1999 Saab 9-3 Viggen
NEW YORK - Saab finally introduced its much-ballyhooed aircraft-inspired 9-3 Viggen, featuring the highest level of performance ever offered in a Saab automobile. The limited-edition 9-3 Viggen (which is Swedish for "thunderbolt") is named after its Saab Aircraft namesake, the delta-winged Saab 37 Viggen jet fighter.
Based on the front-drive 9-3 Coupe, the Viggen features a high-output, 2.3-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes an impressive 225 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. Better still is its stump-pulling 252 foot-pounds of torque that is available at a down-low 2,500 rpm and is held fat and flat right on through 4,000 revs.
The brakes, clutch, driveshafts and CV joints have been beefed up to handle the boost in performance. Saab's 9-3 Viggen also rides on a specially tuned sport chassis atop P215/45ZR rubber mounted to 17 x 7.5-inch alloy wheels.
Outside, there's an aggressive front spoiler, rocker-panel extensions, a unique rear bumper cover and rear decklid wing, not to mention special delta-shaped Viggen badges. The Viggen is available only in special "Lightning Blue" metallic paint for 1999.
Inside, special black leather sport seats are fitted with blue inserts and embossed delta-wing emblems in the seatbacks. Matching blue door trim, unique contrasting dash fascia and stainless-steel doorsill plates with the Viggen logo are included in the package.
As part of the car's worldwide debut during press days at the New York International Auto Show, Saab offered a live Webcast of the entire press conference, including a special introduction by Joel Manby, president and CEO of Saab Cars USA.
Saab plans to build just 2,500 Viggens for worldwide consumption, but only 400 of those will be available in the States beginning this May. Convertible (and five-door) versions of the 2000 Viggen are due to arrive in dealer showrooms sometime this fall.
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