Having already shown its face thanks to a
leak from the dirty leaking tap that is the Internet, the Saab 9-5 is finally official. And not before time either. The current 9-5 is a dozen years old now, but it was showing its age at the turn of the new millennium, so the new one needs to be a big leap forward.
Thankfully signs are promising. It's an 'interesting' shape rather than a stunning one, though as we found out when we saw the new
Jaguar XJ in the flesh for the first time, pictures often don't do a car justice. It's interesting timing for the Swedish maker too, because it's on the cusp of being taken over by supercar maker Koenigsegg, probably within a couple of months, so this will be the last Saab unveil under GM stewardship.
The 9-5 is based on
Insignia underpinnings, though its interior architecture is nothing like the Vauxhall and it's significantly bigger than the
car it replaces. Five engines will be available at launch, powering either the front wheels or all four. Kicking off the range is a 160bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, and there'll be a twin-turbocharged version of that with 190bhp too. Petrol power comes from turbocharged four-cylinder units of 1.6-, 2.0- and 2.8-litre capacities with 180bhp, 220bhp and 300bhp respectively. The later pair can be specified with four-wheel drive, and there'll be E85 bio-fuel engines too.
Saab promises class-leading rear legroom from a cabin two leagues ahead of the car it replaces in terms of quality. There's a head up display, and the engine starter button is nestled in the centre console. Options will include a Harmon Kardon 5.1 surround sound stereo and a 10GB hard drive for music files.
It's due to make its debut at the
Frankfurt Motor Show, no doubt accompanied by much talk of its design being inspired by Saab's rich aviation heritage. We'll cut through that and report back with the truth on a car of massive significance for the Swedish company and its new owners.
Mark Nichol - 28 Aug 2009