Car Trends Magazine

This is our new artist’s impression of the new Saab 9-5 estate, one of the first new products to be launched by Saab as a new independent car maker. It’s scheduled for launch in autumn 2010, by which time they hope to have sorted out the complicated separation from GM.

It’s one of four new Saabs coming in 18 months: the 9-5 saloon and estate, the new 9-4X crossover and the next 9-3.

What’s new on the 2010 Saab 9-5 estate?

Our new image is said to be remarkably close to the finished 9-5 estate. So expect a smooth style, with a visor-like wraparound rear screen, a large tailgate for easy access and a heavy dose of Swedish practicality.

The current 9-5 estate ushered in aviation-spec cargo lashing tech; CAR remembers attending the press launch, where they hung a wagon upside down hanging from a single aluminium lashing point. Bank on more clever stowage solutions to make family life on the road easier.

The full suite of 9-5 engines will be offered:

• 1.6T, 178bhp, 37.1mpg, 179g/km
• 2.0T, 217bhp, 33.6mpg, 198g/km
• 2.8T, 296bhp, 24.8mpg, 269g/km
• 2.0TiD, 158bhp, 53.3mpg, 139g/km

Turbocharged hybrid powertrains are in the pipeline, and four-wheel drive is available on many models this time round.

Is the new Saab 9-5 just a reskinned Insignia?

While the pair share many mechanical similarities, Saab product planners have told CAR that 70% of the 9-5 was designed in Sweden and it’ll be 100% built in Sweden. Originally, GM had planned to switch production to Russelsheim in Germany.

It’s ripe timing for a new 9-5; the saloon was first launched in 1997, the estate in 1999 – even two facelifts (in 2001 and 2005) haven’t softened the passage of time.

Saab is pitching the new 9-5 squarely into Audi A6 territory. They reckon the segment is worth 1.2 million cars a year – and they want to snaffle a 3% market share of that.

(By Tim Pollard (artist’s impression by Motor Forecast/R Varicak))