LLN claim a 9-5 sneak peek
I received a number of emails about this overnight. And one of them was from Left Lane News themselves!
- Hey! Publicise our image, but you can’t use it yourself.
That’s not a direct quote, by the way, but it’s effectively what they were asking. They were also saying that as far as accuracy is concerned - this is IT. They don’t provide a basis for the claim, but the claim was right there in the email.
I guess we’ll have to wait and see on that one. I know we have a number of Saab people visiting here and some of you have seen the new 9-5. It was shown to a number of dealers and other Saab people around July and August last year in western Sweden. Maybe a few of you would like to click through to LLN, check it out and come back to comment on the accuracy.
——
By the way, LLN - that’s how you post a link. If you’d like to rely on TS to lend some credibility in your text, please do the right thing and link it up.
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seems more evolutionary than aero-x inspired, though it does look good, just not sure about the shape of the back.
I know it is tough to tell from a computer image, but it looks smaller than I would have thought for a “flagship” sedan. Front end looks good, but the back end needs to be seen. Get here yesterday!
a Borat….”I like”
now, lets see GM find a way to “F” it up!
Very happy (hoping) to have my nose rubbed in it next year
i can’t see any light pipes.
Can’t wait for actual witnesses to verfiy or deny the validity of this one.
it looks like the rear-end will take styling cues from the 9-4x. as far as tail light go…
I would like to see some more concavity to the curve of the hockeystick and the beltline, but otherwise I like it a lot as a general shape and size.
I have a sense though that this isn’t what the actual upcoming 9-5 will look like though. The proportions look similar to an Alfa 159 and along with the Mauer headlights I wouldn’t be surprised if this sketch wasn’t based off of the stillborn 9-5 replacement that we were supposed to get in 2003-2004 that would have shared it’s platform with the current Alfa cars.
Wow, I actually like that a lot. I am excited to hear if this is a valid example of the overall layout.
I feel kind of indifferent towards this rendering. Somewhat boring. Surely not edgy enough for my liking, and I don’t really see myself in a car like that.
It seems like a mish-mash of the current 9-5 and the “Aero-X inspired styling cues”. And whilst I have not seen the all-new 9-5, people I have talked to who have were all raving about how it looks extraordinary and like nothing else on the road.
This, like Alex said, looks like something Saab could have released in 2002, but is severely outdated for a MY10 model.
I therefore say hoax.
LLN got their chain yanked.
That would be a dissapointment. Not much/enough aero-x in the front. And the chrome headlight surrounds (like on the current 95) are just tacky. Some journalist likened the current chrome surrounds to Dame Edna glasses and unfortunately I must agree. I expect something much more revolutionary.
I have been planning to buy this coming 9-5 for 5 years now. While this drawing looks good, it does not look revolutionary. In fact I prefer the look of the current 9-3. It needs more Aero X up front and in the rear. I wish Saab would just make it a sedan version of the Aero X. You absolutely can not go wrong with that. And with the right engineering (XWD, eSLD, twin turbo, etc.) it could turn around Saab.
I REALLY hope that the sketch is a late April’s fool joke.
I hope this isn’t it. I own an 07 9-5 and I guess i’m one of the few that likes the current styling…but i was hoping for something different when the redesign comes around and the front of this illustration just isn’t THAT different after over ten years of the current car.
and where’s the semi-wrap around hood?
Id say the current front end of the 9-3 is going to be the new face of Saab. Put a clamshell hood and the 9-3 face on it and Id say “two thumbsup”. Add the 9-4X-esque interior and we would have something really cool!
Good morning from Sweden’s west coast!
I have to say that this car is somewhat boring on the front and the doors and windscreen remind me of a Skoda. The hockey stick seems to be sticker on just that…
… I have the slight feeling that this picture leaked out for a reason: Someone grabbed it from a designer’s bin… hopefully.
Kroum pretty much summed it up - not a 2010 design, rather a collection of features from various Saab cars and concepts.
Add that it has current 9-3 proportions, probably because it’s chopped on a 9-3 image ?
This sketch doesn’t knock me off, but we will see. I hope Saab has more courage with it’s new 9-5. But probably I’ll stick with the 9-4x
Got to agree with Alex, I’m looking at the LLN pic and an Alfa 159 that’s outside my window and if you squint it’s hard to tell them apart. My guess would be this isn’t even close to the 2010 9-5, it looks like a step backward from the ‘08 9-3…
Overall, dull. Expect this has been raised to ‘lower expectations’ and that the real deal will blow us away.
Not going to panic - I think it’s all been said above - I would not expect this later this year - this is about 5 years behind the current design cues. Only direct connexction I can see to current concept models is the square shape of the side glass and the clumsiness of the rear top edge ntegration with the roofline. Rear door very Peugeot 405.
Where is the new radical shape of the rear that lots of people (journalists etc.) who saw the design last year talked about?
BTW, I like LLN somehow.
They actually publish news about every brand, not only the usual BMW/Audi/Lexus/Porsche crap. Kudos to them for doing that.
I really, really hope they’ve got the tail-lights wrong at least! I can see why they want to have them angle that way on the 9-4x, but they should angle from the top and forward towards the bottom (seen from the side) on a real Saab! It’s really distinct, and a trademark that should not go afloat.
I am expecting more from Saab than something like this. When they’ve delayed the new 9-5 for so long, they should make it really outstanding - and especially not look like another 9-5 facelift with an ugly rear-end. But after having seen Saabs latest concept cars and the neat 9-3 facelift, I am confident we won’t be too dissapointed.
Anthony Lo? Are you there? If you are, could you then make a comment regarding the LLN photoshop work?
/Tom
I think that LLN has been had.
As others have stated, this looks like a CGI doodle from a few years ago.
Either that or GM wants the next 9-5 to look like a Camry (which is so scary that it might just be true).
I pray that is not the new 9-5…
I like the front of the car. But the rest, juck, looks like a streched Skoda Fabia. Please don’t make it like this!
Some resemblance to this?
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/202223/the_futures_orange_for_new_saab_95.html
I don’t think this is the new 9-5, but I wouldn’t be surprised if SOME of those elements end up on the production car.
I believe its safe to say the new grille will be bigger then the current 9-5, and i don’t believe the chrome surrounds will be wrapped around the headlights. The new 9-3 approach would probably be a more realistic expectation.
This design doesn’t excite me much. I was expecting something different, something less conservative. The only reason I would buy a Rüsselsheim-built Saab would be the design, and this isn’t my next Saab.
The LLN pic has one element which is similar to what we were shown. The headlights are fairly close but the rest is not even close.
Dan- Its safe to say the grill will be larger and lower in the front bumper. The headlight treatment will be of the “ice block persuation” instead of chrom surrounds. And the tailight treatment is very similar to 9-4’s. What we saw however was in ice blue/green as opposed to red like on the 9-4. But the rear c pillar design is not even close!!! Think large hatch profile. Its not but the overall impression was that. I cant wait once the production version is shown because if you guys thought the 9-4x inspired conversation…..i can tell you the new 9-5 will probably explode this site. Its a very polarizing look!!!
Thank you, patrik95! I can’t wait to see the final result!
I’m afraid my current Saab will be my last one. This is GM’s Epsilon II with a different body. GM has no sense whatsoever. If this is indeed what they produce, my next car will be a BMW or Audi. Very sad.
Thanks patrik95, yours is the input we have been waiting for.
I’m still expecting something more Saab, means more revolutionary, distinctly different. A car that can be in the list of car of the year. A car that would not blend on the traffic. It reminds me the look of the new VOLVO S80, the front does not say anything. Scandinavian design is very chic, therefore give us a truly Scandinavian car!
Patrick,
Please keep the good news flowing because this long-time Saab owner is on the verge of putting a deposit on an ‘09 VW Jetta SportWagen TDI (55 MPG, SUV cargo space, 240 lb. ft. of torque, Nav, et al under $30K - innovative things Saab use to stand for)!
Saab,
Give me a reason to stick with the fold because there’s not much on the lot now or in the near future that will.
Joe.. If you go ahead and buy a VW I can tell you one thing.. Your backside will regret it… Owned and driven lots of VW´s. One word: Ouch! Otherwise they are fairly ok.
Hey Patrik.. Good stuff!
You should check this :
.
The Opel Insignia is told to be the same basis as the new Saab 9-5. And in my opinion there are a lot design similiarities…
I love Saab and all that they stand for but if GM and it’s brands under them are suppose to be using these new global platforms that are to steamline the development process. Then why is it taking them so long to get product to market. Saab needs this new line-up as of yesterday. Everyday they are loosing more ground and market share. Since they are playing catch-up Saabs new products need to be phenominal and mind blowing, nothing average or just borderline, it just won’t cut it anymore… I’m a Distrought Saab loyalist here!!!
Joe Meek, go and buy Jetta. You´ll get sick looking at that dull dash. It really makes me hate the whole car. It´s almost as inspiring as a Volvo dash 30 years ago.
VW has great engines and nice transmissions, no doubt. I´ve been driving VW passat few times and I have to admit that it is quite good car to drive.
But if you´re turning to VAG group, make yourself a favor and go´n take new A4 for a spin. It´s very, I mean VERY good car to drive. And now interior is also okay, since they´ve copied “the cockpit” driver enviroment from Saab. But those red light on dials.. ack!
I’m sure Patrik95 is on the mark. My excellent Saab Saturn dealer in Lévis, Qc, Canada, also saw the 9-5 in Sweden last summer. He would not have been excited, as he was, by this boring, outdated, colourless design.
Looks like a small advancement on the current design… which is a tad borin but its live-with-able……
I’m hoping theres a bit more to it though
Sorry for saying it in german:
diese Skizze ist der pure Horror.
Katastrophe! Bitte bitte nicht:(
I hope that we all discuss a sketch that has nothing to do with the new 9-5. In this sketch there’s not one single SAAB-Characteristic (o.k. – the wraparound-windshield copied from the 9-4x; but even this element you find today at Suzuki Swift, Skoda Fabia/Roomster…). I can’t help me but this sketch must be wrong.
But as the wheels look so boring Anti-Saab (Audi A8 18”) I might be sure that the person who draw it has NOT seen the project car in sweden. Let’s hope together.
I see some Honda Accord in the rear.
I dunno, I feel like this was a concept sketch for the 9-5 we were supposed to get before it got cancelled/pushed back to 2010 or so.
I’m with the other doubters here, I call shenanigans.
You are right aero95. Seems that it will have many common points with Opel Insignia. At the end they will be produced in the same factory. Lets hope that it won’t be the luxury version of Opel.
I would be more concerned with what is under the skin. I surely hope Saab learned from the 9-3SS mistakes…
Not sure what Ken H is implying exactly, but I agree that every new Saab must be the leader in it’s class. What will be found under the hood is of particular interest to me. Saab need’s to regain the fuel efficiency advantage it lost to the competition. Of course, a Saab must remain safe, comfortable, practical aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, RELIABLE.
*Forgot to mention in the above that with the ridiculous pricing in Canada, as correctly emphasized by Swade, my excellent Saab dealer, who has spent a lot to build a segregated Saab showroom, is also quite disillusioned with the brand. New AND relevant offerings cannot come soon enough, as everybody here knows.
Whatever lurks under the hood needs to be direct injection across the board. A 2.0T DI engine making ~260 hp would be a great base powerplant, a 2.8t DI engine making ~300 hp would be a great arc-level engine, and a 2.8T or 3.6t DI engine making ~360 would be an awesome Aero powerplant.
But this car needs to look as out there as the new CTS, accelerate like a Mercedes, handle like a BMW, and have the fit and finish of an Audi in order to turn perception around and save the brand. If the new insignia is anything to go by, this should be very, very doable for GM.
Oh, and it needs to be priced like an Infiniti and reliable like a Lexus.
here’s it’s platform-mate, just to show what GM is capable of
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/opel-insignia-2/757318/
No doubt, the Insignia will make a nice Saturn… Good points from Alex in my view, except a FWD Saab will never handle like a RWD BMW. Not important in my case as I prefer FWD, living in a Nordic country. AWD will surely be available for those who demand more. As for the CTS, no doubt the new one is a huge leap forward, but it is still uncomfortable for tall people in the front and anybody in the back. This is what scares me about GM. They can miss the most obvious and that’s why a Saab must remain a Saab, wherever it’s built, on whichever platform it’s sharing with a GM sibling.
At first I did not think that this was to close to what Saab woudl be producing, but then on another site, someone who claimed to have seen direct images from Saab said it was pretty spot on, and then GM showed the new Buick Invicta Concept, which LLN had predicted almost exactly, in a sketch similar in style to the Saab one. Therefore I think that this is pretty much exactly what we will see in Paris.
Here is the link to the LLN Buick Sketch and the GM Concept, and how similar they are…
http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-lacrosse-invicta.html
Hi,
I’m not allowed to comment this picture, but it is much what we will get in 2010. Proportiions are little differen, but designers newer knowed how to get proportions right on the paper.
On any case, it will be longer than the insignia.
Wow, super lame. If that’s it, Saab should just close its doors now. I’m serious.
Yeah, definitely. I seriously hope that all the raves from Saab dealers who’ve seen the real thing are a sign that the real car will look nothing like this. The front end would have been great in 2004, but times have changed and today you need alot more to stick out from the crowd the way that a Saab should.
Talked to my excellent (and disgruntled) Saab Saturn dealer in Lévis, Qc. today. We looked at the sketch of the 9-5 (which Me justly implied will be built on a stretched Epsilon II) and his first reaction is that it is close to what he saw last summer in Sweden. Fortunately, he did say the real thing had more «oomph». For one, the front fascia was more exciting.
Of course he was completely terrified at the idea of having to wait until 2012 for the next 9-3. It would be nothing short of suicidal. Speaking of the 9-3, he was allotted two Turbo Xs and both are sold, which is great news as he is not selling many Saabs these days. Not easy when you can get a brand new Merc «C» for less than a 9-3. Of course, he doesn’t have a clue as to when he will get them. As Swade pointed out I believe, in many cases, GM Canada is responsible for the problems clients have been having obtaining information from their dealers. They are completely left in the dark by their «partner».
Can only agree with some of the others that have seen the actual vehicle. The pictures from LLN has parts that are close, as the front lights. However, it had a more round shape, like the A6. When I saw the rear my first thought was Jaguar XF. To sum it up, it will be a killer!