The first generation 9-3, an updated Saab 900 (NG) was launched in 1998 for the 1999 model year.
It was known to enthusiasts as the OG 9-3 (old generation) and internally as body style 9400.
Production ended on 8 May 2002 at the Trollhättan plant and 25 April 2003 at the Valmet plant in Finland.
Saab claimed that 1,100 changes were made, including a revised suspension in an attempt to tighten up the handling characteristics of its predecessor, the Saab 900 (1994–1998 model).
It featured revised styling with some models receiving a black rear spoiler and removed Saab's trademark underbody mounted "snow & gravel flaps".
It was available as a three or five-door hatchback, and as a two-door convertible.
It was the last small Saab to use the company's H engine.
Improvements over the Saab 900 (NG) included better crashworthiness with more extensive A-pillar reinforcements, stronger door sills and frames, standard torso/head side-airbags and Saab Active Head Restraints.
Other notable changes were stronger AC compressor and a switch to an hydraulically operated convertible top instead of electric.

The 9-3 was available with a new variant of the B204 engine (B204E, 154 hp (115 kW)), a low pressure turbo (LPT) engine based on the B204L used in the last generation Saab 900.
For the U.S. market, all 9-3s received turbocharged petrol engines with the "full pressure turbo" (B204L, 185 hp (138 kW)) as the standard offering, and a "HOT" (B204R, 200 hp) variant in the SE models for the 1999 model year.
The 2000 model year saw a revision from SAAB's Trionic T5.5 to Trionic 7 engine management system.
The T7 based engines were the B205L with 185 hp (138 kW) and the B205R HOT engine with 205 hp (153 kW).
The first generation 9-3 was also the first Saab available with a diesel engine, a unit also found in the Opel Vectra, Astra G, Signum, Zafira A. Unlike the Saab 900 (NG), the 9-3 is fitted with a CAN bus like the Saab 9-5.

A Saab innovation is the 'Night Panel', carried over from the Saab 900, which permits dousing of the instrument panel lighting, except for essential information, for less distraction when night driving.

A total of 326,370 first generation 9-3s were built.
As with the preceding generation, convertibles were built by Valmet in Uusikaupunki, Finland.
Valmet was also the only plant assembling the 9-3 Viggen, in all three bodystyles.
After production at Saab's main plant ended, Valmet kept producing non-Viggen hatchbacks until 2003.
Altogether, Valmet built 7789 Hatchbacks of all models.
The first generation 9-3, an updated Saab 900 (NG) was launched in 1998 for the 1999 model year. It was known to enthusiasts as the OG 9-3 (old generation) and internally as body style 9400. Production ended on 8 May 2002 at the Trollhättan plant and 25 April 2003 at the Valmet plant in Finland. Saab claimed that 1,100 changes were made, including a revised suspension in an attempt to tighten up the handling characteristics of its predecessor, the Saab 900 (1994–1998 model). It featured revised styling with some models receiving a black rear spoiler and removed Saab's trademark underbody mounted "snow & gravel flaps". It was available as a three or five-door hatchback, and as a two-door convertible. It was the last small Saab to use the company's H engine. Improvements over the Saab 900 (NG) included better crashworthiness with more extensive A-pillar reinforcements, stronger door sills and frames, standard torso/head side-airbags and Saab Active Head Restraints. Other notable changes were stronger AC compressor and a switch to an hydraulically operated convertible top instead of electric.
The 9-3 was available with a new variant of the B204 engine (B204E, 154 hp (115 kW)), a low pressure turbo (LPT) engine based on the B204L used in the last generation Saab 900. For the U.S. market, all 9-3s received turbocharged petrol engines with the "full pressure turbo" (B204L, 185 hp (138 kW)) as the standard offering, and a "HOT" (B204R, 200 hp) variant in the SE models for the 1999 model year. The 2000 model year saw a revision from SAAB's Trionic T5.5 to Trionic 7 engine management system. The T7 based engines were the B205L with 185 hp (138 kW) and the B205R HOT engine with 205 hp (153 kW). The first generation 9-3 was also the first Saab available with a diesel engine, a unit also found in the Opel Vectra, Astra G, Signum, Zafira A. Unlike the Saab 900 (NG), the 9-3 is fitted with a CAN bus like the Saab 9-5.
A Saab innovation is the 'Night Panel', carried over from the Saab 900, which permits dousing of the instrument panel lighting, except for essential information, for less distraction when night driving.
A total of 326,370 first generation 9-3s were built. As with the preceding generation, convertibles were built by Valmet in Uusikaupunki, Finland. Valmet was also the only plant assembling the 9-3 Viggen, in all three bodystyles. After production at Saab's main plant ended, Valmet kept producing non-Viggen hatchbacks until 2003. Altogether, Valmet built 7789 Hatchbacks of all models.
Saab 9-3