2009 Saab 9-5 - US model details

Posted by swade on July 1st, 2008 12 Comments Printer-Friendly

New for 2009

SCANDINAVIAN LUXURY AND PERFORMANCE CONVERGE IN 2009 9-5 SEDAN AND SPORT COMBI

The Saab 9-5 Sedan and SportCombi bring Scandinavian-inspired performance and luxury to the competitive midsize sport sedan segment. Available in both 2.3T and Aero models, they feature distinctive, aircraft-inspired design inside and out, in keeping with Saab’s roots in aviation.

The Saab 9-5 range includes the well-equipped 2.3T Sport Sedan and SportCombi models, as well as the uplevel and sportier Aero Sport Sedan and SportCombi models. All are powered by a 2.3L I-4 Turbo with 260 horsepower (194 kW) and 258 lb.-ft. of torque (350 Nm), mated to a five-speed automatic Sentronic transmission or available five-speed manual transmission.

All Saab 9-5 models are designed for sure-footed driving, thanks to a standard electronic stability program, traction control and anti-lock brakes. For 2009, the 9-5 range gets revised power window switches in the center console and new exterior colors, Carbon Grey Metallic and Glass Grey Metallic. Nocturne Blue Metallic is being reintroduced.

Aero models receive a high-gloss black metallic interior finish and new 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels that complement the sportier look.

Sedan and SportCombi standard equipment

Although the Sedan and SportCombi come with unique equipment and appointments, both are equipped with the following:

9-5 Aero

For Saab drivers who want to make a sportier statement, the 9-5 Aero Sport Sedan and SportCombi feature – in addition to the standard equipment of the 2.3T models – a lower, sport-tuned chassis, 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and leather-appointed sport seats with two-tone upholstery.

Optional equipment

Available on both the 2.3T and Aero models are a five-speed manual transmission; aerodynamic headlamps with Xenon projector beams; premium natural leather or perforated leather-appointed sport seats (ventilated front); power folding and auto-dimming outside mirrors; Saab Parking Assist (SPA) program; DVD-based navigation system with trunk-mounted six-disc CD changer.

In keeping with Saab’s safety heritage, all 9-5 models are equipped with the following standard safety-enhancing features:

OnStar provides post-crash safety and security services, including notifying emergency services personnel in the event of an air bag deployment. OnStar also provides enhanced, hands-free voice recognition capabilities, including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.

Saab history

Following the end of World War II, Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (SAAB) faced an economic shift from the military-industrial complex to the consumer-based market. Looking to diversify, the primarily military aircraft manufacturer gave 16 aircraft engineers license to create the company’s first automobile.

On June 10, 1947, the automotive division of Saab was officially born, with the unveiling of the original Saab 92 production prototype to Swedish media. More than 4 million cars later, the spirit of Saab’s pioneering engineers lives on in an extensive product lineup that is marketed in more than 50 countries around the globe.

Today, Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of the Saab 9-3, 9-5 and the 9-7X SUV for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden.

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SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models: Saab 9-5 Sedan and SportCombi

Body style / driveline: 5-passenger sedan and wagon, front-wheel drive

EPA vehicle class: midsize sedan and wagon

Manufacturing location: Trollhättan, Sweden

Key competitors: BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Volvo S60/S80

Engine

Type: 2.3L inline 4-cylinder

Displacement (cu in / cc): 140 / 2290

Bore & stroke (in / mm): 3.54 x 3.54 / 90 x 90

Block material: cast iron

Cylinder head material: light alloy, cross flow type

Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder

Ignition system: Saab Trionic-7 with direct ignition

Fuel delivery: multi-port injection

Compression ratio: 9.3:1

Aspiration: water-cooled turbocharger with APC charge pressure control, intercooler

Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): 260 / 194 @ 5300

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 258 / 350 @ 1900-4000

Recommended fuel: regular unleaded

Maximum engine speed (rpm): 6100

Estimated fuel economy (city / hwy):

Transmissions

Type: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive, fully synchronized with hydraulically actuated clutch

5-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, electronically controlled with three shift programs: normal; manual and sport; and direct mechanical lock-up in third, fourth and fifth gears

Gear ratios (:1):

5-speed manual (auto)

First: 3.38 (4.68)

Second: 1.76 (2.94)

Third: 1.18 (1.92)

Fourth: 0.89 (1.30)

Fifth: 0.66 (1.00)

Reverse: 3.17 (3.18)

Final drive ratio: 4.05 (2.44)

Chassis/Suspension

Front: MacPherson struts, lower wishbone, coil springs with twin-pipe gas shock absorbers, stabilizer bars, integrated wheel bearings

Rear: independent, multilink with inner and outer stabilizer bars, coil springs, gas shock absorbers

Traction control: electronic stability program with electronic traction control

Steering type: power-assisted rack-and-pinion, impact-collapsible steering column

Steering ratio: 15.9:1

Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: 2.9

Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): 37.1 / 11.3

Brakes

Type: 4-wheel disc with power assist and ABS, dual diagonal with 4 electronic channels, electronic brake force distribution (EBD), self-adjusting, asbestos-free pads, ventilated front discs, solid rear discs

Disc diameter (in / mm):
front: 12.05 / 306
rear: 11.26 / 286

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type: 17 x 7.5-in. alloy wheels (std.); 17-In. 5-spoke alloy wheels (std. on Aero)

Tires: 235/45R17 94V all-season

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm): 106.4 / 2703

Overall length (in / mm): 190.4 / 4836 ( Sedan) 190.6 / 4841 (SportCombi)

Overall width (in / mm): 70.5 / 1792

Overall height (in / mm): 57.2 / 1454 ( Sedan) 57.7 / 1465 (SportCombi)

Track (in / mm): front: 59.9 / 1522; rear: 60.2 / 1529

Base curb weight w / standard equipment (lb / kg):

Weight distribution (% front / rear): 60 / 40

Drag coefficient (cd):

Interior

Seating capacity (front / rear): 2 / 3

Headroom (in / mm):

Legroom (in / mm):

Shoulder room (in / mm):

Capacities

EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L):

EPA interior volume (cu ft / L):

Cargo volume (cu ft / L):

Fuel tank (gal / L): 18.5 / 70

Engine oil (qt / L): 4.1 / 4

Cooling system (qt / L): 7.8 / 7.4

Comments (12)
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Comments

Craig said:

How does that song go? “Everything old is new again…”

-July 1st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
SaabKen said:

And that song has been playing for at least 5 years too many ….

-July 1st, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Markac said:

There still needs to be a proper commemorative model to see the old girl out!

-July 1st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Grackle said:

This will likely be the last we see of a criminally underrated engine: the 2.3 liter 4-cylinder turbo. Over the years, this has become a smoother, more powerful, and utterly reliable powerplant that still has plenty of life left in it. In its current state of tune, it makes more power than a whole lot of V6’s (and even some V8’s), and chip upgrades to 300hp+ are easily found. In a time when it’s suddenly hip to “right size” your engine, GM’s decision to axe Saab’s highly refined, fuel efficient 4-bangers across the board (at least in US bound models) because they claim Americans “want” a V6 is an absolute travesty, particularly with the specter of $5.00/gallon gas looming large.

While I’m very much looking forward to the new 9-5, my next car purchase very well may be a pre-owned current-generation 9-5. This is a fabulous car, and one that doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Yes, it overstayed its welcome, no doubt about it– blame the corporate master’s negligence on that one– but what a ride.

g

-July 1st, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Nigel Park said:

Grackle.. I understand your sentiments but it isnt the power that people dont like it is the deliver. No matter how good a 4 pot is, and the Saab is very good, it still doesnt beat a V configuration for smoothness and deliver. And this is what people waht from this class of car.

-July 1st, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Markac said:

Grackle: I agree the new 9-5 needs a big four of about 2.3 to 2.5 litres, but the Saab 2.3 is now out of production. I also think as the new 9-5 is so much bigger (5 metres), a bigger version of the V6 is needed, say 3.2 litres.

I’d say for the new 9-5 should go for a 2.4 turbo and a 3.2 turbo. A 2 litre turbo four and a 2.8 litre turbo V6 just don’t seem quite right for that size/class of car.

-July 1st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
KWK said:

Speaking for myself, my 07 Aero Combi 5 speed is one of the most reliable, comfortable and fun to drive cars I’ve owned…and I’ve owend quite a few in the last 28 years, most of them Saabs of evey sort (96s, 99s, 900C and NG 900, 9000)- but also Benzes, BMWs, Audis and VWs too. Id say the 9-5 has more character than any of the non-Saabs combined. And the turbo with overboost rocks!

-July 1st, 2008 at 10:30 pm
David N. said:

Gee, do you think they’re spending their engineering resources elsewhere? The biggest news is “updated window switches”. Don’t go overboard fella’s!

Apparently everybody is working on the 9-3, 9-4 or the next-gen 9-5.

-July 2nd, 2008 at 12:08 am
joemama said:

Are they keeping the chrome around the lights? It appears so.

-July 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 am
Sport Mode said:

Regular unleaded is recommended??

That must be a typo.

-July 2nd, 2008 at 3:27 am
Kevin said:

Too bad you people and the press have maligned this car. This is a good car. That is why I bought one. Granted the retail price for a new one is a little high.

“You people????” From what I see here, Kevin, there’s a fair bit of love in the room for the 9-5. We all know she’s old-ish, but she gets respect, don’t worry about that. - SW

But the engine develops 260 hp and 258ft-lbs torque, can run on regular gasoline without pre-ignition, and I average 28 mpg with an automatic in mostly highway driving. The seats are comfortable and the 2.3T base model handles very well due to a suspension redesign for 2006. The roof load is 220 lbs maximum and the tow rating is 3500 lbs. Try finding that on another car. This car only needs side inpact air curtians and airbags like the 9-3 and it would be an IIHS top safety pick. The real world safety record is great.

Saab is Saab and not a direct competitor with BMW or Mercedes. I see the brand positioned equavlent to Acura or some where between a the VW passat VR6 and the Audi A4. You can throw stones at me, but I actually like the Malibu radio CD player and the climate control switch gear in the 2006+ models.

-July 2nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Gordon said:

Joining the chorus, I love my 9-5 Linear. (Way nicer than my 9-3 5-door.) I enjoy 30mpg on the highway at 75mph with a manual. At 55mph it goes up to 34mpg or so and I only buy 87 octane.

So here is how the 9-5 gets some attention and has some fun in its last year (assuming SAAB wants it to get any attention), introduce a limited edition Shooting Brake. That’s right a SHOOTING BRAKE, take the Aero Wagon, cut out the back doors, seats, about 2 feet of length and several hundred pounds and then make 1000 of them with numbered plates. Maybe add some unique ground effects, a unique wood color, lowered springs, a Hirsch chip, and a Quaife differential. I would buy one. This idea is so crazy that every car magazine in the world would feel compelled to at least feature a picture of it. Since it would actually be rather quick, they might even say something nice about it.

It’s our last chance, the tooling goes out the door next summer.

-July 19th, 2008 at 2:11 am