Saab 9-5 has the most dramatic story in the auto industry of the last decade.
This model could see its end in early 2010, exactly when it should have been launched to replace the old model
which was on market for 12 years. In the last moment things changed in a better way,
a way in which few people still believed in.
Spyker succeed in convincing GM to give up the idea of liquidating Saab, for the price of 400 million dollars.
The new Saab 9-5 combines Saab’s classic design with modern stylistic elements.
The piece of resistance is the LED strip on the trunk which gives the car an unmistakable light signature at night.
The classic style of the brand is modernly interpreted also in the interior.
Among the details that are part of the Saab’s charm, there is the new 9-5 that keeps the
pressure indicator inside the turbine, and the Night Panel option, which turns off most of the dashboard lights
to make the journey at night less tiring for the eyes. Another gadget is the possibility
to have the child lock button at handy.
Unfortunately, the classic key fob has been replaced with a remote control and now you can
start the engine by pressing a button. At least the contact remained about in the
same place, between the seats.
The instrument cluster’s graphics is modern, and there is no way it could not reach every driver’s soul
the speed indicator that looks like an altimeter, recalling thus the Saab tradition in aviation.
The new Saab 9-5 has a camera that recognizes the speed limit signs, as well as a
system with three modes to control the suspension, steering and gearbox.
It is about the Comfort, Intelligent and Sport settings.
The differences between them are not as obvious as the similar systems offered by BMW and Audi,
but you can feel a little transformation of the car.
Although it is a sedan, you can best feel Saab 9-5 in the Sport mode. In this case the
gearbox keeps the engine more revving, the steering becomes firmer and the suspension stiffer.
In addition, the XWD four wheel drive system distributes more power to the rear wheels for a plus of adrenaline.
Unfortunately, the 6-gear automatic transmission is old fashioned and it is slow
comparing to what A6, 5 Series and E-Klass has to offer.
The 2.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, that develops 300 PS/HP is a technique jewelry
and saves the day.
Along with the specific sound of V6, this engine succeeds in making Saab 9-5 reach
100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.
In other words, Saab 9-5 is a fast sedan, but it is still nearly 1,5 seconds slower than
its fastest competitor: Audi A6.
The fuel economy is though impressive. For urban driving we had about 17 l/100 km.
Even though Saab 9-5 is the longest car in its class and the only one that passes a little 5 meters,
the comfort and finishes are not superior to the ones of competition.
On the other hand, Saab 9-5 compensated by a more exclusive imagine and by a price, justly,
lower than the competition’s.
New Saab 9-5 starts at 32,000 Euros in Romania, including VAT, and a flagship as the tested version cost exactly 65,500 Euros.
Keeping it between us, the last one is the only which really
deserves the money. The cheaper Saab 9-5 is, the more the feeling of
driving reminds you of Opel Insignia, the car that the Saab is underpined.