The new Saab 9-3 will have emissions of just 119g/km CO2 when it goes on sale, bringing it in line with its competitors such as the BMW 1 series (with emissions from 118g/km CO2) and Audi A3 (with emissions from 99g/km CO2).
Aimed at the competitive company car market, the new 2011 Saab 9-3 has to prove it can offer class-leading fuel economy and low emissions to meet the strict criteria businesses now typically apply to their choice of cars.
Low emissions will help businesses keep down tax bills as well as meet their CSR policies, while strong fuel efficiency will help reduce fuel costs. The new model, along with a new 9-5 saloon will be the first new cars from the carmaker since it was bought from GM by Spyker Cars.
Proving that the Swedish brand is coming back with a bang, the new 9-3 offers an across-the-board emissions reduction of 10 per cent. For model year 2011, all 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. 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-litre 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 estate SportWagon model offers an impressive 61.4 mpg and low CO2 emissions of 122g/km and for the convertible model, the respective figures are 54.3 mpg and 137g/km.
To dip under the 120 g/km level, Saab made a series of refinements for the new model including recalibrating the engine management and revisions to the gear ratios.
