Smart set drive Saab

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), July 11, 2008

Byline: BY ROBIN ROBERTS

IT'S a strange fact, but the motor industry has a wealth of welldocumented secrets. I have always believed one of the best kept of these was the Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8 V6.

In any conversation about business executive cars, the usual comments, observations, claims, dismissals etc would involve products from Germany, the Far East and UK, but you would be unlikely to hear the words "Saab" and "executive" in the same sentence.

Ironically, and this may come as a surprise, the Saab 9-3 series is one which sits in the heart of the sector with a range of petrol and diesel engines, body styles and trim levels. Towards the top of its range, but not anywhere close to the highest prices in the sector, sits the Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8 V6.

It packs a hefty 255ps into its smooth performing sixcylinders and delivers it to the front wheels through a precise and positive six-speed gearbox.

The combination is an intoxicating blend of liveliness and responsiveness, acceleration and ability to cruise effortlessly along the motorway for hours on end while returning a fairly economical mpg figure.

The silence and refinement of the engine is a delight only matched by the way it punches out the power upon demand. Snap through the gearbox and it keeps on pouring out the power but once you get onto the motorway it just bowls along at a fuel sipping and near silent rate of knots.

The pleasure of the powertrain is equalled by the sensitivity and sensible weight of the power steering and the precision and power of the big disc brakes. This is a driver's car without compromise with one exception. It packages a lot of comfort into the wheelbase as well The Saab can smooth out the worst roads and it's never put off course by mid-corner bumps. You may hear the suspension working away at each corner but you never have to worry about it sending you ploughing into the undergrowth.

It goes where it's pointed and stays on the road even if you lift off mid-corner when nerves break away before the car does.

The good ride and handling is helped by very generous, supportive and highly adjustable front seats and the rear bench is also surprisingly plush. It's not a hatchback and the boot is easy to load with a capacity of 425 litres. For stowing odd items the interior is also fairly accommodating front or back.

I like the simplicity and effectiveness of the climate control, the straightforward large instruments and closeness of the secondary switchgear. As an all round big car it represents a lot for the money, but as an executive it looks distinctly under valued and a remarkable bargain.

Facts and figures

Make: Saab

Model: 9-3 Aero V6 4dr

Price: pounds 29,310

Mechanical: 255ps, 2,792cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd gearbox

Max speed: 155mph

0-62mph: 6.5 secs

Combined mpg: 27.7

Insurance group: 17

CO2 emissions: 245g/km

Warranty: 3 years/ 60,000 miles, 10 years a nti-rust

CAPTION(S):

POWER - PACKED - the Saab 9-3 Aero 2.8 V6 has the ability to cruise effortlessly along the motorway for hours