Saab 9-3 : Top 9 cars rating in side-, front- and rear-impact tests by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. (CNN)

Saab 9-3

The Saab 9-3 is an entry-level luxury car / compact executive car produced by the Swedish automaker Saab. It shares platforms with the Opel Vectra.

The car is actually badged as a 93, although Saab consistently advertises it as the 9-3. The name is pronounced "nine three". It should not be confused with the Saab 93.

Saab 9-3 1999-2003

The original 9-3 was a rebadged, improved last-generation Saab 900. Launched in 1998 for the 1999 model year, 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.
A Saab innovation is the 'Night Panel', carried over from the Saab 900, which permits dousing of the instrument panel lighting, except for essential information, for less distraction when night driving. A total of 326,370 first generation 9-3s were built.

Saab 9-3 Viggen

A high-powered, no longer in production version of the 9-3 was the Viggen, named after the Saab Viggen aircraft. It came with a turbocharged 2.3 L engine giving 230 hp ECE (169 kW). 0-100 km/h is done in 6.4 seconds and the top speed is 249 km/h. It also featured a special wing, and an option of two-colored leather seats and other cosmetic details.

Saab 9-3 Engines

2.0 L B204 I4, 138 hp ECE (1998-1999)
2.0 L B204 I4, turbo, 185 hp ECE (136 kW) (1998-1999)
2.0 L B205 I4, turbo, 185 hp ECE (136 kW) (2000-2002)
2.0 L B205E (non-US) I4, LPT(light pressure turbo), 150 hp ECE (110 kW) (2000-2002)
2.0 L B205R I4, turbo, 205 hp ECE (151 kW) (1999-2003)
2.3 L B235R I4, turbo, 230 hp ECE (169 kW) (1999-2002)

Saab 9-3 2003-

The second-generation model was launched at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2003. All variants feature either a 1.8 L or 2.0 L straight-4 gasoline engine derived from General Motors' Ecotec family, or a turbocharged 2.8 L High-Feature V6 (starting in 2006). There are two different versions of the turbocharged I4, with the amount of turbo boost determining the power output.
Power in the 9-3 is delivered through the front wheels only. It is available as a four-door sedan, a wagon (introduced 2005, known as the Sport Combi), and a two-door convertible. It is the safest car in its class, including innovations such as Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR II) to reduce whiplash and ReAxs, passive rear wheel steering to reduce understeering and passive toe-in under heavy braking. Out of these models, the convertible (manufactured by Magna Steyr in Austria beginning in 2003) is the best known, and is the best-selling in its class in many markets.
The 9-3 and the Opel Vectra were the first of the global GM Epsilon platform, which has now been lengthened to accommodate three new cousins, the Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx and the Pontiac G6.
A special "20 Years Edition Aero Convertible" for the American market was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006 to celebrate 20 years since the introduction of the 900 convertible.

Saab 9-3 Engines

Note: diesel engines are not available in North America.
2003-2004 - 2.2 L Isuzu diesel I4, 125 hp
2005-present - 1.9 L Fiat diesel I4, 120 hp ECE (88 kW)
2005-present - 1.9 L Fiat diesel I4, 150 hp ECE (110 kW)
2004-present - 1.8 L Ecotec I4 122 hp ECE (90 kW)
2003-present - 2.0 L Ecotec I4, low-pressure turbo, 150 hp ECE (110 kW)
2003-present - 2.0 L Ecotec I4, low-pressure turbo, 175 hp ECE (129 kW)
2003-present - 2.0 L Ecotec I4, high-output turbo, 210 hp ECE (154 kW)
2006-present - 2.8 L HFV6 V6, low-pressure turbo, 230 hp ECE (169 kW)
2006-present - 2.8 L HFV6 V6, turbo, 250 hp ECE (184 kW)

Saab 9-3 2008

The 9-3 will be replaced by a new model based on GM's Epsilon 2 platform, shared with the 2008 9-5. This vehicle will be built in Rüsselsheim, Germany rather than Sweden.

Saab 9-3 Awards and Achievements

2005
Top Safety Pick - Gold Award, American IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), USA.

2004
Best Pick in side-impact crash tests, American IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), USA. The Sport Sedan repeats the "Best Pick" rating from last year's IIHS frontal offset crash test and is now the first car with standard safety equipment to receive a double "Best Pick" honour.
Received highest rating, "Good" in the IIHS & Thatcham studies into the safety of car seats and head restraints, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety USA, Thatcham, Great Britain.
Awarded Compact Executive Car of the Year, Auto Trader, Great Britain
Voted Top Small Executive Car, Top Gear Magazine's New Car Buyer's Guide, Great Britain
Awarded one of "10 best Cars of the Year", Hong Kong Car and Driver, Hong Kong
Awarded Best European Intermediate/middle sedan, Car Plus Award, Hong Kong
Recommended buy, US Consumer Reports magazine, USA
Awarded maximum five star rating in EuroNCAP collision test, Saab 9-3 Convertible, EuroNCAP
Named UK's Most Secure Open-Top Car, British Insurance Car Security Awards, Great Britain
Prestigious Sporting Open Top award, The Institute of Vehicle Engineers (IVehE), Great Britain

2002
Awarded maximum five star rating in EuroNCAP collision test, Saab 9-3 Sports Sedan, EuroNCAP
Best Family Sedan, Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, PBS's MotorWeek television, USA
Prestige Car of the Year, Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, Brisbane Courier Mail, Australia
Best Buy, Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, Expressen, Sweden
Best New Car, Saab 9-3 Arc Sport Sedan ($30,000 - $40,000 range), Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, USA

1999
Among the Top Ten Cars of 1999. Fortune Magazine, USA

1998
One of the Top Ten Cars - Fortune Magazine, USA
Among Top Ten Family Cars - Consumer's Review, USA

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org