2009 Saab 9-3 turbo - today's tempter

By: Unique Cars magazine

Date: 24.05.2022

2009 Saab 9-3 turbo - today's tempter

2009 Saab 9-3 turbo - today's tempter

2009 Saab 9-3 turbo - today's tempter

2009 Saab 9-3 turbo - today's tempter

Swedish softop

Saab for a while there was something of a pioneer in ‘civilising’ turbo engines with great effect. In a story on the 99 series we note: "The 1962 Olds Jetfire, the 1973 BMW 2002 Turbo and the 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo were early exponents of forced induction, but the concept really got traction with the introduction of the 1977 Saab 99 Turbo.

"What really drove 99 Turbo sales was its sheer versatility. The formula hit the mark, with a charismatic badge backed up by a winning balance of speed, reliability, frugality and load-swallowing capacity."

This 9-3 turbo was a design launched in 2002 when the company was owned by General Motors and lasted for a decade. There’s no question the Swedish brand still has a following.

This example runs a 2.0lt 16-valve inline four with turbo, claiming 147kW. That’s tied to a five-speed auto.

The Healey Factory in Melbourne has it at $12,500.

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