Category: Saab [1]

The launch date for the next-generation 9-5 is more and more confusing. Initially thought to be at the Paris Motor Show, Saab has announced it would be at Frankfurt. But latest information suggest Geneva in March of next year.

Paris, Geneva or Frankfurt? Paris would likely be the best shot for the Swedish carmaker as the aging 9-5 can’t really compete with the latest models. Geneva is a risky decision as Mercedes-Benz will unveil the next-generation E-Class, while BMW will likely unveil the next 5-Series at Frankfurt. In other words, the Saab 9-5 will get as much attention as the Skoda Superb in Geneva this year if a German carmaker unveils a new model at Geneva or Frankfurt.

The car has already been shown at the GMNext conference, but both the saloon and the estate were only dummies without engines and real suspension.

Will the next 9-5 be unveiled at Paris or at Frankfurt? Latest report suggests Frankfurt with a production moved to Germany.

In its latest edition, Automotive News reveals that the next-generation 9-5 will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Surprisingly, the news contradicts earlier reports claiming that Saab will launch its new flagship at the Paris Motor Show. Perhaps Saab will unveil a concept car previewing the next model like it did with the 9-4X at the Detroit Motor Show?

According to the magazine, the next-generation will feature the in-house XWD all-wheel drive transmission and will be available with a range of flex-fuel petrol engines and a new V6 diesel engine. The diesel unit will likely be the new 265bhp 2.9-litre unit that GM is currently developing for the Cadillac CTS. The topping-engine is rumoured to deliver a power output of 350bhp.

For the first time, the next 9-5 won’t be built in Sweden but in Germany in an attempt  for the American group to rationalize production and cut cost. Indeed, the future 9-5 shares its underpinnings with the new Opel Insignia. Dubbed Epsilon II, the platform will be customized for the 9-5 with stiffer suspension set-up and a new steering rack.

Saab has launched a limited edition of the ageing 9-5 in a last attempt to increase its sales, while the company waits for the next-generation model.

Called “9-5 Turbo Edition”, this special 9-5 is offered with two specifications and a choice of three trim levels. The Turbo Edition adds 17in five spoke alloy wheels, leather sports seats heated front and rear, electric driver’s seat and headlight washers. The Aero Turbo Edition includes DVD satellite navigation and electric seats.

The Turbo Edition is available with two petrol engines, the 148bhp 2.0-litre unit and the 182bhp 2.3-litre engine and one diesel engine, the 1.9 TiD unit. The Aero version is powered Bentley
the 256bhp 2.3-litre engine

All the versions are available in both saloon and estate bodystyles. The entry-level starts at £19,995, while the Aero version costs £24,995.

Initially planned to be built in Germany, the next-generation 9-3 will finally be manufactured in Sweden reveals a German newspaper.

The Handelsblatt reveals that GM changed its mind about the 9-3 by keeping the production in Sweden. Back in 2005, the carmaker had announced that the production contract for the next Saab 9-3 would land at the Opel factory, located in Russelsheim. However technical considerations led the company to reverse its decision. In an attempt to finally build a consistent product range, the Swedish carmaker wants the next 9-3 to be based on a smaller platform in order to keep a true distinction with the next-generation 9-5. The company hopes it will also reduce its fleet average CO2 emissions.

As a consequence, the 9-3’s launch date has been postponed by two years from 2009 to 2011. The next-generation will likely based on the Delta II platform. The decision raises concerns about the future engine range. The current topping engine is a 276bhp V6 unit. Will a smaller platform be able to bear a powerful V6 engine, essential to move upmarket?

Here are spyshots of a the Saab 9-4X expected to be launched in 2010.

Unveiled as a concept car at the Detroit Motor Show, the 9-4X will be the last premium SUV to be launched on the compact SUV market segment where there is a fierce struggle for a pie’s share. The future 9-4X will share its inner structure with the Cadillac BRX, but will likely get its own powertrains such as a rumoured 250bhp diesel engine. It will also come with the in-house all-wheel drive system called XWD.

The 9-4X won’t be built in Sweden, but in Mexico as part of the plan to reduce production cost and share technology between GM brands. It is expected to start at £24,000.

Click here to see the pictures

A Saab executive has announced the carmaker will launch the next-generation 9-5 saloon before the end of this year at a major motor show.

Saab general manager Steve Shannon has told dealers that the Swedish carmaker will unveil the eagerly-awaited 9-5 at a major motor show which is likely to be the Paris Motor Show. With this new generation, Saab wants to make a return into the premium market segment and this time the carmaker might have its chance.

The future saloon is believed to grow in size to match the competition. The next 9-5 will also get bigger engines. Although secrecy surrounds the specifications, it is said that the topping version will offer 350bhp. This number will put the topping 9-5 in competition with the Audi 4.2 FSI, the BMW 550i SE and the Mercedes E-Class 500 and the Volvo S70 V8.

2008 might be the best year ever for the Swedish carmaker. After the 9-4X and the new 9-1X, the company has announced to its dealer network it will unveil the next-generation 9-5 this year.

The news comes as a surprise as nobody expected the next-generation 9-5 to appear at least before 2009, but it won’t be too soon enough to replace the old current 9-5. Launched in June 1997 to celebrate the fifty years of the brand, the flagship suffers as a result of an intense competition from the German clique, of course, but also from Asian competitors.

In the lifecycle of the current 9-5, Mercedes will have almost reveal two generation of the E-Class model. BMW will follow the same path. Information regarding the future saloon remains scace. A sketch (pictured) has emerged but there is some doubt whether this sketch is official or not. It is acknowledged that the company will go into the wild with the next 9-5 and will take its styling cues from the Aero-X concept car. Will it be enough to increase its sales?

Saab has released the second teaser of the 9-1 concept due to be unveiled at Geneva in a few weeks.

The second teaser gives some clues about the overall shape of the compact model. The car features a long nose and small windows. Despite being based on the Vauxhall/Opel Astra, the concept car comes under a three-door form. Likewise the long wheelbase promises a roomy interior but the windshield seems to be very low. With this model, it seems that Saab plans to take on the German clique by offering a bold design to the detriment of practicality.

At this stage, information is scarce. The engine range remains unknown although some observers think the compact Saab might be powered by a downsized engine, a turbocharged 1.4-litre unit.

As previously reported, the Swedish carmaker will unveil the long-awaited 9-1X set to compete with the Audi A3 and Volvo C30. The company has released a teaser on an official website.

As expected, the concept car will be close to the production model. Like the recent 9-4X, the the 9-1X will take its styling cues from the Aero-X concept car.

The 9-1 will be based on the Vauxhall’s Astra platform. At this stage it is unknown wether 9-1 will have its chassis being tuned or not. Added to the 9-4X crossover which will be launched this year, the 9-1X will likely help the company to break the 200,000 milestone.