Drew’s an old-school car guy with a garage full of cars ranging from 96 V4′s to a classic 900 Turbo S. In my brief chat with him afterwards he was very complimentary about the TTiD, so it’ll be interesting to get his thoughts in print. This is one cracker of a motor, I can tell you.

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In the meantime, I just received the following via email from Kaz. Those of you who know of Kaz might remember that he’s fortunate enough to be involved in some sort of scheme that lands him a brand new Saab every six months or so. Nice work if you can get it, eh?

This time around, he’s opted for a Saab 9-3 SportCombi TTiD – and he’s a very happy camper:

Picked up the new car this morning. Haven’t had much time with it yet, but thought I’d let you know my initial thoughts.

It is a 1.9TTid Aero SportWagon, almost fully loaded with the business and convenience plus packs available in the UK.

The key thing here, though, is the engine. Now I’ve been spoilt with the V6 for quite some time now, and I was actually worried that the fewer horses in the TTid would dissappoint. How wrong was I?!?

The torque in this engine is amazing, it feels very much like the V6 to drive, albeit a teensy more gravelly with its singing voice. What is noticeable from the off is the lighter nose. It changes direction much quicker than the V6 engines cars.

The sound deadening is doing its job well. And you know what, I think, honestly, that for everyday use, this is the pick of the engines from the entire range. The V6 does sound nicer, but the TTid is more effortless, and is certainly responsive. Off the line, the V6 does have an edge, but once on the move, the TTid is definitely a match for it.

I can’t wait to finish work now so I can get back and see how the car takes to my fave bit of driving asphalt

Oh, I should mention that I went for the auto this time, and this new 6 speed auto gearbox is a gem. I’ve yet to try out the sport mode properly, or the tiptronic manual shift, but in full auto mode, it is smooth and is certainly easier to drive.

I’ll do a full review over the next few days. If the fellow Saabisti have any questions they would like answered please let them know they are free to ask and I will accommodate in the full review when I write it.

Ciao for now

Kaz

I’ll be posting Kaz’s fuller thoughts as soon as they hit my inbox. As he mentioned, if you’ve got any queries about it, please drop them in comments.

Thanks, Kaz!

–

This is fantastic news. Finally, the TTiD has arrived here in Australia. A brilliant engine, great kit, and pretty well priced, too. This should definitely be popular.

Here’s the press release from Saab Australia:

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New Aero Saab the Torque of the Town

The first diesel Saab to earn the coveted Aero title is now on sale in Australia.

Super efficient and powerful, the 9-3 Aero TTiD boasts a unique two-stage turbocharging system, which was a world ‘first’ in the premium car segment.

Matched to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, the 1.9-litre, 16-valve two-stage turbo engine puts the performance and efficiency of the Aero TTiD among the best in its class.

The responsible performer delivers a sporty drive with 132 kW and 400 Nm of maximum torque, in gear performance similar to the 9-3 petrol Aero and a frugal combined 5.7 litres per 100km for the manual Sport Sedan model.1

The Saab TTiD engine meets a growing demand from drivers unwilling to sacrifice performance in the interests of fuel economy. With power characteristics typical of a much larger engine, it is an example of Saab’s commitment to ‘right-sizing’, the achievement of ‘big’ engine performance without the usual drawbacks, such as extra weight, bulk and higher fuel consumption.

Pricing

Saab 9-3 Aero TTiD is competitively priced in the premium segment, with recommended retail price excluding dealer delivery and government charges as follows:

Aero TTiD – Power/Torque – RRP – Fuel consumption (Combined)

Sport Sedan manual – 132kW/400Nm – $62,600 – 5.7l/100km

Sport Sedan auto – 132kW/370Nm – $65,100 – 6.8l/100km

SportCombi manual – 132kW/400Nm – $65,100 – 5.8l/100km

SportCombi auto – 132kW/370Nm – $67,600 – 6.9l/100km

Two-stage turbocharging

The two-stage turbocharger housing is integrated with the exhaust manifold and contains two turbochargers of different sizes. The pair of turbine/compressor wheels are sequentially mounted and each is able to by-pass the input and output feeds of the other, while also being able to operate in tandem.

This arrangement provides a driver with the best of both worlds – good, instant torque at low engine speeds – via the low-inertia small turbo when the exhaust pressure is light – and strong ‘top end’ power at higher revolutions, when the larger turbo is engaged.

1 Performance and economy figures based on ECE/ ADR 81/01 regulations
Saab’s two-stage turbocharging uses a system of by-pass valves that directs the exhaust gas stream between the two turbine wheels and also separates the air intake charge from the compressors.

From tick-over to 1,500 rpm the exhaust feeds only the small turbo. Between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm the flow is split between both turbines, giving stronger boost and ensuring a smooth transition phase to full power operation, above 3,000 rpm, when only the larger turbo is engaged.

The compact design provides more efficient packaging than systems using two separate turbochargers linked together externally in series. It ensures that the complex control and regulation of gas flows on both the exhaust turbine and intake compressor sides is achieved with a minimal number of seals and connections.

TTiD engine

The TTiD engine is a substantial development of the current 16-valve 1.9TiD unit, using common rail, direct and multiple fuel injection. It operates with a maximum boost pressure of 1.8 bar (1.4 bar for the current engine) together with a slightly lower compression ratio of 16.5: 1 (17.5:1). The cast-iron block, alloy cylinder head and all internal components are strengthened as necessary to withstand the higher thermal pressures.

The exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) system is characterized by extremely efficient cooling and now includes an electronically controlled by-pass, and a low-maintenance exhaust particulate filter for improved emissions.

Other technical enhancements include the adoption of a larger air-to-air intercooler, for better cooling of the intake charge; the introduction of more efficient pre-heating elements inside the cylinder head, for faster starting in cold conditions; and the use of a weight saving plastic intake manifold.

They do things a little different. They had a full AWD range when everyone else had it as an option. They offered turbos long before many others. They use a range of boxer engines, including a new boxer diesel. Somehow they managed to make ugly wagons quite fashionable and they tend to emphasise the practical over the aesthetic. They forged a large part of their success on rally racing.

Does all that innovation, difference and motorsport success sound familiar?

I’m not of the view that Subaru are the new Saab. They’re definitely slightly different from the mainstream, but still fit into the mainstream segment in my eyes. Saab are still different enough to be the real Saab, but they’re definitely closer to the mainstream than what they were.

How close these companies are might be reflected in this recent road test at Auto Express. They run a Saab 9-3 TTiD SportCombi against a Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer, the new one with the diesel boxer engine.

Just the fact that they’re pitting these two against each other is a possible indication that the landscape is changing.

I’ll leave you to read the comparison and the verdict, but in summary the Saab carries the day thanks to a very strong TTiD engine, a better quality interior and better overall driving characteristics.

What’s more interesting to me is that this seems to be where much of Saab’s competition is nowadays. I know Saab consider their competition to be the premium Europeans like Audi and BMW, but the reality right now seems to be different. Entry luxury marques from Europe and Japan seem to be where most of Saab’s comparisons lay nowadays.

Perhaps that’ll change with the new 9-5, but until then…

Do I sound anxious?

That means that I’m going to be getting up at 4am in order to pump myself full of caffeine in time for the 4.30am release (Aussie time). It’d be a lot easier if I were over there. Or if the pictures arrived early, but Saab seem quite confident they’ve for the internet monster under control this time.

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Those of you who can understand Saab’s mother-tongue may be interesting in a video review recently posted over at Tekniken’s Varld. They place the Saab 9-3 TTiD up against an Opel Vectra diesel and a Jaguar diesel for comparison.

Bengt P sent me the link and tells me the Saab won the day, though I have no way to tell. All I can do is watch the pretty pictures.

Must learn Swedish……

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Speaking of the TTiD, as mentioned here previously, Robin M from the UK has one for eight weeks and his task is to accumulate as many test drives as possible in that time. He tells me he’s right on schedule at this point – and his schedule involves a lot more test drives than what Saab had planned

I’m sure we’ll get more images in good time, and a review, but here’s an image to kick things off:

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I’m not sure what’s going on at Saab France at the moment, but there’s a massive press release that appears to have something to do with……..something.

Whatever it is, the image they’re posting with it is stunning, and wallpaper worthy. So click to enlarge and get your own 1920 x 1280 widescreen wallpaper that you can resize to your own needs.

This has been added to the collection of Saab Wallpapers here at TS.

And if you can figure out what the heck these French guys are up to, then please let me know. Looks like a show of some sort, but there’s so much information there I can’t really tell.

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Socialites from Montreal have a chance to win a 36 month lease of a Saab 9-3.

Wednesday, April 2. Eighth annual Miriam Foundation raffle, 8 p.m. at Le Windsor, 1170 Peel St. Draw, chaired by J.C. Gravel, unfolds during the final night of the foundation’s Texas hold ‘em tournament. Prizes include $25,000 cash or a 36-month lease of a 2008 Saab 9-3 Sedan, Pontiac Solstice Base or Cadillac CTS, home entertainment equipment (valued at $7,500), a $5,000 shopping spree at Lou Goldberg Jewellers. Visit www.themiriamfoundation.ca

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Richard Branson has put his biofuel money where his mouth is, sort of.

The Saab BioPower driver has just sent a Virgin plane on a flight from Amsterdam to London running partly on biofuel. When he received his Saab 9-5 BioPower, Branson stated that he was going to invest in biofuels and this seems to be the first step down that path.

Only one of the plane’s four engines ran on 20% jungle juice and had a separate tank built in specifically for the purpose. The flight carried crew only, no passengers, but apparently went off without a hitch.

The fuel was made from a mix of coconut oil and babassu palms. Enviro-spokesmodels claimed he’d rape the earth, but Branson stated that they’d look more towards algae for fuel cultivation in the future.

It’s a small step, but a step nonetheless and that’s exactly how many of these things develop – in small steps.

Of course, none of this has much to do with cars at this point, but just wait….

A panel of outside experts advising federal regulators about available technologies for improving fuel economy will include light-duty diesel engines in its final report.

In an interim report made public today, the panel said developments in emission controls indicate that modern diesels will be able to comply with U.S. clean-air regulations.

This will be an interesting report, and the US manufacturers will be right up against it if the report talks favourably about light duty diesels, which that paragraph indicates it might. GM have diesels in their medium duty vehicles (read as light commercial vehicles) but have so far resisted all calls for diesels in passenger cars in the US. They cite the added cost of the engine as well as higher fuel costs in the US.

In fact, they’ve written a whole article about it at GM Next, almost as if they knew this report was on it’s way.

There’s a lot of diesels coming into the US in the next few years from a number of Euro and even Japanese manufacturers. If increased demand for good quality diesel fuel leads to suppliers meeting the market and reading the trend for more, then GM’s going to look a little silly.

Actually, they already do. The US market is going to love the modern diesel when it gets hold of it. Guaranteed. The issues of price and supply are short-to-mid-term at most.

I started this blog in February 2005 and I’ve been carrying on about diesels here since around March 2005. Given their new Euro-focus, Saturn now offer GM a viable reason to invest in 50-state compliance for 1.9 diesel, botht the TiD and TTiD versions.

I’ll await that report with interest and in the meantime, the diesels will keep coming.

Today we have another TTiD story, this time from Miaik in Germany. I’m telling you, this is a grrrreat engine.

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First of all, I’m rather new to Saab, but I must say it was love at first sight.

Long story short, my wife and I went to see an apartment and just across the street there was a Saab dealer. At the time we were also looking for a car, and after seeing (and being disappointed by) the new Mondeo and a Honda Accord, and being incredibly annoyed by the people from Audi, I thought it would be a good idea to just take a look at some nice cars. So we entered the place.

I was instantly conquered by the SportCombi 9-3 (a 2007 model was on display). I know it’s not the traditional Saab design (been observing the cars for quite some time now), but I find it very appealing. The icing on the cake was the dealer himself, who was so refreshingly different from the rather obnoxious Audi lady. This took place in Germany, so I really appreciated the availability and openness to talk to us even though my German is really lousy, and this isn’t exactly frowned upon, but Germans prefer to do business in German not in English.

I signed for a 2008 9-3 with the brand new TTiD engine. It took a little longer to have it delivered (about 4 months actually). But in the mean time I drove a convertible 9-3, with a petrol engine, so I can’t complain about that.

Finally the car came and when I first saw it I was almost left breathless. The front is awesome and the back is one of the sexiest out there. I was a little fretful about the diesel engine (had some not so pleasant experiences with diesel X3 BMW). But from the first moment the pleasure of driving was better than with any other car.

The engine’s very powerful, everybody knows that much. Thanks to its incredible torque it is also very elastic. On the highway the sixth gear can be used anywhere between 90 Km/h and 230 Km/h. The advantage is obvious, I made a 500 Km trip with just an idea more than a half tank (the car computer calculated a 6,6 l/100 Km). Ok, the speed was not 200 but still somewhere between 160 and 180. I estimate an average autonomy of around 900 km. Which is exactly the same as a Renault Clio (with a 70 HP diesel engine), only that the Saab is twice as heavy and more than twice as powerful.

I did not notice the infamous “turbo lag” though I must admit I may not be the most appropriate person to judge that. The engine responds almost instantly (as fast as any other car I drove before) and with a lot of force. Maybe in the city the lag is noticeable (yet barely perceptible), but then again, I only had the chance to try it twice or three times. Usually you just don’t have enough space to rev it.

Yes, we all read a number of reviews saying the Saab’s steering is not as precise as a BMW’s but I think this is just rubbish. Yes, it does not feel as nervous as a BMW, yet it’s precise and very easy to handle. It feels like the whole car it’s somehow buffered so that your driving experience is more refined.

I perceived the X3 as a beast I needed to tame, while the Saab cooperates with me like a natural extension of my body. All the maneuvers get a great fluidity, like the car knows what you’re about to do just half a second before you. I prefer this to the surgical precision of some other “fancy” cars. After all I’m not a surgeon and even if I was, surgery belongs in the OR.

Of course, if you really want it, you can drive it aggressively and it will feel aggressive (understandable with 400 Nm @ 1700 rpm).

Usually I experience back pains in the car, right after the first hour. Is not the case of 9-3. Both front seats are very comfortable, giving no discomfort after 6 hrs.

We got our Aero with the nav system and it also came with the Bose Surround Audio system which delivers a great sound.

There are still many things I have to discover about this car so I’ll stop here.

The conclusion is that every time I see a BMW or Audi (together are 80% of the cars in Munich) I’m even happier I bought a Saab. I feel good in my car, I feel good when I see one on the street and that matters.

Of course now we want a convertible as well!

Jay Spenchian should really be pushing for GM to test the diesel-waters in the US for the 9-3 Sport Sedan, Sport Combi and Convertible. We’re right at the beginning of a new dawn for diesel and Saab is well positioned to take advantage.

Trollhattan Saab – Sept 2005:

I mentioned here the other day that Bob Lutz doesn’t think diesels are a certainty for the US, though I’m pretty certain that Saab’s competition will be introducing them when the legislation makes the commercial environment better suited. A failure on GM’s part to get this right will lead to a huge loss of marketshare. There’s been enough comments here and elsewhere to make this decision an apparent no-brainer. The old adage that American customers wouldn’t accept them because they’re scarred by bad memories of diesels is rightly squished by The AutoProphet when he says that “the myth would be dispelled the moment that modern diesel engine cars from Europe [were] demonstrated here.”

Edmunds – January 2006:

While diesel clearly isn’t the answer to everyone’s prayers, the U.S. market is unquestionably missing out on the modern diesel phenomenon. Bountiful torque, excellent refinement and a huge range are qualities well suited to the American highway. It is surely time to put away the prejudices of the 1970s and embrace the modern diesel engine.

SaabUSA – May 2006:

Before we make a strong – and expensive – push to make Saab diesels compliant with US regulations and bring it over here, we have to make sure that it is worth the effort for the relatively small brand that we are.

Currently, we are not convinced that such is the case.

Trollhattan Saab – April 2007:

I kept writing about this ad infinitum until I got a chance to discuss it with Saab USA. At that time I was told that the 1.9 diesel used in Europe wasn’t compliant with US emissions laws, and it’d be too expensive to undergo the compliance tests for Saab anyway. They didn’t see a big market for diesel at the time due to the higher cost of the fuel there and the added cost of manufacture. They were, however, open to reassessment in all of this.

Fast forward to today’s story, and we learn that this very same 1.9 litre diesel engine might be making a US debut in the Astra for Saturn. The only obstacle that’s mentioned in the article is the additional $1,000 or so that the oilburner would add to the price of the Astra. No mention is made of compliance.

Autoblog – May 2006:

Autoblog reported yesterday that diesel’s accounted for 22% of Volkswagen’s US sales in the first four months of 2006.

Trollhattan Saab – May 2006:

if Saab don’t prepare for the new US regulations on diesel and get these highly successful and well regarded cars to the US market – then they’ve got rocks in their heads.

Bob Lutz – September 2007

We have the gravest of doubts that diesels are the solution.

International Herald Tribune – January 2008

Oil prices rose above the symbolic level of $100 a barrel for the first time on Wednesday, a long-awaited milestone in an era of rapidly escalating energy demand.

Autoweek – January 2008:

BMW will begin selling two new performance-oriented diesel models in North America in 2008–the 335d sedan and X5 3.0sd SUV.

Both vehicles run a specially adapted version of BMW’s existing 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder common rail diesel engine. The diesel is fitted with an oxidation catalyst, particulate filter and a system to reduce nitric oxide outpt, which allows the powertrain to be sold in all 50 states.

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Add to this the diesels to be offered by VW, Audi and Mercedes Benz in 2008 and you can see who read the wind.

Fortune favours the brave. These companies will reap the rewards for being early diesel adopters in the US. AutoProphet was right – the myth (of Americans fearing diesels due to bad memories) would be dispelled the moment that modern diesel engine cars from Europe [were] demonstrated here.

The Saab TTiD is a brilliant engine and should be sold in the US. I’d defy any US driver to have a crack at it and not enjoy it.

There’s some details there about how the technology works, technical specs, a video from Knut Simonsson on “pure power” and as always, some great Saab imagery.

It’s a pretty brief affair but if you’re hanging out for a TTiD then it’ll keep you occupied for a little while. There’s nothing like driving one, though.

100 Nm of torque per cylinder. It’s an experience.

Thanks Jamie!

The Saab 9-3 has to be good. It supports the Saab brand at the moment, with around 70% of worldwide sales coming from its three body styles – Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible. From my previous experience in Sweden I was convinced that the 2008 version was better, much better, than the 2007 model it replaces. But five months later on a cold spring morning in Melbourne it dawned on me that this drive day would be a much more sober experience than the whirlwind that was a press day in Sweden.

Would the car live up to my own expectations and memories?

I’m pleased to say that it definitely did in most respects, though there was still one important area where I was left wanting.

Click on any of the photos to enlarge.

Styling

People will flat-out know what’s about to happen…..

I love the new look of the Saab 9-3. I think it’s much more distinctive and adds a touch of purpose, almost to the point of aggression, that the 9-3 was missing. Whilst I enjoyed the stance of the previous model, the front was just beginning to date in my eyes and I think this more deliberate front end will stand up to the two or three years it has to serve quite well.

Some have been critical of the new door handles and the removal of the rubbing strips, but I’m not personally fussed by either of them. The door handles are a matter of no importance to me personally, providing they’re still as strong as the previous ones, which were part of the safety makeup of the car. I don’t know if that’s the case so I can’t comment on that. I do have a more considered opinion on the removal of the rubbing strips, however, and from a visual point of view I think it looks a lot better.

The new tail lamps are always going to be a matter of personal opinion. I think they look better with some colors than with others (and great on black convertibles!), but over all I feel quite sure that like the 9-5 as a whole, this element of the re-design will definitely grow on me. All the best Saab designs have taken some time to mature and be accepted, and I have a feeling that it’ll be the same with the bolder elements of the 2008 Saab 9-3.

Interior

Getting back into the Saab 9-3 was like coming back to a favourite holiday destination. I can’t say it was like coming home because I don’t own one, but I’m definitely happy to visit at every opportunity.

I’ll still count myself as one who favours the button dashboard that was used on the pre-2007 models. That said, I’ve grown accustomed to the new controls and there’s little argument that just about every feature of the car is easier to access and operate now. It just won’t look anywhere near as good at night

The seats are Saab seats, so there’s no reason for complaint there. Both vehicles that I drove during the test drive – a TiD and a 2.0T – had leather interiors. One in black and the other in parchment. I’m particularly fond of the black seats, though there’s still something missing from the 9-3 interior, and that’s my major bug with the car.

I love the layout of the 9-3. The driving position is great and I’d even get accustomed to the non-button dash without too many issues. But to me the interior is one of the most important parts of the car as it’s where the driver spends the vast majority of his/her time.

I had the distinct displeasure of driving a Toyota Camry shortly after my return home. The Saab 9-3 interior materials are definitely a step up from those used in the Camry and the design is light years ahead. But to properly measure where the 9-3 is at I went and checked out our local BMW Autohaus today. Whilst I still much prefer the cockpit layout of the 9-3 over the BMW 3-series, I can’t help but give the 3-series the nod because of two crucial things: quality and variety.

On quality: The Saab 9-3 dash materials are better than the Camry but not as good as the BMW. The sad part for me is that they’re closer to the Camry end of that scale. This is an issue that has to change. On variety: BMW offer around seven different textile finishes with a number of trim finishes as well, from 2 aluminium finishes to a number of timber finishes. Saab offer parchment or black for the seats and the dash is all black all the time.

Minimalist? Yes. As interesting as it could be? No.

I’d be quite satisfied if I’d spent my $43K on a Linear Sport version, but if I’d splashed out around $70K for an Aero then I’d definitely be looking for something different and better. The Saab tops both of them in terms of layout and design. It performs all the functions that the BMW performs plus more. The value for money is outstanding compared to other European cars.

It just doesn’t make you feel quite as special as it should. If I purchased a Saab 9-3 I’d move heaven and earth to get my mits on one of those Hirsch carbon leather dash kits to add some class to the inside.

Layout – top marks. Materials – C’mon!!!!!!

The TiD

Modern diesels are a wonderful thing and it’s no surprise that Saab Australia’s 15%-plus rise in sales this year has coincided with the introduction of the diesel powerplant in the 9-3 model range.

The SportCombi that I drove for two out of the three legs of the drive was a TiD, using the 1.9 litre common rail four cylinder diesel unit that’s been available here for most of the year. It was coupled with Saab’s six-speed sentronic transmission, which in 2008 has the added bonus of a sport mode button. I found it a little odd that the button was mounted on the dashboard, but it’s still a welcome addition.

The diesel runs as smooth as I remembered from my first drive back in January. The addition of the sport mode does give it a tad more aggression, however, and it’s a great little performer. The low-end torque is just amazing and the car seems like it’ll pull forever. The diesel runs quiet and the only real difference you notice from inside the car is that it doesn’t rev quite as high as it’s gasoline powered counterpart. Outside, you’ll still hear the clickety-clack of the engine, but the quiet package has worked some wonders and from the inside, it’s all …. quiet.

This convertible has nothing to do with this review. I didn’t drive it. But it looks so good in white I just had to show it.

The 2.0T

This was the engine I was dying to drive, and it was the only one with which I had no prior experience. Given that this is the base engine in the US, and the old Aero engine, I was hanging out to give it a whirl.

And it didn’t disappoint.

The 2.0T is consistently rated by members of the automotive press as the most suitable unit for the 9-3. It has that Saab 4-cylinder character to it and once it spools up – minimal delays apply – it really is a lot of fun.

I noticed the sport mode a lot more with this engine than what I did with the TiD. There’s a marked difference in the character of the engine. Sport mode with the 2.0T really is for some aggressive driving. We carved through some of the curves outside Healesville and it really was a joy to see this modern Saab acting like older Saabs I’ve driven over the years.

Will it understeer? Yes, if it’s pushed. But have some fun around the twisties and stay within your limitations (the car’s limits are likely to be much higher than yours) and this car will reward you again and again.

And did I mention that the 2.0T that I drove was a SportCombi as well? This body has really been well designed and the only thing that lets you know you’re driving a Combi rather than a sedan is the amount of stuff you can pile into the back.

Sport mode in the 2.0T really is for attacking the road. I left it on as we cruised through Melbourne’s peak hour traffic (albeit we were headed inbound rather than outbound) and found it searching for the right gear from time to time. Perhaps the electronic wizards underneath needed a little time to learn my footwork? Cruising traffic in normal mode, as I did later in the trip, was a bit more relaxing.

conclusion

Every change they’ve made to the 2008 Saab 9-3 has proven to be worthwhile. The car looks better, it rides better and over all, it’s a better car for the money – as new models should be.

The added insulation – that’s the quiet package to you Americans – is a welcome trickle-down from Cadillac (thanks for something). Whilst it wasn’t as quiet as I remember from driving on some of Sweden’s billiard-table-smooth roads, it made for a very relaxing environment.

The one thing they didn’t touch much, the interior, still leaves me wanting in terms of materials, but it makes up for this in terms of design, equipment and functionality.

The one thing you have to do is go and drive the 2008 Saab 9-3 for yourself. I find it a more rewarding experience every time I do.

If I had my act together and was more experienced at this sort of stuff, this is the sort of thing I’d have liked to do whilst at the Diesel and BioPower launch last January in Brisbane.

A good presentation.

My memories of that day and the favourable impression made by the new diesel models are still quite vivid.