More kit for diesel 9-3

Choose a less-green Saab diesel and you will benefit from more kit and shorter delivery times.

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Choose a less-green Saab diesel and you will benefit from more kit and shorter delivery times.

Saab 9-3 buyers opting for Airflow versions of the 1.9-litre diesel, which do not meet the latest Euro IV emissions standard, benefit from extra equipment, worth up to £740 depending on model. This includes upgraded alloy wheels, an information system and a rear boot spoiler on Vector cars.

Prices for the Airflow are identical to standard Euro IV models, ranging from £19,995 for a 120bhp Linear Sport based model to £22,495 for a 150bhp Vector Sport.

Buyers can expect to wait at least three months for Euro IV versions of the 120bhp or 150bhp engine as there is a limited supply of particulate filters needed to meet the emissions standard. Other manufacturers are also quoting long delivery times on Euro IV diesels for the same reason.

Saab said it can supply buyers with Euro III versions of the 1.9-litre in as little as six weeks and will offer them until September. No manufacturer will be allowed to sell Euro III engines from January 2006, so Saab hopes to have a filter-free Euro IV diesel engine ready this year to avoid long delivery times in the future.

Both the 120bhp and 150bhp versions are more expensive for a company driver to tax this year while Euro IV engines are still able to avoid the Government’s 3% penalty on diesels. The 120bhp engine costs a higher-rate tax payer from £139 a month this year compared with £112 on the Euro IV car. The 150bhp Euro III costs £146 a month compared with £125.

From next year, the 150bhp engine will attract an identical bill of £145 but the 120bhp will be slightly more expensive because it has higher carbon dioxide emissions. It will cost from £139 a month instead of £132.

Performance figures are otherwise identical to the Euro IV engines and are detailed below.

Saab 9-3
Current price range: £16,995 to £24,495
What Car? Target Price saving: 6.5%, from £1059 to £1547
New model due: 2008
Rivals: Audi A4, BMW 3-series, Honda Accord, Mercedes C-class, Toyota Avensis, Volvo S40

Engine 120bhp 1.9-litre diesel
0-62mph 11.1sec
Top speed 124mph
Combined economy (average mpg) 49.6

Engine 150bhp 1.9-litre diesel
0-62mph 9.2sec
Top speed 131mph
Combined economy (average mpg) 47.9