Comments on: Saab 9-5 mumblings

By: Kroum

Kroum — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:29:45 +0000

Now Auto Express is reporting the next generation 5 series will also come as a hatchback, Skoda Superb style.

By: ck1x

ck1x — Sun, 18 May 2008 20:03:53 +0000

Well I for one just hope that Saab shows the new 9-5 sometime soon. it doesn’t help that this will be the first car coming out the gate and we know virtually nothing about it. Once again, i’ve said it before. Saab has to start showing these cars, that’s how they get free press and marketing. Every other day you hear about something that Audi is doing. It gets people intrigued by your brand and waiting for more. Saab has some fresh ideas but they are just to secretive of a company.

By: Nigel Park

Nigel Park — Sat, 17 May 2008 07:41:49 +0000

I have had cars where just the rear galss opened and found it a waste of time. What would be better is a split rear door like a Range Rover. That way it is easier to load and also somewhere to sit when out in the country.

I do like the sound of the size of it. It needs to have presence … like the old 9000 Aero ( Oh I miss my Aero…).

By: Markac

Markac — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:36:49 +0000

I’m thinking the length of the new 9-5 has something to do with the original idea to build both the 9-5 and the 9-3 on the Epsilon II platform. As the Insignia is expected to come in around 4900mm, it was probably decided to make the 9-5 about 10-15cm longer and the 9-3 about 10-15cm shorter so that both cars were strongly differentiated from the Opel.

When plans changed for the 9-3, I guess the 9-5 was too far along in the planning stage to make it closer to the insignia in size, so it seems we might be left with a very large Saab?

It is probably desirable to have different models in the range vary 20-30cm in length,
but if the next 9-3 shrinks marginally from it’s current 4647mm, to say 4595mm, there could end up being over 40cm difference in length.
Where once we said the 9-3 were too close, perhaps in the future they will be too far apart?

By: zippy

zippy — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:08:38 +0000

I am really looking forward to seeing what Saab does for the new 9-5. I am expecting something that will look like no other car on the road!

By: albert

albert — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:10:07 +0000

I’m not surprised. Audi A6 is doing 4,93 m. Pedestrian protection rules make for even longer noses at new cars. And to compensate for the longer nose they simple make the rear also a bit longer. there you go. It is in line with the competition.

By: PGAero

PGAero — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:30:16 +0000

Kroum, I like what you’re proposing (although a 5m 9-5 seems bigger than it needs to be…), but I wonder if GM got the same memo you got. I sure hope so.

In the mean-time, I’m enjoying my 9000 Aero.

By: Kroum

Kroum — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:41:09 +0000

In fact, this makes perfect sense. The new 9-3 is unlikely to get any smaller, even if it’s built on a compact platform. It will probably keep its current length, only get more rear leg-room.

The rumoured 9-3 hatch/coupe will probably resemble the Audi A5 and the 3-series coupe, not so much the NG9-3. Look at the CTS coupe. The convertble will be somewhere in-between, I assume.

Then under the 9-3, you have the more compact 9-1 – it would be smaller, despite sharing a platform with the 9-3, but more importantly lighter and with less rear leg room.

A new 9-5 at 5 meters in length slots in perfectly at the top of the model lineup. Large and luxurious, this is what a flagship sedan should be. Think the 9000 Aero back in the day. The new 9-5 Aero will probably come with a 380 hp. V6, and I bet you the bas 4 cylinder will output north of 300 hp, which is perfectly adequate for its class.

This is a great lineup for Saab. A 3- and 5-door compact 9-1, a 9-3 in four body styles (sedan, coupe, combi and convertible), a 9-4X and a large 9-5, your choice of sedan, wagon or 4-door-coupe. Equipped with the right engine options, Saab all of a sudden gets competitive in most of the premium market segments except roadsters and large SUVs. And this would be done on 3 base platforms, where the best-selling models are all produced in Trollhattan.

Not bad at all. It can enable Saab to build a Sonett X.

By: rayman146

rayman146 — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:15:42 +0000

concerning the boot – - the new Skoda Superb has a Twinboot … you chose between opening it like a normal Sedan or like a hatch! Take this one and do us a favor as well. 4.90m should be the maximum. I had the new Jaguar XF for a ride and this one is exactly that large. more would be … just too much

By: Markac

Markac — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:59:40 +0000

I thought the Insignia was only about 4900mm. I wasn’t expecting the Saab to be more than 4950mm. The BMW 5 series is only 4841mm, so it could be closer to the 7 series which is 5039mm. It certainly should be large enough for all those that complain that the 9-3 doesn’t have enough room in the back. It’ll be too big for me though.