Thursday 20th January 2011

Saab 9-5 Estate Revealed

We get a glimpse of Saab's new wagon ahead of its Geneva launch

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Saab has unveiled its new 9-5 estate - dubbed the Sportwagon - ahead of the model's planned in-the-metal launch at the Geneva motor show in March.

Part of the biggest new-model push ever from the company, the 9-5 estate will get the same range of petrol and diesel engine options as the saloon. It will also get the same techno-trickery, including Saab's XWD all-wheel-drive system, 'DriveSense' adaptive chassis control, adaptive cruise control (though not until late 2012), tri-zone air conditioning and a head-up display.

Estate-specific gadgetry includes a programmable, remotely controlled, electrically operated tailgate, a 'multi-fold' floor and a u-shaped aluminium load rail. Meanwhile the key numbers are impressive, with 527 litres with the seats up and 1600 litres of capacity with them down.

It all looks quite smart too and, judging by the response to our drive of the 9-3 convertible, there's a lot of love for the Saab brand still out there.

We're going to save our excitement about the Saab renaissance until the new 9-3 comes on stream, however, because if the distinctly average Saab 9-5 saloon is anything to go by, the estate might not be the car that marks Saab's return to form.

Order books will open for the 9-5 Sportwagon in the spring, with deliveries starting in September.

[nsmith1180]

I like it, it looks better than any competitors and I always though that the 9-5 was unfairly slated, but I haven't driven it far so I might be wrong on that one.

[Frimley111R]

I saw the saloon on the road recently and it looks a lot better than in the images. Hopefully we'll SAAB bakc to its former glory now that it is not shackled by GM.

[doodles19]

Well at least it looks nicer than that god awful MG that was doing the rounds earlier.

[davemac250]

The 'new' 9-5 saloon is a nice place to be, but, and it is a big one for Saab it simply isn't as good as the older one to drive.

Even with the GM influence.

Hopefully they can dial in some character - perhaps some of the old 900 turbo lag....

That used to make me gigle!

[Riggers]

nsmith1180 said:

I like it, it looks better than any competitors and I always though that the 9-5 was unfairly slated, but I haven't driven it far so I might be wrong on that one.

Depends on the model, I think.

Top-spec versions, with the H-pattern multilink rear suspension and clever 'HiPer Strut' front set-up (and 4wd) are great, the lower-spec, more basic models (which get none of the aforementioned) are rather underwhelming...

[nsmith1180]

Riggers said:

nsmith1180 said:

I like it, it looks better than any competitors and I always though that the 9-5 was unfairly slated, but I haven't driven it far so I might be wrong on that one.

Depends on the model, I think.

Top-spec versions, with the H-pattern multilink rear suspension and clever 'HiPer Strut' front set-up (and 4wd) are great, the lower-spec, more basic models (which get none of the aforementioned) are rather underwhelming...

Ahh, I blagged a quick run in my old bosses car when he was DP of a Saab dealer. Im guessing it wasn't the 1.0 Litre life then.

[James Dean]

nsmith1180 said:

I like it, it looks better than any competitors and I always though that the 9-5 was unfairly slated, but I haven't driven it far so I might be wrong on that one.

It's really good looking, and one of the best looking in its class. But it doesn't beat this.

Edited by James Dean on Thursday 20th January 12:41

[zebedee]

doodles19 said:

Well at least it looks nicer than that god awful MG that was doing the rounds earlier.

what god awful MG?

[y2blade]

I like it

the XWD Diesel will be worth a look

[LuS1fer]

I think the back end of the new Volvo wagon looks a million times better than what can only be considered a bland design with echoes of the old Subaru Impreza wagon. In the 70s and 80s, Saab had a very definite image and design. These are "anycar" designs and I hope they can make some more interesting ones in future - stick some box arches on or something.

[nsmith1180]

James Dean said:

nsmith1180 said:

I like it, it looks better than any competitors and I always though that the 9-5 was unfairly slated, but I haven't driven it far so I might be wrong on that one.

It's really good looking, and one of the best looking in its class. But it doesn't beat this.

Edited by James Dean on Thursday 20th January 12:41

I see that as more of a 9-3 SW competitor. Im talking things like the A6 Avant and 5 Touring.

LuS1fer, fret not sir, this is a GM design. The first proper Spyker Saab is yet to arrive.

[LuS1fer]

Well at least there is always a way back. Look at Cadillac with the CTS-V and the new coupe racer. In 2014 they're releasing an ATS 3 series competitor and that is rumoutred to be getting an 8 speed auto on the 3.6 and a 6.2 litre 490hp supercharged V8 in the ATS-V.

It seems to me thast Saab have always lacked a decent halo model to draw in the punters. Iimagine the Sierra Cosworh played a significant part in the success of the Sierra back in the mists of time.

[nsmith1180]

Yup, and according to the Saab bloke I spoke to on the Paris stand, the AeroX has been properly killed off. I thought that would have been more logical now than it was when it was penned.

[anonymous-user]

Looks pleasant enough in a kind of 'afternoon tea' sort of way.

Shame that Saab can't start making genuinely quirky and different cars again. In 10 years time this 9-5 will be simply forgotten as another 'also ran' - unlike the old 900's of old which should reach classic status some point soon.

[RenesisEvo]

PistonHeads said:

Estate-specific gadgetry includes a programmable, remotely controlled, electrically operated tailgate

A programmable tailgate? Really? That seems a bit pointless and gimmicky. What exactly can you programme? Make it dance up and down a few times before finally closing?

Car looks nice though, though the Skoda Superb will trouble it.

Edited by RenesisEvo on Thursday 20th January 13:29

[M666 EVO]

Looks like a Scooby. Therefore, 'Orrible...

[doodles19]

zebedee said:

doodles19 said:

Well at least it looks nicer than that god awful MG that was doing the rounds earlier.

what god awful MG?

http://redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&xs=1&...

[dave stew]

As a Volvo V70 T5 driver, I looked at this with more than a passing interest. I like Swedish cars as they are very comfortable for long distances if not the most connected and pointy things to drive.

I am still erring towards an A6 Avant though...

[zebedee]

doodles19 said:

zebedee said:

doodles19 said:

Well at least it looks nicer than that god awful MG that was doing the rounds earlier.

what god awful MG?

http://redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&xs=1&...

that passed me by completely unnoticed, though even when it comes out I suspect it will do the same.

[Riggers]

zebedee said:

doodles19 said:

zebedee said:

doodles19 said:

Well at least it looks nicer than that god awful MG that was doing the rounds earlier.

what god awful MG?

http://redirectingat.com/?id=1044X509854&xs=1&...

that passed me by completely unnoticed, though even when it comes out I suspect it will do the same.

And: http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...