http://www.leftlanenews.com/2007/02/21/spied-2008-saab-9-3-convertible-facelift/

LLN just posted some new spy shots of the 08 convertable!!

http://news.windingroad.com/countriesmarkets/euro/spotted-2008-saab-9-3-convertible-prototype/

See:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95437

You’re allowed to post the pics with your agreement with Lehmann

The one piece front is something that the 9-3 has been crying out for, most other manufacturers have a one piece front, especially for their sportier models. A tacked on front spoiler just doesn’t cut it anymore in terms of looking good. I point to BMW’s sport models as an example.

The rear of Sport Combi doesn’t need to change, as it is striking, and the frosted look goes down quite well in the UK from SAAB fans I’ve spoken to.

I think the Aero X front end could possible have been a little more bold, but I’m quite happy with the facial update.

Let’s not forget, the drivetrain here is what is important. I have a ’07 model year 2.8V6 Aero saloon (had the ’07 Sport Convertible up until the end of Jan, parents work for GM so we get to change our cars every 4-6 months), and although the car is great on the motorway, or on long journeys, it can’t keep up with BMW’s and now (surprisingly) Audis on the twisty stuff.

There is a lovely country road on the way home from work, the SS and the SC before it handled the sweeps and swoops with ease I thought, until I encountered a current shape BMW 330i. The car left me for dead on the corners, straights I was able to claw back a lot of ground, but in the corners, the 3 series is able to carry much more speed into them, and change direction MUCH better than the current 9-3.

I thought, hey, what if it is my own driving skills at fault here, so I went to an old friend of mine who has a current shape 320d, it handles soooo well, fluid, and yes, it DID change direction much better than my 9-3 (although the ride was a little edgier, long journeys, the 9-3 is a much better choice).

Dynamically, the 9-3 needs an overhall, and the updates to the drivetrain are welcome ones, especially the AWD. It NEEDS these updates.

I should get an ’08 model in September, hopefully with AWD if it is standard on the Aero models, so will be able to report back on how it compares with the ’07 versions.

AWD is an important addition, and one that SAAB has needed for a long long time.

Well Olaf I think the issue with frosted rear lights in Germany says more about German conformity with norms rather than bad Saab design. Colored rear lights were offered in the US, perhaps Saab Deutschland can be convinced to buy a batch.
Personally I don’t believe potential Saab customers shy away from the car based solely on the color of the rear lamps. Sounds more like an excuse to buy a BMW or Audi. There is a tendency in Germany to do what opinion leaders say or do. Therefore car buyers tend to go for “opinion”-approved brands like Merc, BMW and Audi and VW for that matter. Buyers of other car brands are more to be pitied than seen as free thinkers. This makes it so hard for brands like Saab in Germany. I don’t know how many times I have gotten the comment from people I meet that they would love to drive a Saab but when I say they are not so expensive they just shake their heads and laughs nervously “no, no, I think they look nice and are nice to drive but I really can’t own one”

Sad really.

I do care about other’s safety, its not like I drive with my high beams on all the time. Before the saab I owned a 4wd vehicle and compared to the fwd saab, was much safer in the snow. I think that because most AWD/4wd have a sense of more safety/control, it doesn’t work out being any safer for them. I’ve seen many times a quattro audi blow by me in snow, just to see them spun out in the shoulder as I drive by. Take the awd invincibility factor out, and for the same conditions and driving style, I would take awd any day. Not to mention I wouldnt have to put chains on at the required check points when driving to tahoe :/