Preview: 2010 Saab 9-5

Posted Tue Jul 29 2008 10:28 AM by James Martinez

The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was rumoured to make an appearance at March's Geneva Motor Show but its release has since been pushed back to early next year, although it will still precede production versions of the 9-4X and the new 9-1 based on the 9X BioHybrid Concept.

This latest rendering of the new 9-5 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. The car will also sport a sleek coupe-like profile and hatchback rear end.

Underneath the new sheet metal will be a heavily revised version of GM’s FWD Epsilon II platform, also shared by Opel and Saturn for the new Insignia and Aura models. 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. Engine options will include a range of four-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel engines including a biofuel model and there will likely by an AWD flagship model with a turbocharged petrol V6 developing upwards of 350hp.

The new model will also be sourced from Opel’s Ruesselsheim plant in Germany with production tipped to start mid next year.

Gallery: Next generation Saab 9-5 rendering

Reader Comments

Wed Feb 27 2008 4:22 AM
lackar says

Keep cooling.
Sun Mar 9 2008 10:41 AM
Dai Lik says

Come on Saab. Give us a nice looking / driving car. We have been waiting for so long.
Tue Jul 29 2008 1:54 PM
ROOLLY says

This is a completely new vehicle from the ground up, not a restyled version of the current car .
Tue Jul 29 2008 5:17 PM
NoNameDenton says

Thought Saab was going to go smaller for its future vehicles?
Wed Jul 30 2008 4:21 AM
kafkef says

Looks a lot better than the current 9-5. Hope everything else is better too.
Wed Jul 30 2008 8:58 AM
.mac says

Excellent design! Hope smth like this becomes reality!
Wed Jul 30 2008 4:22 PM
keleko says

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.
Tue Aug 5 2008 9:17 AM
lexlife says

Love the styling. Please bring this out as depicted in the rendering Saab and give me a reason to jump ship to your brand.
Tue Aug 26 2008 6:22 AM
tolate says

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.
Sat Aug 30 2008 5:47 PM
WooDz says

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...
Sat Aug 30 2008 11:05 PM
admin says

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.

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