StylingThe 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi incorporates the company’s traditional “hockey stick” beltline to give it a distinctive look. Features such as steeply raked taillights and an integrated rear spoiler add appeal to the Saab 9-3 SportCombi’s design. The 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is also aero efficient with a drag coefficient of just 0.33.
EngineTwo engine choices are available on the 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 210 horsepower and 221 lb.-ft. of torque. The top-performing Aero model gets an all-new turbocharged 2.8-liter V6. The new V6 makes 250 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines power the front wheels and require premium fuel. The standard motor gets up to 31 mpg on the highway, while the Aero’s more powerful mill tops out at 28 mpg on the open road.
TransmissionThe 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is delivered with a standard five-speed manual gearbox on base models or a six-speed manual on the Aero. For those requiring an automatic, Saab offers its Sentronic manually-interactive transmission as an option. On base models, Sentronic is a five-speed unit; on the Aero, it’s a six-speeder with steering wheel controls.
SuspensionIn front, the 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi utilizes MacPherson struts, gas-charged shocks, and a stabilizer bar. At the rear, the SportCombi gets an independent four-link suspension with coil springs, gas-charged shocks and a stabilizer bar. Aero models get a stiffer suspension tune for improved handling over the standard model.
SteeringThe 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi’s steering is a power-assisted rack-and-pinion setup. Borrowed from the 9-3 sedan is a Re-Axs rear-wheel steering system, which allows for better control, handling, and increased feedback to the driver.
BrakesThe 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is equipped with four-wheel-disc brakes, vented front and rear on the performance-oriented Aero models. The 9-3 SportCombi also comes standard with ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control, and stability control.
Wheels and Tires The 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is issued with 6.5- x 16-inch, twin-five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped with 215/55R16 all-season tires. The Aero model gets 7.5- x 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with wider and lower profile 235/45R17 all-season performance tires.
Interior Specs Seating Capacity: 2 (front)/3 (rear)
Headroom: 38.9 in. (front)/37 in. (rear)
Legroom: 42.3 in. (front)/35.1 in. (rear)
Shoulder room : 56.3 in. (front)/55.1 in. (rear)
Max. Cargo Capacity: 73 cubic feet
Exterior Specs Wheelbase: 105.3 inches
Length: 183.2 inches
Width: 69.4 inches
Height: 60.6 inches
Track: 59.9 in. (front)/59.3 in. (rear)
Base Curb Weight: 3,175 lbs.
Weight Distribution: 60/40 (front/rear)
History Saab has been building five-door wagons and hatchbacks since 1959, and these kinds of vehicles continue to be a mainstay in the automaker’s model lineup. The first five-door was a 1959 95 wagon. In 1973, Saab launched the 99 Combi Coupe. Today, according to Saab statistics, half of the half-million Saabs on the road in America are five-door wagons and hatchbacks.
StorageThe 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi has cargo floor panels that lift to separate the rear cargo area into two sections, and also to reveal additional storage areas recessed in the sub-floor. With the rear seats folded flat, the 9-3 SportCombi provides 73 cubic feet of capacity for Fido or a trip to the home improvement center.
PerformanceAccording to Saab, acceleration figures for the 2006 9-3 SportCombi are as follows:
0-62 mph:
-- 7.3 seconds (2.8L turbo with manual transmission)
-- 7.9 seconds (2.0L with manual transmission)
-- 8.3 seconds (2.8L turbo with automatic transmission)
-- 9.0 seconds (2.0L with automatic transmission)
SafetyThe 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi’s main passenger compartment structure is fabricated of high-strength steel. Saab designed three designated load paths into the 9-3s structure to channel impact forces away from occupants. For side-impact protection, Saab designed the B-pillar to bend inwards at the bottom to deflect forces away from the passenger compartment. The 2006 Saab 9-3 also comes with Active Head Restraints on the front seats that tilt forward in rear impacts to help prevent whiplash. The Saab 9-3 is also equipped with side-curtain airbags to protect both front and rear seat occupants in the event of a collision. Front seat passengers get seat-mounted side-impact airbags as well as dual-stage front airbags and seat belt tensioners and force limiters. Saab has even incorporated breakaway pedals as well as recessed armrests and handles to reduce injuries in a crash. And if you’ve ever wondered why in the heck Saab puts the ignition down on the floor between the front seats, that, too, is a safety design. By placing it there, knees and legs are better protected from damage in a crash. All this attention to detail pays off; the 2006 Saab 9-3 gets a Gold Best Pick crash rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for front, side, and rear crash protection.
PricingFor 2006, the standard SportCombi lists at $27,620 including a $720 destination charge while the SportCombi Aero comes in at $33,620.
Photos courtesy of Saab cars USA
