During the course of the Saab media drive for the TurboX I managed to drive the car, in various permutations, for more than three hours. Quite remarkable for a day scheduled for only six hours of activity. Each drive was distinct and I’ve separated them for clarity and order.

Segment One: 35 miles (56 km) on local roads. Driving from Herb Chambers Saab, Boston Massachusetts to Osgood Place, North Andover, Massachusetts.

As we left Herb Chambers Saab, I was in the driver’s seat of a brand-new Saab TurboX Sedan equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Joe LaMuraglia of Gaywheels.com signed on as navigator, a task that he performed admirably. Adam and Joanne with the Saab corporate communications team were in the back seat.

Even with a full car and my 6′5″ frame folded into the front seat, I didn’t think that it felt cramped at all for a trip of this length. Joanne may disagree, having been behind me for the 45-50 minute outing. On the other hand, I did notice that the trunk was a bit smaller than I’d like, simply because with only two bags and a couple of briefcases aboard there wasn’t a great deal of room for more.

When you drive the TurboX with the windows down (what great weather we had), one of the things that you immediately notice is the exhaust note. It’s deep and growling without being harsh. I can’t say enough about how good the 2.8l V-6 sounds in this car. Saab is listening, folks, and I can tell you first hand that even though they sound nothing like my beloved C900, they have a distinct and different exhaust note that is uniquely Saab.

Around town with the car in “standard” automatic mode the TurboX is, of course, very drivable. As I said in a previous post, the engine has power from the moment that your foot presses on the pedal — no hesitation, no sloppy linkages. It feels as if you are directly connected to the powertrain. Passing is a breeze and the car is certainly sure-footed.

Entering the highway, I switched the automatic transmission to “manual” mode. The Saab TurboX has two little flippers mounted on the steering wheel cross member at three o’clock and nine o’clock. Using those little switches, I accelerated from the entry toll booth (at rest) all the way up to highway speeds (60 mph/96 kph) going through the gears. I was astonished to find that there is little (almost no) hesitation or “shift lag” using the automatic in manual mode. When you shift, the car changes gears, even on downshifts. If you choose, you may also shift using the gear lever on the console between the seats.

Back on the local roads, I tried the “sport” transmission mode. Joe told me that it’s “like it reads your mind”, which is a tall order given my noggin. But, as skeptical as I was, I agree with him to a degree — the transmission seems to shift crisply and quickly, and it downshifts as you slow down with your foot off the gas. Very nice.

Steering is very true, and the cross-wheel drive is probably there helping out even on the dry pavement we were driving over, but I didn’t detect anything out of the ordinary.

Segment Two: Twenty miles of mixed highway and local roads around North Andover, Massachusetts.

Having been one of the last to claim a drive from the dealership to the test location, I was stuck with the automatic transmission. As good as it is, it’s still an automatic. I selected a Saab TurboX SportCombi with the six-speed manual from the lot and off I drove on a pre-determined route around North Andover and environs. I didn’t stick to the route totally (of course) in order to take the car out onto the interstate for some higher-speed “testing” (ha!).

Guys, I’m telling you this right now: The TurboX mated to the six-speed manual is the best Saab ever. EVER. Well, from a performance standpoint, anyway.

This car is SMOOTH. The clutch pedal travel was a little far compared to my 900 and 9-5, but after I got used to it, it was OK. I’d want it adjusted for quicker, easier shifts. The transmission feels as if the only thing that you’re moving is the shifter itself. The feel is that smooth and light. Of course, the V-6 turbo is marvelously polished and feels as if it could rev all day.

As an aside, if you drive one (and I recommend that you do), remember that because it’s a six-speed, the shift pattern has sixth where reverse is on a five-speed Saab. Reverse is located up and to the left of first gear as on most cars. I stalled the car two or three times trying to back into the parking space with the shift in sixth!

Segment Three: The closed course thrash.

Again, in a manual TurboX SportCombi, I took a few spins around the course mapped out on the large, flat parking area with orange safety cones. The course was about a half mile and had five turns, one of which had been “fortified” with about an inch of sand simulating a near 100% loss of traction. Additionally, the longest straightaway was punctuated with a short three-turn slalom set at the end.

Ignoring Swade’s advice to “try to break it!!” :roll:, I drove the course aggressively, but not overly so. I know my limitations. However, I drove it hard enough that on the tight turn at the end of the course the tires were crying out in pain, but the TurboX was on track.

Following the given directions, I was amazed at the car’s stability and performance through the slalom while accelerating into the first turn. Absolutely on line, the TurboX wasn’t bothered in the least about being tossed from one side to the other — it simply powered through the cones and into the near 90 degree turn that closely followed. Impressive.

I took a spin on the course with Gunnar Heinrich at the wheel a bit later, and he drove aggressively enough to get the car to slide sideways a bit through the sand, but his recovery was immediate — it was clear that the front left had grabbed hold and started the car in the forward direction despite the lack of footing. Good stuff.

Segment Four: Return to Boston Airport from North Andover.

Mostly an uneventful trip in an automatic TurboX SportCombi. The only event of note was an impromptu brake “test” when I almost missed an exit in the spaghetti that is the Logan Airport ramp system. Let’s just say that stopping is a strength.