SAAB 9-3 Gets Facelift and Greener Diesel Engines

The SAAB 9-3 facelift will debut at Paris Motor Show next month and it will include new greener diesel engines with CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km.

For model year 2011, all SAAB 9-3 diesel engines have more advanced twin turbocharged engines and, in the saloon, all three engines give CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km and exceptionally low combined cycle fuel consumption of 62.8 mpg UK (4.5l/100km or 52.3mpg US).

The most powerful variant, the 180 hp 1.9 TTiD, will now deliver the most efficient performance for a four cylinder diesel engine in the marketplace in terms of CO2 per unit of horsepower.

The 1.9-liter diesel line-up now comprises a 130 hp TTiD unit (replacing the previous 120 hp TiD engine), a 160 hp version (replacing the 150 hp TiD engine) and a range-topping 180 hp/400 Nm variant.

Meanwhile, the SportWagon offers a 61.4 mpg UK on the EU combined cycle (4.6l/100km or 51mpg US) and low CO2 emissions of 122g/km and for the Convertible, the respective figures are 54.3 mpg UK (5.2l/100km or 45mpg US) and 137g/km.

In related news, SAAB has expanded engine range on the new 9-5 sedan with three new engines in the 2011 model year line-up.

The new, more powerful, 2.0TTiD twin turbo diesel engine generates substantial torque of 400 Nm from just 1,750 rpm, in addition to maximum power of 190 hp. The result is 0-62mph in less than nine seconds. Projected combined cycle fuel consumption of 47.1 mpg UK (6l/100km or 39.2mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 159 g/km are equally impressive, keeping the 2.0TTiD below the 160g/km write down threshold for company car buyers.

This small, efficient, 180 hp 1.6T petrol turbo engine epitomizes Saab’s rightsizing engine strategy. Developing more than 112 hp per liter, it is among the most powerful series production engines in its displacement class.

Such strong power, backed by plentiful torque of 230 Nm from 2,200 rpm to 5,500 rpm (including an ‘overboost’ function), enables 0-62mph acceleration in 9.5 seconds. Combined cycle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are 36.2 mpg UK (7.8l/100km or 30mpg US) and 179 g/km respectively.

The 1.6T is available in Vector SE specification with front wheel drive and manual transmission.

SAAB has also added a 2.0-liter BioPower engine – able to run on petrol and/or E85 fuel (85% bioethanol, 15% gasoline) in any blends. In both configurations, it delivers peak power of 220 hp/162 kW and torque of 350 Nm from just 2,500 rpm.