LIFE IS SWEDE
'Saab diesel' used to be a dirty phrase and a noisy car. No longer says Guy Bird. Saab is the classic thinkingman’s car brand for the man who chooses to be selective about the facts he thinks about. He might quietly know modern-day Saab 9-3s are really dressed-up Vauxhall Vectras (like Jaguar X-types are dressed-up Ford Mondeos) but most ‘thinking men’ would still rather have a Saab (or a Jaguar). That’s because the Swedish brand has values beyond the Vauxhall (or rather General Motors) platform upon which it wears its Scandinavian clothes.
Thinking men, and especially thinking dads, appreciate the sporty but safe mix Saab does so well. They like the ignition by the handbrake on the transmission tunnel so drivers won’t damage their knees on its metal parts in a crash – like they might if it was based in the conventional setting under the steering wheel.
They also like the turbo engines and supportive seats, ergonomic dash and probably the most elegant cupholders in the business – the balletic way the ring that holds your can gently springs out from the centre console from ‘vertically hidden’ to ‘horizontally proud’ is something you could spend all day repeating – even if there’s not a cup for miles around that needs holding It’s also among the elite in its class at protecting passengers in a crash. Despite the lack of its 900 predecessors’ sloping hatch the 9-3 still looks quietly stylish too. You won’t confuse it with one of its more obvious German prestige brands.
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This review from FQ MAGAZINE January/February 2005 >> more
The current 9-3 has been out for a little while now – but has lacked a decent diesel thus far. A new super clean (and thus UK company car and road tax-efficient) unit sourced from the GM parent stable (that owns Saab) rectifies this. Called the 1.9 TiD in its Saab incarnation, it is the same engine used in the revised sporty diesel Alfa 156 JTD and Vectra CDTi.
As such, it has proven gofaster diesel technology and is offered in the 9-3 with 120 and 150PS outputs.
Saab used the class-leading BMW 3- series as its ‘diesel executive car’ benchmark in planning the product and both power versions match or beat their equivalent German counterpart on price, power and tax efficiency, if not quite driving ability. Still, the six-speed manual starts up quietly, has decent gearing and acceleration, and little engine noise at motorway speeds. The car displays Saab’s comfortable mix of ride and handling, too. There is also the option of a six-speed semi-sequential auto gearbox with racing-style steering wheel-mounted button-shift gear |
changes for another £1,200. Although it’s a little noisier than the manual, it will no doubt be a welcome ease-of-use option for some drivers. Its weaker CO2 tax rating and mpg may equally put off others. Never mind that the Vectra offers the same engine in a similar shell for less money. Thinking men of this persuasion will always prefer to have a Saab instead (I know I would). Your kid will understand over time that some things in life can’t be explained, however much they ask.
Saab 9-3 1.9TiD 150 Linear Sport
Price £20,995
Engine 150PS 1.9-litre diesel
Top Speed 130mph
0-60 9.0secs
Economy 47.9mpg
>> Read More
FQ Magazine available now thoughout the country in all good independent newsagents including Tesco, WHSmith and Sainsbury's for just £3.25!
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