Swedish-reg Epsilon tester spotted
Both Leftlane News and Autocar have featured shots of this Epsilon II test vehicle in the last couple of days. I’d suggest heading to the LLN link for the best enlargeable photos and Autocar for the better story.
It’s apparently an Epsilon II tester. Disguised to the hilt in its sumo costume, LLN are claiming that it’s a Buick tester but I think Autocar are actually closer to the mark. It is what the registration info says it is : a Holden owned by Saab being used to test all manner of things that Saab are in charge of for GM - i.e. turbocharging and XWD applications for FWD cars.
Here’s the registration info from the Swedish authorities (click it). Perhaps the key bit of info is that it’s a 260hp unit, most likely the same basic engine as is in the Pontiac Solstice etc.
Autocar are taking a sensible punt that the Saab 9-5 version of this car will get the highest spec suspension setup with multi-link at the rear and double wishbones at the front. I don’t think Autocar are correct on the V6 in this test model, though it’s a fairly sure thing that the 9-5 will get an inline 4, a V6 as well as the new V6 diesel unit sourced from VM Motori.
My best bet is that the 9-5 will be shown at the Paris Motor Show later this year. I wouldn’t bet my Viggen on it, but I’d probably wager my house 
Roll on October!
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Hmm, I’m going to agree with the Buick statement. The lower part of the door panels matches the other Buick spyshots. Though this may be a 9-5 with the Buick shell.
The grille is pure Buick, but like Charles said it could well be a Saab under the shell.
Especially with that 260hp number. The 260hp DI Ecotec would totally clash with Buick’s design philosophy, but it would be a perfect base engine for the upcoming 9-5.
That’s interesting…does that mean all Swedish motor vehicle records are public?
here you can sea some extra in Swedish Tillägginformation
Informationen nedan redovisas obehandlad från vägtrafikregistret. Om det är tomt innebär det att det inte finns någon tilläggsinformation om fordonet.
U01A UPPHÖR VID ÄGARBYTE
T12E PROVBIL.FORDONET FÅR BRUKAS I TRAFIK MED DE UNDANTAG SOM
GÄLLER FÖR EXPORTVAGN ENL VVFS 1994:5,AVSNITT 10.6 SAMT
UTAN KRAV PÅ BESIKTNING ENL 38 OCH 77 PARAGRAFERNA
FORDONSKUNGÖRELSEN (1972:595).SE SÄRSKILT BESLUT.
T13H ÅRSMODELLBETECKNINGEN ÄR ÅSATT AV FORDONSTILLVERKAREN.
T31BS KOLDIOXIDUTSLÄPP BLANDAD KÖRNING BERÄKNAD, CO2 252 G/KM.
UPPGIFTEN ANVÄNDS ENDAST SOM GRUND FÖR UTTAG AV FORDONSSKATT.
DÄCK- OCH FÄLGDIMENSION AXEL 2 245/45 R18 /
© Vägverket Kundtjänst för fordonsfrågor:
https://www21.vv.se/fordonsfraga/
Just looking at the Swedish reg info shows this car is a Holden.
As GM chassis no.s also tend to follow a set pattern and the 8th digit in the this chassis no. is (U). In Saab land; this donates the 2.8V6 engine, more Holden connections again. The 10th digit is an (A) which could suggest 2011MY.
And the bit I found of most interest which hopefully somebody might be able to translate is the ‘Besiktningstermin: 2011-09-01 - 2012-01-31′
Is this a proposed introduction date maybe?
Hi WooDz
Besiktningstermin: 2011-09-01 to my knowledge would mean something like ‘inspection or review time’ i.e validity of the official document
Should also clarify that there are two Magnus’s here. I have added ‘from Oz’ to my name now so we can be differentiated. I grew up and lived in Norway until I was 19 though, and I am happy to translate any Swedish document or newspaper article that could be of interest to this site!
2011-09-01 to 2012-01-31. Dates that indicate during which period when the vehicle has to undergo it´s first inspection at the Svensk Bilprovning (the Swedish Motor Vehicle Inspection Company). All cars sold in Sweden has to have their first inspection after 3 years.
Read the following info IN ENGLISH from Svensk Bilprovning SBP:
http://www.bilprovningen.se/externt/en/bpweb.nsf/38F08A8C990369E9C125706C004D41F0/C5BE8C0AB1F8D1AEC12572120035017D!OpenDocument
Cheers/Tompa
I also agree with the Buick statement. This is the same car seen in spy photos of the next gen. Buick Lacross/Regal/Invicta (or whatever they call it).
The next gen Buick will be built off of EPII so regarless of whats under the camo. it is an EPII Mule.