Saab 9-5 2.0 TiD 158bhp
It's been a long time coming. Thirteen years in fact. But at last Saab has launched a new 9-5 and we've finally tested it, here in entry-level 2.0-litre turbodiesel spec. A brace of TDs will be available in the new 9-5, sharing the same four-cylinder block but with single or twin turbocharging to crank out their 158bhp or 187bhp outputs. Here we review the lower-powered Saab 9-5 2.0 TiD.
New 2010 Saab 9-5: the overview
The old 9-5 stretched out its existence to 13 fulsome years. Starved of funds by owners GM, it reached its nadir with the last facelift whose bechromed spectacles failed to hide the ageing process underneath. Then the new 9-5 was shown in 2009 only for the company to be driven to the brink of liquidation by the global economic crisis. Now Spyker has swooped on Saab and bought it from GM for $74m in cash and an equity swap. Saab is independent again and this week launched the new 9-5 in Trollhättan, Sweden.
It's based on the so-called Epsilon platform developed by GM for its large passenger cars such as the Vauxhall Insignia; this brings a suite of GM engines, front- and four-wheel drive and a host of technology that simply wouldn't be possible without access to GM's R&D budget (lane departure systems, head-up displays and road sign detection). So let's not get carried away with the General slagging.
What of the style? Does the new 9-5 look like a Saab should?
This is a successful design to these eyes. You'll make your own mind up, but trust me that it looks devilishly good on the road. Park a 2010 model up alongside an old one and the front ends are remarkably similar, albeit with a tremendous amount of plan view built in for packaging and pedestrian safety reasons. The new 9-5 is nearly as round as a boat when seen from above!
But it looks most stylish from the rear. They've cleverly incorporated the dramatically swooping C-pillars from the 99/900 et al to clever effect, the whole rump being rounded off by those deliciously retro horizontal rear lights. This is a stylish car, an understated one – and one that feels right for Saab in 2010.
resoures : car
New 2010 Saab 9-5: the overview
The old 9-5 stretched out its existence to 13 fulsome years. Starved of funds by owners GM, it reached its nadir with the last facelift whose bechromed spectacles failed to hide the ageing process underneath. Then the new 9-5 was shown in 2009 only for the company to be driven to the brink of liquidation by the global economic crisis. Now Spyker has swooped on Saab and bought it from GM for $74m in cash and an equity swap. Saab is independent again and this week launched the new 9-5 in Trollhättan, Sweden.
It's based on the so-called Epsilon platform developed by GM for its large passenger cars such as the Vauxhall Insignia; this brings a suite of GM engines, front- and four-wheel drive and a host of technology that simply wouldn't be possible without access to GM's R&D budget (lane departure systems, head-up displays and road sign detection). So let's not get carried away with the General slagging.
What of the style? Does the new 9-5 look like a Saab should?
This is a successful design to these eyes. You'll make your own mind up, but trust me that it looks devilishly good on the road. Park a 2010 model up alongside an old one and the front ends are remarkably similar, albeit with a tremendous amount of plan view built in for packaging and pedestrian safety reasons. The new 9-5 is nearly as round as a boat when seen from above!
But it looks most stylish from the rear. They've cleverly incorporated the dramatically swooping C-pillars from the 99/900 et al to clever effect, the whole rump being rounded off by those deliciously retro horizontal rear lights. This is a stylish car, an understated one – and one that feels right for Saab in 2010.
resoures : car
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