L.A. Show Preview: 2009 Saab 9-3 Convertible

Historians called it the Reagan Era, and we were all lulled to sleep by the threat of national prosperity and peace through strength. So confident and secure in its future was Saab that, 25 years ago, it cut the top from its mid-size sedan and offered it to the world as a convertible.

That kind of brazen move is surely out of step with the sweater-wearing, tire-pressure-checking, belt-tightening era we're entering. Nonetheless, Saab's putting out a special edition of its Convertible just to remind you how good we all had it back then. Fittingly the new Convertible 2.0T--to be shown at the Los Angeles show--will be painted the color of champagne, something we'll all have to remember seeing instead of actually tasting. There will also be black and gray colors, for processionals and other formal occasions.

The powertrain is a 210-horsepower turbocharged four, sure to warm even old Grinch Carter's heart, and a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. Some Turbo X trim pieces are included, as is a pricetag of $46,725.

The new Saab Convertible arrives in showrooms in January 2009--just a coincidence, mind you.

---

Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius. 2009 Saab 9-3 Convertible 2.0TEnlarge PhotoHistorians called it the Reagan Era, and we were all lulled to sleep by the threat of national prosperity and peace through strength. So confident and secure in its future was Saab that, 25 years ago, it cut the top from its mid-size sedan and offered it to the world as a convertible. That kind of brazen move is surely out of step with the sweater-wearing, tire-pressure-checking, belt-tightening era we're entering. Nonetheless, Saab's putting out a special edition of its Convertible just to remind you how good we all had it back then. Fittingly the new Convertible 2.0T--to be shown at the Los Angeles show--will be painted the color of champagne, something we'll all have to remember seeing instead of actually tasting. There will also be black and gray colors, for processionals and other formal occasions. The powertrain is a 210-horsepower turbocharged four, sure to warm even old Grinch Carter's heart, and a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. Some Turbo X trim pieces are included, as is a pricetag of $46,725. The new Saab Convertible arrives in showrooms in January 2009--just a coincidence, mind you. --- Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius.