Frankfurt 2009: Saab 9-5
* Range of turbocharged engines * CO2 emissions from 138g/km * On sale in spring 2010...
At last! A new 9-5
Its taken an awful long time for this new 9-5 to arrive. In fact the previous 9-5 was an updated version of the model that was launched in 1997.
The all-new car still looks like a Saab there are hints of 900, aircraft design cues and so on but look under the skin and youll see that the car is carried along by the pretty capable chassis of the Vauxhall Insignia.
It will go on sale in the spring of 2010 and is likely to cost from around 23,500. Thats less than rivals such as the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series, but the Saab really has its work cut out in this class.
Youll have three turbocharged engines to choose from, including two petrols a 217bhp 2.0-litre and 296bhp 2.8-litre V6 along with a 2.0-litre diesel producing 158bhp.
A 178bhp 1.6-litre petrol will join the range soon after launch, along with BioPower models that can run on a petrol-ethanol mix of up to 85% ethanol.
Any Saab Koenigsegg special editions?
Not so far, but that 2.8-litre will be quick. Saab says therell be three different suspension settings used according to engine power and each will have a sport setting, too.
Therell also be the option of an adaptive suspension layout called Saab DriveSense.
Handbags at the ready
As far as the visual design goes, Saab says: The new 9-5s overall proportions stretch the traditional three-box saloon silhouette, while avoiding the fastback clich of a four-door coupe look.
Ooh! Did you hear that Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen? Youre clichd with your fancy-pants A5 Sportback, CLS and Passat CC, apparently.
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