Saab refurbishes its 9-5

After a career of 7 years, Saab’s executive sedan gets a new front end, inspired by the 9X concept car. Under the bonnet the all-turbo line-up includes a new 150 bhp 1.9 TiD diesel (designed by Fiat and soon available in the new Cadillac BLS), a  BioPower engine that can run on a high-blend mixture of bioethanol fuel and petrol (E85), and increased power for the top-of-the-range 260 bhp Aero 2.3 model. In the mean time, the suspension has also been improved. All this should help this characterful but ageing car to keep up with such opponents as the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class or Audi A6, which is vital for this car maker whose production might very well be transferred to Germany for lack of profitability.
The facelifted 9-5 will be launched at the oncoming Frankfurt Motorshow, on September 12, where further specifications will be revealed.