Saab may be better known for station wagons, turbochargers, and torque steer, but the company wants people to know it has been cranking out convertibles for 25 years now, with a worldwide total of over 250,000 units. To celebrate, the Scandinavians will show a special-edition 9-3 convertible at the upcoming L.A. auto show.

Although the 25th is traditionally the silver anniversary, apparently it is the “Bright Champagne” anniversary in Trollhättan. Bright Champagne is one of three color choices on the special edition 9-3T—the others being Jet Black and Carbon Grey—although it is the only one exclusive to the anniversary car. The specialness of this edition is rather limited: power comes from Saab’s base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and dress-up is minimal. The car wears a front bumper the company says is influenced by the Turbo X—which itself is barely differentiated from base 9-3s—and dual exhaust tips and a gray bumper insert like those found on the 9-3 Aero.

At $47,500, it is at least priced like a special edition, and that includes—hot dog!—floor mats like those found in the Turbo X. We’d have traded them for the Turbo X’s drivetrain.

Saab unveiled the 9-X BioHybrid Concept hatchback last March at the Geneva Motor Show, and it will be joined next month at the Paris Motor Show by this: the 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept. Both vehicles are said to herald the coming of a production Saab 9-1 small car, but the 9-X Air goes a step further and replaces the original concept’s closed roof with a flat-folding canopy top that’s said to celebrate the brand’s history in the convertible building business. Aside from that, the concepts appear to be almost identical right down to sharing the same turbocharged 1.4L Saab BioPower engine producing 197bhp. We’ll bring you more pics and info of the Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept straight from the show floor in Paris next month

Read more »