SAAB 9-3

The Saab 9-3 is a compact executive car produced by the automaker Saab in Trollhättan, Sweden from 1998 to 2009. The convertible (cabriolet) version was manufactured in Austria by Magna Steyr until recently, when it was moved to Trollhättan. The 9-3 shares its platform with the Opel Vectra, and with the Cadillac BLS made on the same assembly line in Sweden. It is currently Saab's entry-level model, however in North America between 2005 and 2006 the Subaru Impreza-based Saab 9-2X was its entry-level modeThe 2009 9-3 series expands the trim levels while dropping the limited-edition Turbo X sedan and wagon from the lineup. The 2.0T and Aero sedan and wagon models are now available with Saab's all-wheel drive(XWD). The convertible range continues to lack the all-wheel-drive option because of limited under-body space for the necessary componentry due to added structural bracing to compensate for the rigidity lost when eliminating the hard roof from the design of a car. The new Saab 9-3 is virtually unchanged from the 2008 model, which underwent subtle design and performance enhancements. During 2009 the 9-3X was launched at the Geneva auto show. The 9-3X is a four wheel drive XUV version of the 9-3 SportCombi.