New Saab 9-3 is put through paces

Bosses at the firm might be preparing to launch the facelifted 9-3 soon, but our spies have already caught a glimpse of its replacement undergoing secret tests.

They spotted a prototype for the all-new 9-3 alongside the current Sportwagon variant. Don't be fooled by the white Opel Vectra, because it hides the underpinnings of Saab's new machine.

Picking up the baton from the revised model, it looks set to launch around 2010, and our exclusive image shows how the update could look. The car is likely to feature an even more pronounced version of the distinctive Saab grille and sleek headlamps previewed on the Aero X concept, which debuted at last year's Geneva Motor Show.

Before the model arrives, the firm is also looking to introduce a BMW 1-Series rival. Dubbed the 9-1, it will hit showrooms next year, and also go head-to-head with Volvo's C30.