Saab 9-3 Griffin Official Photos and Info - Auto Shows 2012

Auto cars Saab 9-3 Griffin Official Photos and Info - Auto Shows

If you’ve been paying any attention to Saab news lately, the bulk of your thoughts have probably been spent on the new 9-5 and the upcoming 9-4X. But a look at the company’s vehicle roster will remind you that the Swedish company still makes the 9-3, and Saab plans to put that car back in the headlines for 2012. Okay, so maybe only Swedish headlines. A subtly refreshed 9-3 lineup—including sedan, SportCombi, and convertible body styles—will bow in Geneva alongside the new 9-5 SportCombi.

More Power, Bigger Badges

Saab has replaced the 9-3’s 2.0-liter turbo four with the 2.0 turbo from the 9-5. It produces 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, up from 210 hp and 221 lb-ft in last year’s 9-3. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission will once again be standard, with six-speed automatics available for all models and all-wheel drive optional on sedans. The all-wheel-drive-only 9-3X wagon gets the same mechanical changes.

As a salute to the brand’s badge mascot, the cars will henceforth be referred to as 9-3 Griffins, which will in turn be indicated by additional badging on the front fenders. The “Saab” in the grille has grown to match the 9-5’s, and the 9-3’s new headlights are supposed to evoke those on the larger Saab. A new front fascia incorporates larger, trapezoidal cutouts for the fog lights. Both the Turbo4 and Aero trims now come with 17-inch wheels as standard. Metallic trim has been applied all over the interior of Turbo4 models, while the Aero gets faux-carbon-fiber pieces.

Saab’s Convertible Declaration of Independence

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Saab’s operation once again as an independent brand (albeit one still selling cars based on GM platforms), the Swedes are building 366 9-3 convertible Independence Edition cars, one for each day of the year and an extra for the first day of the next. The cars start off as 9-3 Griffin Aero droptops and add special orange paint; beige leather interiors with orange trim; carbon-fiber-look leather on the dash, shift knob, handbrake lever, and door handles; a unique boost gauge; and 18-inch wheels. They can be optioned with either a manual or automatic transmission. The U.S. market will get an allotment of 150 to 160 cars.

And before you point out that Saab is still owned by Spyker, we’ll point out that the company has just announced plans to sell off its supercar operation to the same Russian billionaire who was heavily invested in Spyker before divesting himself at GM’s request. Seriously. If that goes through, Saab will once again be a truly independent brand.

You’ll be able to buy an anniversary-celebrating convertible, or any of the other 9-3 models, in the spring.