2010 Saab 9-5 reveal ahead of Frankfurt Motor Show launch

The highly anticipated Saab’s new flagship vehicle - 2010 Saab 9-5 will be launched at this Frankfurt Motor Show. Selling is set to start in 2010.

At launch, the 2010 Saab 9-5 will be available with a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo diesel — producing 118kW(160 hp) — a 220 horsepower 2.0L turbo gas motor and a range-topping a 2.8-litre V6 petrol producing 221kW (300hp) and peak torque of 400Nm. Models fitted with the 2.8L will also come equipped with Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system.

Soon after the launch a 1.6-litre petrol turbo with 132kW (180hp) and a 2.0-litre BioPower E85 engine will be added. Mated with all these engines are 6-speed transmissions.

In terms of styling, the car takes some inspiration from the Aero X concept car with its low-slung stance, muscular build, uncluttered lines and curvaceous shapes. 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.

The new 9-5 is claimed to be the most technically advanced car that Saab has ever made. It offers an array of high-tech features including an aircraft-inspired head-up information display, keyless entry and starting - the ignition is still located between the front seats, Bi-Xenon adaptive headlights, an adaptive chassis with real-time damping control, SAAB's XWD with eLSD, parking assistance and all-wheel-drive.

"This car is the start of a new era for our brand," says Jan-Åke Jonsson, SAAB Automobile's Managing Director. "We have created an advanced and very distinctive product by leveraging the power of our roots in key areas, such as progressive Scandinavian design, sporty driving and responsible performance. The new 9-5 delivers in all these respects, as will every future product from Saab."

Other options include a heads-up display for the driver, a Harman Kardon surround sound audio system which is accessed through an 8-inch touch screen for the rear passengers, a 10GB harddrive for music storage.

Spy shots: Saab’s next-gen 9-5

The next – gen Saab 9-5 is confirmed to make its world debut at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Spy shots of the upcoming vehicle have surfaced. And now we got these computer generated renderings which may look slightly different to the final design. From the pics, it appears that the new 9-5 will have a much more dramatic look than previous versions.

Underneath the new sheet metal will be a heavily revised version of GM’s FWD Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers will provide a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics. The car’s wheelbase will stretch 2.84m, which is up 14cm on the current model, and the overall length will stretch just over 5m. This increased wheelbase will free up more interior space as well make the 9-5 a real rival to cars like the Cadillac STS and Volvo S80.

Engine options will include a range of four-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel units including a biofuel model. There will also likely by an AWD flagship model with a turbocharged petrol V6 displacing 3.6L and developing upwards of 350hp (261kW). Other engines will include a 210hp (157kW) 2.0L unit and mid-level 2.8L V6. A petrol-electric hybrid model is also expected. Different markets will configure different choices depending on their own needs, so the US for example would get the Buick Lacrosse's 3.6-litre V6 while Europe a 2.8-litre V6 turbo.

The new 9-5 will be built at Opel’s Ruesselsheim plant in Germany with production tipped to start in the middle of the year.