A new 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine, branded as 2.8T by Saab, was introduced for the Aero.
The 2006 Aero was exclusively available with the V6 in the US, replacing the 2.0T engine.
In other markets, the 2006 Aero was available with both the four-cylinder 2.0T and the 6-cylinder 2.8T engine.
The 2.0T had 12.3 psi maximum turbo boost pressure and turned out 210 hp (157 kW), while the 2.8T had 8.7 psi boost and turned out 250 hp (190 kW).
In certain markets, like Switzerland, a 230 hp variant of the 6-cylinder was also offered in Vector trim.

In the United States, the Linear model and the 175hp engine was dropped, so that all four-cylinder 9-3 models had the 210 hp engine.
The Arc designation also disappeared, replaced by a trim level simply known as 2.0T, which was similar to the 2005 Arc except that Linear wheels were used.
A special "20 Years Edition Aero Convertible" for the American market was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006 to celebrate 20 years since the introduction of the Saab 900 convertible.
 All 20 Years Edition Aero Convertibles were offered in metallic electric blue.
A new 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine, branded as 2.8T by Saab, was introduced for the Aero. The 2006 Aero was exclusively available with the V6 in the US, replacing the 2.0T engine. In other markets, the 2006 Aero was available with both the four-cylinder 2.0T and the 6-cylinder 2.8T engine. The 2.0T had 12.3 psi maximum turbo boost pressure and turned out 210 hp (157 kW), while the 2.8T had 8.7 psi boost and turned out 250 hp (190 kW). In certain markets, like Switzerland, a 230 hp variant of the 6-cylinder was also offered in Vector trim. 
In the United States, the Linear model and the 175hp engine was dropped, so that all four-cylinder 9-3 models had the 210 hp engine. The Arc designation also disappeared, replaced by a trim level simply known as 2.0T, which was similar to the 2005 Arc except that Linear wheels were used. A special "20 Years Edition Aero Convertible" for the American market was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006 to celebrate 20 years since the introduction of the Saab 900 convertible.  All 20 Years Edition Aero Convertibles were offered in metallic electric blue.
Saab 9-3