New engines for Saab 9-3 and 9-5

By Tom Phillips

September 2010

Saab has powered up its entire range! Both the 9-3 and new 9-5 benefit from a choice of new engines which are aimed at increasing the appeal of both cars, while also reducing emissions.

The new 9-5 gets two new powerplants. The first is a twin-turbo 2.0-litre diesel which develops 187bhp. As well as managing 0-62mph in under nine seconds, the unit is projected to return fuel consumption of 47.1 mpg and CO2 emissions of 159 g/km. The diesel unit is mated to the firm’s XWD four-wheel drive system, which is a first for Saab.

The other option is a 178bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine which enables 0-62mph acceleration in 9.5 seconds. Combined cycle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are 36.2 mpg and 179 g/km respectively.

Buyers of the new 9-5 can also opt for Saab’s Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system, and an expanded exterior paint colour palette that increases from 7 to 11 colours.

As for the 9-3, the veteran saloon benefits from the addition of twin turbochargers to the 1.9-litre diesel engine range. Three versions are available, developing 128bhp, 158bhp and 178bhp.

The new turbos have helped increase fuel efficiency by 10 per cent across the range. In the saloon, this means figures of 62.8 mpg and 119 g/km of CO2, in the SportWagon estate, 61.4 mpg and CO2 emissions of 122g/km, and for the Convertible, 54.3 mpg and 137g/km.

All 9-3s also benefit from a number of tweaks for the 2011 model year, including Bluetooth, heated front seats and two new paint colours. Both cars go on sale later in the year.