2005 Saab 9-2X Linear Road Test

Handling was impeccable in most situations I encountered. Due to the lack of snow on the local hills, I didn't have a chance to run

Handling was impeccable in most situations I encountered. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

the Saab around in any white fluffy stuff. But the abundance of wet, soggy surfaces, courtesy of a West Coast winter, made for some exciting rain dancing. Rarely did the 9-2X glide or skid on the slippery streets due to its set of 205/55R16 all-season radial tires on five-spoke alloy wheels.

And when the dancing had to stop, a set of masterfully-made brakes, ventilated in front with twin-piston calipers and solid disc in the rear with single-piston calipers, were there to 'brake' up the party, if you know what I mean. The power-assisted binders, with standard

Under its hood, the 9-2X has a 2.5-litre, 16-valve, SOHC H-4 (horizontally opposed) engine that produces 165 horsepower. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

four-channel, four-sensor ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), stopped the wagon immediately, whether in slippery or sunny conditions.

A snazzy set of brakes could only be of use with an even snazzier engine. And that's what the 9-2X had under the hood. Using a horizontally-opposed Boxer engine is a first for Saab. The Linear has a 2.5-litre, 16-valve, SOHC H-4 (horizontally opposed) engine that produces 165 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. But for the Saab/Subaru enthusiasts, the 2.0-litre, turbocharged DOHC version is available for the taming.