Load up the kiddies, the Cannondales, the kayaks and blast them to Hades – Saab has the mostevil-looking wagon since George Barris created The Munsters’ Koach. Although the Saab doesn’t runon embalming fluid or a Mustang GT V8 engine, it does share the Koach’s black paint and sinister,road hugging, persona.

Now almost synonymous with Turbo, Saab debuted its first one on the 99 CombiCoupe in 1978. Aswith the original turbo 99 and 900 models, the dark and ominous 2008 Saab Turbo X featuresjet-black paint – now metallic. A matte black grille treatment simulates titanium whileeighteen-inch 3-spoke wheels, twin tailpipes, and a rear spoiler further distinguish it from lesser9-3s while linking it to its ancestors. Interiors are outfitted with bolstered black leather sportseats, carbon fibre finishes on the dash and doors, special gauges, and a thick-rimmed steeringwheel. It looks ready to slay Volvos, feeling the part as soon as you slip inside.

Along with all other 2008 9-3 models, the Turbo X was designed to reflect a more aggressiveaero-inspired exterior and Scandinavian interior themes driven from the recent Aero X concept car.Smoked taillamps and upswept headlamps with “eyebrow” lighting are modern and refined. Interiorsare less cluttered with fewer niblet-sized buttons, adopting GM’s Black Tie radio design andergonomic climate controls. Saab’s traditional driver-focused dashboard, large analog gauges,businesslike controls, and console-mounted ignition switch are as they should be. The nighttimelighting mode, which extinguishes all but essential gauges, is nice to the eyes. True toScandinavian tradition, everything is high quality, but never ostentatious. Think IKEA withattitude.

Boring people may drive the sedan, but enthusiasts with a sense of adventure will choose theSportCombi wagon in which there is plenty of cargo room, especially with the rear seats folded, totote your IKEA wares. While I had the car, I picked up my grandmother for lunch. Not only was shecomfortable in her leather-bolstered seat, but her walker also fit very easily beneath the rearhatch. A bicycle, stroller, or tailgate party consumables can be consumed in whole.

Unlike the original “black turbos” that spun power from four-cylinder engines, the latest onemakes whoopee with a 280-horsepower, 24-valve, 2.8-litre V6. An eager amount of torque (295 lb.-ft.) comes online at 2,150 rpm and stays until 4,500 rpm. Peak horsepower is made at 5,500 rpm.What you notice is surging power off the line and open lungs way above legal speeds. Buyers canchoose between a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is rated15/24-MPG city/hwy.

Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system gets all of that power to the ground without drama. Verysophisticated, the system can shift power from front to rear and from side to side, depending ontraction and road conditions.

Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability control, electronic brake forcedistribution, and traction control insure every bit of friction is used to the max. Engineerstuned the chassis for a stiff and solid ride for a good balance of performance feel andlong-distance comfort. The car was also lowered 10mm to coax even more ability from of the car’schassis.

One look at the Munster Koach tells you Mr. Barris had little concern for safety. Saabs, on theother hand, offer exemplary safety. Like any good European car, the 9-3 comes standard with dualfront airbags, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags for all outboard passengers. Almosteverything in the cabin is softly padded, including front knee bolsters, to protect soft humans.Front seats feature active headrests that move forward in an accident to prevent whiplash. Allseating positions hold passengers in with three-point belts. Of course strong safety cageconstruction beneath the skin works to prevent intrusion from the front, rear, and sides.

Saabs are as sophisticated in safety as they are in active handling and performance.

Whether you choose the Turbo X sedan or SportCombi wagon, you’ll drive a world-class car thatcan run with some of the best sport sedans and wagons in the world, but with a sense ofpracticality that can only come from Sweden. A powerful turbocharged V6 engine, angry groundaffects, and black paint give it attitude that would make George Barris proud. Competitors includethe Subaru Legacy, Volvo S40, and VW Jetta SportWagen.

2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X SportCombi

Five-passenger, AWD Wagon.

Powertrain: 280-HP 2.8-litre Turbo V6, 6-spd auto. trans.

Suspension f/r: Ind./Ind.

Wheels: 18″/18″ f/r.

Brakes: disc fr/rr with ABS.

Economy (MPG): 15/24 city/hwy.

Must-have features: Style, powertrain.

Manufacturing: Trollhattan, Sweden.

Base price: $43,310.