The distinctive five-door four-seater Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept offers sporty, driver-focused high performance, while seeking the stylistic reconciliation of multi-purpose hatchbacks and wagons. It is designed for those with active, outdoor lifestyles who seek a sporty and rewarding driving experience that also delivers the versatility they need. The Saab 9-3 Sports-Hatch Concept conveys for the first time Saab's intention of entering the midsize wagon segment, while maintaining Saab's classic 5-door design. The exterior and interior styling follow themes from the Saab 9-3X crossover coupe concept and the current 9-3 Sport Sedan. The purposeful stance is reinforced by front and rear treads that are wider than in the Sport Sedan and bring the large 20-inch wheels out to the edge of the bodywork. Wheel arches are distinctively flared, with a flat vertical face. The wedge-shape profile and high, rising waistline are Saab signatures, as is the stretched teardrop shape of the side window glazing. The hydraulically powered tailgate in the 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept extends down to floor level, providing a flat platform without a sill for easy loading. The remotely operated tailgate can be opened and closed while carrying two bicycles mounted in upright positions. The 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a maximum output of 250 horsepower. This direct injection engine raised low-end torque by 15% and improves combustion and fuel consumption. Moreover, the use of a twin-scroll turbocharger, a first for Saab, more effectively harnesses exhaust pulse energy by separating the gas flow into two channels instead of one. The FWD (front-wheel-drive) format of the 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept incorporates a multi-link rear suspension as well as Saab's own ReAxs passive rear-wheel steering system. This ReAxs improves cornering performance by preventing excessive understeer, helping the tail of the car follow the direction of the front wheels instead of the nose and is subsequently responsive to the driver's commands.
|