Saab is to introduce a new entry-level version of its 9-3 Sports Saloon, with a naturally-aspirated 122 bhp 1.8-litre engine.
The new 1.8i unit will complement the existing line-up of turbocharged 150, 175 and 210 bhp 2.0-litre petrol, and 125 bhp 2.2 TiD, engines in the Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon range.
Use of an electronic throttle and a variable length intake manifold has allowed Saab's engineers to retain the strong low and mid-range pulling power that is a feature of the other versions of the model. At least 90 per cent of maximum torque (167 Nm) is generated between 2,400 and 5,700 rpm.
An electro-hydraulic power steering system is also fitted as standard to the 1.8i engine, further contributing to fuel economy. The 1.8i combined cycle fuel consumption of 35.8 mpg shows an improvement against the combined 34.9 mpg of the 9-3 150 bhp 1.8t turbo (actually a 2-litre).
The 0 to 60 mph acceleration is achievable 11.1 seconds. 'Adaptive' service intervals can go as long as two years/18,500 miles.
The Saab 9-3, which went on sale in Ireland in November 2002, has been responsible for substantially increasing sales of the marque here in 2003. End of year results for 2003 are expected to be almost double the average sales of the predecessor version in recent years.
It has received a 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating, and is also one of only two cars in the UK to achieve a 100 per cent attack test security pass (the other being the Lexus LS430) in the survey conducted annually by What Car? magazine.
In overall European sales, the 9-3 provided the GM-owned brand with a 3.4 per cent increase in sales in a passenger car market that dropped more than 2 per cent in 2003.