2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi Preview

Not surprisingly, the 9-3 Sport Sedan is Saab's best effort to date in on-road performance, with the problem of torque steer

Saab claims that the SportCombi will achieve the same level of dynamic prowess as the sedan thanks to its super-rigid body. (Photo: General Motors)

cured, the steering's feedback enhanced, and the fitment of a firm but absorbent suspension system. Saab claims that the SportCombi will achieve the same level of dynamic prowess as the sedan thanks to its super-rigid body, rated at 21,000 nm/degree, nearly equal to that of the sedan, despite the open interior of the wagon and the brilliant Re-Axs passive rear wheel steering system.

Saab also boasts that the SportCombi has stellar aerodynamics, drag rated at 0.33 Cd. Even more impressive is that this 9-3 has zero front and rear axle lift, a claim which one would expect to hear coming from a Ferrari or Porsche press release. In any sense, these two traits should make this wagon rock-solid at high speed.

With all this technical talk, we've almost overlooked the main purpose of the SportCombi - the extra space. Because the rear quarters aren't limited by a sloping fastback,

All that you would expect from a Saab, plus the ability to carry more. (Photo: General Motors)

this junior Saab can hold up to 14.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up, and (44.95 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. Saab has also added a clever feature called TwinFloor, which can be folded up to reveal extra storage space.

Many have criticized Saab's recent changes as detrimental to the brand's values, but this can be easily proven wrong with the new SportCombi model. It has the same smarts, style, and sophistication as the 9-3 sedan, plus the ability to carry more - all without sacrificing true Saab character.