new 9-3 Sport saloon next year, with about 150 of these being diesel powered versions. Early impressions from European and Irish press day launches suggest the target is well within Saab’s Compass and that Saab have rediscovered all of their old sporty adroitness. The chassis is Saab’s stiffest yet. The steering is close to perfection. Indeed, 9-3 handled Wicklow roads with lots of verve and offered a high degree of feedback. On-tap power’ was excellent - on low and midrange revs - where it really counts.

Further superlatives and a ‘seal of approval’ will, however, have to await a “more extended test drive which we have pencilled for early October.