Saab soft-pedals 9-5

The long-awaited 9-5 is finally here. Saab had quietly gone about reintroducing its product range to the local market two months ago, but the flagship of the range was conspicuous by its absence -- until now.

Nominally aimed at Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Volvo S80, the new 9-5 is a significantly larger car than the last model bearing that name to be sold in Australia. Saab MD Stephen Nicholls willingly admitted during his presentation that the previous model was too close in size to the 9-3. The latest car will face no such problem.

"The previous generation 9-5 was not different enough from the 9-3... it had many, many fine qualities, but it was a little bit longer than the 9-3 -- and just about exactly the same width," Nicholls explained. "It was an orphan in a sense that you can clearly identify from a size perspective where the premium small segment is, where the premium mid segment is and where the premium large segment is -- and the 9-5 was right in the middle."

Another point made by Nicholls during the new car's local launch was that it's not under any pressure to sell in huge numbers during the first 12 months.

"We had a discussion with our dealers about [the sales forecast for 9-5] at the end of last year -- and they were talking about some quite large numbers, which of course we'd be very happy to see. We think that 80 to 100 this year should be achievable."

Nicholls subsequently explained that Saab's primary focus at the present is profitability. The company won't be doing deals at the expense of its bottom line in Australia -- and nor will its dealers. That may comfort buyers concerned about the car's resale values in the future.

"We'd rather walk away from a deal than lose money," he said.

Saab expects that as much as 75 per cent of the new model sold here will be the 9-5 Vector front-wheel drive models, with the all-wheel drive Aero variant accounting for the balance.

Three variants make up the range, with the diesel-engined Vector TiD4 the entry-level model, price at $71,900. Equipped to the same level of trim and also a front-driver, the 9-5 Vector Turbo4 adds $4000 ($75,900) and the range-topped 9-5 Aero Turbo6 XWD makes the jump to $94,900. While the Turbo4 petrol variant comes with a more sophisticated IRS system and larger brakes than the diesel, the principal factor accounting for the price difference between the two is the Luxury Car Tax. The diesel, by achieving a sub-7.0L/100km combined-cycle fuel consumption and being positioned below $75,000, is exempt from the LCT -- the Turbo4 petrol model isn't.

Standard equipment at the Vector level includes: 8-inch colour infotainment display, satellite navigation, 11-speaker Harman/Kardon surround-sound audio with 10-Gig HDD, remote audio controls (on the steering wheel), USB connectivity, Bluetooth, Head-up display, 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, front/rear fog lights, leather trim, electro-chromatic interior mirror, climate control, cruise control, keyless entry/start, electric park brake, Night Panel instrumentation, electrically-heated/adjustable exterior mirrors, electric windows, chilled glovebox and two 12V auxiliary power outlets.

The Aero specification adds 'XWD' ('Cross-wheel drive') system, three-mode DriveSense system, 19-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, Saab Advanced Park Assist, sports seats with memory plus adjustable thigh support for driver, folding electro-chromatic exterior mirrors and 'Smart Beam' cornering headlights.

All three variants are powered by forced-induction (turbocharged) engines, driving through six-speed Aisin-Warner automatic transmissions.

The diesel Vector TiD4 is powered by an inline four-cylinder with cast-iron block, DOHC and common-rail induction. Maximum power of 118kW is developed at 4000rpm and the engine reaches its torque peak of 350Nm between 1750 and 2500rpm. Combined-cycle fuel consumption is 6.7L/100km and CO2 emissions in the same cycle are rated at 177g/km.

All alloy in construction, the turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in the Vector Turbo4 features DOHC, direct injection, direct ignition and a twin-scroll turbocharger. Its rated power of 162kW occurs at 5300rpm and the torque figure of 350Nm is developed at 2500rpm. In combined-cycle testing, fuel consumption is 9.4L/100km and CO2 emissions amount to 217g/km. Both four-cylinder engines displace two litres.

The V6 in the 9-5 Aero Turbo6 XWD is built by Holden in Port Melbourne. It's a turbocharged engine displacing 2.8 litres and producing 221kW at 5500rpm and 400Nm at 2000rpm. Saab recommends owners fill up with 95 RON premium unleaded, which is consumed at the rate of 11.3L/100km in the combined-cycle test. CO2 emissions are 262g/km.

At the front, both front-drive variants share the same basic MacPherson strut set-up, but the petrol four scores what Saab calls a 'Linked H-arm' IRS system in common with the all-wheel drive V6 variant. According to Saab, it's a more sophisticated system than the multi-link IRS of the diesel model. Each of the three variants feature hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering, with the flagship's system electronically controlled. Brakes are ventilated at the front, with only the diesel 9-5 making do with solid discs at the rear. The other two variants count on ventilated rotors for the rear wheels. Disc rotor size varies across all three variants, with the diesel's brakes measuring 296mm front/292mm rear, in diameter, the Turbo4 measuring 321mm front/315mm rear and brakes for the Turbo6 (Aero XWD) measuring 337mm front/315mm rear.

As already mentioned, the new 9-5 is larger than the model it replaces; just over five metres in length with a wheelbase of 2837mm and a width (not including mirrors) of 1868mm. Saab states that the boot space will hold 513 litres of luggage.

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