Motor Authority - blog Category: 9-5

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.

Thankfully, the new 2010 Saab 9-5, which made its world debut last week at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, has brought a new sense of dramatic style to the Swedish brand. The car shows a clear resurgence of Saab's past design traits, however, this is...

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. Thankfully, the new 2010 Saab 9-5, which made its world debut last week at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, has brought a new sense of dramatic style to the Swedish brand. The car shows a clear resurgence of Saab's past design traits, however, this is married to a modern, sleek profile. Until now, we have only seen still images of the car but this latest video clip shows us what the new 9-5 will look like out on the road. Production will take place at the end of this year at Saab’s home plant in Trollhattan, with first sales tipped to start in early 2010. Read More

Saab has already previewed in its hybrid technology in the form of the 2008 9-X BioHybrid concept but now we have details of production plans for a new enviromentally-friendly model based on the recently revealed 2010 9-5. Saab’s first step into the world of hybrids will be a small one as the Swedish automaker’s new model will reportedly feature a simple ‘hybrid assist’ system that only kicks in during high load situations.

The system will feature a small electric motor sandwiched between a 120 horsepower 1.4-liter gasoline engine and an automatic gearbox. The electric motor’s instantaneous torque will help...

Saab has already previewed in its hybrid technology in the form of the 2008 9-X BioHybrid concept but now we have details of production plans for a new enviromentally-friendly model based on the recently revealed 2010 9-5. Saab’s first step into the world of hybrids will be a small one as the Swedish automaker’s new model will reportedly feature a simple ‘hybrid assist’ system that only kicks in during high load situations. The system will feature a small electric motor sandwiched between a 120 horsepower 1.4-liter gasoline engine and an automatic gearbox. The electric motor’s instantaneous torque will help during off-the-line launches as well as during hard acceleration. In this fashion the electric motor will only be used for short bursts, which means the vehicle will only require a small--and relatively inexpensive--battery pack. To further save fuel, regenerative braking may be employed to top up batteries and the engine will also likely feature stop-start technology. If Saab manages to come out of its financial predicament unscathed, we may eventually see a ‘baby’ 9-1 model. This car was previewed by both the aforementioned 9-X BioHybrid as well as the convertible 9-X Air concept, and is also expected to be available with a hybrid option like the 9-5. [Autocar] Read More

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...

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. Read More

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... 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 Read More

The Saab 9-5 is one of the oldest vehicles still in production, having first appeared as far back as 1997 and only experiencing one major update since then. Now, just months out from the debut of the all-new 2010 9-5 at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Saab has ended production of the current model at its Trollhättan plant in Sweden.

The last car rolled off the line on Thursday, July 2nd. No official numbers have been released but according to Sweden’s Auto Motor and Sport, more than half a million units of the 9-5, including both the sedan and wagon, have been built since production started back in 1997.

While production may... The Saab 9-5 is one of the oldest vehicles still in production, having first appeared as far back as 1997 and only experiencing one major update since then. Now, just months out from the debut of the all-new 2010 9-5 at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Saab has ended production of the current model at its Trollhättan plant in Sweden. The last car rolled off the line on Thursday, July 2nd. No official numbers have been released but according to Sweden’s Auto Motor and Sport, more than half a million units of the 9-5, including both the sedan and wagon, have been built since production started back in 1997. While production may have ended, the car will still be available for sale as current stock should last right up until the arrival of the next-generation model towards the end of the year. As for the new 2010 9-5, the car will be built at the Opel Ruesselsheim plant in Germany in coming months. Read More

A new Saab 9-5 is in the design and development process, but while the existing model lives out the tail end of its product cycle, General Motors is updating it with a new special edition. Taking styling cues from the 9-3 range, the 9-5 Griffin Edition promises a "new altitude in terms of premium standard equipment and value."

While it may not be prepared to set the standard in the full-size luxury sedan segment, the 9-5 Griffin Edition does offer an attractive package in its own right. Powered by a 2.3L 260hp (194kW) four-cylinder engine with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission, the Griffin will also be available in both... A new Saab 9-5 is in the design and development process, but while the existing model lives out the tail end of its product cycle, General Motors is updating it with a new special edition. Taking styling cues from the 9-3 range, the 9-5 Griffin Edition promises a "new altitude in terms of premium standard equipment and value." While it may not be prepared to set the standard in the full-size luxury sedan segment, the 9-5 Griffin Edition does offer an attractive package in its own right. Powered by a 2.3L 260hp (194kW) four-cylinder engine with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission, the Griffin will also be available in both sedan and SportCombi form. The key features of the car include a unique exterior appearance package with dark chrome accents, 17in alloy wheels, a spoiler lip on the trunk of the sedan and frames around the Xenon headlamps. Inside, the Griffien edition gets high-gloss interior trim, custom stitching on the steering wheel, shift lever and handbrake plus leather-trimmed seats. Two different color schemes can be had: black with parchment inserts, or parchment with black inserts. These colors complement the six available metallic colors and Polar White paint options that can adorn the exterior. Saab's Griffin-edition 9-5 will be on display at the Detroit Auto Show next month before going on sale in January at a starting price of $42,775 for the sedan and $44,045 for the SportCombi wagon.Saab 9-5 Griffin Edition Read More