Germany versus Sweden

Paul Talbot referees a close game between the latest style players from Saab and VW.

The football excitement may have died down for a while, but national matches never lose their interest – in the case of this month's review, Sweden versus Germany.
We were loaned two models, a new Golf GT TDi and the Saab 9-3 Turbo and we thought they would be worth testing side by side.
Taking the Saab first, there are four models to choose from: the Linear, Arc, Vector and Aero. Our test car was in Arc trim and its four-door saloon layout has an appealing and almost aggressive nose with chrome grille and deep bumper beneath.
A mid-shoulder crease adds to the appeal of the car and the 6.5 x 16ins spoked alloys on our test car looked good set against the graphite green metallic paintwork.
The bootlid appears to cut into the rear bumper giving that all-important low loading point and a small drop on to the boot floor plan. On the roof of the car, a small, stubby and very discrete aerial has been introduced into the design towards the back. Saab proudly point out that more than one in eight of all Saab 9-3 Sport saloons produced since late 2002 have been bought in the UK and we can see why as the design and build quality is extremely good. It's a big car at 4635mm long and
1762mm wide but doesn't feel it.
Interior
Inside the car the driving environment is absolutely top notch.
The heated leather seats were very comfortable and the contours held us securely. The seats themselves were very firm, a growing trend with most cars and the driver's seat was electrically adjustable for height and reach. The steering column was also adjustable helping us get the optimum driving position.
The passenger seat was only manually adjustable and passengers reported uncomfortable head restraints, but, other than this, nothing else to report.
A quirk with the Saab is the location of the ignition. It's on the transmission tunnel and took a day or so to get used to (and out of the habit afterwards!) and the dash layout is good.
Our car featured cruise control, invaluable on motorways, and individual climate control enabling driver and passenger to set their preferred heating level, but we were disappointed at the ventilation controls which were manoeuvrable using ball-style
controls which looked cheap and out of place in a car of this specification. The CD/radio combination unit with steering wheel mounted controls for safe operation was easy to use but we'd quibble about the sound quality of the audio. It's absolutely trounced by the equipment in the Golf, which is a shame because the car is a fine package only to let down by it.
Mobile phone users, however, will be pleased to learn that the car is blue tooth enabled and can also be operated by the steering wheel.
Inset into the dash is a multi-function display which forms part of the standard fit Saab car computer and informs occupants of useful information such as distance to next destination, time, CD track and estimated time of arrival. Three rear seat passengers commented on the amount of roof they had, which is good news and a vast array of airbags would keep them all safe in the event of the unthinkable.
The boot space we've already referred to has a low loading lip and is not too far from ground level for loading those awkward objects some of us need to carry. The added practicality of folding rear seats means that carrying lots of equipment isn't necessarily a problem, which is commendable, and a loadspace of 425 cubic metres is clearly only the start of it.
On the road
We covered towards 200 miles during the period we had the car and we loved every minute of it. Its two litre engine coupled with turbocharger fed the power to the wheels with ease and we really liked the cathedral-quiet ambience it had over the fast roads we drove on. Our regular test route takes us up a long slow hill of a dual carriageway and before we knew it, the engine's power and considerable torque had helped the car soar to the legal limit. Had we not noticed, a prosecution for speeding may well have followed as the car can reach an impressive 137mph (where permitted).
The car is clearly at home on the motorway and would make an excellent business tool, taking no time at all to get from place to place in luxurious comfort. The driving position is excellent, the gearbox is smooth and the handling is good, if a little stodgy. Rearward visibility for shorter drivers, however, could be improved and, as we've suggested previously, parking sensors would help and definitely be added in the event of a purchase on a very well equipped car as a result of the amount of standard equipment it already has. Standard Specification (Arc)

• Light alloy wheel 10-spoke 16x6.5

• Body-coloured door mirrors

• Integral front fog lamps

• Traction control system (TCS)

• Leather seat upholstery

• Leather steering wheel

• Electrically operated/heated door mirrors

• Audio remote control on steering wheel

• Anti-theft alarm inc. Immobiliser (ATA 3)

• Cornering Brake Control & ABS

• Cruise control

• Driver's airbag

• EBD Electronic Brake-force Distribution

• Front seat side airbags

• High level brake light

• Passenger's airbag, front

• Rear head restraints (x3)

• Remote central locking with dead lock

• Roof rail airbag

Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR 2), front
Technical Information
Max power output 129 at 5500 rpm
Max torque 265 at 2500
Max speed 137 mph
0-60 time 9.2 seconds
Kerb weight: 1,440 – 1,590
Fuel consumption
Urban 21.4
Extra Urban 39.8
Combined 30.4

The other car featured in this test is the Golf GT TDi 2.0, the fifth evolution of the Golf, which dates back to 1974 and is considered to have started the“hot hatch” market. This latest model is larger again than its predecessor by 57mm in length, 24mm wider and 39mm higher and an additional 67mm in wheelbase with an overall length of 4204 mm and width of 1759 mm. The new car is available in four trim levels, the base model S, the SE and GT which is also available as an FSI-powered unit or a turbo-diesel model. The car features larger headlamps and follows the current fashion for individual lamps set in a sealed unit and sites foglamps beneath the bumper either side of the air intake. As with other VW models, the indicator repeater lenses are now part of the door mirror and a small rooftop spoiler adds sporty appeal and aids the aerodynamics. Alloy wheels on this sports model are standard fit and add that bit extra to the overall look of the car.
At the back of the car, larger lense clusters are present and are less attractive than the previous models. That said, the use of the VW emblem to open and close the rear door is great and gives an uncluttered appearance to the back of the car. Our test car was the GT model and this isnʼt made clear – a good idea which probably helps to avoid the boy racer element when using the car.
Access to the car from either a wheelchair or scooter is easy and getting behind the wheel couldn't be simpler. As with the Saab, the steering column is adjustable for reach and rake and a ratchet system raises or lowers the seat. Added to this is a
lumbar support which, unfortunately, seemed rather ineffective, but is no worse than our regular car, also a VW group product. Once you've negotiated the thick side bolsters which are fitted to the GT, the car is really comfortable and during
enthusiastic cornering, really do anchor you to the car. It's not all good news however, as some of you may find difficulty with the bolsters; transferring from a wheelchair can be made a little difficult as they're rather firm but, after all, the car is a performance diesel and sports seats should be expected. The three-spoke sports-style steering wheel was a delight to use and all the switches had an air of typical German robustness
about them. Individual “2Zone” climate control is useful and, as we've said previously about other VW products, those blue dials when lit at night are just fabulous. Also, needless to say the stereo system was excellent and very easy to use; a simple
layout with large buttons made the adjustments easy to adjust to our liking.
The cabin plastics were of good quality and a smart metal strip ran across the cockpit area breaking up the black plastic which we felt was a nice touch.
The car was able to carry four passengers in comfort and only when the engine was idling did anyone notice it was a diesel. Turning towards the back of the car, the boot space provides 350 litres of space, which is more than enough for the average size wheelchair or collapsible scooter and relatively easy access is also provided with no nasty high sill to lift your cargo over as it's only 2066 mm from the ground.
During the loan period, we took a little while to get used to the driving position and shortly after the first day, felt comfortable.
From then on, we found that we'd make any excuse possible to use the car, just to have another ride in it – it's that good. The diesel engine produces armfuls of torque propelling the car to the legal limit in a similar way to the Saab but with a fundamental difference; the car is fitted with the direct shift gearbox, VW's new toy and it's absolutely brilliant. It works in the same way as a conventional automatic but is able
to provide a genuine alternative to a manual gearbox as it has the facility to change gear faster and more smoothly than a conventional automatic while not developing a passion for the black stuff. As we've never used anything else but automatics, we can confidently say it's the best box yet.
On the same test route we found out that the Golf is very similar to the Saab in that it's quick and so is the capability to lose your licence. A top speed of 125 mph is achievable but as usual, not in the UK. The car raced through the gears with palpable
efficiency and was at the legal limit before we knew it, performing in such a way that it was quite a shock to find that 70 mph had arrived so quickly.
On the twisty part of our route, the car's chassis performed with a degree of predictability and surefootedness that the Golf is renowned for. We like that.
Standard Specification

12-year body protection warranty

3-year/60,000 miles warranty (whichever is soonest)

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist)

Body-coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators

Curtain airbag system, for front and rear passengers

Driver's and front passenger's airbags with passenger's airbag
deactivation switch

Dust and pollen filter

Easy entry sliding seats (for access to rear seats - 3 door only)

Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors

Electronic engine immobiliser

ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) including EDL (Electronic Differential Lock)

Four-spoke steering wheel

Front passenger airbag deactivation switch

Front seat side impact airbags

Halogen clear headlights

Height and reach adjustable steering wheel

Instrument lighting, blue adjustable panel illumination

LongLife Servicing

Power-assisted steering, speed-sensitive

Remote central locking with 2 remote folding keys

Remote interior fuel flap opener

Technical Information
Max power output 140 at 4000 rpm
Max torque 236 at 1750 – 2500
Max speed 125 mph
0-60 time 9.3 seconds
Kerb weight: 1486
Fuel consumption
Urban 35.3
Extra Urban 56.5
Combined 46.3

You can contact Saab on 0845 300 9395 or at www.saab.co.uk.
Volkwsagen can be contacted at www.volkswagen.co.uk or by ringing them on 0800 333 666.
The Disabled Drivers' Motor Club wants you to spend your money wisely. There are a number of assessment centres around the UK for you to discuss your mobility requirements and we urge you to contact them before you commit your funds to a vehicle that may not be suitable. We can provide you with a leaflet with contact details of the centre.

Verdict
THIS TEST was always going to be close. The Saab is the business professional's tool and an excellent all rounder.
The power delivery is superb and its aesthetics give the impression of a well-built, quality vehicle. It scores highly in this Germany v Sweden match. The Golf has been voted “Car of the Year 2004” by What Car and we'd have to agree it's the better car by a mere whisker – a more involving drive and more affordable. Volkswagen currently has an nil deposit offer on the 1.4, 1.6, 1.9 TDi and their 2.0 TDi models. The body of the new car isn't as good to look at as its predecessor in some areas but on balance, we'd have to award this win to Germany by a score of 2-1 despite the penalties of both cars. It's the Rooney of this match. If only there'd been extra time!
My thanks to Veronica Borrelli at General Motors and Helen Pickering at Volkswagen for arranging the tests.