A wolf in sheep"s clothing

Saab has managed to deliver an impressive driving experience in its new Saab 9-3 models which were updated over a year ago. The twin-turbo diesel-powered 9-3 tops the range in terms of power and economy. It"s a driver"s car in which you can quickly get comfortable, both in terms of driving position but also thanks to its impressive diesel power coupled with a six-speed automatic gearbox. I had the twin-turbo diesel 9-3 TTiD on the road recently and I was instantly comfortable with the car. So much so, that I willingly covered many kilometres and reluctantly handed the keys back after a few days behind the wheel. This was a car I enjoyed, felt safe behind the wheel in and one that returned decent fuel economy figures. The cockpit design is still truly Saab - functional, practical and high to give a feeling of protection and strength. Saab has fitted a twin-turbo system to its 1.9 litre common rail diesel engine to give an impressive level of driving power. The twin-turbo system, hence the term TTiD, uses two turbo-chargers. There is a small one for the lower speed and lower engine rev operation. When you need the power, the larger unit kicks in and you can feel that difference. This turbo power combination kit delivers 180bhp to the wheels. The test car was fitted with the six-speed automatic gearbox which was a match for the engine power and torque. What a joy to drive! The acceleration performance is as good as it gets for a car in this mid-range executive segment. The 9-3 TTiD reaches the 0 to 100km/h target in just 8.5 seconds, putting it ahead of most contenders; the Mercedes-Benz 220D is the only match. I have heard lots of comments that the Saab 9-3 is not rated against the BMW 3 Series or Audi A4. I can"t agree. The 9-3 with this TTiD engine and automatic gearbox is one of the best cars that I have driven in years. There is a more modest power option in the same Saab 9-3 clothing, the 150bhp version, which is only 0.5 of a second slower in the acceleration race. That"s the real competitor against the 3 Series and Audi A4. For me, this Saab is more of a driver"s car than the others. The road-holding and handling were impressive as I criss-crossed the country on N and R grade roads. The car had a level of surefootedness that left me feeling in control no matter what the road conditions were, and they were bad, believe me. At the end of some long journeys, I was as relaxed as when I started. This engine draws on some of the Opel and Fiat common rail diesel experience coupled with subtle Saab tuning. The result is power and economy in tandem. The TTiD engine was economical, delivering 5.6 litres/100km (50mpg) in the combined driving cycle. That ensures a low CO2 rating of just 149g/km and low annual road tax Band C. This gives low running costs, road tax at €270 and economy at the pumps. And there"s loads of power. On the inside, the main instrument panel arcs around the driver. The steering wheel adjusts for both rake and reach. Seat adjustment is good and seat design with the Saab active restraint system is both comfortable and safe. This Saab active hear restraint system for front seats is claimed to reduce the risk of neck injuries by 75 per cent in rear-end collisions. The car achieved a EuroNCAP five-star rating in its most recent test, helped by the use of the ESP system and traction control as part of the standard package, which is standard across the Saab 9-3 range in Ireland. The diesel range comes with three power band options from the 1.9 litre engine. The entry model pumps out 120bhp, followed by a 150bhp version and the range-topping 180bhp car that I drove. The 180bhp option is naturally the most expensive option at €45,980. You can get into this Saab range with a little less power, but impressive handling and acceleration, for almost €10,000 less, making this option an affordable one. For me, the 9-3 is a real BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 contender. The more expensive TTiD version is a very complete car, with little need to pile on loads from the extras list. This is a real driver"s car, make no mistake.