Diesel takes to the Aero

SAAB has introduced a 1.9-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engine into its broad local 9-3 range that considerably ups the performance over the single-turbo model.

Priced from $62,600, the 9-3 Aero TTiD is the first diesel-powered model to get the Swedish company’s performance ‘Aero’ model name.

It is claimed to have comparable performance with the petrol-engined Aero model, which has a 188kW/350Nm 2.8-litre V6 turbo and is priced at $70,600, but has an average fuel consumption figure of just 5.7L/100km versus 10.6L/100km for the petrol V6T.

The so-called ‘two-stage turbo’ diesel engine has one large turbo for ultimate performance and a smaller one that spools up quickly for fast throttle response, especially at low speeds. Saab claims this is a first in the premium car segment.

Power and torque figures rise to 132kW and 400Nm with the six-speed manual gearbox (tuned down to 370Nm with the $2500 optional six-speed auto) compared with 110kW/320Nm for the single-turbo engine.

The TTiD engine, which runs more boost than the 1.9TiD (1.8 bar versus 1.4) and has strengthened internals, features a larger air-to-air intercooler, more efficient pre-heating elements inside the cylinder head for faster starting and a lighter plastic intake manifold.

It is available in both sedan and wagon (Combi) models.

Saab 9-3 Aero TTiD pricing:
Sport sedan	$62,600
Sports sedan (a)	$65,100
SportCombi	$65,100
SportCombi (a)	$67,600