Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition

Posted on 02.23.2011 20:00 by Kirby
Filed under: Saab | convertible | Saab 9-3 | Geneva Motor Show | special editions | Cars | Car Reviews | Saab

February 23rd is a very special day for the boys of Saab. A year ago on this day, the Swedish automaker was officially given a new life by Spyker, and the former will be celebrating the first anniversary of Saab?s rebirth as an independent carmaker by releasing a special edition 9-3 Convertible that it?s calling the ?Independence Edition?.

Set to be launched at a special party to be held at the company?s Trollh�ttan plant in Sweden, the 9-3 Independence Day Edition is a model that will be limited to just 366 units ? one for each day that has passed since Spyker made its purchase from General Motors. Pass the cheese this direction, please?

Cheesiness aside, the 9-3 Independence Day Edition will come with a number of unique features, including a 2.0-liter Biopower engine that produces 220 horsepower, a bespoke Amber Orange metallic exterior paint finish, a set of 18" alloy wheels decked in a two-tone satin chrome and black finish. Meanwhile, the interior gets beige leather interior seats and a glovebox with orange piping, an orange turbo instrument needle, carbon fiber trim, an orange stitched sports leather steering wheel, carpet mats that come with gray piping, and a couple of other upgrades courtesy of Hirsch Performance.

As soon as the 9-3 Independence Edition finishes celebrating Saab?s one-year ?rebirth? anniversary, the car is expected to make an appearance at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Can?t say that we?re particularly thrilled about the car. It?s a definite looker, especially that orange piping on the interior seats, but we?re not going to sell our souls in order to get one.

In any case, Happy 1st Birthday, Saab!

Strange as that sounds.

Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 23 February 2011 20:00 EST.

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Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/saab/2011-saab-9-3-convertible-independence-edition-ar105326.html

Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem Jean Behra

Vettel set for titles aplenty

© Daily Telegraph

Tom Cary says in his column in the Daily Telegraph that the man dubbed ?Baby Schumi? has plenty of time to match or even surpass his compatriot?s record haul of seven world titles after he cinched his first in the Abu Dhabi night.

?Here, after all, is a young man, already dubbed ?Baby Schumi? by Germany?s tabloid press, winning the first of what will presumably be multiple world championships, and all at the tender age of 23. Plenty of time yet to match Schumacher's incredible haul of seven world titles. And yet, their phenomenal ability to drive racing cars apart, there is little similarity between the two men. ?There are still lingering doubts over his racing ability but with such blistering qualifying pace he is nearly always leading from the front anyway. Vettel is set for multiple world championships. Just don?t call him Baby Schumi.?

The Guardian?s Paul Weaver says it was difficult to begrudge Vettel his moment of glory after he won the first of what will be many world titles. He also looks back at some of the season?s highlights.

?An amazing Formula One season produced its final twist here on Sunday when Sebastian Vettel, who had never led the title race, won his first world championship. It is difficult to begrudge him his glory, for he had more poles (10) than any other driver and shared the most wins (five) with Fernando Alonso. There will be red faces as well as red cars and overalls at Ferrari, though, for deciding to bring their man in when they did, only to see him re-emerge into heavy traffic. ?Among the highlights, and every race felt like a highlight after the bore-start in Bahrain, there was that wonderful beginning to his McLaren career by Jenson Button, who won two of his first four races, even though he couldn't keep up the pace, especially in qualifying. ?Hamilton once again drove his heart out, and outperformed a car that looked a little too ordinary at times. He was superb in Montreal. Then there was Webber, the Anglophile Aussie who was the favourite among most neutrals to win the title. There was that spectacular crash when he ran into the back of Heikki Kovalainen and the most famous of his four wins, at Silverstone, when he said to his team at the end of the race: 'Not bad for a No2 driver.' ?But in the end there was only one German who mattered. It was the remarkable Vettel. This will be the first of a clutch of championships for him.?

The Independent?s David Tremayne focuses on the plight of the other title contenders, writing it is easier to feel more sorry for one than the other.

?It was impossible not to feel for both Webber and Alonso. Yet while a frustrated Alonso gestured at Petrov after the race, the Australian, predictably, refused to complain about his pitstop timing. ?A world championship seemed an inevitable part of Sebastian Vettel's future, but it came a little sooner than most expected, after his recent tribulations. You wouldn't bet against several more, and if that record-breaking streak continues, perhaps even Schumacher's achievements will be overshadowed.?

And the Mirror?s Byron Young elaborates further on the petulant behaviour of Fernando Alonso on his slowing down lap after his title dreams ended behind the Renault of Vitaly Petrov.

?Fernando Alonso was hurled into more controversy last night for a wild gesture at the former Lada racer who cost him the title. But the Spaniard brushed off accusations he gave Russian Vitaly Petrov the finger for ruining his title hopes by blocking him for 40 laps as they duelled over sixth place. "The Ferrari ace was caught on television cruising alongside the Renault driver on the slowing down lap and gesticulating from the cockpit. Petrov was unrepentant: "What was I supposed to do? Just get out of his way, pull to the side? I don't think that is how we race. It was important for the team for me to get points."

Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/vettel_set_for_titles_aplenty_1.php

Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem

Abu Dhabi willing to accommodate later date for Bahrain race | 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix

Abu Dhabi race organisers say they will accommodate the re-scheduling of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/lGZKzq1xnrA/

JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg Georges Berger

Sand Dunes

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nofenders/zbjv/~3/nxil5mLD6xg/sand-dunes.html

Fred Agabashian Kurt Ahrens Jr Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto

Bahrain calls off Formula One race

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/02/22/1005602/bahrain-calls-off-formula-one.html

Philippe Adams Walt Ader Kurt Adolff Fred Agabashian

Bahrain F1: Live Race Results and Positions after 1st Lap

Sebastian Vettel has started from the Pole Position at the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix but its the Ferrari of Filepe Massa which has taken the lead.
Here are the standings after the 1st lap at Bahrain F1 Grand Prix:
1 VETTEL ? Red Bull
2 ALONSO ? Ferrari
3 MASSA ? Ferrari
4 ROSBERG ? Mercedes
5 HAMILTON ? McLaren
6 [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/formula-f1/~3/RBJWIX-d9BU/

Jean Behra Derek Bell Stefan Bellof Paul Belmondo

A positive step in Bahrain

Prince Salman, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, has taken over negotiation following the failure of his father King Hamad’s repressive military action. The Prince has now ordered the army to leave Manama. Control will now be handed back to the police. The opposition is continuing to say that it will not negotiate with the government [...]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/02/19/a-positive-step-in-bahrain/

Cliff Allison Fernando Alonso Giovanna Amati George Amick