What will the next Saab 9-5 look like?
In the theory and speculation department, the blokes at Auto Express have summoned up some Photochops of what they believe the next Saab 9-5 is going to look like. Bob Lutz is already on record saying that the the spectacular Aero X concept will be lending styling cues (front end, wraparound windscreen, etc.) to future Saab products, and the Auto Express renderings obviously take that into account.
This vision of the sedan incorporates the Aero X's front and rear end treatments (the predicted nose is more restrained than the concept's) on a sleek body that most of us would eagerly welcome into our garages. As far as we're concerned, the sooner Saab applies the Aero X nose as the new corporate face, the better. As modern as it is, it's still instantly identifiable as a Saab. The wraparound windshield is not present on this rendering. Instead, the A- and B-pillars get blacked out, giving the impression that the roof is supported by only the ample C-pillar. They state that the interior will borrow heavily from Aero X as well,and include digital three-dimensional displays. Color us skeptical on that one. We'll believe it when we see it.
Auto Express claims that the replacement will be unveiled during the 2007 show circuit and be available later that calendar year. We'll see if and how that shakes out soon enough. Until then, we have thank to Auto Express for getting our collective imaginations going.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Antrow 7:51AM (8/10/2006)
I am cautiously optimistic now that I have seen these drawings. This has real potential if Saab can get it out the door without all the gremlins that have plagued the 9-3. I hope they have it ready for 2008 when my SportCombi lease is up.
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Orbit 8:09AM (8/10/2006)
They look more like renderings or illustrations than photochops (which are existing photos... 'chopped' and changed)
[/pedantry]
Looks great though, the sort of 'welcome to the future' look which we've been waiting for.
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Tobbe 8:12AM (8/10/2006)
The plates are from a '06 Volvo S80 owned by Volvo. Kinda funny... :)
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JZeke 9:06AM (8/10/2006)
A beautiful photochop that would translate into a sexy Swede.
Will it stun like Britt Ekland, or will it be corny like Ace of Base? Too soon to tell...
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_O ^ O_ 9:15AM (8/10/2006)
SAAB is bit player; it doesnt matter what the next 9.5 looks like.
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DC_1 9:24AM (8/10/2006)
Who cars...Saab will be dead in a few years anyway. They have nothing unique to their lineup.
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G 9:39AM (8/10/2006)
Yes, please!
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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Paul 9:44AM (8/10/2006)
unless they throw down a viggen i could care less about saab
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Richard Warren 10:24AM (8/10/2006)
Hmmmmmm, not bad, not bad at all.
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89 900 T 11:51AM (8/10/2006)
I like the idea of them going back to the wrap around windshield! One of the design elements that made saab a saab.
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Howard Kerr 2:44PM (8/10/2006)
I guess it's just me then... I think this looks like a Pontiac Sunfire proposal that some dimwit said would never sell. And yes, I know the grille isn't a Pontiac trademark split, but without looking at the back....
Like I said, must just be me?
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GoldenEye 3:18PM (8/10/2006)
Finally. A Saab likes looks even close to good. The company should change its whole look to survive.
thanks a lot gm for making every company you own look bad.
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Evan 8:19PM (8/10/2006)
It's beautiful. I hope it looks at close to that as possible when it hits production.
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JON 11:16PM (8/10/2006)
When I was in college the 900 was the SAAB.It was taller than the current 9-5 and very utilitarian ,due to it's enormous hatch.It was comfortable (I'm 6'1"ft. tall).It had a very unique wrap around windshield that set it apart.The turbo was bad ass.Don't ask me about reliability.So it was a very usable sports car entry.Sort of sounds like Subaru(but Subies are too small)...Oh,MY point...Is there a market for a big sport utility sports car that goes like stink?
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Anthony94114 1:11AM (8/11/2006)
Saab has nothing unique in their range? Uh, what about 4 cyl turbos with 260 hp, more capacity than a 5series wagon, 30mpg freeway, whiplash protection, dual visors, extra wide side mirrors...
If unique means have a B9 Tribeca, a Jeep Comp-ass, a D'Hummer.. you're right, they don't.
Safe
Solid
Swedish
Sexy
Long live Saab.
This one looks interesting. Hope a wagon evolves from it.
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David 12:45PM (8/11/2006)
MMMM...Driving to work everyday between a million stupid hybrids, and boring Camry's that slow up traffic. I love driving my 2006 V6 9-3 aero. I can't find another car that can keep up!! Am I the only one that looks at Safty....Safer then every car in it's class...I will be first in line for 2006 9-5. Or I could bye a 540 BMW that will be 25,000 dollars more expensive and won't be as fast. Keep up the good work SAAB!!!!!!!!
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Carlos Ghosn 11:11AM (8/13/2006)
To the real Carlos Ghosn, save us! GM is bad for SAAB!
http://www.forbes.com/business/2006/08/10/ford-jaguar-land-rover-cz_jf_0810flint.html
With Jaguar and Land Rover on the high end of luxury and Ford's Lincoln on the low end, Volvo is probably one operation that Ford could probably do without--other than the fact that Ford has based many of its domestic models on Volvo architecture. Some think that Ford might speak with GM about some form of combination of Volvo with Saab, but that does not make sense to me, either. Volvo usually is profitable (this year could be an exception), and Saab always loses money. GM has already decided to make Saab an offshoot of its German Opel operation--less Swedish, more German. Volvo is worth more without Saab than with it, anyway.
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