Saab test drive 9-5 2001-2005 sedan

Aero-Sani

Saab 9-5 Aero
Saab cars always held apart. Like their owners. It is believed that a person who has opted for Saab is buying not just a car, but a unique image. Even after Saab passed into the hands of General Motors (the SAAB 9-3 and 9-5 models manufactured today are built on Opel Vectra car platforms), the Swedish automakers managed to maintain the individuality of their models. The individuality, thanks to which in the mid-90s, Saab cars were frantic in Russia.
True, only memories remained of the former success. And thousands of Saab 9000, running along the Moscow streets. In the past five years, the Swedes have lost leadership positions in the Russian market of business class sedans. But GM expects Saab to conquer the Russian open spaces. The bet is made on the top model 9-5 Aero the most winter car from the breed of hot sedans.
Search for differences in the appearance of the updated Saab 9-5 Aero from the previous model is not an easy task even for brand experts. Changes are visible only when the old and new cars stand nearby. It immediately becomes clear with what trepidation of the Saabov designers belong to the corporate identity. At first glance, all the details are the same, but in fact the headlights, and the radiator grille, the wings, and the mirrors are completely different.
The designers, however, failed to solve the problem of visibility back inherent in all Saab. Ringing the high edge of the trunk interferes with the reversing is better to navigate on the side mirrors. However, the maneuvers greatly facilitates parking sensors, which should be ordered as an option.
At first glance, the salon also did not undergo serious modernization. The proprietary aviation console has been preserved, and the instrument shield was also designed in the previous style. Changes are felt more likely to touch than with vision. The front panel is made of soft plastic, which, in its texture, is almost inferior to genuine skin. A slightly rough helm (the steering wheel is sheathed with perforated skin) is more pleasant to hold with bare hands, and not in gloves. There are no complaints about the combination of devices, except that the tachometer on a car with a clearly sports character could be highlighted more than the place on the instrument panel.
True saabers will appreciate the new quality of the accessories of the toggle switches, door handles, air ducts. In a word, in terms of interior decoration, Saab came close to the reference German standard. By the way, now all Saab 9-5 are originally equipped with a separate climate control system for the left and right parts of the cabin. As for the microclimate, Saab proved himself to be a real northern machine. We took the car when 20-degree frosts stood in Moscow. Nevertheless, a powerful stove in the morning managed to heat the salon frozen overnight to a comfortable temperature in just seven to eight minutes. Heating of the seats struck the fifth point with its power, it becomes heat a minute after turning on the heating. It, however, can be adjusted (three modes), so you will not be fried
The main changes in the technical filling of the car are increased from 230 hp. up to 250 l.C. The power of the four -cylinder turbocharged engine, the ESP course stabilization system, the new five -speed automatic transmission (it replaced the four -speed automatic) and a more rigid, with sports notes the suspension.
Turning to electronics
250 forces are even too much, I thought, trying to get 100 km/h from a place for the promised 6.9 seconds. On the asphalt, the studded low -profile Hakkapelita tires at a very sharp start broke into the slip (or the TCS anti -operating system, which muffled the engine). So it was not possible to fully enjoy the starting acceleration. But you get your portion of adrenaline in full, when at a speed of 100 km/h you will save the accelerator pedal to the floor. It does not matter what snow, ice or wet asphalt for covering under the wheels. For a split second, the ESP indicator is turned on on the instrument panel, the electronics instantly straightens the course (if you accelerate on the straight line, then the drift is absolutely not felt), and you are pressed into the back of the seat as if in the airline at the time of the starting set of speed.
The Swedes managed to configure ESP in such a way that, with a sharp acceleration, the system does not jerk the engine for a second even in gas mode in the floor. Cunning electronics only slows down wheels on the left or right side at the first hint of ski. According to the chief SAAB specialist for the brake systems of Lars-Grand Varmark, the ESP system is not designed to compensate for the deficiencies of the chassis and driving errors: traditional systems, as a rule, begin to work only at the moment when the skid begins. We sought to make ESP, which is scared before the driver.
Thanks to the target stability system, even an inexperienced driver will be able to enjoy the sports temperament of Aero. To control this car in an active style, it is not necessary to own racing techniques only to reasonably calculate the speed and correctly choose the trajectory. The nuances will follow the electronics.
Such a detailed story is not a new option in principle (on cars of other brands it has long been installed in serially) also deserves because so far in SAAB they refused it for conceptual reasons. Previously, the Swedish automotivemen adhered to the principle according to which the driver should control the machine without electronics intervention. It seems that the principle of this Swedes made only their benefit. A successfully configured ESP allows you to realize the huge potential of the turbo engine, to which I have only two claims, without unnecessary risk. The first vibration on the steering wheel and selector of the machine at the idle speed of the engine. She was so strong that I even decided to check whether the diesel was hidden under the hood of this Saab (although I knew very well which car I took for the test). It is possible, it is true that this unpleasant sensation is not a consequence of a constructive shortage, but a defect that appeared during operation (Aero has already passed through the ruthless tests of colleagues-journalists). The second minus is excessive gluttony of the engine. The car in urban mode drinks about 16 liters of 98th gasoline. However, Saab connoisseurs appetite of engines are not surprising this characteristic feature of promoted turbocharged engines.
The former Saab has more than once got from specialists for an extremely soft suspension. You do not present this claim to the new Aero. The characteristics of the suspension were clenched by giving her sports notes. There are no taps of the body at all, although the rolls are felt in excessively dashing turns. Blows from pits and ice growths go out in the bowels of the suspension, not passing onto the steering wheel and without causing shudder of the body.
By the way, in winter another enviable feature of the new 9-5 is visible. The car has excellent cross -country ability. At least I never had to push the car out of the snowdrifts, although, looking for a successful perspective for photography, we walked along the snow virgin soil with depths of at least 20 cm. From the snowy Arbat lanes, I also cut out without any tension and this is despite the low clearance And an automatic gearbox.
The union of TSS and ESP helps successfully overcoming snow drifts, which does not allow the wheels to break into the slip and bury (without drowning out the engine), as well as relatively low weight of the car, front -wheel drive and wide studded tires.
The Saab 9-5 Aero buyer wages with such first-class models as Audi A6, BMW 5th series, Mercedes-Benz E-class and Volvo S80. It seems that Saab’s chances for success are very good. The Swedish automotive soldiers are now rightfully proud of not only the pronounced individuality of Saab, but also the highest consumer qualities of their brainchild, which grew to the level of competitors.
Igor Komarov

Source: Wheel (company)