Thursday 23rd July 2009

First Pics: All New Saab 9-5 Saloon

Official images reveal new Swedish exec model - inside and out

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Say hello to the new 9-5, the desperately needed new executive model that Saab hopes will revitalise its fortunes against BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

We’re still waiting for official details of the car to be released by Saab, but these pictures that have emerged on the web show the 9-5 has a bold and unabashed style that sets it apart from its German rivals.

The formal reveal of the 9-5 will be at the Frankfurt motor show in September, by which time the currently GM-owned brand should be in the hands of its new owner Koenigsegg.

According to recent reports, the Swedish supercar maker needs to shift 45,000 9-5s annually in order to turn a profit, although company insiders say the new car is such a step forward over the current 12 year old model that higher sales are anticipated.

The 9-5 was originally going to be built at GM’s Russelsheim factory in Germany, as it shares a platform with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. However work is currently afoot to implement production at Saab’s Trollhattan plant in Sweden as part of the GM sell-off agreement.

 

[nickbee]

That looks great, but is that an artificial horizon in the middle of the speedo?

Here's hoping that a much-needed new model can turn the company's fortunes around!

[Fastra]

Theres a heavy retro Yank feel about this - inside and out.

I'm undecided..

Edited by Fastra on Thursday 23 July 10:46

[Assmask]

nickbee said:

is that an artificial horizon in the middle of the speedo?

Yeah, I think it is!

Jesus, Saab, we know you make planes as well, however that is hardly relevant.

You are a car, car's don't have artificial horizons. If you ever need to use that something has gone wrong.

[Altrezia]

Looks quite nice. Interior 'shape' still looks a little bland for me (ha, and I drive a BoringMW) but the fine details on it look cracking.

[MrTappets]

Looks pretty similar to the old one to me. Guess they're not going to try any Jag-style design revolution.

[scotty_917]

Looks like a slightly restyled Vauxhall Insignia.

[gj88]

I dont think it looks especially modern. Missed opportunity IMO.

[snorky]

side-on I'm thinking Rover 75, and the interior design is very Yank - lots of buttons all written in english...

[Dodgey_Rog]

First impression i got was C Class Merc from the rear? Doesn't look too bad though, but then its all down to cost isn't it...

[Bill Carr]

I quite like that.

[[AJ]]

I'm not very keen on this at all. In fact, I'll go as far as saying I don't like it. The exterior looks more nondescript than the old shape and the interior looks very cheap and bland indeed. Just look at those air vents.. they're horrendous!

[dwilkie]

Read the left, the "artificial horizon" is a KPH speedo... :P

I like it, it's different, and that's what Saab are about. If you want a soulless german car, you'd buy a soulless german car. If you want a Saab you want a Saab, which means comfy seats and crazy interior.

A step back in the right direction as far as I'm concerned.

[WildCards]

I think... I like it.

[E31Shrew]

scotty_917 said:

Looks like a slightly restyled Vauxhall Insignia.

Looks like its just a bit of badge engineering....Shame really as yet another manufacturer goes Eurobox. I would've thought that with the loyal following that SAAB have that perhaps they may have tried to remain slightly individual. No doubt the ignition will still be on the floor!

[aarondrs]

I liked it on first seeing it but on closer inspection looks a bit 'jacked' up. I sort of prefer the interior to the exterior.

Its also not very Saab in that it doesn't look any different to many other cars around.

[Cacatous]

At least they've gone back to the curved front windscreen!

I'd say this is a good effort for a mainstream model. My money is on a Halo model that goes to further lengths to highlight Saabs heritage and innovation much in the same way as the Alfa 8C.

[Gizmo!]

I really like this actually. The proportions are a bit 'Insignia', but that's not such a bad thing as the big Vauxhall is really growing on me.

The windowline reminds me of something though... straight line from the rear pillar forward to the screen rail?



Coincidence?

[stuart-b]

Gizmo! said:

I really like this actually. The proportions are a bit 'Insignia', but that's not such a bad thing as the big Vauxhall is really growing on me.

The windowline reminds me of something though... straight line from the rear pillar forward to the screen rail?
Coincidence?

That design has probably taken quite a while to go through all the motions, before Koneseisuidhuasdhasjdiahjasdosjioagg were even involved so I doubt it

[Invisible man]

[Invisible man]

dwilkie said:

Read the left, the "artificial horizon" is a KPH speedo... :P

I like it, it's different, and that's what Saab are about. If you want a soulless german car, you'd buy a soulless german car. If you want a Saab you want a Saab, which means comfy seats and crazy interior.

A step back in the right direction as far as I'm concerned.

It looks more like a proximity warning, collision avoidance system?