Saab 9-3 Design Development

Hatch or four-door sedan? That is the question which Swedish maker SAAB had to consider deeply when starting development of the new 9-3 mid-size D-Sector model in 1997.

Nick Hull

Published 9 July 2015 - 19:53 Modified 2 July 2025 - 15:35

Hatch or four-door sedan? That is the question which Swedish maker SAAB had to consider deeply when starting development of the new 9-3 mid-size D-Sector model in 1997. Traditionally, the SAAB 9-3 was one of few upmarket five door hatchback models in this market, with other hatchbacks mainly offered by mass-makers such as Ford, Opel and most of the Japanese marques.

Although hatchbacks have traditionally been very popular in the UK and France, that trend seems to be waning, with buyers increasingly preferring lifestyle wagons for practicality and sedans for image. With the new 9-3’s aims of being a more upmarket, sporty and dynamic car than its predecessor, the choice came down in favour of a clear four-door sedan format, with gains in body rigidity and – hopefully – aspirational image.

Aamer Mahmud, Chief Designer Saab 9-3

Theme M ‘Evolutionary’ full-size dinoc clay 1998

Theme M ‘Evolutionary’

Interestingly, Honda have come to exactly the same conclusions for the new 2003 Accord range for Europe: if you want to compete in the premium sector it has to be a sedan.

The advanced sketch programme started in early 1997 and included a number of scale models, including hatchback proposals.

In mid 1997 the decision was taken to have a sedan format for the new 9-3 to allow room for a full line-up of future 9-3 derivatives and to reflect the car’s positioning.

“The car’s shape is intended to reflect its essential character, which is dynamic and sporty. It also avoids any ‘faddish’ styling, which is not the Saab way and dates very quickly”, explains Aamer Mahmud, Chief Designer of the Saab 9-3.

From summer 1997 three 1:1 clay model themes were explored: Theme M was an evolutionary 4-light design with a pronounced wedge beltline, while Theme P took a more progressive route, with a 6-light flowing cabin, softer body forms and grille emphasising SAAB’s delta wing form.The final proposal - Theme Q – took a radical approach with a clamshell hood and more integration of the headlamps into the grille.

The second stage of full-size development took elements from all the initial themes, with the roof and DLO from Theme P, the overall body section of Theme M plus the more radical Theme Q rear end treatment. The design was steadily refined under Principal Designer Anders Gustafsson and the Design Approval Model was signed off in November 1998.

Compared to its predecessor, the new car is 55mm wider and benefits from a big increase in wheelbase – a full 71mm longer at 2675mm. The notably extended front and rear overhangs of the old 900 and previous 900/9-3 have been shortened to provide much-improved interior space and the overall length of the car remains similar at 4630mm. The rear profile is the most changed aspect compared to the old 9-3, with the long concave tail and the typical slab-sided rear fender being replaced with a short high deck, a conventional bootlid and a more sporty shoulder line.

Some typical SAAB cues remain: the strongly rounded front plan shape; the high beltline; the rounded windscreen header profile; the delta wing front grille and, of course, those prominent oval-shaped door handles. The low loading lip of the trunklid and deep cut into the rear bumper are other SAAB design signatures, as are the triangular taillamps in side view, whose roots go back to the original 99 Combi-Coupe of 1972.

According to Aamer Mahmud, “The coupé-like profile, the teardrop shape of the side windows, the shorter front and rear overhangs and the way the wheels fill out the wheel-arches are all features intended to make this car look like it is moving even when it is standing still”.

Initial sketch and 1:1 model work for the interior started in September 1997. As on the exterior, three main themes were pursued as 1:1 clay models: Theme L – an “Evolutionary” route with typical SAAB arched IP and console, Theme M – a “Progressive” design and, finally, Theme O – a “Radical” dashboard treatment taking cues from the 9-5, with four large round vents.

Theme M design, with its horizontal and vertical vents and high-up audio controls, was well-accepted and now became the mainstream design direction, under the guidance of Guy Whitla. In the next refinement stage, up until May 1998, the horizontal character of the main dashboard binnacle was sharpened to reduce the amount of ‘empty space’ around the essentially rectangular control panel.

Theme O back-up proposal May 1998

Interior Design Approval model March 1999

Key fob sketch

Saab 9-3 design heritage

In addition, the wraparound line into the vents was deleted and the flow of the centre console into the lower IP became crisper to allow for more possibilities on trim differentiation. At this point the more radical Theme O back-up proposal, which had also been progressed, was dropped, partly because the LCD screen position was deemed to be too low for good ergonomics. The mainstream design moved on for approval in March 1999.

Close attention was paid to such details as the key fob, which SAAB see as an essential first contact for the customer to witness SAAB design DNA. When the SAAB emblem is pressed, the key is released and is ready to insert in the typical SAAB location between the seats.

The interior of the new 9-3 is larger in a number of key dimensions than that of its predecessor. The shoulder width is some 81mm wider in the front, while the longer wheelbase means that rear passengers also enjoy a useful 38mm increase in legroom.

The new 9-3 shares most of its platform and chassis with the new Opel Vectra which went on sale earlier this year. The two cars were developed together, unlike the previous 900/9-3 which, when announced in 1993, had to make use of the old Vectra/Cavalier platform, launched some five years earlier.

The new body is a conventional steel monocoque but uses an aluminium hood panel and extensive use of aluminium parts in the SAAB-developed suspension. The final design boasts an impressive drag coefficient of 0.28, providing good high speed stability, optimised fuel consumption and low wind noise.

“Saab’s design DNA runs right through this car. It looks clean, modern and sporty, combining some traditional Saab styling cues inside and out with the best timeless qualities of Scandinavian design” says Michael Mauer, Executive Director of Design.

As on the previous model, further derivatives will follow, including a cabrio version and the addition of an estate to the model range.