Saab test drive 9-5 2005-2009 sedan

The flight continues

The radically updated appearance of the Saab 9-5 business class veteran received ambiguous reviews. One likes the bold style unconditionally, others cannot accept it because of the amount of chromium uncharacteristic for European cars. However, everyone recognizes spectacularly.
 

In any case, the Swedes can be understood. Only with such brave actions can you tighten interest in a long -selling model. But why is this imbalance in the design of the front and the stern? The front end turned out to be dynamic, and it seems that the car is about to take off (according to the Saab aircraftFilosophy), but the Kutsya rear lights evoke longing and make them quickly land.
 

However, the radical measures of Saab should bear fruit. 9-5 stands out from the stream and will probably become in the soul to many. Personally, I quickly got used to the chrome front, and in general, the new design gradually became cute to me.
 

Inside the possibilities for experiments were limited more, it is noticeable. The salon is not bad, soundly assembled, but in some places the auto industry sends to yesterday. Soft chairs almost without lateral support advocate primarily for comfort. The steering wheel of the correct diameter and section, all devices are normally read, ergonomics without complaints. Simple, but with taste.
 

The scratches on the plastic casing of the steering shaft were amused in the place where most of the cars have the ignition lock. With reflexes, there is nothing to be done to I myself left a couple of marks there. And the key must be inserted into the groove on the tunnel between the front seats. Chip! Like the Night Panel function, which turns off the tachometer and some lighting lights on the central console, which makes the riding on the night highway more comfortable. And if you do not fasten, the inscription with the corresponding appeal will burn on the ceiling. To complete the aircraft picture, there are not enough nozzles of personal blowing from above and the button to call the stewardess.
 

If someone thinks that Aero is about sports, then he is mistaken. It seems to me that the ideology of the airmobile is expressed in a quick, but primarily comfortable movement in space with the minimum possible damage to controllability. Did the Saab engineers find this middle ground? I admit, the studded winter tires were very difficult to answer this question ...
 

A 2.3-liter turbo engine is well familiar to all fans of the brand. And not only them. For an updated version of Aero, the unit was forced, and now it gives out 260 hp. A solid indicator, and the engine itself is very good. Especially when the tachometer arrow is selected for a mark of 2000 rpm. The car accelerates evenly and confidently. Flies! It cannot be otherwise, because 350 nm of torque has been available from 1900 revolutions.
 
The potential of the engine is best revealed on the highway. The five -speed automatic machine is somewhat slow in the city of delays when switching (even in manual mode) is normal for it. By the way, the automatic transmission has no means affects accelerating dynamics. With a manual Aero manual, it accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, and with an automatic machine for 8.2. But he is able to please manual mode. The box control levers are located in the upper part of the steering hub for the thumbs. Convenient, and there are no analogues.
 

On the highway, the car famously rushes forward, easily overcoming the line of 200 km/h. A rather soft suspension at ease smoothly smoothes the profile of the road. Noise insulation is worthy, the motor is almost inaudible, and the rumble of studded rubber does not at all annoy. In general, something similar to a feeling of flying 9-5 Aero is really born.
  

It is gratifying that, despite its comfort, the chassis does not graze on the waves of swing. The rolls in corners, of course, are present, but this does not interfere with the conduct of the sedan along the selected path and change it. But the liveliness and responsiveness of the steering is lacking. You have to put up with an empty steering wheel and uncertainty in the near -Stolium zone. However, these shortcomings with a high degree of probability can be attributed to winter tires on a good summer, I am sure that the behavior of the car would be more collected, and the reactions to the actions of the steering wheel is clearly more.
 

With the power of the motor, you recall once again with intensive acceleration, the raging front wheels make the steering wheel work, adjusting the trajectory. Saab 9-5 Aero noticeably leads the nose under the thrust.
 

Everyone knows that the problem of choosing a car is most often solved with an eye on the price. So, for the modeling model, dealers are asking for $ 48,000. With a mechanics, a machine is less than $ 2000. But we are talking about top versions in a good configuration. With the indicated amount to expensive and powerful German classmates, one cannot approach, and the gaze logically shifts towards cheaper Japanese and European analogues. And here the new radical image of Saab 9-5 can say its word.
 

Saab 9-5 Aero prices and configurations
Prices for the SAAB 9-5 Aero start from $ 46,000 for a car with a mechanical 6-speed gearbox. The machine adds $ 1900 to the cost of the machine.
 
  
Leonty Tyutelev

Source: Motor magazine [December 2006]