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Spy shots: Saab’s next-gen 9-5 takes shape

Spy shots: Saab’s next-gen 9-5 takes shape

James Martinez July 7th, 2009 James Martinez By James Martinez Author July 7th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the current model first hitting the streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was rumoured to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3. Saab’s parent company General Motors has since confirmed that the car will now make its debut later this year. Underneath the heavy camouflage of this prototype for the new 9-5 is a heavily revised version of GM’s FWD Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers will provide a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics. The car’s wheelbase will stretch 2.84m, which is up 14cm on the current model, and the overall length will stretch just over 5m. Engine options will include a range of four-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel units including a biofuel model. There will also likely by an AWD flagship model with a turbocharged petrol V6 displacing 3.6L and developing upwards of 350hp (261kW). Other engines will include a 210hp (157kW) 2.0L unit and mid-level 2.8L V6. A petrol-electric hybrid model is also expected. The new 9-5 will be sourced from Opel’s Ruesselsheim plant in Germany with production tipped to start in the middle of the year. It will then make its debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show as a 2010 model. The included computer generated rendering shows that designers will be sticking with the avant-garde styling of the original Aero X concept car, and will likely keep the protruding nose, large vents and sculpted bodywork. Other details will include a sleek, coupe-like profile and hatchback rear end. Earlier this month several images touted to be official shots of the car surfaced online. You can see them in our previous story by clicking here.2010 Saab 9-5 spy shots
The new Saab 9-5 is scheduled to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September

The new Saab 9-5 is scheduled to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September

Enlarge Photo

The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the current model first hitting the streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was rumoured to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3. Saab’s parent company General Motors has since confirmed that the car will now make its debut later this year.

Underneath the heavy camouflage of this prototype for the new 9-5 is a heavily revised version of GM’s FWD Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers will provide a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics. The car’s wheelbase will stretch 2.84m, which is up 14cm on the current model, and the overall length will stretch just over 5m.

Engine options will include a range of four-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel units including a biofuel model. There will also likely by an AWD flagship model with a turbocharged petrol V6 displacing 3.6L and developing upwards of 350hp (261kW). Other engines will include a 210hp (157kW) 2.0L unit and mid-level 2.8L V6. A petrol-electric hybrid model is also expected.

The new 9-5 will be sourced from Opel’s Ruesselsheim plant in Germany with production tipped to start in the middle of the year. It will then make its debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show as a 2010 model.

The included computer generated rendering shows that designers will be sticking with the avant-garde styling of the original Aero X concept car, and will likely keep the protruding nose, large vents and sculpted bodywork. Other details will include a sleek, coupe-like profile and hatchback rear end. Earlier this month several images touted to be official shots of the car surfaced online. You can see them in our previous story by clicking here.
2010 Saab 9-5 spy shots
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Tags: Spy Shots, Sweden, Epsilon

Posted in: 2010, Saab, Spy Shots, 9-5


Comments (23 total)

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  1. By lackar #1, Posted: 2/27/2008

    Keep cooling.

  2. By Dai Lik #2, Posted: 3/9/2008

    Come on Saab. Give us a nice looking / driving car. We have been waiting for so long.

  3. By ROOLLY #3, Posted: 7/29/2008

    This is a completely new vehicle from the ground up, not a restyled version of the current car .

  4. By NoNameDenton #4, Posted: 7/29/2008

    Thought Saab was going to go smaller for its future vehicles?

  5. By kafkef #5, Posted: 7/30/2008

    Looks a lot better than the current 9-5. Hope everything else is better too.

  6. By .mac #6, Posted: 7/30/2008

    Excellent design! Hope smth like this becomes reality!

  7. By keleko #7, Posted: 7/30/2008

    wow that is the best looking Saab to-date. I hope that the interior is just as nice! Once my current lease is up next year I may just consider this car if it does look something like this and produce the power that has been speculated! A beautifully redesigned 9-5 is just what Saab needs.

  8. By lexlife #8, Posted: 8/5/2008

    Love the styling. Please bring this out as depicted in the rendering Saab and give me a reason to jump ship to your brand.

  9. By tolate #9, Posted: 8/26/2008

    Saab has lost its soul . It started already in the current 9-5 which is a hidden OPEL/CADILAC leaving much of the good things such as a readable/visible dashboard not a clutter and over designed speedometer, where is the heritage from the fighter airplanes. Keep the interia saabish with simple design and good quality fabrics. And keep away from a design language of an American muscle car it will never bee. Use small engines with high torque and many horsepowers that use less of the worlds fuels then it will become a saab once again.

  10. By WooDz #10, Posted: 8/30/2008

    I like the way Motor authority has pt their stamp all over this pic, yet it actually came from Auto Motor und Sport.... This pic is from about May 2008...

  11. By admin #11, Posted: 8/30/2008

    Woodz - we use the same computer artist as AMS so he also sells us the same pictures used in their magazine. We pay to use these pictures.

  12. ma_axial66 avatar by axial66 #12, Posted: 1/26/2009

    Saab, needs to break away from GM entirely. Establish their own platform, or license the modular plat from VW/Audi and bring forth the beautiful concepts to life with Volt like technology. Be the avant garde car company you once were!

  13. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #13, Posted: 2/16/2009

    Not much to say since Saab will no longer be GM product

  14. ma_NaBUru38 avatar by NaBUru38 #14, Posted: 3/20/2009

    Over 5m long? That'd be nasty.

    The profile is seriously fastback this time. But it looks too tight in the back seats for an E-segment sedan.

    Saab, please hurry up! This car and the 9-4X can't wait more.

  15. ma_saabguy avatar by saabguy #15, Posted: 3/26/2009

    Saab.....listen to us. You have a strong following and we want the 2010 Saab 9-5 to succeed. Am driving a 2007 Saab 9-5 Aero SportCombi and lease is up in November. I'm ready to buy another. Bring it to market.

  16. ma_saabfan avatar by saabfan #16, Posted: 4/1/2009

    Going into my fifth year with the 9-3 aero, please be around when I want to get a new one. 9-5 xwd aero sport combi would be perfect. Upgrade the interior please. Despite all the problems I have with this car I still love the car.

  17. ma_cislam71 avatar by cislam71 #17, Posted: 6/12/2009

    If the production version takes after the rendering seen here, Saab will have a winner on their hands. If not... well... they'll just be farther down the road of dooming this once prestigious brand.

    Saab! Look at this picture!

  18. ma_azlan avatar by azlan #18, Posted: 7/8/2009

    id really like to see a small coupe like hatch to compete with the volvo x30 =D they could do something really cool with that =]

  19. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #19, Posted: 7/8/2009

    id really like to see a small coupe like hatch to compete with the volvo x30 =D they could do something really cool with that =]

    Weren't they developing the 9-1 to do that?

  20. By  Kees #20, Posted: 8/11/2009

    And here it is in full glory. Very hot looking car, inside and out. This may actually do he trick for Saab. (site in Dutch, just click on the first picture for more) http://ww2.autoscout24.nl/magazine/mz_home/mz_home?article=130162

  21. By Joe in Germany!!! #21, Posted: 8/17/2009

    Saab,
    Please move away from GM....very far away.
    Bring back the good 900 series Hatch-back with the vertical standing rear-window wiper, the center console window + Door lock actuators (get that garbage off the door!!! Poor ergonomics and takes safety from changing hands while playing with window buttons when on the Auto-Bahn using a standard transmission!!! YUKK!!!).
    Make a strong turbo 2.8 or 3.0 Base model, and the look and XWD of the 2008 Turbo-X, and you've got me in the bag for a car loan for ever!!
    If you dont do that, you've lost me forever. I gave up my 96 900S due to plain old age, regrettably, still a good working car, just Maine Salt and rust!
    That car could still hold my x-large dog kennel complete with my dog in it, seats down, and hatch closed!(Ive got a 12 yr old German Shepherd). To me, thats a reason to keep a product. I still got great mileage as a 96.
    I hate my 2007 trunked Saab, but I had to get something. At least it fits the dog kennel when broken down in the trunk, but its not the car I want; only you SAAB, can make it strong again.........Get far away as possible from GM as possible and move back home!
    Make cars that make sense and have your organic name to it again.
    PLEASE!!

  22. By howard roark #22, Posted: 8/27/2009

    fast forward in time to today, 27 August, and the official 9-5 photos are available... IT IS BORING. saab tried to make a swedish lexus and i find it boring as all hell.

  23. By logburner #23, Posted: 9/6/2009

    Please please please don't let it look like the already dated looking insignia!! I wish it well under new the ownership.

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