Top-down gets thumbs up

The new Saab 9-3 range features bold, assertive looks, reflecting a series of powertrain improvements that include the introduction of a more powerful engine compared to the previous model. And, yes! The engine "improvement" is a blast!

I was totally not expecting a Scandinavian blast when I took delivery of the new Saab 9-3 (pronounced, simply, nine-three) and I was really surprised by the urbo-charged beast they gave me.

The Saab 9-3 Convertible I drove is the product of more than two decades of experience in designing four-seater, four-season soft tops that are as practical as they are stylish, but nothing in the literature had prepared me for a car that literally breaks traction in any gear with a wild
pounce forward!

This is a lion in antelope's clothing!

Yet, not quite. I think I had not looked carefully enough before getting in and stomping down my right foot.

So I got back out and went around looking for clues… the Aero X concept car is supposed to reinforce the Saab's sporty appeal, with the new 9-3 model range being visually distinguished by all-new bodywork forward of the A-pillar, with new bumper mouldings and light assemblies front and rear, but, quite frankly, it didn't do it for me.

The front look is pleasant and crisp lines nicely set the front grille, but it surely did not give me any visual cues of the beast it can become! The rear design I also liked a lot, in particular the dark boxing off of the tail-lights, as well as the overall wedge shape, but again it is what street racers call "a sleeper" – a car that does not immediately catch your eye, but then surprises you with performance.

Still, I'm making a big deal of nothing just because it surprised me – the Saab 9-3 has a civilised look, one that doesn't flaunt the performance potential, and there's nothing wrong with not wanting a bright fire engine red speed bump scraper to signal to all that you have a supposedly high-performing car; the Saab 9-3 is not interested in showing off - it doesn't have to. And let's not forget this is a convertible!

Saab has been making convertibles for more than 22 years and the 9-3 convertible's soft-top and tonneau mechanism features three innovations: CargoSET (Self-Expanding Trunk) automatic storage well retraction, a two-step tonneau action for quicker deployment and a light-coloured interior headlining. It is undoubtedly one of the car's most impressive features.

For its latest Convertible, Saab specified a completely automatic, ‘state of the art', soft-top operation, requiring no manual involvement beyond pressing a button.

The roof is hydraulically-powered, with automatic self-latching to the windshield header rail, and deploys fully in just 20 seconds with the engine running, making it among the fastest in its class.

Great attention has been given to effective sealing in order to prevent drafts, water leakage or intrusive
wind noise. A small gutter has been sewn into the side of the fabric to prevent any water droplets dripping down on to the seats when a door
is opened.

I took the car on an Al Ain-Dubai- Abu Dhabi circular run and was very impressed by the smoothness and aerodynamics.

Soft-top looks are sometimes more important than functionality in this class of car and I can report that the 9-3's soft-top has a taut and smooth appearance, more like that of a fixed roof on a coupé.

Interior looks have not been overlooked, either. With the roof up, Convertibles are often criticised for being rather gloomy or claustrophobic inside because of the usually black headlining. Saab has now addressed the issue and the 9-3 Convertible is first on the market to offer a light coloured headlining for all interiors.

Paolo Rossetti is an Al Ain-based freelance writer