2012 Saab 9-3 Preview

It’s no secret that the car world has been the stage for a virtual bloodbath over the past few years; historic brands were shuttered with surprising speed and frequency. If not for Sweden’s Spyker, purveyor of high-end luxury sports cars, Saab would have been listed among the casualties. (In other news from the Geneva Auto Show, Spyker has been sold to a Russian billionaire so that Saab can move forward without distraction.)

But Saab survived. The all-new 2010 9-5 Aero introduced the world to the post-General Motors version of Saab, and the 9-4X is arriving soon as the company’s first credible entry into the luxury crossover SUV market. But what of Saab’s bread-and-butter model, the aging 9-3? Later this year dealers will offer an updated version of the Saab 9-3 for 2012.

Unfortunately, reports indicate that a wholly revamped 9-3 isn’t slated to hit the streets for another couple of years, so it’s up to the 2012 model’s minor upgrades and styling tweaks to woo shoppers who might otherwise opt for an Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CTS, or any one of several fresher premium rides.

What’s New for the 2012 Saab 9-3:

Call Me Griffin: With the debut of the updated model comes a new name, the 2012 Saab 9-3 Griffin, Convertible, Sport Sedan, and SportCombi variants. For those who don’t know (like some of us here at Vehix), Griffin refers to the red half-hawk/half-lion creature pictured on the Saab logo, and represents vigilance. Frankly, why Saab would decide to go to the trouble and the expense of renaming a long-in-the-tooth model that’s been only mildly refreshed has us admittedly perplexed. Perhaps “Griffin” is the missing element that will have car buyers flocking to Saab dealers in droves.

Minor Exterior Design Updates: There’s not a great deal of visual differentiation between the 2012 Saab 9-3 and its predecessor. You could strain your eyes looking for changes that aren’t there, so let us give you the brief rundown. Up front is a face that’s had a bit of plastic surgery, with a new set of headlights, an updated grille, and standard fog lights. Overall, the look is meant to mimic that of the redesigned Saab 9-5. Filling the wheel wells are restyled alloys in 16-, 17-, or 18-inch sizes, the flanks host new badges, and sedans are now equipped with a standard rear spoiler.

Tweaked Interior Décor: Focus your attention on the 2012 Saab 9-3’s interior and you might notice a massaged dashboard as well as trim panels sporting graphite, titanium, or metallic finishes. Gray fabric is now available, in addition to Black or Tan leatherette.

More Muscle, Less Thirst: All 2012 Saab 9-3 Griffin variants feature either front- or all-wheel-drive capability and are fitted with a new, twin-scroll turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine boasting direct injection technology. Swiped from the new 9-5’s engine bay, the new turbocharged four-cylinder increases output from 210 to 220 horsepower while torque rises to 258 lb-ft from 221. Fuel economy has reportedly been improved by four percent, and the car is now E85-compatible. That’s not a monumental change, but a move in the right direction, especially in these days of ever-increasing gasoline prices. Gears swaps are handled by a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

source : http://www.vehix.com/articles/auto-previews--trends/2012-saab-9-3-preview