SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE 1.8T LINEAR SE 2DR AUTO

The latest Saab 9-3 Convertible looks to continue the success of this enduring product line. By Andy Enright

SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE 1.8T LINEAR SE 2DR AUTO

The Saab 9-3 Convertible is the car that many buyers turn to when they want a combination of practicality, quality and the wind in the hair. The latest version looks set to continue this sales trend, adding even more style and quality to the equation.

SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE 1.8T LINEAR SE 2DR AUTO

The Saab 9-3 Convertible is the car that many buyers turn to when they want a combination of practicality, quality and the wind in their hair. The latest version looks set to continue this sales trend, adding even more style and quality to the equation.

It features a front end facelift, there's an improved range of engines that includes a clever 180bhp twin-turbo 1.9 diesel, as well as an uprated 280bhp 2.8 V6 turbo petrol unit that won't be popular with the Green party. They'll instead prefer the 175bhp 2.0t Saab BioPower option, delivering 200bhp even when running on bioethanol E85 fuel. Sadly, Saab's new XWD all-wheel drive system isn't being offered on drop-top models.

SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE 1.8T LINEAR SE 2DR AUTO

With this generation model, the designers tried hard to change this car's predecessor's reputation for rather stodgy handling, imbuing it as far as they could with the same handling characteristics as the well regarded 9-3 Sports Saloon. In order to overcome the loss of rigidity caused by removing the roof, a secondary supplemental chassis was developed, effectively a ring of steel linking and reinforcing the front rear and side structures. The result is a car devoid of the shake, rattle and roll of many convertibles. Of course, many drivers won't care a lot about chassis stiffness, but the result is a car that drives more smoothly, that allows its suspension to work properly and which also permits designers to work to fine tolerances in the construction of components like the electric folding hood.

All the engines are lifted from the current 9-3 Sports Saloon line up and all are tough, punchy powerplants. The 2.0T Aero manages a 7.7-second 0-60mph time and a 143mph top speed but the 2.8-litre option trumps that with a 6.5s, 155mph showing. The 1.9-litre TTiD diesel is a desirable choice with 8.0s 0-60mph acceleration, a 140mph top speed and a smooth, full-bodied mid-range thanks to its twin turbocharging technology. Saab has developed a system they refer to as ReAxs, which passively steers the rear wheels to cut out the turgid understeer many powerful front wheel drive cars like these suffer from.

SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE 1.8T LINEAR SE 2DR AUTO

The Saab 9-3's hood may not be of the trendy folding hard top variety, but for a ragtop it's very impressive. Electrically operated, it requires no unlatching or arcane procedures to operate, and retracts in just 20 seconds, making it possible to drop the top at traffic lights without the potential embarrassment of being caught at half mast when the lights turn green. The hood's operation is very slick indeed. Instead of flipping up, an aluminium tonneau cover raises itself and then slides back, making for a quicker operation and a better seal than a traditional hinged cover. It can also be operated while the car is moving at up to 20 miles per hour.

Saab's CargoSET system is another innovation of which the Swedes seem proud. This 'self expanding trunk' frees up a useful amount of luggage space in the boot - the kind of space that convertible owners in this class must usually forgo. The hood itself is triple skinned for improved noise and thermal insulation and is available in black, sand or blue. In order to counter the dinginess that most convertibles suffer from when the hood's up, the Saab's hood is internally trimmed in either beige or light grey. The attention to detail is laudable. A small gutter has been sewn into the side of the fabric to prevent water droplets dripping onto the seats and there's also what Saab calls a 'surround trim'. This is basically a horseshoe-shaped line that runs from the base of each door pillar and incorporates the panels on top of the doors, the rear side trims and most of the tonneau cover. It's finished in a crackle matt black paint but can also be specified in body colour. It's a neat design idea that works particularly well with brighter colours.

As we've said, all the latest Saab 9-3 Convertible models benefit from a facelift, this based on the Aero X concept car. The clamshell bonnet visually widens the front of the car and all external rubbing strips have been removed to give a cleaner look. There's a classier finish to the front grille and a set of LED light strips that sit across the top of the headlamp pod while the rear light clusters are shrouded in smoked glass. Inside, there's a more muted effect with less silver plastic.

SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE 1.8T LINEAR SE 2DR AUTO

A wide range of engines is available in the 9-3 Covertible. These include the 150bhp 1.8t, the 175bhp 2.0t, the 210bhp 2.0T and the 280bhp 2.8T V6, plus two diesels: the 150bhp 1.9-litre TiD and the 180bhp 1.9-litre TTiD. The other options are Saab's 1.8 and 2.0-litre BioPower offerings which can run on E85 bioethanol.

Aside from the flagship Aero models, two trim levels - Linear SE and Vector Sport - are offered, the main difference for Vector Sport models being the sports chassis. Front and side airbags, active head restraints, central locking, alloys and a remote control alarm with immobiliser are standard fare, even if you go with Linear SE trim. The Aero features bi-xenon headlamps with pressure washers, redesigned bumpers and more aggressive alloy wheels.

SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE 1.8T LINEAR SE 2DR AUTO

Combined fuel consumption figures for all three four cylinder 9-3 Convertible petrol engines are virtually indistinguishable - 32.2, 32.1 and 31mpg respectively. The diesels, predictably, are significantly superior with a 44.8mpg average for the 150bhp TiD option. The 28mpg you can expect from the V6 will have some buyers thinking twice.

The 9-3 Convertible retains its desirability and a decent chunk of its value on the used car market with the mid-range petrol engines and the diesels fairing best. Insurance ranges from group 15 to group 18.

SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE 1.8T LINEAR SE 2DR AUTO

The 9-3 Convertible has always looked a winner in the image-conscious premium drop-top market. Revisions to the engine range plus the latest styling changes mean it remains near the top of the pile.

The Saab 9-3 will continue to sell on style in its drop-top form. It's a handsome car with a nicely understated image and that will be enough to persuade many buyers. Engineering and build quality might be behind the best in this sector but the pricing and running costs help to compensate for that.