MiniAutoHobby: Saab 9.3 Aero & Viggen

Saturday 8 August 2009
The first generation 9-3, a substantially improved 'new-generation' of Saab 900 was launched in 1998 for the 1999 model year. Over 1,100 changes including suspension in an attempt to tighten up the handling characteristics of its predecessor, the Saab 900 (1994-1997 model). It featured slightly sleeker styling with some models sporting a black rear spoiler and removed Saab's trademark centrally-mounted "snow flap". It was available as a three or five-door hatchback, and as a two-door convertible. It was the last small Saab to use the company's H engine. Notable improvements over the Saab 900 were improved ride and handling and substantially improved crashworthiness with standard side impact airbags with head protection and active headrests. The Saab 9-3 along with the Saab 9-5 and the Volvo S70 were the first cars in the world to earn the maximum score in a side impact augmented by a pole test based on Euro NCAP testing. The 9-3 continued the Saab safety tradition of performing a Moose test. The Viggen (three-door hatchback) and Aero (two-door convertible) are the special editions of the 9-3 model. The Aero replica is made by Yat Ming and the Viggen comes from Hongwell. Both are poor quality.