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- November 25, 2008: 2009 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible
Keep IIHS Top Honors Secure
DETROIT – The entire 2009 Saab 9-3 family, including the 4-door Sport Sedan, 5-door SportCombi and 2-door Convertible has again earned the Top Safety Pick Award in the midsize category from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
This is the fifth consecutive year that the 9-3 Sport Sedan has brought home IIHS top honors, a unique achievement in the luxury segment. For 2007 the 9-3 earned the Top Safety Pick Award, in 2006 the 9-3 earned the Top Safety Pick – Gold Award and received a Double Best Pick crash-test rating for 2005.
The institute began testing convertibles in 2007. In the inaugural year, the 9-3 Convertible earned a top spot. This is the third year running that the Saab 9-3 Convertible earns the Top Safety Pick Award – one of three convertibles and the only soft-top convertible to earn a top spot.
The Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side-impact crash tests plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries. Winning vehicles must earn good ratings in all three tests and offer electronic stability control.
“The Saab 9-3 performed well in front and side crash tests and the Saab Active Head Restraints provide state-of-the-art protection against neck injuries,” said IIHS President Adrian Lund. "The addition of electronic stability control as standard equipment confirms Saab’s commitment to vehicle safety.”
IIHS is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers. The Institute's research focuses on countermeasures aimed at all three factors in motor vehicle crashes (human, vehicular, and environmental) and on interventions that can occur before, during, and after crashes to reduce losses.
“We are delighted that these IIHS findings confirm our own crash test results,” says Per Lenhoff, head of Safety at Saab Automobile AB in Sweden. “This reassures consumers that the 9-3 is among the very best in its class for crash safety.”
As part of its on-going work with crash safety, Saab has led the automotive industry in pioneering the development of active head restraints to help prevent neck injury in rear-end impacts. Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR) are standard equipment to the front seats of all its current car models. The 9-3 Convertible is also equipped with Saab Dynacage, which includes pop-up roll bars to help provide protection in the event of a roll-over crash or an impact that could lead to a roll-over.
Saab is a division of General Motors Corporation. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of the Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For the 2009 model year, Saab offers 7 different models that deliver 27 mpg or better according to EPA Highway fuel economy standards.
In adition to 4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty, including roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, every new Saab comes with 3 years/36,000 miles no-charge scheduled maintenance plus standard OnStar and XM Satellite radio. Visit www.saabusa.com for more information.
- November 12, 2008: Saab Celebrates 25 years of Convertibles with Special Edition
DETROIT – The first ever Saab Convertible made its world debut at the Frankfurt auto show in the fall of 1983. Now, 25 years later, a Special Edition makes its American debut at the Los Angeles International auto show which opens to the public on November 22. This new version of the Saab 9-3 Convertible will be showcased in a unique bright champagne metallic color.
Saab surprised the automotive world when it pioneered the concept of a ‘four season, four-seat’ soft top Convertible. Designed to be practical and stylish, the Scandinavian-styled convertible changed the perception of open top vehicles to be used all the year round.
"Saab has sold more than a quarter of a million convertibles worldwide and this latest edition highlights the timeless design and responsible performance that Saab convertibles have always represented," said Steve Shannon, executive director, marketing and product, Saab Automobile USA.
The special edition Saab Convertible will be available in three metallic colors to include Jet Black, Carbon Grey and the new Bright Champagne. It will feature Saab’s signature 2.0-liter, 210 hp four cylinder engine and can be matched to six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.
Special content includes influences from the Turbo X performance model, such as the design of the front bumper and steering wheel plus carbon fiber interior finishes and black floor mats with grey binding. Like the Aero version, the rear shows dual exhaust pipes and an anthracite grey bumper insert. Five-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels will be standard.
Expected to arrive in dealer showrooms in January 2009, the Saab 9-3 2.0T Special Edition Convertible will be priced starting at $ 46,725 including destination charges.
Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of the Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For the 2009 model year, Saab offers 7 different models that deliver 27 mpg or better according to EPA Highway fuel economy standards. In addition to 4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty, including roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, every new Saab comes with 3 years/36,000 miles no-charge scheduled maintenance plus standard Onstar and XM Satellite radio. Visit www.saabusa.com for more information.
- August 19, 2008: North American Saab Owners Reconvene near Boston this Weekend.
Detroit – Saab owners and enthusiasts from all over North America and beyond are planning on gathering for the annual Saab Owners Convention in Devens, Massachusetts west of Boston this weekend. Celebrating the passion for their cars and the Saab brand, around five hundred owners and their cars are expected to attend the event which opens Thursday, August 21 and runs through Sunday, August 24.
The 26th consecutive annual Saab Owners Convention is organized by the Saab Club of North America. The center of activities is the Marriott Spring Hill Suites Hotel at the Common Center in Devens, Massachusetts. The venue has excellent facilities and is ideally located, as it is close to most attractions in the area. Though registration for this year’s event is now closed, day passes can still be obtained at the Saab Club registration desk in the hotel. Continuing updates, including details on the exact location and program activities are available at http://www.saabclub.com/soc08.html.
Main theme of the 2008 SOC is 30 Years of Saab Turbocharging Leadership, which started with the 1978 Saab 99 Turbo. Now widely known as a true "cult car", the original 99 Turbo laid the foundation for many of the essentials that carry on in Saab’s current product portfolio, largely consisting of cars with highly efficient turbocharged engines.
Steve Shannon, Saab Automobile USA General Manager and a native of the Boston area, is scheduled as the keynote speaker at the Banquet Dinner on Saturday night. "I am looking forward meeting many owners and their cars in person again, and participate in their unparalleled passion for Saab", Shannon said.
Beyond exhibiting the very best examples of its turbo heritage collection and latest array of products, Saab Automobile USA has selected this venue to showcase potential future classics such as the all-black 2008 Turbo X performance car as well as the exclusive and very sunny-looking Convertible "yellow edition". In addition, the award-winning 2008 Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept car is coming over from Sweden to be one of the key attractions.
Already labeled "Best Concept" by AutoWeek Magazine upon its world debut at the Geneva auto show last March, the Saab 9-X BioHybrid has been voted "Specialty Concept Car of the Year" by a jury of 25 professional North American automotive journalists. The award ceremony took place last June at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan.
"The Saab 9-X BioHybrid blends organic form with ecologically sound propulsion for both aesthetic and environmental appeal", said jury panel member Arv Voss of Auto Impressions. Added Bob Kroupa of the Automotive Writers Group: "Saab takes center stage with a new design approach for a compact vehicle. With the BioHybrid turbo engine included, we have a winner".
"We are honored by this important recognition from an expert North American media organization", said Saab Automobile USA marketing director Roger McCormack accepting the award. "Following in the footsteps of the highly inspirational Aero X, and the 9-4X BioPower crossover concept which also debuted earlier this year, the 9-X BioHybrid demonstrates that Saab is truly on the move."
Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of the Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For the 2009 model year, Saab offers 7 different models