But you can take heart Saab fans. The hatch may be gone but the new 9-3 is better than any previous compact Saab to date, and an even more cargo capable wagon is on the way - last year's convertible has been carried over. What's more the new sedan is 55 mm (2.2 in) wider and incorporates a 71 mm (2.8 in) longer wheelbase than the outgoing model, making more hip room and legroom.
How does it handle? Its substantially more rigid chassis should make a difference when the road starts to crest and weave, as will its new 'ReAxs' passive rear-wheel steering system. A fully-independent McPherson strut front suspension system incorporating a rubber-isolated hydroformed subframe to smooth out noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) joins a 4-link independent setup at its rear. If you manage to overwhelm the basic mechanical bits the electronics will take over. The new model features standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), brake assist (BA), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Traction Control System (TCS).
Reportedly torque-steer, an inherent bane of previous models, has been drastically reduced. This is good as Saab's characteristic turbocharged engines now produce more torque than in last year's 9-3. Two 2.0-L 4-cylinder turbo engines join three trim packages, Linear, Arc and Vector. The Linear gets a 174-hp unit with 195 lb-ft of torque mated to a modified 5-speed manual or new optional 5-speed automatic with Saab Sentronic steering-wheel control actuated manual-mode shift capability. The Arc and Vector both bump up power slightly to 210-hp with 221 lb-ft of torque while the latter model pulls out all the stops by tying in a 6-speed manual.
Does that sound good? Yes and no. Last year's base engine, while down only 1 lb-ft of torque, produced 11 additional horsepower. The top engine is only slightly more powerful than last year's mid-grade choice, up 5-hp and 12 lb-ft of torque. But what happened to the 2.3-L, 5-cylinder, high-pressure turbo equipped Viggen model with its 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque? Is it gone for good or are we in for something truly special around the bend? We can only hope.