A-Zperformance Revives the Iconic Saab 9-3 SS Front Bumper – Only Two Sets Available Worldwide
A-Zperformance’s announcement landed with the kind of precision that instantly wakes up the Saab tuning world. After three years of absolute silence around their discontinued Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan front bumper, the Hungarian tuning house revealed that they can now manufacture exactly two complete units of the original Saab 9-3 SS Front Bumper with Full Carbon Splitter (2003–2007). For owners who have waited years for this component to resurface, the news is nothing short of remarkable.
And it comes with context – exactly a decade of it.
The story behind this bumper stretches far beyond today’s announcement. It is a timeline built through experimentation, CAD modeling, resin dust, garage-floor trial fitting, demo-car evolution, and a steady refinement of design and materials. SaabPlanet.com has covered every step of that journey, beginning with the very first prototype that appeared ten years ago.
Before diving into today’s limited re-release, let’s trace how this piece of modern Saab tuning history was created, perfected, and nearly lost — and why its unexpected return matters to enthusiasts who remember the original rollout.
From Resin to Road: The First Prototype (2014–2015)
When we first reported on the early prototype back in the mid-2010s, the design was still in a raw but promising stage. A-Zperformance was experimenting with a front bumper for the 2003–2006 Saab 9-3 SS, aiming for something that respected the car’s factory proportions while sharpening the stance and introducing functional airflow changes.
That early story is documented here: New Saab 9-3 SS Bodykit on Demo Car
At the time, the process was entirely hands-on. The bumper was sculpted, mounted, removed, adjusted, re-mounted, and reshaped — all by the same team that would later bring it into small-batch production. It was an ambitious approach, but it created something genuinely unique in the Saab tuning space.
Even in its early phase, two ideas stood out:
- the bumper should accept a removable splitter,
- and owners should be able to choose between Street and Race versions.
This concept would shape the final product.
A Design That Evolved with the Demo Cars
As A-Zperformance refined the bumper, the design moved from an experimental component to a fully engineered system. The best documentation of this evolution is the later feature we published here: A-Zperformance Saab 9-3 II Tuning Bodykit
That article covers the second stage — when the bumper became part of a full styling program, including side skirts, rear elements, mesh upgrades, and removable aerodynamic parts. The bumper’s visual presence grew more defined: deeper lower contours, sharper side radiuses, and a splitter surface wide enough to serve functional aero purposes.
Then came the demo cars, each wearing a different interpretation of the front bumper and splitter combination. When A-Zperformance sold their 9-3 SS 2.0T demo car, we published another key article: Tuner House A-Zperformance Selling Their Saab 9-3 SS 2.0T Demo Car
It was the moment when the bumper moved from a test component to a visually validated product.
By then, the following design choices were fully defined:
- Carbon-Kevlar internal texture for strength and weight reduction
- Interchangeable splitter for easy replacement or track-day swaps
- OEM-quality fog lamps using the Hella 1NL 008 090-821 spec
- Hirsch-style mesh to preserve Saab’s airflow signature
The formula was complete. And then – unexpectedly – it vanished.
Discontinued and Gone… Until Today
Around three years ago, A-Zperformance removed the bumper from their product range. No announcement. No explanation. It simply disappeared from the catalog, leaving many Saab tuners resigned to the idea that it would never return.
That’s what makes today’s update so significant.
In their official Facebook statement, A-Zperformance confirmed that they can now manufacture exactly two complete bumper kits, but only if customers commit through full pre-payment.
Here’s what each kit includes:
- 1× Saab 9-3 SS front bumper (Carbon-Kevlar construction)
- 1× Full-carbon, removable splitter (race-spec)
- 1× Hella fog-light kit
- 1× Black ABS Hirsch-style mesh
This is not an approximation of the old product. It is the original component, built to the same material specification, offered in extremely limited numbers.
Pricing and Shipping — with a Critical Warning
A-Zperformance clarified the pricing structure as follows:
- EU customers: 800 EUR + VAT + shipping box + shipping
- Outside EU: 928 USD + shipping box + shipping
However — and this is important — overseas shipping can reach as high as 1,000 USD due to the size of the packaging required for the bumper and the full-carbon splitter.
The company stresses that production will begin only after prepayment, emphasizing that this is a one-time manufacturing opportunity.
Why This Re-Release Matters to Saab Owners
For most aftermarket brands, a discontinued part reappearing years later is normal. But with Saab, the context is different. Production ended in 2011. OEM trim pieces are increasingly scarce. High-quality tuning components have become boutique items. A-Zperformance is one of the few companies that continued to invest in parts specifically engineered for the 9-3 platform.
That’s why the return of this bumper — even in a batch of two — carries weight:
- It acknowledges lingering demand from the Saab performance community.
- It preserves a piece of modern Saab tuning heritage.
- It offers a rare chance for owners to complete ongoing builds with a historically consistent part.
Given the timeline — prototype, refinement, demo testing, discontinuation, revival — the bumper represents a full decade of development in miniature.
Technical Highlights for Enthusiasts Who Want the Full Picture
Carbon-Kevlar internal structure
Ensures rigidity during high-speed airflow changes and prevents deformation in extreme temperature cycles.
Full-carbon splitter
Lightweight, detachable, and easy to replace after track-day wear. Also provides noticeable improvement in low-pressure front-end stability.
OEM-quality fog lamps
The Hella 1NL 008 090-821 kit ensures beam performance equivalent to factory equipment.
ABS Hirsch-style mesh
A visual detail Saab fans immediately recognize, improving airflow without distorting the original front-end character of the 9-3.
This combination gives the bumper its identity: Saab-correct shapes paired with motorsport-grade materials.
If You Want One — This Is Likely the Final Chance
A-Zperformance made it clear:
Only two sets will be produced.
Only prepaid orders will be accepted.
Given the bumper’s history, rarity, and past pricing trends, the likelihood of another run is extremely low.
Enthusiasts interested in securing one of the two units should contact A-Zperformance directly:
info@a-zperformance.com
