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.
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