REPORT: Against all odds, next Saab 9-5 on schedule
On the market since 1997, Saab's 9-5 is getting more than a little long in the tooth. The Swedish automaker is about to launch the Griffin Edition of its aging sedan, but that's a stop-gap at best; if Saab is serious about its future, it's going to need an all-new 9-5. Or more accurately, if General Motors is serious about Saab's future, it will need a new 9-5 - or at least the perception of a forthcoming 9-5 among investors (Wagoner and company have hinted at that they may sell off or shut down their quirky Scandinavian subsidiary).
The latest rumors, however, indicate that the new 9-5 has departed the terminal on time and is running on schedule. According to the folks at Trollhatten Saab, this report comes courtesy of an admittedly anonymous dealer who has apparently been exclusively peddling Saab's Swedish wares in America for more than two decades. The sketch above, released this past summer, promises a closer tie-in with Saab's increasingly dubious aerospace links. Could it be enough to thrust some juice into the automaker's afterburners? Thanks to Swade for the tip!
[Source: Trollhattan Saab]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BoneHeadOtto 8:36AM (1/09/2009)
Check out our concept car. Hey did anyone know we used to make jets!
Its like Happy Gilmore, the golfer that reminds everyone he used to be a hocky player.
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216 8:59AM (1/09/2009)
they should take that design, forget Saab, slap a Cadillac badge on it and call it the 2010 Cadillac STS
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moyoi 11:21AM (1/09/2009)
BLASPHEMER!!!
thomas 1:24AM (1/10/2009)
what they should do....
is stretch/skew that picture so that the proportions/perspective isnt all stupid.
Avinash machado 9:06AM (1/09/2009)
GM should not have bought Saab at all.
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JDMlover 9:09AM (1/09/2009)
BORING !!
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GOT 9:10AM (1/09/2009)
Hahahaha @ BoneHeadOtto & 216's comments!
Well, the sketch looks awesome. but then what sketch doesn't? I mean seriously, why is that they have these incredible designers when the production versions look like glorified shipping crates?
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jim 9:12AM (1/09/2009)
In 2025, Autoblog will resurrect this sketch and claim that this is the car that could have saved Saab, if only GM had allowed the brand to continue. The next story will be what's GM.
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Dave 9:30AM (1/09/2009)
SOP was delayed from August to November this year.
As a supplier, I wish I could deliver parts 3 months late and be "on schedule".
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Fara 11:19AM (1/09/2009)
Saab still do make aeroplanes. Fighterjets and whatnot.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JAS_39_Gripen
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Joel 2:53PM (1/09/2009)
Saab Automotive and Saab Aerospace have no ties together other than the name
PG 12:59PM (1/09/2009)
It's got a plane in the background! Because they're born from JETS!
REALLY!!!
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Randy915 4:14PM (1/09/2009)
Honda Jets, born from cars.
Other Man 4:36PM (1/09/2009)
I'll quite possibly buy one if it's great looking inside and out, packs roughly 350 hp in Aero trim and puts it down via XWD.
Otherwise I'll have to hope for an Invicta Super with
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Bornfromjets03 3:03PM (1/10/2009)
At least spell trollhattAn Saab right!
The rest of you......don't be hatin'.
Saabs are awesome, and this 9-5 may be just what they need to bring Saab back.
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SG 6:29PM (1/09/2009)
This sketch was shown back in 2005, it's extremely old.
R
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P.V. 7:21PM (1/09/2009)
Can SAAB buy back SAAB Automobiles (different companies)?
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Other Man 7:11PM (1/16/2009)
I will admit the 9-5's exterior has aged impressively, but the rest of the car is far behind the times. I drove a 2007 and came away thinking it was a pretty good $28-30,000 sport-ish luxury sedan but couldn't disagree more with the 40K sticker.
This car is so important for Saab. The exterior and interior will carry their new language, and like other GM products, the interior quality has to improve massively (hope they take a page from the superb 2008 CTS). The dynamics have to be competitive, and I'm holding out for the 350 hp XWD Aero.
I hope I can consider a Saab on my next shopping list.
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