Saab 9-5 MY 2004

Summary

Saab 9-5 Range – The Premium Choice

The Saab 9-5 sedan and wagon range is a clear expression of the sporty and multi-dynamic appeal of the Saab brand. Distinctively styled and beautifully built, it offers strong turbocharged performance and an outstanding combination of ride comfort and responsive handling, backed with class-leading levels of safety.

Positioned in the upper medium segment of the premium car sector, the Saab 9-5 range provides a more individual, self-expressive choice in a marketplace crowded with more commonplace competitors, such as the BMW 5-series, Audi A6, Mercedes E-class and Volvo S80/V70

Design
The distinctive exterior design of both the sedan and wagon includes Saab styling cues such as the ‘clam shell’ hood, wedge-shaped profile, and the curvature and shapes of the windscreen, side windows, C-pillars and light housings. The spacious interior features a ‘cockpit-like’ driving environment, superb seating and a warm, welcoming ambience, with bold, sweeping contours that complement the exterior styling. Equipment levels are generous and both the sedan and wagon offer a number of innovative features. Exterior and interior design highlights include:

* Distinctive appearance – modern expression of traditional Saab design language
* Wagon designed as a separate model with unique body-styling from B-pillar rearwards
* Raked, ‘wraparound’ rear window for wagon emphasizes range’s sporty character
* Highly competitive 0.29 Cd for sedan and 0.32 Cd for wagon
* Three interior ‘architectures’, or forms: Linear, Arc and Vector
* High performance, 250 bhp Aero as top-of-the-line variant for sedan and wagon
* Ignition key mounted between front seats for good ergonomics and safety
* Saab ‘Night Panel’ restricts instrument illumination and visual ‘clutter’
* First passenger car to offer ventilated front seats for additional comfort
* Compressed scale speedometer for more accurate reading at normal speeds
* Generous on-board storage, including air conditioned glovebox
* Adaptable load-carrying for sedan (foldable rear seat) and wagon (flat-bed cargo deck)
* Wagon has 'user-friendly' tailgate operation and sliding floor option

Performance
The all-turbo powertain includes a choice of six turbocharged engines and a five-speed automatic transmission incorporating Saab Sentronic manual gear selection. All engines - four gasoline and two diesel - are developed to give characteristically strong, mid-range torque for safe, secure overtaking. Saab is unique to its sector in developing its own, in-house, engine management system, Saab Trionic. Key performance features include:

* Maximum torque (pulling power) generated at ‘normal’ engine speeds (2-4,000 rpm)
* Choice of 150, 185, 220 or 250 bhp four cylinder gasoline turbo engines
* Two diesel engines: sporty 176 bhp, 3.0V6 TiD and 120 bhp, 2.2TiD
* Automatic fitted with Saab Sentronic manual selection via steering wheel buttons
* Saab Trionic 7 engine management system, includes electronic throttle control
* Direct ignition with coils for each spark plug. No moving parts, better performance
* Engine installation and isolated front and rear sub-frames designed for low NVH levels
* Wagon engineered to offer similar high level of running refinement to sedan

Control
The front wheel drive configuration provides predictable, secure handling and the suspension is optimised to give good directional stability, as well as a compliant ride. The typically Saab, driver-focused interior includes logically arranged instruments and controls, easy to read and use. Key features include:

* Chassis communicates through driver’s hips, located close as possible to center of gravity
* Stable, responsive and predictable chassis warns driver before limits are reached
* Low-mounted steering rack with short tie rods of excellent steering response
* Multi-link, independent rear suspension for improved wheel control and ride quality
* Diagonally-split brake system includes Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
* TCS utilises low speed brake and progressive throttle application
* Saab-developed ESP for gentle interventions, braking up to four wheels at once
* Dual-zone air conditioning gives separate temperature control for driver and passengers
* Controlled air quality with pollen/odour filter removing particles down to 4 microns
* High pressure windshield cleaning with with six water jets for improved cleaning
* Split-fold, ‘double’ sun visors effectively counter dazzle on winding roads

Safety
As you would expect from Saab, the 9-5 range has class-leading safety levels, as demonstrated its maximum 5-star Euro-NCAP crash test rating and the findings of accident injury surveys by the Highway Loss Data Institute in the United States. Saab cars are designed to give optimum protection in real-life situations, not just in laboratory crash tests, and the Saab 9-5 range incorporates the lessons learnt from a detailed analysis of more 6,000 actual road accidents involving Saab cars. Key crash safety features include:

* Front deformation zone distributes crash forces along three separate load paths
* Predictable frontal deformation almost irrespective of point of impact
* Exceptionally strong safety cage with joints designed to resist tearing
* Unique ‘pendulum’ B-pillars divert and spread side impact forces
* Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR) help prevent neck injury in rear impacts
* Five 3-point seat belts include pre-tensioning and load-limiting for front occupants
* Adaptive front airbags deployed according impact severity and seat position
* Seat-mounted side impact airbags provide head and chest protection
* Rear seat designed for shifting load protection

Equipment Specifications
Linear specification includes the following standard features:
Dual-zone automatic climate control (ACC); cabin air filter; cooled glove box; electrically-operated windows all-round; electrically-operated/heated door mirrors; Night Panel; Saab Information Display (SID); double sun visors; heat adsorbing glass; audio with single slot CD player; follow-me-home lights; split fold/lockable rear seat; height/reach adjustable steering wheel; ABS brakes; dual front, adaptive airbags; head/thorax side airbags (front); anti-whiplash front head restraints (SAHR); pre-tensioning/load limiting front seatbelts; triple three-point rear seatbelts; load-shifting protection; remote control/immobiliser.

Arc specification includes the following additional features: Wood veneer fascia; leather upholstery and steering wheel; 16-inch alloy wheels.
Vector specification includes the following additional features :
Metallic finished fascia; sports textile/leather upholstery and steering wheel; 17-inch, 6-spoke alloy wheels; color-keyed bumpers and sill extensions.

The specification of the 250 bhp Aero sporting flagship includes: unique sports bodystyling; full, two-tone sports leather upholstery and matte chrome door handles; 17-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels; lowered sports chassis; traction control system (TCS); electronic stability program (ESP); trip computer; cruise control and front fog lamps.

Factory-fitted options include: Five-speed automatic transmission with Saab Sentronic manual selection; TCS; ESP; leather upholstery; DVD-based satellite navigation system; electric glass sunroof; heated front/rear seats; electrically-adjustable front seats with driver’s memory; ventilated leather front seats; rain-sensitive wipers; parking assistance; electrically-folding door mirrors; auto-dimming rear-view mirror; bi-xenon headlamps; anti-theft alarm; child seats; body levelling; 17” alloy wheels; walnut fascia.

Note to editors:
Standard equipment specifications can vary between different markets. Please check information with your importer.