Saab's new 9-3 at an old price

SAAB has revealed the pricing for the new 9-3 "Sport Sedan", its most important new model in more than a decade.

Boasting the most interior space in class, 120 per cent more torsional rigidity than its predecessor and more power and torque than its rivals, the new 9-3 is first genuine competitor the smaller Swede has offered for compact executive sedans like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-class, Audi A4 and Volvo S60.

Officially, only the 9-3 Arc and 9-3 Vector went on sale from the start of the Sydney show last week, however pricing for most of the 2003 9-3 range and the revised 2003 9-5 range - which was also shown in Sydney - was revealed for the first time.

The 110kW/240Nm 9-3 Linear kicks off the new range at $48,900 ($51,400 auto), while 129kW/265Nm Arc is priced at $52,900 ($55,400 auto). The similarly powered Vector will cost $56,900 ($59,400). That pricing compares well with the old 9-3 hatchbback range which also kicked off at $48,900.

The range-topping 155kW/300Nm 9-3 Aero's price is yet to be announced.

Optional on all 9-3 models is metallic paint, which costs $1200, bi-Xenon headlights are $1500, a power sunroof is $2000 extra and Saab Parking Assistance is available at $750.

The 9-3 Convertible continues to be available until the new model arrives around this time next year, and is now priced slightly higher at $67,900 ($70,000 auto) for the Turbo and $84,900 ($87,000 auto) for the Aero.

Saab also showed its revised auto-only 9-5 range. The entry-level 2.0 turbo Linear sedan has been dropped - although the 136kW/280Nm 2.3t Linear remains - and the wagon (SportEstate) range pared from four models to two.

The 9-5 Linear SportEstate is now $68,900 and the 9-5 Aero SportEstate $87,900. Again, both rise are incremental.

The king of the 9-5 range, the 184kW/350Nm 9-5 Aero sedan is now $85,900, up from $83,475, but gains steering wheel actuation of the Sentronic semi-automatic transmission, ventilated front seats, electrically folding side mirrors and auto-dimming mirrors all round.

Other models in the range pick up the Sensotronic automatic transmission, ESP, centre rear headrest and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Price rise are again pretty slight, except for the Vector, which hurdles the ARC with a hefty $4925 lift courtesy of power front seats, electric sunroof, park assist and bi-Xenon headlights to make it the most expensive model other than Aero, at $77,900.