SPECIFICATIONS

OLDE' SWEDE

The CDE is a car for a north country baron, the last step up the corporate ladder. A mature design for mature individuals. Large, luxurious, gadgeted to the max and tailored to the tastes of the executive set. They should call this one the CEO instead. Expensive, well trimmed and very classy in a tasteful European idiom.

The 9000 is nearing the end of its design life cycle and by now the bugs have been squashed and the fine points polished to a razor edge. The lean original hatchback has evolved into a larger less graceful form and the 4 doors + trunk style of our test is bigger still. The racy edge of the 9000 turbo gives way to the rather ponderous power of a new GM Europe designed V-6 in the CDE. It goes but not without conscious urging.

Luxury touches abound and the huge interior is now very impressively trimmed. The unique dash is a vast expanse of burled walnut impression and the leather is of an obviously superior grade. This feels like a country estate sitting room. Regrettably, they keep adding the gadgets to provide an air of state of the art that the chassis can no longer supply. On the road the big SAAB rolls along with a fairly stiff ride, well damped handling and a relaxed stride, but it is not a very spirited car.

The electronics baffle and bewilder with no particular attribute to offset the complexity. Automatic climate control has a mind of its own and a taste for weather different from mine. The boomy Harmon Kardon stereo proves that more is less; delivering mediocre sound from a jillion speakers, amps, indecipherable and unworkable tiny buttons and obscure control modes. Tune it at home or take a Walkman.

SAABs are unique and desirable motorcars, but this one is not to my taste. The CDE may be perfect for the golden years of a marquee loyalist, but I'd prefer the compact zest of a 900.

REXX TAYLOR