Friday 25th June 2004

Top Marks for Saab

9-3 is first convertible to ever get a 5 star NCAP rating

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The Saab 9-3 Convertible has become the first ever soft-top car to achieve the maximum five-star safety rating under the Euro NCAP collision test programme.

The new 9-3 Convertible joins the 9-3 Sport Saloon and Saab 9-5 with a full five-star Euro NCAP rating, uniquely positioning Saab as the only car manufacturer to offer a full range of five-star Euro NCAP models in the UK.

Saab were able to meet tough requirements for a convertible by incorporating substantial reinforcements of the A-pillars; the chassis cross-members, including a completely new box structure behind the rear seat; lower B-pillars and side sills.

In addition, while developing the 9-3 Convertible's DynaCage occupant protection system, Saab helped pioneer one of the world's most comprehensive rollover crash test programmes. Pop-up rear roll bars, seatbelt pre-tensioning and the A-pillars, supporting a strengthened windscreen header rail, are all combined under Dynacage to provide an integrated safety system in the event of a rollover or its possible onset.

"Euro NCAP is an independent organisation whose evaluations contain accessible and objective information which can be a useful guide for consumers," says Per Lenhoff, Head of Crash Safety Development at Saab Automobile. "However, our Real-Life Safety concept is, as always, the controlling factor which guides crash safety development at Saab."

[dinkel]

Ah, now I can crash the thing safely . . .

I always thought a SAAB was one of the safest cars ever . . . same thing with the cabrio . . .

Bumped into a neighbours 93 estate while parking. I slipped off the Golfs rightpedal (went out on my socks just to park): banged off the SAABs bumper: 1500 euros thanx . . . Came off pretty easy. Well, this makes sense to add Shall never do again, sorry . . .

[Lutz]

Might be safe car, but did you ever LOOK at that thing? Rather be unsafe...could not be seen dead in that car...