Incremental fixes and modifications mean that I’d been without the Turbo X for the past few weeks again, I collected it last Friday to take it over to the Wings n Wheels gathering. It was only a 100 mile round trip from where I live, but enough to give it a good run with a mix of fast B roads and the excellent A46 straight in to Newark.

Not having had a real chance to road test the Saab, it surprised me with it’s smoothness and reassuring composure, even at higher speeds, the X has plenty of reserve to overtake with ease. The active XWD system gives endless confidence and really does turn the 9-3 in to an exceptionally capable car, whilst the upgraded Bilstein B12 shocks and Hirsch springs have helped give it the perfect stance and really enhance the optional 19” alloys.

I’ve been wondering whether to add a sport cat downpipe and maybe a centre box delete, but for now, I’m quite happy with the stock system; it leaves the V6 growl a little quieter than I’d prefer, but also keeps it very refined and easy to live with on longer journeys.

I’ve got a couple more snags to get sorted and a strut brace to add, but after that, I’m looking forward to enjoying this one for a while, I didn’t want to fall for it after all the problems it’s given us, but it has a huge personality and really does honour the iconic 900 Turbo, just with a little more refinement.