If you’re in the mood to upgrade you can get leather on the instrument panel, three memory adjustments for the driver’s seat and a high pressure headlight washer.

When it comes to safety, Saab takes a back seat to no one and the 9-3 is no exception. Airbags everywhere, side guard door beams, automatic locking retractors, inside release trunk, child safety looks on rear doors, keyless entry, remote trunk opener - again, all standard. If you like, you can add a rear electronic parking aid.

To keep all this safe, Saab offers OnStar stolen vehicle tracking, Theftlock radio anti-theft, an engine immobilizer, an alarm and a five year, 100,000 mile warranty. Yes, again, they are all standard.

The 9-3 comes in five trim levels. These include the base model, which is the 2.0T, the Sentronic, which additionally comes in four-wheel drive, and all wheel drive models and the upscale Aero.

Saab prides itself on engineering, and their engineers have given this car a look, inside and out, that is uniquely its own. You can get it in a sports sedan, convertible or SUV (called the SportCombi). It may be a compact, but it delivers in a big way.

The motor for the 9-3 is an I4 dual overhead cam 2.0 liter cranking out 210 horsepower at 5500 rpms. The base transmission is a six speed manual with overdrive, but you can also get a five speed automatic. This much power naturally pulls down fuel efficiency, but not as much as you might expect. The 9-3 is rated 19 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the highway.

Inside the 9-3 is a host of gadgets you expect on a modern luxury car, even if it is a small one. Eight way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support, 60/40 split folding rear bench seat with pass through, leather covered steering wheel and leather front and back seats are all standard. So are a temperature controlled glovebox, cargo area tie-down hooks, steering wheel mounted audio controls, trip computer and voice activated Bluetooth.

The SAAB 9-3 has a new V6 engine and remains firmly ensconced in its aircraft engineering paradigm. You only need a quick fly-through the cockpit to recognize numerous aircraft-inspired touches that are more functional that for appearances.

In an effort to capture a segment of the cay-buying public previously untapped, SAAB has introduced the SAAB 9-2X, a low-cost sport model that SAAB believes will entice people to make the move to their neighborhood. Although smaller and more compact than other models, settling into the 9-2X one immediately gets in sync with all they expect from a SAAB. There are plenty of standard safety features, such as front airbags and seat tensioners, to make anyone feel safe and at home.

it operates as if it were designing them today. Consider the degree of precision and attention to detail one needs to create the jet fighter aircraft the “SAAB Gryphon.” SAAB maintains the same level of precision and durability in their automobiles as they do in their jets.

SAAB’s first V8 is introduced in the 9-7X, a new addition to its lineup. Dropped onto an American truck platform, the 9-7X is solid and good-looking, with plenty of luxury and safety innovations. A comfortable, well-configured SUV, the SAAB 9-7X has plenty of what the SUV-prone buying public is looking for.

General Motors officially announced today that it reached a preliminary agreement to sell its Saab division to a consortium led by Swedish sports car maker Koenigsegg. The deal that is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of this year includes an expected $600 million funding commitment from the European Investment Bank (EIB) guaranteed by the Swedish government, while GM said that it plans to support Saab’s new owner. General Motors did not provide any specific finance details on the sale.

In view of the fact that the floodgates surrounding the all-new 2010 Saab 9-5 Sedan fully collapsed last week, the automaker decided to give permission to magazines such as the Swedish edition of AMS to publish high-resolution photos of their Mercedes-Benz E-Class challenger. However, for reasons that we fail to understand, the Swedes have yet to release anything official on their behalf.

The most significant changes for the 2006 and 2007 model years included an increase in horsepower for the inline 6 (from 275 to 290) for the 2006 model year and active fuel management for the V8 in 2007. The extensive list of standard features found on both the Linear and the Arc in 2006 included power adjustable and heated leather upholstered front seats, elegant wood interior trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, a premium stereo system, 18-inch alloy wheels, and self-leveling rear suspension system. The Arc featured HID headlights and power-adjustable pedals in addition to the increase in engine size and power. The already feature rich SUVs received the Onstar navigation system and tire pressure monitors in 2007.

The Linear provides ample power for most midsize SUV drivers, though the Arc is better for towing and hauling. The Saab 9-7X may have been manufactured based on General Motors respected mid size SUV platform, but many touches of individuality remain for those who have embraced the distinctive Saab persona.

The Arc charged forward on 12 spoke wheels with a powerful 5.3 liter V8 that delivered an even 300 horsepower. Both four door vehicles had room for five passengers and were equipped with all wheel drive.

The most significant changes for the 2006 and 2007 model years included an increase in horsepower for the inline 6 (from 275 to 290) for the 2006 model year and active fuel management for the V8 in 2007. The extensive list of standard features found on both the Linear and the Arc in 2006 included power adjustable and heated leather upholstered front seats, elegant wood interior trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, a premium stereo system, 18-inch alloy wheels, and self-leveling rear suspension system. The Arc featured HID headlights and power-adjustable pedals in addition to the increase in engine size and power. The already feature rich SUVs received the Onstar navigation system and tire pressure monitors in 2007.

There were quite a few other areas where it was apparent that this was not just a General Motors SUV with a Saab emblem. The distinguishing center mounted ignition, bold front end with 3 port grille, rear quarter windows that appear to visually cloak D-pillars, and distinctive wheels all definitely had the welcoming and familiar look of Saab’s design team. Out of the two trim levels available, the Linear and the Arc, the most obvious visual difference between the two was the number of spokes on the uniquely branded wheels.

This vehicle represented a very good combination of the platform established in previous mid-size General Motor’s SUV’s and the luxury sport sedan features that were fondly familiar to those who have had the opportunity to appreciate Saab’s distinctive and refined sense of style. Powerful General Motors engines and drivetrains and a sophisticated Saab interior and exterior in addition to a long list of standard premium features proved to be very attractive to those who would really rather have a luxury sports sedan but found themselves needing the utility, cargo and passenger space of an SUV.

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