2010 Saab 9-5 Preview

Viknesh Vijayenthiran August 27th, 2009

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author August 27th, 2009

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December 31st, 1969 The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the basic mechanical underpinnings in the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was expected 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, not to mention the company’s then-ongoing ownership limbo. But the wait for the next 9-5 will soon be over as the car is scheduled to make its world debut next month at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Images for the car have been out for some time now, showing a clear resurgence of Saab's past design traits married to a modern, sleek profile, and now the company has released official details and specs. Underneath the new sheet metal is a heavily revised version of General Motors’ front-wheel-drive Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers have provided a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics. The car’s all-turbocharged powertrain lineup is the broadest ever offered by Saab, with customers able to select from a choice of three fuels--petrol, diesel and E85 bioethanol. At launch, there will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel with 160 horsepower, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline unit with 220 horsepower and a range-topping 2.8-liter turbo V-6 gasoline unit with 300 horsepower on tap. Shortly after launch, a 1.6-litre gasoline turbo with 180 horsepower will be introduced, together with a 2.0-liter BioPower E85 engine. All transmissions will be six-speed. The array of high-tech features continues inside, including a head-up information display (HUD), bi-xenon adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control; Saab DriveSense adaptive chassis with real-time damping control, keyless entry and starting, dual-zone climate control, a parking assistant, and Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system with an eLSD. Infotainment choices include a range-topping Harman Kardon 5.1 channel surround sound audio system and an 8-inch color touch screen navigation system with hard disk storage for map data and 10 GB for MP3 music files. A large center console provides storage and connections for several portable devices through USB and 3.5 mm AUX ports alongside a 12 V power outlet. Rear passengers can even access their own audio or watch a DVD. The rear seat entertainment unit in the back of the center console accommodates audio controls and folding viewing screens are installed in the backs of the front seats. Wireless headphones are provided for listening and viewing. The new 9-5 will be built at Saab’s home plant in Trollhattan, where it has been engineered, and production is tipped to start by the end of the year.

2010 Saab 9-5

Enlarge Photo

The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the basic mechanical underpinnings in the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was expected 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, not to mention the company’s then-ongoing ownership limbo. But the wait for the next 9-5 will soon be over as the car is scheduled to make its world debut next month at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Images for the car have been out for some time now, showing a clear resurgence of Saab's past design traits married to a modern, sleek profile, and now the company has released official details and specs.

Underneath the new sheet metal is a heavily revised version of General Motors’ front-wheel-drive Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers have provided a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics.

The car’s all-turbocharged powertrain lineup is the broadest ever offered by Saab, with customers able to select from a choice of three fuels--petrol, diesel and E85 bioethanol.

At launch, there will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel with 160 horsepower, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline unit with 220 horsepower and a range-topping 2.8-liter turbo V-6 gasoline unit with 300 horsepower on tap.

Shortly after launch, a 1.6-litre gasoline turbo with 180 horsepower will be introduced, together with a 2.0-liter BioPower E85 engine. All transmissions will be six-speed.

The array of high-tech features continues inside, including a head-up information display (HUD), bi-xenon adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control; Saab DriveSense adaptive chassis with real-time damping control, keyless entry and starting, dual-zone climate control, a parking assistant, and Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system with an eLSD.

Infotainment choices include a range-topping Harman Kardon 5.1 channel surround sound audio system and an 8-inch color touch screen navigation system with hard disk storage for map data and 10 GB for MP3 music files. A large center console provides storage and connections for several portable devices through USB and 3.5 mm AUX ports alongside a 12 V power outlet.

Rear passengers can even access their own audio or watch a DVD. The rear seat entertainment unit in the back of the center console accommodates audio controls and folding viewing screens are installed in the backs of the front seats. Wireless headphones are provided for listening and viewing.

The new 9-5 will be built at Saab’s home plant in Trollhattan, where it has been engineered, and production is tipped to start by the end of the year.

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Tags: Sweden, Epsilon, Sedans, 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, 2010 Saan 9-5, 9-5

Posted in: 2010, Saab, News, Sedans, 9-5

by gazzed #1, Posted: 6/28/2009

Wow that really looks nice... and the wagon ( believe it's more of a hatch ) is very similar in design to Subaru's Impreza hatch.
by Chris #2, Posted: 6/28/2009

looks like the current sonata. with the canopy from the GT-R.

never have likes saabs.
by Aiman #3, Posted: 6/29/2009

Love the look of this car. Looks modern, tough and purposeful stance, with just about the right amount of sporty and SAAB retro touches, such as the dark A pillar which evokes the SAAB 90's windshield.
by Edward #4, Posted: 7/1/2009

I think this is a lot better than the new Jag XJ.
by azlan #5, Posted: 7/7/2009

im so glad they took more risk and actual design in this saab the last few models r damn boring!
by taksan #6, Posted: 7/22/2009

it has awkward curves... but i think its good that saab took the risk.
by Quantum #7, Posted: 7/22/2009

they really shoud rethink the front of their saabs :s
by axial66 #8, Posted: 7/22/2009

I wish it was a little more aggressive, however like it overall very much.

The dashboard, in particular the instrument cluster is a mess, an utter mess. Disgusted by the plastic and analogue instrument gauges! They should have taken a look at what the 2010 Range Rover instrument cluster looks like!
by Mike #9, Posted: 7/22/2009

The exterior looks quite handsome, if a little safe. Agree that the interior looks a bit plasticky, though.
by saabfan #10, Posted: 7/22/2009

I wish they kept the two side grills instead of integrating them into the headlamp. It makes the center one looks big like the Audi. Interior is a mess. Please get rid of the L shape dashboard outline. For some reason it doesn't feel like a Saab. It looks like a hybrid of different car exterior design.
by bepsf #11, Posted: 7/22/2009

That's one seriously handsome sedan. Will be interesting to see it in the flesh, hopefully won't be as plasticky as the current 9-3.
by NoNameDenton #12, Posted: 7/22/2009

Much better then the current one
by axial66 #13, Posted: 7/22/2009

saab, change the interior. I can live with the l shape layout, audi uses it and caters to the driver! Yet the instrument cluster is an absolute mess!

Did you have someone at gaz of russia design it? My god, for a company that touts it's aviation heritage< did you have to stay with the biplane technology?

And yes i am indeed yelling!
by Andrew #14, Posted: 7/23/2009

Wow - that is the best looking Saab for quite a while!! I have to say that the windows look a little small (should have continued back for an inch or two past the rear door) and the interior - while definitely a step forward for Saab - is not very pleasant. I love the look of the back of this thing, it is beautiful, but Saab are still just taking bits of all the other European manufacturers and mixing them together awkwardly. Still excited by it though!!
by giovannigambini #15, Posted: 7/23/2009

Vanilla
by solo84 #16, Posted: 7/28/2009

it's different.
the interior is a travesty. i give it five years after the first one rolls off the line before they have to kill it off.
by secrummy #17, Posted: 7/29/2009

I've liked the look of Saab's for years. The 99's, the 900's, etc. This is OK I suppose. I mean the 9-5 was pretty much the Methuselah of automobile designs and it needed updating right now, but this just looks uninspired. To me, and this is just my opinion obviously, the back end looks strangely bulbous and that effect isn't helped any by the strange look of that C pillar. And the comments above about the instrument cluster seem pretty spot on... the whole dash design looks entirely too busy really.
By flyawayak #18, Posted: 8/20/2009

I'm glad to see they are at least trying for some of the '80's charm....but keep trying guys. A modern day 900 SPG sport hatch would be a start...still regret selling my '89. Despite some positive traits of this new 9-5, I still have a hard time seeing it as an example of quirky, smart Scandinavian-artistic functionality, which produced a cult following of older Saab models.
By ANA #19, Posted: 8/21/2009

IT WILL NOT BE BUILT IN RUSSELSHEIM BUT IN TROLLHÄTTAN (SWEDEN) INSTEAD!!!
By iskch1 #20, Posted: 8/21/2009

The rear looks like clone Hyundai AZERA.
By Dan #21, Posted: 8/27/2009

"the interior is a travesty. i give it five years after the first one rolls off the line before they have to kill it off."
It's the same fundamental interior design that's been in Saabs for 30 years. It isn't going anywhere.
"The rear looks like clone Hyundai AZERA."
No, it looks like a Saab 900/9000... which predates the Azera by some 25 years, and is incidentally exactly how a Saab should look.
By bepsf #22, Posted: 8/27/2009

As with most Saabs - much more attractive in darker colors than silver or white.
By TripleOneFive #23, Posted: 8/27/2009

This car is a piece of crap! It is inferior to all other cars on the market.
By NoNameDenton #24, Posted: 8/27/2009

TripleOneFive, you must be smoking something funny. The engines look good, one with over 300 hp should be great.
By Pikachu #25, Posted: 8/28/2009

How is it that the first comments date back to June and July when the article was written on August 27? I've noticed the same thing happening on a lot of posts here on Motorauthority, are you guys recycling the same stories?
By Tom #26, Posted: 8/29/2009

Never been a SAAB man but this is quite simply stunning. Brilliant design front to back.
By A.I. #27, Posted: 8/30/2009

I hate those taillights!! would have looked so much better if they turned upside down...rather than making it look like a grin.
By tom #28, Posted: 9/1/2009

The back looks awful. Like a Japanese car. Should be redone.
By born from jets #29, Posted: 9/6/2009

Sucks to be Saab, this 9-5 design is GM inspired via Cadillac STS, look again at the slab sides, rear deck and belt line. This is a Cadillac with a Saab front end. Grotesque! A Saab-a-lac! this is the same cloning they tried with Subaru and failed. GM has got to fade away from Saab they have driven down quality and homogenized Saab design to the point they are unrecognizible. I have owned 6 Saabs since 1984 and the GM built ones where absolutely the worst. I'll wait until Koneigsegg designs and engineering are infused into Saab before I would buy this GM leftover design travesty.
By MICHAEL 193 #30, Posted: 9/14/2009

Peccato! L’attendevo da tempo la nuova ammiraglia di casa SAAB e debbo dire che, almeno per quanto visto in rete sinora, la linea estetica non è molto entusiasmante! Mi sembra che siamo lontani da quei capolavori estetici che erano le prime 900 degli inizi anni ‘80 e le belle 9000 degli anni ‘80 – ‘90. Peccato davvero. Anche perchè temo che il nuovo assetto societario sia molto labile e per il futuro potrebbero sorgere brutte sorprese. Buona fortuna SAAB!
By Uzair #31, Posted: 9/14/2009

OMG !!, this is the ugliest SAAB. WTF is going on. I have seen better designs from 2nd year autobody design students. Is this the best they could come up after dragging the current 9-5 body style for 10 year !!.. Why would any one spend $40K+ on this Saab rather than buying a BMW/Lexis/Mercedes/Infinity/Acura/Audi (all of these have similar safety and way better resale than a Dying Saab brand). !! this is when we say "GO BACK AND GO IT ALL OVER AGAIN" !!!
By Jonny #32, Posted: 9/14/2009

That is a Buick !!! NOT A SAAB.
good luck selling this loser.
By Peter #33, Posted: 10/6/2009

This is not a SAAB! It has GM and America written all over it! Nothing Scandinavian at all about this one. Maybe they can sell it in the US, but I seriously doubt that any Europeans will even look at this one, even the SAAB fanatics. Please GM, next time do a little marketing research and listen to what the customers want before you try to reinvent the wheel!
By AutoCritical #34, Posted: 10/8/2009

I love the aeronautical themes that are, more so than ever, stronger in this model. From the cockpit DLO to the afterburner-like tail lamps. How cool is that 'hungry for air' grille(s) at the front! I put some of my explanations onto the images at http://bit.ly/31t9JT
By juan #35, Posted: 10/19/2009

GM messed things up for our beloved SAAB, i really don't like this new design, I miss those SPGS, now classic 900's, when SAAB used to make tanks.
That is why i still have my 1995 conv 900.
No sir!! will not change it for any plastic looking
american auto, even if it has that beautiful emblem. come on SAAB go back to the 1980's!!!!!