The newly announced Saab 9-3 Griffin range, which replaces the current Sport Sedan, SportCombi, Convertible and 9-3X specifications, features refreshed exterior and interior styling, backed by a more powerful, fuel-efficient engine range. The new 2.0-liter gasoline engines give 163 hp (122 kW) and 220 hp (164 kW) along with 320 N&iddot;m (236 lb-ft) and 350 N&iddot;m (258 lb-ft), respectively and include direct injection, variable valve timing and twin scroll turbocharging. Combined cycle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced on average by 4% across the range.
E85-compatible Saab BioPower variants of both gasoline engines are also available. In addition to the new gasoline engines, there is a 10 hp increase over the current 210 hp (157 kW) top-of-the-line offer.
The use of variable valve timing and direct injection improves fuel consumption, emissions and performance. Hydraulically operated vane-type cam phasers enable both the inlet and exhaust valve timing to be adjusted independently, according to varying engine speed and load. The benefits include a broader spread of torque, higher maximum power and improved fuel consumption.
Direct injection enables the separation of air and fuel delivery, allowing improved scavenging of the combustion chamber to give substantially more low-end torque and reduced engine knocking. A twin-scroll turbocharger is also used, which virtually eliminates turbo lag at low engine speeds. Each scroll on the turbine is fed by a separate exhaust passage from a pair of cylinders, enabling a throttle response comparable to that of a naturally-aspirated engine. Other features include twin counter-rotating balance shafts for smooth running and a forged steel crankshaft for added strength.
These new engines join the current 130/160/180 hp (97, 119 and 134 kW) 1.9 TTiD turbo diesel line-up which offers CO2 emissions of 119 g/km in the Sport Sedan. Further fine tuning has now also delivered 119 g/km for the SportCombi, together with 4.5 L/100 km (52 mpg US) combined cycle fuel consumption. Six-speed transmissions become standard across the entire powertrain line-up.