The Saab 9-3 is completely redesigned and reengineered for 2003. Instead of a quirky-looking hatchback, it's now a sports sedan.
Saab has always dared to be different. Influenced by its aeronautical background, Saab cars have traditionally featured wraparound vertical windshields and aircraft-style dashboards with instrument lighting that could be switched off at night. Small map lights looked like they came from a cockpit. When buyers stopped wanting hatchbacks, Saab continued making them.
Now that Saab is a wholly owned division of General Motors the Swedish car company has more funds for developing new cars. By the same token, Saab is now expected to sell more cars, which means its cars need to appeal to a wider audience.
That's why the new Saab 9-3 is only available as a four-door sedan, initially anyway. Fortunately, Saab has managed to maintain some of its character even though the newest 9-3 sedan is far more mainstream than previous models.