Saab test drive 9-5 2001-2005 sedan

Flight qualities

Saab. At the mention of this company, associations of a noble properties are born - aviation. And the point here is not only in the same aircraft, but also in a competent marketing policy. It was she who helped to preserve the image of the brand in Russia unknown - in the early 90s BMW, for example, they earned the title of lads, and Mercedes was bought by those who wanted to give their desired social status for the actual one. Saab, with all its extraordinary technical qualities, remained a car for those who value primarily the style. This is a machine of intellectuals who do not want to mix with the total mass.
Saab 9-5 in the Aero version is not very different from its counterparts. A light, not too aggressive dynamics of appearance, a tense, elastic line of the sidewall, nothing superfluous, everything is subordinated to the unity of shape and content. Features are only 17-inch wheels, the knitting needles of which are stylized under the turbine shoulder blades (again these aviation hints!), And neat spoilers that give 9-5 even more rapidness and external stability.
Inside, everything to the same extent is rational, nothing seems superfluous and unnatural - despite the fact that the salon is pulled by the skin, and the torpedo is decorated under the grinded aluminum. The seat sets up quickly and easily, however, in the lowest position I want to lower it a little more, but this is already a trifle. The steering wheel, lined with perforated skin, is ideal in combination with a diameter/section, so I don’t want to let go. At the head of a beautiful instrument panel, a speedometer with a non -linear scale - up to 140 km/h, it is slightly stretched, and then begins to compress.
To the left of the speedometer is a tachometer, on the right, in addition to the indicator of the fuel level and the indicator of the selected transmission mode, there is a point of boost pressure - the device in the practical sense is notorious (rather a tribute to tradition), but it is very interesting to follow it. To the left of the steering wheel on the torpedo is the external light control unit, on the right is a large (even too much) ESP disconnection button. On the central console there are an audio head, which, in addition to the cassette receiver, is also a CD slot, and a microclimate control unit combined with separate temperature control for the driver and passenger (which is already perceived as granted in a machine of this class). A little to the right - a retractable cup holder with very cunning cinematics. I must say, he bent under the weight of a full jar of 0.33 liters - and look, will break on the first serious unevenness.
At the very bottom, already almost between the seats, they found a place as an ashtray, a cigarette lighter, an automatic transmission control lever and a nest of the ignition lock (a feature that is quite familiar to Saab owners).
Passengers in the second row will not be able to complain that they were deprived of attention, there is enough space in the legs and above their heads, but more than two are better not to gather there - it will be uncomfortable sitting in the middle.
The hand with the ignition key, out of habit, stretches under the steering wheel. I catch on - what am I doing, because this is Saab! The tachometer arrow twitched on the shield and froze, not reaching the mark of 1000 vol./Min. Light rustle - more that the engine works, nothing indicates. The automatic transmission lever in position D is starting. Saab smoothly, but powerfully and without delay, removed from the place. It was immediately revealed that due to the high stern, the review back through the intra-axial mirror leaves much to be desired, and when parking in reversing would not interfere with any parking sensors. It also turned out that in standard traffic modes, the suspension is very comfortable, easily and silently copes with small potholes.
The automatic box sins with rather large delay, so when overtaking had to be reinsured - despite a good supply of power. If you put the box into a sports regime, the situation will improve markedly. When you press the accelerator pedal, the delay is much smaller, and the SAAB begins to slow down the engine to discharge gas. However, even in sports mode and with the stabilization system, the car refused to start sharply, and there was no question of breaking into the wheel slipping (apparently, when turning off ESP, the TSC antiprop -bearing system remains involved). All the disadvantages were compensated with a hundredfold during acceleration from 70 km/h to 160 km/h - just a hurricane, and this is the most necessary when overtaking on a suburban highway.
When passing the turns, Aero demonstrates good stability, but insufficient rotation is a slight demolition of the front axle, which, however, is easily controlled. Yes, without special techniques, you can’t put this car in a bend sideways, even turning off ESP. In addition, the suspension was soft for the limit modes - there was a feeling of fuzzy response. The steering has a good feedback, but when turning the steering wheel at an angle of more than 90 degrees, there is a failure that interferes with mutual understanding with the machine. But I really liked the brakes - powerful, highly effective, allowing even in a critical situation to stop the car where necessary.
On the Saab 9-5 Aero to wave it at sea-rush along an empty highway, enjoying power and comfort, and at night, turning on the Night Panel mode, see in front of you in the dark only a gray ribbon of the road and a speedometer arrow, which states the fact of such a desirable movement in space.
Text: Alexander Nadens
 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 8/2002]