Saab 9-3 Cabrio

The complexion was turning a purple hue, but did I care? This was Britain, winter time, and the Saab drop-top was in its fine weather, topless pose.

Actually, I lied. My pallor was in fact a healthy rose tint, boosted by bracing air which occasionally permeated the warm halo above the 9.3 Cabrio, protecting me from frosty temperatures – well aided by a natty neat spoiler to glance off icy swirls.

A warm weather ‘front’ constantly circling the cabin came from the excellent heater system – you wouldn’t expect anything less in a Swedish car. Even at high motorway speed, you remain cosily cocooned in the superb ‘central heating’, allowing you toenjoy force-fed oxygen, clear blue skies and a feeling of freedom.

The best bit about the Saab 9-3 1.8t was the ease and speed with which it was able to turn from fine weather cruiser into stormy weather motor.

Touch a button and before you can say it’s raining cats and dogs, the amazing electrical hood has you well and truly covered. If you really want to show off, you can even operate the procedure travelling around 20mph, but that would have taken posingoverboard, even for me.

It’s on such days that you realise why the Brits, who tolerate far more than their fair share of downpours, find cabriolets so seductive. It’s about grabbing every chance of driving topless whenever you can.

The third generation 9-Series cabrio is sturdier than its predecessor. It feels more smooth, composed, balanced and soaks up the worst of ‘patchwork quilt’ road surfaces.

The two-litre turbocharged 150bhp version displayed muscle without have to resort to working the five-speed box too hard. The engine’s acceleration is quick but not startling, yet it is able to propel the car to a 0-60mph sprint in a highly acceptableten seconds – while returning a combined fuel figure of 33mpg.

Road-holding in the opentop cruiser is very reassuring and the ride is firm but comfortable while the steering is impressively responsive.

Inside the four-seater cabriolet the fascia achieves a simple, totally uncluttered look. Controls are straightforward and easy to use and access, and though some have niggled about too much use of plastic in the cockpit, I liked the contemporary, almostclinical effect it produces.

The front-wheel-drive 127mph Saab 9-3 cabrio feels a wellput-together ragtop which can hold its head high among German rivals in a much higher price bracket.

The car can be a little noisy with the roof raised and the broad shoulders of the hood do restrict vision.

At pounds 26,505, the Vector, with leather, 17-inch alloys and dual-zone climate, makes the Saab 9-3 a worthy contender in its class – and above.