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Saab 9-3 Viggen Flight Academy Clears Owners for Take Off

8 July 1999

Saab 9-3 Viggen Flight Academy Clears Owners for Take Off

              Saab's Newest Model Comes Standard With Exclusive
                    Road Atlanta-Based Driving Experience

    NORCROSS, Ga., July 7 -- Saab cars are valued for their long
list of standard equipment, and the limited edition Saab 9-3 Viggen is no
exception.  Saab's newest model not only comes standard with a powerful range
of performance, safety, comfort and convenience features, but also delivers a
unique value-added program exclusively for owners.  Every 9-3 Viggen buyer
receives, at no charge, a certificate for the Viggen Flight Academy, a two-day
intensive driver training session held at the world-class Road Atlanta
complex, located near Saab Cars USA's headquarters in Norcross, Georgia.
Designed just for 9-3 Viggen owners, the program is taught by a team of racing
professionals.  These Saab-savvy instructors work with small groups of owners
to ensure they get the most out of their front-wheel drive performance car in
everyday driving situations.  A fleet of 9-3 Viggens will be used exclusively
throughout the program.
    "The new 9-3 Viggen is the Saab for enthusiasts who crave performance,"
says Saab Cars USA's Director of Product Planning, Sean McNamara.  "We wanted
to reward these customers with a standard feature that maximizes the
9-3 Viggen experience -- a hands-on driving school."
    The Viggen Flight Academy features 80 percent active driving instruction
and 20 percent classroom sessions.  "Owners will put training cars through a
number of 'in-flight' exercises, ranging from performance braking, shifting
and slalom maneuvers to safe, evasive techniques," says McNamara.  "They will
get a chance to push the vehicle to its legal limits, and learn how to control
skids with proper steering, throttle and brake responses."  Additional
exercises will show owners how to handle vehicle weight transfer during
emergency lane changes and other useful defensive driving techniques.  The
event concludes with a friendly autocross competition and dinner with Saab
Cars USA management.
    Four Viggen Flight Academy dates have been set for the fall of 1999 and
more will be introduced for 2000.  Saab enthusiasts can get information on the
9-3 Viggen, as well as the Viggen Flight Academy at Saab Cars USA's web site,
http://www.saabusa.com/viggen .
    The Saab 9-3 Viggen -- which takes its name from Saab's JA37 Viggen jet
aircraft -- is a limited-production high-performance model developed jointly
by Saab Automobile AB's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) team and Tom
Walkinshaw Racing (TWR).  It features a long list of standard
performance-oriented equipment, including an enhanced high output turbo
engine, sports-tuned chassis, larger brakes, 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels,
sport seats and aggressive aerodynamics for a base price of $37,750.  All
400 1999 9-3 Viggen models are Lightning Blue Coupes.  For model year 2000, a
total of 1,000 units will be imported into the U.S., including convertible and
5-door models, as well as silver and black exterior color choices.