MotorAuthority

Saab 9-5 Griffin Edition planned for Detroit

Posted Tue Dec 23 2008 12:37 PM by Nelson Ireson

The special-edition Saab tries to breathe new life into the aging 9-5 platform

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.

Story Tags:

• 2009 Detroit Auto Show
• General Motors
• Griffin Edition
• Saab
• Saab 9-5 Griffin Edition
• Sedan
• Sport Combi

Reader Comments

• Tue Dec 23 2008 1:34 PM

  adamk says

  How sad that Saab's product development news has deteriorated this far. Are we really supposed to be excited about yet another cynical cost-inhibited refresh of a decade-old design? How can a once-proud safety leader sell a $40K+ vehicle without side curtain airbags, now standard even on the cheapest economy cars? I weep for this brand.
  
  The hyper-competitive world of European luxury sedans will not be set alight by a trunk spoiler, glossy interior accents and custom stitching. A "new altitude in terms of premium standard equipment and value?" A more apt aviation reference would be CFIT: controlled flight into terrain. Look it up, GM.

• Tue Dec 23 2008 1:59 PM

  Mike says

  $42k sounds a bit much for this. For that money I could get an e46 M3 with enough left over to tune it, or a 993 Porsche!

• Tue Dec 23 2008 3:55 PM

  Baggy Spandex says

  Does seem like quite the high price for a vehicle like this. For the money, I would rather a 2009 TL. That's almost SH-AWD money.