2008 SAAB NEW CAR MODEL GUIDE

For 2008, Swedish automaker Saab — now operating in the folds of General Motors — offers two sizes of luxury and performance cars, plus one bona fide sport utility vehicle. The repeating lines are the 9-5 series with a luxury sedan and SportCombi wagon, and Saab's big, five-door 9-7x SUV. The 9-3 group of sports sedans, premium convertibles and SportCombi wagons show new exterior styling and powerful turbo engines.

9-5
Saab's luxurious flagship four-door sedans and five-door SportCombi wagons tote a 2.3-liter, high-output turbo, four-cylinder engine pumping 260 horsepower. The transmissions available are a manual five-speed or Saab's automatic Sentronic five-speed with steering wheel shift controls. Saab's optional Aero package applies a sport-tuned chassis, sport seating and metallic cabin trim, while a Visibility package brings xenon headlamps and a rear parking assist (RPA) system. More standard safety gear goes into all 2008 models, including GM's OnStar telecommunications equipment, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Additional appointments include leather seat upholstery and a leather-wrapped, sport steering wheel.

9-3
Saab's mainline cars come as sports sedana, drop-top convertibles and five-door SportCombi touring wagons. The 2008 models show new exterior styling and a forceful front containing a larger grille, wrap-around headlamps and V-shaped hood. Also new this year for 9-3 Aero is a 2.8-liter V6 with water-cooled turbo-charging to achieve 255 horsepower. This plant ties to a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed Sentronic automatic with steering wheel tab controls. The 9-3 2.0T models pack a 2.0-liter, four-in-line with turbo-charging booster to 210 horsepower. The 9-3 SportCombi has two rows of seats for up to five passengers, plus a cargo bay and posh appointments.

9-7x
Saab's mid-size 9-7x SUV offesr cushy, leather-clad seating for five, two powertrain choices and standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. A smooth aerodynamic package highlights Saab's three-port grille up front. The SUV's cabin contains bucket seats, a bench for three and generous cargo space. The standard powertrain is a 4.2-liter, six-pack, which creatse 285 horsepower with a four-speed automatic transmission. The 9-7x V8 brings a 5.3-liter V8 primed to 300 horsepower. The V8 employs GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology, helping it conserve fuel. New 20-inch wheels are optional for all 2008 9-7x models.

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