We'll see the new Saab 9-3 at the 2012 Paris Motor Show

There is still a week left before this year’s edition of the Paris show ends, and already an important presentation has to be marked for the one two years from now. Internal sources at the Swedish manufacturer have revealed to British magazine Autocar that it will be at this very show in 2012 when the new generation of the 9-3 will be presented to the public, essential to continue the revival of Saab started by the new 9-5.

The design section is about to be finished pending the decision on the shape of the front headlights, according to chief designer Jason Castriota. It will measure just under 4.7 metres in length and its width will be slightly greater than that of the current 9-3. Details about the engines are also known following the recent announcement of the collaboration between BMW and Saab to share powertrains. Autocar points out that the turbocharged petrol engine 1.6 200 CV fitted to the new MINI Countryman will also be available in the Saab 9-3.

The Swedish brand will also use an external source for the diesel engine blocks, but employees have not wished to give details about this. Finally, another technological novelty, possibly the most important, of the medium-sized model in the range will be all-wheel electric drive, developed together with American Axle & Manufacturing, a company that develops components for axles, chassis and transmissions and that had already worked with GM.

It will consist of a multi-link rear suspension and will have two electric motors: one to drive the wheels of both axles and the other to control the torque reaching them. Its 1 kWh battery will be responsible for providing energy when more power is needed from the rear wheels. It will replace the current Haldex XWD system and Saab’s engineers assure that it will offer up to 10% lower consumption than the front-wheel-drive versions of the model.

The next 9-3 will appear in hatchback and convertible bodies, but a saloon or an estate has not been confirmed. Saab will manufacture 80,000 units per year, which will begin to happen in two years, which is when it expects the cars to leave Trollhättan.

Source | Autocar