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Dont't know how old this article is and if it has been posted before, but I smiled reading it...it's from 4Car.
//Clawfinger
Saab 9-3 vs Audi A4
The revised A4 from Audi and Saab's new 9-3 are two models likely to feature on sales reps' company car lists - but which one is the best for hammering up and down the country's motorways, and, maybe more importantly, which looks best in the office car park?
These cars are comparably specced and priced with the Audi costing £22,120 and the Saab slightly cheaper at £21,595. The A4 features leather trim, 17" alloys and the normal air con and electric gizmos. The Vector trim of our Saab gives you 17" alloys, an aggressive body kit, part-leather trim and brushed aluminium detailing, as well as the copious standard kit. Performance figures are equally matched, with both cars taking 8.5 seconds to reach 60mph. Both engines are turbocharged, with the 1.8-litre unit in the A4 producing 163 bhp and a top speed of 141 mph. 135 mph is available from the 175 bhp 2.0-litre engine in the Saab. CO2 emissions are worth noting as well, as this will affect how much money you have to give the taxman each month if you have one of these as a company car: the Audi produces 223g/km and the Saab is better at 206g/km.
The full-time Quattro 4WD system in the Audi should assist its road holding, but many of our testers felt it was a bit dull to drive. The Saab, although not a nimble machine, has sharper steering and feels more alive. After driving our test cars around our private ground, the guest testers gave their opinions of the two rep-mobiles.
Saab 9-3
"It's a much more aggressive looking car, the Audi's very bland."
"Beautiful, handles so well, I love it."
"I prefer the Saab, all the control seem to be just where you want it - the seats are like armchairs."
Audi A4
"The steering feels very dead."
"It's very simple inside, not confusing."
"It's beautifully build and intelligently designed - it oozes quality."
It seems that Audi's revisions to the A4 haven't inspired our audience as much as the Swedish model, but Mike prefers the German quality of the Audi. Penny is with the audience on this one, choosing the Saab as "it's a whole new refreshing choice in this marketplace." Bulletproof build quality and tried-and-tested four-wheel drive systems are all well and good, but they don't seem to give an inspiring drive. It seems that Saab's first sketch for the 9-3 proved to be true for our test.
posted by 213.114.131...
, Sun, 27 Oct 2002 15:34:52
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