Saab took the wraps off its new 9-5 sedan at the Frankfurt auto show on Tuesday, revealing a dramatic redesign predicted by a Leftlane illustration published nearly 18 months ago. The car represents one of the most anticipated new car reveals by the automaker in several years.
Although the face of the 2011 Saab 9-5 is familiar, the overall body shape is new for the big sedan. The 2011 model’s roof flows much smoother into the rear, making it look almost coupe-like. Styling cues from 9-4X BioPower concept are clearly present.
The dark interior has some cues from the 9-3 but appears to be a mostly all-original design. As far as we can tell, the 9-5 does share the GM corporate steering wheel also seen in the Buick LaCrosse and Opel Insignia, as well as the Buick’s rear-seat monitors. The radio controls are GM-derivative, but the gauges and overall design theme are clearly Saab unique. We’d expect to see wood trim in addition to the sport-style trim shown.
The 9-5 will gain some extra weight, height and length over the current model. The wheelbase is also being increased by 14 cm to make the car a large one indeed. It should fit in nicely within its competition cluster which consists of cars like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac CTS and Volvo S80.
It will be sold with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions and — true to Saab tradition — only turbocharged powerplants. At launch, the 9-5 will be available with a 2.0L turbo diesel — producing 160 horsepower — a 220 horsepower 2.0L turbo gas motor and a range-topping 300 horsepower 2.8L turbocharged V6. Models fitted with the 2.8L will also come equpped with Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system.
Later on, a 180 horsepower 1.6-liter gas engine and a 2.0-liter E85-capable unit will be added to the 9-5 mix.



09/16, 12:05 AM
posted by:
Jas Is Evil
Incredibly bland exterior, and the interior looks terrible. What a disappointment.
09/16, 12:20 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
So, is everyone now officially ready to hand over the reins to Koenigsegg or do we need to have a group hug first?
09/16, 12:23 AM
posted by:
anyclearer
i think this i fantastic, and a bold beefy look. more manly then some cars out there like the 3 series.
09/16, 12:45 AM
posted by:
alsvw
nice interior.
09/16, 1:10 AM
posted by:
VictorRaikkonen
I actually like it but I would not choose it over a comparable Audi, BMW, etc.
09/16, 1:21 AM
posted by:
TW1NTURBO
more manly than a 3 series? have you taken medication?
09/16, 6:20 AM
posted by:
erkdaklrk
I like it. The only thing I don’t enjoy is that Saab took out the pushbutton cupholders.
09/16, 6:39 AM
posted by:
AutoCritical
I love the more obvious links to its aeronautical history. The ****-pit DLO – the afterburner tail lights – Hungry grilles! (sketches to show what I mean here: http://bit.ly/31t9JT ) It just looks so saab!
09/16, 9:32 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I don’t like it….kind of boring old saab design to me…
09/16, 10:10 AM
posted by:
armstealer
Design looks very aero, but reminds me of new Taurus.
Too many buttons.
What’s with the egg crating around the gauge pod? Must be to remind us that “when you used to build jets, you don’t just build another car.” Good grammerizing saab.
Agreed more manly than 3 series’s crying eyes.
I like big cars.
The end.
09/16, 10:26 AM
posted by:
Kid Icarus
I love it…..but I’ve always liked SAABs
09/16, 11:43 AM
posted by:
Go Saab
People who have seen it IRL the last two days says there isn’t a pic out there that do the car justice. Can’t wait to see it myslef this weekend!!
09/16, 12:02 PM
posted by:
JstWtUNed
Looks like they found a way to recycle the G8.
09/16, 1:07 PM
posted by:
TornadoGTI
@JstWtUNed – WHAT? This is a turbo charged Saab based on a FWD chassis. Recycle the G8. That car is a good 8 inches longer, is RWD ONLY, and has a V6 or V8 option, both of which are naturally aspirated.
Konigsegg is trying to get away from GM nonsense like that. It is a good thing this isn’t a recycled G8. While the GM is a great car for Pontiac, it would not make a great car for Saab.
Anyways. I think this car is nice. I like the masculine look like someone said. The 3-series is quite girly and so is just about any Mercedes these days. Girls like them and guys drive them because girls like them. Kind of like Mustangs. I know more girls that like Mustangs than guys. That is why guys buy them.
This car looks like a worthy competitor for the Volvo S80 and the Cadillac CTS. As far as BMW 5-series, MB E-class, or Audi A6, I dont know. Those are quite nice and besides being more expensive, offer V8’s. It is a half step up on this car. 300hp Turbo 6 will only compete with middle models from the German big 3. 535, A6 3.0T, and E350. Those cars will likely be faster and more athletic sans the E350. This, like many other Saab and Volvo’s, offers a cheaper Europeon alternative. And at that, this car will excel. Lets just do something about the rest of Saabs line. The 9-3 is continually getting more expensive and is virtually unchanged since its launch several years ago. A 9-3 Aero AWD costs as much as a 335xi or close to an S4. Easily reaching $45k. That is just redonk.
09/16, 2:33 PM
posted by:
anyclearer
yeah i think its more manly then a 3 series, to me the 3 series looks like a car a snoby bitch should drive, they are chick cars to me, this looks more thick and something id wana be behind the wheel of, something more beefy, then a chick car.
09/16, 2:43 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Tornado, could you generalize just a little more when it comes to gender and car preference? I don’t think you’ve quite convinced everyone on the board that you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.
09/16, 4:27 PM
posted by:
JSi
the top looks ugly, just like the one on the GTR but extended…LOL at tornado for the masculinity comment hahaha! what are you talking about!!! would the continental gt be gay? anyhow… even the CTS is better looking than this one!
09/16, 4:41 PM
posted by:
bmwmpower
TornadoGTI… if a 3-Series is not “manly,” what is? Your VW?
LOL
YouFail.
09/16, 4:42 PM
posted by:
bmwmpower
A 3-Series is a “chick car” that will kick your cars ass in just about every category and is the benchmark all other “sports sedans” try to follow. Has been and still is since the segment was created.
09/16, 6:50 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Scratch that 2L diesel for N/A – that would be intelligent and we don’t want that.
09/16, 6:52 PM
posted by:
aexcorp
Well, bmwmpower, you can gloat now cause the 3 series actually looks good in its current guise, but there was a time (2006 and some of 2007) where that car was real BUSTED looking.
But ya, the 3 series isn’t ONLY a chick car, even though most of the time when I see one in the DC-VA-MD area, it’s a 330/328 driven by a chick. But by no means can one generalize this, especially because in Europe it’s the opposite.
As for the Saab, I can happily say that I still own the last truely good-looking Saab 9-5, but that’s pretty sad since it’s more than 6 years old by now. Not sure I’d spend $45k on this car when the CTS is better in most respects. Thanks GM for ruining the identity of Saab and now to drop them like they’re trash.
09/16, 8:04 PM
posted by:
cire_1wb
I wasn’t that impressed with the exterior design at first, but it has sort of grown on me now. I think it is an appropriate evolution of Saab design (although it should have appeared a few years ago). I still think the interior design is a bit of a mixed bag. There are elements that I like and some that I dont. The area of the dash around the gauges and vents looks too gimmicky and kind of cheap (at least in pictures); I expected to see something smoother and a little more upscale looking. I do think this car will appeal to the Saab faithful, but I’m not sure how it will resonate with the rest of the buying public. The exterior appeals to me, but the interior is a bit of a turnoff.
09/16, 8:30 PM
posted by:
snoogah
I really really like this design, its muscley and sophisticated. The 300hp 2.8t v6 is supposed to have 24mpg combined also. if they end up with that i will be very happy
09/16, 10:53 PM
posted by:
Yomama Sophat
First thing the new Saab owners should do, is drop that stupid 9-5 name. Makes me think of Dolly Parton every time I notice it…
09/17, 11:35 AM
posted by:
snoogah
and in terms of 3 series bmws, theyre only girly in some colors of the sedan like white and red, the coupes are sick and any color or body m3 is fantastic in any respect
09/17, 12:07 PM
posted by:
aexcorp
Ya, the M3 is in a league of its own, and I can’t remember the last time I saw a woman driving a recent M3 (E36 and up), guess the ride is just too harsh for them lol.
09/17, 12:09 PM
posted by:
ml350pc
It looks good, sleek lines, nice interior. The styling is no more or less exciting than on the A4/A6. The car appears to be a fairly good size (in comparison to the compact 3 series roominess, or lack thereof) so I would be curious if the 2.8L Turbo provides the necessary wow factor. A number of people here also made an accurate observation, most times when I see a 3 series on the road a girl is driving it.
09/20, 2:28 PM
posted by:
anyclearer
I was the one who originally brought up the 3 series being a chick car…… and what i was talkin about was just purely the style of the car, to me and its just my opinion, the car lacks a sense of being aggressive, now we all know the statistics and the bmw is a benchmark blah blah, but just going on pure looks, i think the bmw lacks aggressiveness, and looks more made to be pretty then it is to be bold and masculine. And if you wana bring up the facts though about numbers……i think the cts V is the new benchmark. And this nor the bmw 3 or 5 series can touch it.
09/20, 11:44 PM
posted by:
snoogah
the cts-v is pretty sick, especially considering it’s american made