PRE-RELEASE
Brief description
| Brief description |
| Body design |
Among the characteristic elements of the Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon's body are high torsional rigidity, a sturdy and stable cabin enclosure, generous front and rear deformation zones and very effective side impact protection.
| Impact safety |
The body of the Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon is constructed to create a survival zone for the driver and all passengers in the event of a collision. The large front deformation zones are designed to create a stable and robust deformation characteristics.
The B-pillar, which is stiff in the middle and slightly more flexible in the upper and lower sections, is most important component in the event of side-impact. This results in the B-pillar acting as a pendulum and distributing forces via the sill into the car.
The front doors have angled door members that direct the forces into the B-pillar and intensify the pendulum effect. Foam plastic spacers are also fitted inside the doors to stiffen them and prevent them from being forced into the cabin in the event of a side impact.
| Reinforcements |
Areas of the body that are most vulnerable in the event of a collision are reinforced. In addition, some of these reinforcements are manufactured in high-strength steel.
| High-strength steel |
Many of the reinforcements are made with high-strength steel (HSS) in order to make the passenger enclosure as stable as possible. Certain reinforcements are made with so-called ultra high-strength steel.
| Galvanized body parts |
The majority of the Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon's body is galvanised. Only a few of the inner body panels are not galvanised.
| Sound insulation |
Special foam sound insulation material has been used in addition to the sound absorbing panels that are fitted in the body. This material is located underneath the rear door windows, in the bootlid, in front of the rear wheel housings and in the A, B and C-pillars.
