Comments on: Still more 9-5

By: Matthew Nichols

Matthew Nichols — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 16:36:42 +0000

i think that i am going to be happy with the new 9-5
the estate looks great from most angles; it looks saab to me

have hey fixed thos quirks inside like drivers seat that wont go bakc with the rear esats folded!

By: Eduard

Eduard — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 12:07:09 +0000

There is only a project with Fiat…..the Tipo4, was to develop the 9000, and designed by Giuggiaro. Saab developed the ACC for the other brands, and the platform was a common development, as could be the Epsilon. Then everybrand make its own changes. For example the doors of the 9000 can be fitted to a Lancia Thema, but the weight of the Saab doors are quite higher, because are reinforced. Then the engines are totally different(as you know the Saab engines, 2.0 and 2.3 were a Triumph/Ricardo that were used in the 99 as a 1.7 and then Saab make the evolution and become the 2.0) then the chassis design is basically the same but with many changes between the models.

By: Paul Guinnessy

Paul Guinnessy — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:06:55 +0000

In the mists of time, Saab and Fiat used to work together (some of the engines and chassises from the 1970s were based on Fiats), well, in case you haven’t checked out the new Fiat Croma, it has a key lock between the seats, just like a saab (for the same reason too, to stop the knees from getting damaged in an accident). Is Saab building up links with Fiat again? If not, perhaps they should so that we can at least know that the interior will be “traditional” unlike the 9-6X.

http://motoring.independent.co.uk/road_tests/article308939.ece

By: Swade

Swade — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 06:32:16 +0000

Brain,

Welcome downunder!

I think the main concern is the fact that it’s a generic set of GM controls they’re installing. See the Niwrad post (above).

I’m all for simplification too, but find it a little disappointing that my 9-5 (if I had one) would have the same stereo and climate control dials and look as in my neighbour’s Buick.

I don’t think the generic controls look so bad on their own (except the Nav screen).

Saab snobbery perhaps.

By: Brian "bkrell" Cockrell

Brian "bkrell" Cockrell — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 06:12:44 +0000

I don’t know, I kinda like the interior. One of Car and Driver’s beefs w/ their recent test drive of the new 9-3 2.8T is that their are 45 confusing buttons on the dash. They also said to forget about trying to use the nav system while driving. Perhaps we need a little simplification and-dare I say it- an i-Drive type computer? Okay, maybe that’s too far, but I know I have just now gotten used to the buttons on my NG900, which I have owned for over 2 years.

By: ZIPPY

ZIPPY — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 18:31:48 +0000

At least from the inside you cannot see the outside! Sorry guys, I really think GM has totally lost the plot and Saab has lost all of its Scandinavian identity. *wipes tear from eye* I see the 06 9-5 as the beginning of the end….!

By: Ryan M

Ryan M — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 18:21:09 +0000

It’s the same wheel too!

By: Ryan M

Ryan M — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 18:11:11 +0000

Hmm, looking at the BLS I’m unsure about those controls. I like simple controls, and those are pretty simple, but I also really like the system in the current 9-5. Oh well, it’s only a year or 2 right? But then again the Saab community has been having to say that a lot lately. 9-2x, 9-7x, redesigned 9-5 “Oh, it’s only for a couple of years.”

Honestly, how much money are they saving by switching to that climate control system? Cheaper because there’s no display.

Another interesting thing, looking at the large pic of the BLS is I think it has the key from Saab!

By: SaabKen

SaabKen — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 18:05:47 +0000

News hound eh ? Yeah I sniff them out where they stink !

Funny when you said “dumbed down” interior it led me to start thinking about the opposite end of the spectrum, BMW’s iDrive, Audi’s MMI and M-B’s Comand system. Maybe we ought to be glad Saab didn’t add a super duper HAL9000-like interior environmental interface that befuddles its users with complex, multi-page drill-down menus and controls. Maybe by incorporating some dowdy, GM parts-bin componentry like HVAC and “traditional” touchscreen sat-nav controls that users can actually understand and use, that isn’t a bad thing after all. Saab is renowned for being very conscientious of the driver environment in terms of situational awareness and ergonomic. So while the Germans are one-upping each other with distractive 23rd century star wars gadgetry, current and future Saab drivers can actually focus on one of the best things about Saabs ….. driving them !!

By: Eduard

Eduard — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 18:02:34 +0000

another thing…….change the number of the pic, put “40″ as the last number and you will find the same pic but a little bigger.

also if you like, you can go to media.gm.com go to Cadillac website and see the new BLS….pfffff you can see where it comes the audio and climate controls…