2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the launch of Saab’s iconic Convertible, which makes us feel old and excited at the same time (excited because this could be a great chance for Saab to let us test one). Seriously though, Saab’s are generally lovely and different to everything else on the road.

Three generations of Saab Convertible have hit the road in the last quarter of a century and almost 300,000 have been sold around the world (at one point it seemed like 250,000 of those were in London SW1), establishing the vehicle as a global icon for the brand.  Amazingly the convertible has accounted for as much as fifty percent of total sales in Europe. Pity the poor team designing the next Saab hatch then?

Life on the Road: The journey of the Saab Convertible

The journey of the iconic car began in 1986 when a production run of just four hundred Saab 900 Convertibles came off the line for the US market, and we were young and happy. By the time the 900 Convertible went on sale in Europe that year, demand exceeded production capacity. Seven years later and a second generation came to the market. Autumn 1993 saw the all-new Saab 900 Convertible arrive. This second generation model and its Saab 9-3 evolution in 1998 became an icon, with more stylish design, and a move to a hydraulically –powered soft top to save your fingernails.

2003 brought a whole host of innovations to the Saab Convertible with the launch of the third and current generation.

21st Century Saab

Saab celebrated the first anniversary of its rebirth as an independent company in February 2011 by launching an exclusive Independence Edition of its 9-3 Convertible.

The 1.9-litre TTiD Independence Edition Convertible (catchy eh?) is based on the top-of the-range Aero specification with a 180hp engine, six-speed automatic transmission and unique Amber Orange metallic paint finish, a limited edition serial number etched into the rear side windows, distinctive interior trim and comprehensive equipment. Sounds like it’ll get you noticed then, as if driving around in a convertible won’t draw enough attention…

If you’re flush with cash and fancy a new summer runabout, visit www.media.saab.co.uk