The 9-3X concept, a preview of the next-generation 9-3, premiered in January 2002 at the North American International Auto Show.
Originally, the 9-3 was due to début with the Opel Vectra in October 2001, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but in July 2001, it was announced that delays had forced General Motors to postpone the introduction.
The new 9-3 was eventually launched in July 2002 for the 2003 model year.
The convertible version of the second-generation 9-3 began with the MY04, and SportCombi with MY05.

The new 9-3, like all previous Saab models, remained an exclusively front-wheel drive powertrain at launch.
The most drastic change from the former generation was the elimination of the hatchback design.
The second-generation 9-3 was available as a four-door saloon, an estate (introduced in late 2005 as a 2006 model, known as the SportWagon, SportCombi or Sport-Hatch dependant on the market), and a two-door convertible (introduced in 2004).
It included Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR II) to reduce whiplash and ReAxs, a passive rear-wheel steering design, and passive toe-in to help reduce understeer under heavy braking.

The new 9-3 departed from the EcoPower engine used previously for a new 2.0 L inline-four engine Ecotec engine from General Motors' for the petrol-powered models.
There are three different versions of the turbocharged inline-four, with the amount of turbo boost determining the power output: 1.8T (112 kW), 2.0T (131 kW) and 2.0T (157 kW).
The engines were mated with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed 'Sentronic' which is a traditional automatic, not to be confused with SAAB's earlier 'Sensonic' which was a clutchless manual transmission that retained a conventional H-pattern shifter, but the clutch system was hydraulically actuated.
In 2003 models, the standard manual transmission was a 5-speed gearbox with the 6-speed a £200 optional extra (UK market price.).
 The 6-speed manual was standard on US 2.0T (Vector) models.

There were four trim levels: the entry-level Linear, mid-range Vector and Arc (with emphasis on sporty appeal and luxury), and a top-of-the-range Aero model.
In non-US markets, any trim level except the Aero (which was exclusively available with the 210 hp 2.0T) was available with any engine the buyer opted for.
However, in the US, the Linear was exclusively available with the 2.0t engine, the Arc and Vector trims were exclusively available with the 2.0T, and the Aero model was not available until 2006 when it received a 2.8-litre, turbocharged V-6.
No diesel models were ever sold in the US, neither were the 1.8T or any BioPower engines.

The 9-3 and the Opel Vectra were the first of the global GM Epsilon platform, which was then lengthened to accommodate four new cousins, the Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx, the Pontiac G6, and the Saturn Aura.
A proprietary fiber-optic electric/electronic system, the possibility of AWD (exploited from 2008 on, dubbed Saab XWD), and ReAxs as described above, are just a few of the features exclusive to the 9-3.
On 22 February 2012, the final 47 Saabs were built.
They were all 9-3 Independence Edition convertible models built by one of Sweden's largest car dealers, ANA, in Trollhättan.

There were 21 LHD cars, and 26 RHD ones.
The final Saab was a Saab 9-3 Aero Independence Edition TTiD convertible.
The 9-3X concept, a preview of the next-generation 9-3, premiered in January 2002 at the North American International Auto Show. Originally, the 9-3 was due to début with the Opel Vectra in October 2001, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but in July 2001, it was announced that delays had forced General Motors to postpone the introduction. The new 9-3 was eventually launched in July 2002 for the 2003 model year. The convertible version of the second-generation 9-3 began with the MY04, and SportCombi with MY05.
The new 9-3, like all previous Saab models, remained an exclusively front-wheel drive powertrain at launch. The most drastic change from the former generation was the elimination of the hatchback design. The second-generation 9-3 was available as a four-door saloon, an estate (introduced in late 2005 as a 2006 model, known as the SportWagon, SportCombi or Sport-Hatch dependant on the market), and a two-door convertible (introduced in 2004). It included Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR II) to reduce whiplash and ReAxs, a passive rear-wheel steering design, and passive toe-in to help reduce understeer under heavy braking.
The new 9-3 departed from the EcoPower engine used previously for a new 2.0 L inline-four engine Ecotec engine from General Motors' for the petrol-powered models. There are three different versions of the turbocharged inline-four, with the amount of turbo boost determining the power output: 1.8T (112 kW), 2.0T (131 kW) and 2.0T (157 kW). The engines were mated with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed 'Sentronic' which is a traditional automatic, not to be confused with SAAB's earlier 'Sensonic' which was a clutchless manual transmission that retained a conventional H-pattern shifter, but the clutch system was hydraulically actuated. In 2003 models, the standard manual transmission was a 5-speed gearbox with the 6-speed a £200 optional extra (UK market price.).  The 6-speed manual was standard on US 2.0T (Vector) models.
There were four trim levels: the entry-level Linear, mid-range Vector and Arc (with emphasis on sporty appeal and luxury), and a top-of-the-range Aero model. In non-US markets, any trim level except the Aero (which was exclusively available with the 210 hp 2.0T) was available with any engine the buyer opted for. However, in the US, the Linear was exclusively available with the 2.0t engine, the Arc and Vector trims were exclusively available with the 2.0T, and the Aero model was not available until 2006 when it received a 2.8-litre, turbocharged V-6. No diesel models were ever sold in the US, neither were the 1.8T or any BioPower engines.
The 9-3 and the Opel Vectra were the first of the global GM Epsilon platform, which was then lengthened to accommodate four new cousins, the Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx, the Pontiac G6, and the Saturn Aura. A proprietary fiber-optic electric/electronic system, the possibility of AWD (exploited from 2008 on, dubbed Saab XWD), and ReAxs as described above, are just a few of the features exclusive to the 9-3. On 22 February 2012, the final 47 Saabs were built. They were all 9-3 Independence Edition convertible models built by one of Sweden's largest car dealers, ANA, in Trollhättan.
There were 21 LHD cars, and 26 RHD ones. The final Saab was a Saab 9-3 Aero Independence Edition TTiD convertible.
Saab 9-3