A fix for the 9-3’s most visible weakness
Saab 9-3 models from 2003 to 2012 have proven their durability in many areas, but the dashboard fascia was never one of them. The factory soft-touch finish, molded from heat-sensitive plastics, simply wasn’t designed to endure decades of UV exposure, interior heat cycling, and physical contact. Even cars that have been garaged most of their life often show cracking, bubbling, or worn edges on the upper dash. These defects don’t just spoil the look – they subtly cheapen the feel of an otherwise well-engineered cockpit.
Maptun Performance’s XT-Series leather instrument panel was created as a direct answer to this problem. Designed specifically for LHD Saab 9-3 pre-facelift models, it preserves the original dash geometry while replacing the vulnerable factory surface with a hand-wrapped marine-grade eco-leather finish.
Built to outlast the car
The eco-leather used in the XT-Series is not a standard automotive vinyl. Originally developed for marine upholstery, it offers superior resistance to UV fading, scratches, heat, and humidity. It is also antibacterial, flame-retardant, and unaffected by most household and automotive cleaning agents. Unlike the OEM finish, which was sprayed onto the substrate, the XT-Series surface is physically wrapped and stitched, eliminating the risk of peeling or flaking.
The double white stitching isn’t just decorative – it strengthens the edges and high-stress areas, helping the panel maintain its shape over years of use. The tactile difference is immediate: instead of the slightly hollow feel of the original, the XT-Series fascia feels dense, precise, and premium under hand.
Precision manufacturing with a craftsman’s touch
Each XT-Series dashboard begins life as a new panel molded to the original Saab specifications. This is not a re-skin of an old unit – it’s a new part. The eco-leather is then stretched, glued, and hand-fitted over the contours, with stitch lines carefully measured to align perfectly along the dash arc. Cutouts for the instrument cluster, SID, radio, and switchgear are machine-trimmed for accuracy, ensuring the fascia drops into place without the “push and pray” fitment sometimes seen in aftermarket parts.
The result is a component that doesn’t just look OEM – it installs like OEM.
Precision-tailored for both pre-facelift (2003–2006) and facelift (2007–2011) Saab 9-3 models
This XT-Series panel is built exclusively for the pre-facelift Saab 9-3 dashboard layout. It features the correct openings for the original SID display and factory head unit, retains the side switchgear cutouts found only on early models, and follows the exact curvature of the 2003–2006 dash arc.
The facelift version (2007 and later) has a different shape and is not interchangeable. While Maptun also produces the facelift variant – which is currently in stock – the 2003–2006 panel is temporarily out of stock due to high demand, making early reservation essential for owners planning this upgrade.
What Saab owners are saying
Those who’ve installed the XT-Series fascia agree: it transforms the interior without making it feel aftermarket. The grain and sheen of the eco-leather match well with the rest of the 9-3’s trim, while the stitching adds a subtle touch of craftsmanship. Many owners report that the upgrade restores the feeling of solidity and cohesion that time had eroded. It pairs especially well with other OEM+ enhancements like a re-wrapped steering wheel or brushed aluminum console trim.
Installation can be done at home with basic trim tools, though patience is essential. Most owners recommend removing the upper dash trim completely for a cleaner fit, and some add a thin felt layer behind the fascia to eliminate any chance of rattles.
Price, availability, and ordering
As of August 2025, the XT-Series leather instrument panel for Saab 9-3 (2007+, LHD only) is priced at €485.44 incl. VAT. It’s available exclusively through Maptun Performance.
Worldwide shipping is offered, with robust packaging to ensure the part arrives in perfect condition. Considering the scarcity of clean OEM dashboards and the cost of professional re-trimming, this upgrade represents one of the most cost-effective ways to permanently resolve a problem nearly every 9-3 will face.
Final thoughts from the driver’s seat
Having tested countless Saabs over the years, it’s clear that the XT-Series fascia is not just a cosmetic refresh – it’s a material and tactile upgrade that Saab should have offered from the factory. It solves a well-known weakness, enhances the sensory experience, and preserves the original design language. In a time when replacement parts for these cars are becoming harder to find, investing in a component that both improves and preserves the interior makes perfect sense.
For owners committed to keeping their 9-3s in top form, this is one of those rare upgrades that will quietly improve every drive, every time you sit behind the wheel.
