Saab is raising the roof, celebrating two decades of convertible sales success by introducing an eye-catching 20th anniversary model, the Saab 9-3 Convertible Cerulean edition.

The concept of a practical, all-year-round, 'four season, four-seater' soft top was pioneered by Saab in the premium car segment when sales of the first Saab 900 Turbo Convertible began exactly 20 years ago, in January 1986. A limited production run of 400 units for the US market, powered by a 175 bhp, 2.0-litre turbo engine was an immediate success, and the following year the Saab Convertible was taken into full production, prompting a two year waiting list.

Now, more than 240,000 Saab Convertibles later, the new 9-3 Cerulean edition is unveiled as the latest expression of an iconic product that combines sporty Swedish design with surprising functionality, the core appeal of the Saab brand.

On sale in Europe from February 2006 in Vector and Aero specifications, the 9-3 Convertible Cerulean edition will be distinguished by a unique blue metallic paint finish, and offered with a full choice of engines, including the acclaimed turbocharged petrol engines, plus a newly-introduced 1.9 TID turbo diesel. The high performance 2.8 V6 turbo engine, with a lowered sports-tuned chassis, remains unique to Aero variant.

The Cerulean edition includes the following unique features:

• Colour-keyed blue tonneau cover, door trims and door handles
• Unique 'double five-spoke', 17-inch alloy wheels
• Parchment leather sports interior with pale blue upholstery trim inserts
• Colour-keyed rear lip spoiler (standard for Aero, optional for Vector)

All 9-3 Convertibles include a fast-acting, fully automated hood that can be operated on the move at low speeds, plus Saab’s innovative CargoSET space-saving flexible boot storage, DynaCage integrated safety system, including pop-up rear roll bars, plus a five-star EuroNCAP crash safety rating. Other Saab 9-3 Convertible features include:

• Front seats with integrated seat-belts for ease of use/ convenient rear seat access.
• An airy cabin ambience with light parchment-coloured interior headlining.
• Profiler instrument/function customisation for personal driver preference.
• Saab ComSense functionality to minimise potential driver distraction.
• Bluetooth wireless communication with optional driver's head set.
• Soft-top lowering by remote control (optional).
• 'Intelligent' automatic climate control with heat settings when soft-top is down.
• Saab ReAxs passive rear wheel steer characteristic for optimum handling.
• Active front head restraints to help prevent neck injury in rear-end collisions.
• DynaCage rollover protection system with pop-up rear roll bars, strengthened A-pillars, sills and automatic seat-belt pre-tensioning.
• Standard electronic chassis systems include Saab-tuned stability control; EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), CBC (Cornering Brake Control) and TCS (Traction Control System).

Australian availability has not been confirmed, but the Next Car team expects the Cerulean to be released in Australia around mid-2006. This view is based on the fact that a right-hand drive version is scheduled for production. Stay tuned for confirmation.

1996 Saab 900 convertible

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