Sydney show: 9-3 Convertible launched

THE vital new Saab 9-3 convertible had its local launch, with pricing announced for both the Linear, which goes on sale now, and the Aero, which we will not see until 2004.

The 129kW/265kW Linear is priced at $72,900, while the 155kW/300Nm Aero is pitched at $89,900. Previously, buyers could get into a 9-3 convertible for under $70,000.

The acceptance of the price hike will be crucial for the future of Saab in Australia as the drop-top is its most popular model, accounting for about 33 per cent of sales.

As local boss Tony Jennett remarked on the day in Sydney: "When you think Saab you think convertible." Both cars are powered by the same 2.0-litre engine in different states of tune.

The Linear gets a five-speed manual gearbox standard while the Aero adds a cog. Both share the same five-speed auto box with steering wheel buttons on the latter.