Saab 9-5 test drive since 2010 sedan

Waiting for the heir

The Swedish SAAB 9-5, who debuted in the distant 1997 and survived the first restyling four years later, is now a veteran of the conveyor. However, according to rumors, a completely new SAAB 9-5 will appear in 2006. In the meantime, they refreshed a long -known version.
 
With this approach, first of all, lighting equipment, radiator cladding, bumpers are usually getting. Saab is no exception: the aggressive view of the headlights in a rich chrome salary is recognizable as a mile away. By the way, not only the headlights were changed, but all the front body parts to the doors. With chromium, perhaps, a bright makeup was not always young. But the rear was really successful: the lanterns were forced to completely change the bumper and trunk lid, making the stern more fashionable and attractive.
 

Three -fuel row

In Europe, half of the Saabs are sold with diesel engines. It is not surprising that the car received a new turbodiesel 1.9 TID (this will be on New Saab) with a boost: 150 hp. and 320 N.M. Only the top version of 2.3 Aero has more moment, with 350 N. M can be brought even to 370 N.M in a 20-second viper mode. You involuntarily remember the aviation roots of Saaba.
 

It is especially great to check the runways, putting the lever of the five -speed automatic to the manual control mode and switching the transmission with a pair of petals behind the steering knitting needles. True, a car with a hydromechanical box in acceleration to a hundred still loses 4.3 with a machine with mechanics. And the maximum speed is the same: 250 km/h. The most powerful motor, by the way, added 10 hp. And now it develops 260 hp.
 

The chassis settings have also changed, if earlier they were averaged and compromised for all modifications, now the pendants of the least powerful machines have made more softer and comfortable, and the aero, on the contrary, more rigid and sports. Another innovation affected all modifications: the rigidity of the steering rack was increased, which made the control more clear.
 

It is curious that all four gasoline engines are created, in fact, on one cylinder block. The two -liter unit is distinguished only by a piston reduced by 12 mm. The three engines with a volume of 2.3 liters differ primarily by boost. And in one of the test machines, the hard diesel sound of the engine is combined with a moderate, rather gasoline thrust and a long gasoline scale of the tachometer. This is a 2-liter BioPower operating on an alcoholobenzine mixture of E85. Such Saabs in Sweden are now selling up to 45%!
 

Black room

That is how Black Room calls the new concept of the SAAB 9-5 interior. I will not say that I am delighted with her. In my opinion, gloomy, there are not enough bright details. But the stunningly beautiful and convenient steering wheel with a silver insert is just a work of art.
 

Cars are produced in three main trim levels: Linear, ARC and Vector (plus, of course, Aero). Even the minimum level of equipment implies a two-zone climate control, electric windows and mirrors, an information display on the new dashboard, athermal glass, two steering wheel adjustments, ABS, tramp monitoring, and a stabilization system. In the list of options: the navigation system speaking in eleven languages, three options for audio systems, hatch, heating all seats, a full electric package, ventilated leather sports seats in front, rain and light sensors, parking sensors, bixenon. There is even Dynamic Workload Manager System for regulating the information coming to the driver. She is capable of, for example, to delay the incoming call or SMS on the built -in phone during a complex maneuver of overtaking or turning.
 

A special proposal for the station wagon for the terminology of the SAAB, the sported self -regulatory rear suspension, which supports constant road clearance, regardless of the load.
 

The Swedish company has always paid great security attention. SAAB 9-5 has already won the maximum five stars in the Crash tests of Euroncap. Credaks are guarded by adaptive two -stage front pillows, tensioners and limiters of the effort of the front belts, a passenger protection system from diving, active head restraints on the front seats. But there are only four pillows! Unlike more modern models equipped with curtains built into the roof to protect the head, in the model 9-5 they are not. The problem was solved almost twice, up to 20 liters, increased the volume and size of the side pillows, which are now able to protect the passenger’s head.
 

The updated car has already appeared among Russian dealers. Changes will surely warm up interest in him. However, the era of the reign of the current 9-5 is nearing the end. Devoted subjects are waiting for the heir. I wonder if it will be very different from the current version?
 
 
 

 

 
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"