SAAB, THE perennial Swedish under achievers, have been hinting at a brighter future for the brand for some time, but the reality remains a two-model line-up.
Thankfully, amid the hoopla that surrounded the unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show of another concept car - this time a smart hatchback that we are told will make it into production - there is also a bit of admirable production metal for us to finally get excited about.
The 9-3 Turbo X is not going to be a big seller, nor turn the company's fortunes around. It's also not really going to challenge the powerhouse saloons, such as the Audi RS4 or BMW M3. What it does, however, is showcase General Motors' new four-wheel-drive transmission and offer a touch of performance lustre to the brand.
The issue for Saab has always been the front-wheel-drive format inherited from GM's decision to put the 9-3 on the Epsilon platform, which it shares with a host of other models, including the outgoing Opel Vectra, Cadillac BLS and Chevrolet Malibu in the US.
In simple terms, anything over 200bhp or so and all you get for your money is a frenzy of front-wheel spin.
Saab is not actually a stranger to performance saloons. In years gone by, there were some powerful Viggen versions of the 9-3 on sale, but the Turbo topped the billing in recent years, while never quite living up to the celebrity German rivals.
This new Turbo X is powered by GM's revised 2.8-litre V8, putting out 276bhp, up 21bhp on Saab's current V8 turbocharged engine. It's meaty but not quite the powerhouse some would have hoped.
Of more importance is the way it transfers its power to the road. Saab's new four-wheel-drive system can split torque to each rear wheel via a new electronic rear differential. The end result is a very impressive return from the engine to the road accompanied by fistfuls of grip. We're not the only ones impressed. General Motors has decided that the Swedish team behind this drivetrain will head up all its mid-range four-wheel-drive plans.
Where the system fails to respond is in ride quality, which remains rather firm, but not in a sporting racy way; rather, in a bumpy, rough and tumble fashion, instead.
Overall, it's good news for the Swedes, even if the Turbo X doesn't deliver the sort of finish in either performance or detailing that would pit it against the standard bearers in sport saloons.
The black bodykit is tasteful, if a little understated, but there's not the sort of enhancements one would expect inside the cockpit to make it feel a bit more special.
Perhaps what will make up for that is the number of cars coming our way. While we are not getting an actual allocation, we will be taking from the British pool of cars, which for now will be just 500 a year. So don't expect too many Turbo X sightings.
Overall, the Turbo X builds on Saab's heritage of fast 9-3s, if not quite creating the same buzz or excitement of fully-fledged sport saloons.
While it is available as both saloon and sportscombi estate, at €69,000 it's a rather expensive package and will be even more so when the new emissions-based tax changes come into effect on July 1st. The good news, however, is that the four-wheel-drive system will be on offer in the Aero versions in the near future.
Saab has demonstrated it has the ability to engineer good cars and come up with exciting ideas through its concepts. Now it needs to start delivering on its promises. The new four-wheel-drive system is impressive, but we need more for the forecourt from the Swedes.
Factfile
Engine:2792cc, V6, twin-scroll turbocharger, intercooled; 276bhp @ 5,500 rpm. 400 Nm @ 2,150-4,500rpm
Transmission:Saab XWD, all-wheel-drive. Electronic rear limited-slip differential (eLSD) 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox
Performance:0-100km/h: 5.7 secs (manual); top speed: 250 km/h (manual); fuel consumption: 10.9l/100km (official comb); CO2: 259 g/km Price: €69,000
