Saab test drive 9-5 2001-2005 sedan

The son of the northern winds

Neither give nor take - a real wiking! A little heavy and at first glance is unflappable, but in which case instantly turns out to be swift and energetic. Always ready to stand up for himself and repulse the offender. Strict and frowning, but elegant in its own way. Each body element works for this image - look at the front bumper, stubbornly and uncomfortably moved forward. Or on block facts, reminiscent of the battle axes of the Scandinavian warriors.

One hundred percent male car! And one hundred percent Saab - absolutely recognizable, original and unconditionally beautiful.

 

For companies such as Saab Automobile AB, loyalty to traditions is of paramount, key importance. After all, their products are not focused on the so -called mass consumer, but on a fairly narrow circle of connoisseurs who know exactly why they devastate their bank account. Therefore, the 9-5 model was a return to the origins after the 9000th, which had Italian origin and in the Saabov style of fit in the best way. Judging by appearance, the current flagship is rather an ideological heir to the 900 eighties sedan than cars with three zeros on the trunk lid.

 

But inside 9-5 and 9000 they are strikingly similar! Here it is, the famous front panel of oval outlines, here is a familiar four -spitting steering wheel, devices - and those are placed in the same order. The readings of the devices are read well, despite the close neighborhood of the right three scales, led by a boost pressure indicator. The Night Panel nightlight system is very curious, when turned on, all the dials and indicators go out on the dashboard, except for the speedometer, and the high -speed sector (after 140 km/h) dissolves in the darkness. By the way, the speedometer scale is non -linear, and just from the mark of 140 the division step is compressed, and the numbers are smaller.

 

As it should be Saaba, the console is dotted with buttons, most of which control the work of microclimate and radio. And the music here is noble-the elite brand Harman-Kardon. To match her and climate control, with which the driver can set the temperature for himself and separately - for his neighbor and rear passengers. The capabilities of the ventilation system are realized by a whole company deflectors: For example, to the left of the steering wheel there are not one, but two, and both are adjustable. During the inspection of the cabin, even air ducts in the central racks were found, protecting the rear side glasses from freezing and fogging. And what is this long key on the central console? Vertical cup holder? Yes, in a folded state, it really takes a vertical position, but in the process of leaving, the holder’s ring turns 90 degrees. However! True, they say that well -forgotten old has a good chance to become new. Please - the ignition lock located on the tunnel between the front seats. Freshly? But this is a long -standing family feature of Saabov. Near the lock there is a block of the windows buttons, and it is planted at an angle so that they can be controlled by a hand, leaning on the armrest. And the armrest here is nothing - in fact, this is a container cover, which, if necessary, is advanced forward.

 

The seats nine to five are located to a greater extent to comfortable driving - not hard, with unobtrusive side support. They are they are regulated in height and degree of lumbar backup, and are also equipped with three -level heating. And as an option, you can order the ventilation of the seats. Active head restraints protect the cervical vertebrae from injuries when hitting behind. Finally, the steering column adjustable in height and length will provide the driver with real assistance in choosing the optimal position. As always, there are a considerable impression of trifles, thanks to which a feeling of high -grade of the machine develops. In particular, double anti -loner visors or nets in the central racks for umbrellas. And heating the lower part of the windshield is not just luxury equipment, but also a passive safety tool.

 

A five -seater car is about Saab 9-5. The back is very spacious, and three passengers will be located comfortably. If two are sitting here, then a wide armrest with a container for papers and retractable cup holders will feel even more emancipated. The trunk lock can be opened either from the driver's seat by pressing the button on the door sheathing, or from the ignition key. Lighting/unloading a five hundred -plot cargo compartment will facilitate the trunk lid with a multi -link suspension - in the open position it almost lies on the rear window. A few words about the technical side of the matter. Saab 9-5, during the development hidden under the name C640, is built on the platform of the second-generation Opel Vectra model. This allowed the first time to use a multi -leaf rear suspension on the cars of the Swedish brand. Machines in all versions are equipped with gasoline turbo engines by working volumes 2.0 and 2.3 liters. The tested car is equipped with a V235E engine with a low pressure turbine Garrett GT17. With security, 9-5, like most Swedish cars, is in perfect order. In 1998, the EURONCAP Committee, based on the results of a series of Crash tests, recognized the car as safe in class E. You can bring several digits. A collision with a fixed obstacle at speeds up to 8 km/h does not cause the slightest damage to the body. A collision at a speed of 15 km/h pours into the deformation of the bumper mounts. 120 km/h. Partial overlap. All the inhabitants of the salon remain alive. Comments are superfluous. As you know, it was not included in our tasks of the rechecking of this data. But to evaluate the running qualities of the car, to try what this ground fighter on the road was extremely curious. An interesting moment.

 

Having taken the car from the dealer with an empty tank, on the last drops of gasoline I get to the gas station and fill twenty liters. The arrow of the fuel level indicator barely rose above the red zone, and the bulb continues to burn out unsatuently! Sensor glitches? It seems that with such an opinion I would have remained if I had not recognized the volume of the tank later. 75 liters. Non -well, when a moderate driving around the city of fuel should be enough for five hundred kilometers.

 

Is it possible to travel measuredly on Saab? It turns out, yes, and without effort. Because the car is sharpened for comfortable movement in space, and the sports sharpness of reactions is not peculiar to it. The machine delicately switches the gears, and the turbine is not forcing passengers to throw their heads.

The steering is not acute, the returning force is slightly sluggish, but it is very understandable - the connection of the car with the driver is not violated for a second. Energy -intensive suspension levels medium -sized coating defects. True, in large pits and joints it shakes, but with an increase in speed, any road turns into an ideal surface of an autobahn.
 

All of what has been said does not mean that Saab has turned into a spineless limousine and has lost the ability to give pleasure during assertive driving. Even despite the automatic gearbox. She is just extremely good. The car clearly responds to the movement of the gas pedal, and in most cases the possibilities of adaptive transmission are enough for the eyes and by the ears.
 

Pedal puffing activates the Kik Dowun mode, and when the gas is discharged, the box skillfully connects the lower gear. I did not like only a noticeable delay in the response of the car to the fully recessed accelerator pedal. However, as it turned out, this is not the fault of the box. The subtlety is as follows. The engine with a boost of low pressure has an almost diesel characteristic of torque; Take a look at the technical data. So: the functions of the electronic system Trionic 7, which fully controls the operation of the power unit, includes protection of the motor and boxes from peak loads at a sharp start. Naturally, she needs some time to optimize the operation of power, ignition and turbocharging systems for the nibble and safe acceleration for the mechanical part of the car. You can use the sports mode of switching, and then the reactions of the machine will become more operational. I liked the lightness with which 9-5 allows you to control the demolition of the front axle: when playing with gas, the turn can be passed on the verge of tearing off the wheels. But there is one remark. On the turns of uneven roads, sometimes a diagonal build -up of the body arises, causing a completely explained desire to release the gas pedal.

 

The brakes deserve the highest assessments. The EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) equipped with an electronic system of distribution of brake force, they make it possible to jewelly monitor the slowdown process. And they do not occupy effectiveness. This is all the more useful that ABS does not seek to intervene as soon as possible in the actions of the driver with his help. Convenient car. Spacious, obedient, safe. Powerful, but not nervous. Stylish and not pretentious, not corporal eyes. He wears the brand to a certain extent exotic and prestigious. An outstanding combination, an interesting alternative. A candidate for which it is not ashamed to cast your vote.
 
   
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 48/2001]