Aero's ready for take off.

Byline: By Edward Stephens MOTORING EDITOR

SAAB's new 9-3 Aero offers a welcome alternative to drivers who want a prestige, mid-sized, high performance saloon but don't want to opt for one of the ubiquitous German marques.

The latest 9-3 is svelte, stylish and has the bonus of having a coupe-like silhouette which adds to its sporting demeanour.

And while it is still clearly recognisable as a Saab the new look front - with its allnew bonnet, wings and bumpers - is far more dynamic, far more muscular than the model it replaces. It's a car that now looksa as if it means business.

Inside the car is characteristically Saab, with that black, aircraft-style dashboard complete with distinctive green lighting on the dials.

But while the 9-3 has changed dramatically there are still a host of features that have been kept to ensure that some of the characteristics of a Saab have been retained for purists.

You still turn on the ignition by putting the key into the slot by the gearlever rather than on the steering column and Saab's night panel feature has been retained - allowing the driver to switch off all the dials except the speedometer - including the illumination to them - at the push of just one button.

Sporting leather seats offer supportive comfort and hold you firmly in place on fast corners. They also come with two stage heating as befits a vehicle made in a country where the weather can get far colder than here.

The Aero is the high performance version of the new range and comes with an allaluminium, 2.8-litre turbocharged engine under the bonnet boasting some 280 bhp.

And while this car is very civilised car under normal driving conditions it does have the ability to shock when you put your foot down hard and watch the turbo dial on the dashboard shoot rapidly up the scale.

Normally by the time it reaches the red section you are not watching it as your progress is too rapid to take your eyes off the road.

The Saab Aero is not a car you take liberties with. It will hit 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds and go on to a maximum speed of 155 mph.

A close ratio six speed gearbox comes as standard on the Aero and makes it a very flexible, relaxed car for normal everyday driving.

A firm suspension set up gives good road holding and ride although with four-up I unexpectedly found the car a bit twitchy at speed at times.

The Aero comes with a host of features as standard including cruise control, air conditioning and seats with memory settings for three drivers.

And when it comes to luggage space there is a cavernous boot holding some 425 litres of luggage.

This is a spacious, curvy, executive car that will appeal as much to a family man as a business man with its nice up-market feel, plenty of space and brilliantly sporing drive.

Fast Facts

Saab 9-3 Aero

Price: pound 28675

Mechanical: 210bhp, 2,792cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox.

Max speed: 155mph

0-60mph: 6.5 secs

Combined mpg: 27.7

Insurance group: 17

CO2 emissions: 245g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 10yrs anti-rust