AMS render the Saab 9-5
Auto Motor and Sport have posted a story with a rendering of a possible new Saab 9-5. I’ll let you click through and see the full image (it’s HUGE) but here’s what they think the back’s going to look like, from the front at least.
Motor Authority have a brief summary of the article in English. I think most of it’s been covered here in recent times, namely a range of BioPower petrol and diesel engines in both four and six cylinder setups. The 350hp top line model sounds great although I’m sure it’s speculative, but possible and likely nonetheless.
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At a further glance, it appears that the AMS article is based in part on the future model mumblings post here from last week. Hence the Motor Authority piece would be partly based on this story as well.
Thanks for link love, AMS!
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Does anyone know why Saab renderings always have plates that say HFS 151?
that rendering is amazing. the car looks real down to the tire wear detail when it is enlarged. its looks good to btw.
Forgot to mention the car - I looks a little A8-ish…but I like it anyway.
If that’s what the next saab 9-5 will look like, i know what i am putting on my christmas wish list
I love the massive amount of renderings this site has been receiving lately
This one is extremely impressive, but I have to confess that I think the front end is softened compared to the current 9-3. Not exactly sure what’s making it do that though.
I love those wheels though
I’ve seen this before but can’t recall where, but it was at least 6 months ago if not more.
I agree with Mo. Look at the details in the foglight reflections, eh !
Also the nostrils next to the headlights are more heavily chromed here than in the Aero-X. Lower bumper air intake openings are also similar to the Aero-X but less aggressive.
Very handsome car !
A-HA, I knew I’ve seen that image before, also from AMS just more than a year ago in an Nov 2006 article:
http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/saab/new-details-on-the-2008-saab-9-5/
Read the almost identical wordings:
2006 & 2008 article:
“The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997.”
2006 article:
“There will likely be an all-wheel drive model, plus two new V6 engines that include a V6 common rail diesel and range topping turbo petrol V6 developing upwards of 350bhp.”
2008 article:
” ….. there will likely by an AWD flagship model with a turbocharged petrol V6 developing upwards of 350hp.”
But interesting bit in 2008 version:
“The car will also sport a sleek coupe-like profile and HATCHBACK rear end.”
i quite like it, but the more i stare at it, the more i think this is what saab should have been selling in 2005-2008. i can’t predict how things will go, but i fear this design will look dated in a fast-moving market not long after its release. without an update ready and waiting, the glorious flagship will be in the same aged boat all over again.
IMO, saab needs to leap rather than walk in step at or near the back of the pack. the aero x is perhaps the best looking concept in recent memory…..be daring again, saab!
(disclaimer: i won’t feel that way, i happen to love the 08 9-5. but the court of public perception on the other hand….)
That rendering is absolutely gorgeous.. no harshness, just pure sleek and power. Love the wheels too.
But yeah, that design should be out right now.. to me, even the new 9-3 front could be fresher.. hopefully Saab takes this and tweeks it a bit, it is gorgeous.
I also forgot to add that this rendering’s hood is too bland… give me some hood creases!
“this is what saab should have been selling in 2005-2008.”
Exactly my thought! This has been Saab’s design problem for the last 20 years: every 5 years or so they prove that they can still produce cars that are on par with what is already on the market, while the competitors keep moving ahead with every new model.
You can’t win if you take one step at a time when you’re one step behind.
Boy, I’m not so sure I can make a honest assesment based on that rendering. I need to see more, however I hope they are not trying to rush this thing considering we wern’t suppose to see the new 9-5 untill 2009. I pray this puppy screams when it comes out for real. Does anyone know when we will see something concreate?
I like it. But agree it should be in the showrooms now. I dunno what goes on at Saab but yep they have a history of this. Think original 9-5 back in ‘97 versus the E39 Beemer. The last time Saab ‘lead the pack’ IMO was when they released the 900 in ‘79 (ok it was an extended 99 but looked very modern - sometimes still does!) and the original 9000 Turbo.
With Bangle moving on no doubt BMW, let alone Audi will come up with something very fresh. Also a problem that Mercedes seems to be back on its game with a well screwed together C-Class.
As I said - love the car but it still seems Saab is the Newcastle United of the car world - desperately in need of a win…
I hate it, it looks like a suppository or a Dodge Intrepid. It’s way too cab-forward for a Saab, the front fascia is garishly oversized and the greenhouse isn’t emphasized nearly as much as it should be. The short hood also runs contrary to all of the “Aero X-Inspired styling” mumblings we’ve been hearing”.
On top of that, it’s a year-old image from a magazine so I think it’s safe to say that the real one will look nothing like this. And oh what a relief that is…
I do have to say that I like the rear end of that rendering, I just hate the front end with a passion. Graft an Aero-X looking front end onto it and it would be fine.
If Saab comes close to this sleek design with the new 9-5 it will have a winner. The Audi A6 is winner with sleek lines and is classy. Clean lines represent class which is what they have been shooting for it seems of late.
Lets hope Saab nails it…their future will depend on it.
I agree with several of the above comments — A8-ish, yes. too bland, yes. What Saab should have been selling two-three years ago, yes.
I want something that will stand out as a bold statement. The full rendering/full view may tell a different story, but if the 9-5 is this “me too” it will be lost in the shuffle in short order, much as the 9-5 is now.
Perhaps a Chrysler 300-esque low profile roof/high beltline?
Of course, they could just chuck all of their plans and drag out the old C900 tooling and just start making those again. Oh, happy day!
I think people are going to have to at some point accept that the new 9-5 is going to look dramatically different than the current one.
That’s going to be Saab’s most difficult task. The new 9-5 is not going to look “slightly” different. It’s going to be quite a visual jump.
E&G siad:
“I agree with several of the above comments — A8-ish, yes. too bland, yes. What Saab should have been selling two-three years ago, yes.
I want something that will stand out as a bold statement. The full rendering/full view may tell a different story, but if the 9-5 is this “me too” it will be lost in the shuffle in short order, much as the 9-5 is now.”
I think the real thing will be much more stunning than renderings, as we’ve all seen from past new Saabs. I too want something “bold” but in an understated, classy Scandinavian way that only Saab can do (ie: no Bangle-ized anything for the sake of standing out). Anyone seen the new XC60 …. it’s hideous.
“Ingen Saab 9-5 i Genève”.
Is this car appearing in Geneva or am I totally misinterpreting the Swedish headline?
PS I am away on vacation and am still checking out TS every day!
During the Academy Awards ceremony last night Audi was peppering the telecast with new commercials. I saw commercials for the A5 and the R8 and all I can say is, “wow”. Those cars really excite. Will the next Saab do that? I sure hope so, but this rendering above doesn’t do a heck of a lot for me.
Jaguar also had a new commercial during the telecast in the same style as that one for the XK they had about a year ago. Nice.
Saab needs to step-up its television advertising in both quality AND quantity. If they want to play in the luxury market they shouldn’t have any more of this teenage jet obsession, IMHO.
“Ingen Saab 9-5 i Genève”.
This means no saab 9-5 in Geneve
That “picture” has only one design element that is close to what we were shown in Sweden. The wrap around windshield is spot on. But that C pillar design is not even close. Someone had mentioned that an article stated it had a “hatchback” type look. The back end is a lot more sweeping and does not have the hockey stick look at all. And bears zero resemblence to that picture. And as for the car being “boring” I can assure you the last thing the car will be accused of is being boring. If anything the word polarizing or love it or hate it will pop up alot more than boring. But do look for more info on a concept showing toward the end of the year. But release date still is tentatively set for fall of 09 as a 2010….
I have been waiting on this more than any vehicle Saab or any other manufacturer is going to produce. It is my favorite car now for 10 years.
My likes: face(grill area), wheels, doors (from the bottom of the window down), side mirrors
Dislikes: the roof line -something looks rong
Please Saab DO NOT make my next purchase a challenge.
I don’t know if you’ve seen this one or not Swade, but I really like the look of this Aero X-inspired 9-5x rendering.
http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/2-jun27-saab.jpg
It’s similar to the one you posted, but the front end, wheelarches and proportions all work out much better than in that huge pic you posted. It’s also lacking a hockeystick C pillar and is definitely what I’d call a “love it or hate it” design. Props to whoever drew it, I’m definitely in the “love it” category.
I’m looking forward to another “love it or hate it” Saab design. That’s what Saab is all about! The 99 and C900 were “love it or hate it” designs. There’s a word for it: distinctive.
No offense to anyone, but the current 9-3 and 9-5 are so bland! Nobody LOVES the look and nobody HATES the look. Where’s the fun in that?
I remember reading a while back why American cars have such boring styling. It’s because instead of being designed by a designer they’re designed by committee. It’s sort of like elevator music: in order to not offend anyone it doesn’t inspire anyone either. Do you know anyone who really enjoys elevator music?
At least people either love or hate Chris Bangle’s work over at BMW. But it’s distinctive. You can definitely tell a BMW is a BMW w/o the badges and grille. Saab needs to get that back, IMHO.
Too bad Saab’s are still designed by committee to a certain extent as well these days…
Alex: well, at least they’re having one designer take the credit for it now, whether it’s Anthony Lo or Bryan Nesbitt. There’s one person to answer for the “design language”.
I agree with Gripen. I would honestly like to see Saab come out with a distinctive design direction that I didn’t like, then just continue with the me-too but more bland look.
What I guess I didn’t express too clearly is that ALL cars today are designed by committee. Usually a lower-down member of the design team comes up with something the head of design likes, then they work together to tweak it and shape it into something that the design head approves of.
Then it has to go through subsequent redesigns to suit the marketing department, beancounters, and engineers who have to design the tooling to stamp the damn thing out of sheetmetal.
The key difference between a company like say BMW, Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, Alfa Romeo, or any other company that’s known for striking, eye-catching design is that the executives in charge of the project allow more freedom to the design team. That is, the management at BMW, et al is much more likely to swallow the more expensive tooling costs of their flashy designs, and risk the more polarizing effect that they have on prospective buyers. In the end they feel that that kind of edgy, eye-catching design is going to do good things for brand perception, publicity, and most importantly, sales.
Unfortunately GM doesn’t see things that way. Their model is more along the lines of having the design team throw together a few designs, then run them through focus groups until they have something that’s close to being universally liked, or at least universally accepted. Then the beancounters work with the design team and engineering to make the car as cheap to build as possible by cutting costs and using off-the-shelf components wherever possible. This works fine for a volume brand like Chevy or even Opel, but it just doesn’t cut it in the Luxury market as they learned with Cadillac. Luckily if the new CTS is anything to go buy they seem to be changing their philosophy a bit, to say the least.
Gripen - I disagree. I bought a 9-3 because the car is hands down the best looking car out there for the price range I was looking at.
The new 3 series is too japanese-looking. The Infiniti IS too japanese. The A4, while nice, doesn’t have the right front grill.
The 9-3s lines are simply beautiful. The proportions are very nice. The curves…smooth.
I smile every time I look at my car. So I have to disagree with you.