Is Saab the ultimate boutique car?

I wonder. It's certainly exclusive -- it doesn't sell in large numbers. It's always appealed to a select few. And it certainly has charming quirks, just as that fashionable boutique you love has some pretty quirky items for sale.

At any rate, our favorite boutique car, the Saab 9-3, is getting an all-new look and some new features to make it even more unique and inviting, including for the first time ever, an all-wheel drive system that at least some car publications are already saying is among the best in the business.

The first thing you will notice is the new styling. Although the 9-3 looks a lot like the current model from the side, it still has more aggressive-looking body work and a contemporary minimalist approach that makes it look much hotter.

From the front end, the car looks like a jet fighter-- quite appropriate because Saab has a Swedish jet aircraft heritage. It also has some hints of the popular Aero X Concept.

The new model year also marks the introduction of an uprated 2.8L V-6 turbo gasoline engines that produces 280 horsepower when combined with Saab's new all-wheel-drive (XWD -- "cross-wheel-drive") system available in spring 2008.

The advanced Saab XWD system is exclusive to 9-3 Aero Sport Sedan and SportCombi models. It features innovative developments in wheel slip management and, as an option, the use of an electronically-controlled rear limited-slip differential.

This state-of-the-art system includes two innovative features: pre-emptive engagement of the rear wheels to optimize traction at take-off; and an active rear limited-slip differential, allowing variable torque transfer between the rear wheels.

Saab XWD is a fully automatic, on-demand system capable of sending up to 100 percent of engine torque to the front or rear wheels. While offering new Saab 9-3 Aero owners sure-footed handling in low-grip conditions, its sophisticated operation also adds a further sporty dimension to the driving experience in all road conditions.

There are some other new features to make driving more fun. They include a standard Sport Mode for automatic transmissions. The Sport Mode can be chosen by using an instrument panel button, and it aligns gear selection more closely with the intentions of the driver.

If the driver momentarily lifts off the throttle, the current gear will be held for more effective engine braking and a quicker acceleration when required. During braking, downshifts are also faster and more closely matched to the rate of vehicle deceleration.

Another new feature is optional cornering headlights. The steering-linked bulbs can swivel up to 15 degrees when negotiating a bend or corner above nine miles per hour, thus offering much better road vision. In highway driving above 69 mph, the low beam also automatically is raised slightly for improved illumination.

Prices start at around $28,000. fuel mileage ratings are unavailable.