Autoblog

Saab 9-5 Estate leaks out

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Wagon, Europe, Saab, Luxury

For many moons now, your humble Autoblog crew has been following the new Saab 9-5 around the globe. Not intentionally mind you, but it seems that Saab has been dragging their 9-5 show car out to every show we've covered since before Obama was elected. Which is many, many shows (turns out it's been since Frankfurt). And while we're big boosters of the new 9-5, something's always been... lacking.

That's right, a fifth door. And this totally suspect, but nonetheless quite intriguing, photo seems to indicate exactly that - a Saab 9-5 Estate (also called the 9-5 SportCombi, maybe) - is nigh. That's yet another victory in the eventual, inevitable and ultimately exciting comeback of the once totally dismissed station wagon.

Now it's true, we've covered this territory before. More than once. And back then we felt the same way about the upcoming 9-5 Estate as we do now - it's very, very sexy. Or at least, as sexy as a wagon can be. Which, to us auto journo types, is quite sexy. Regardless, too many a Saab'o'phile, the very essence of the brand is a hatch. Without that fifth (or third) door, a Saab just isn't very Saab like. Therefore this here blurry image, which looks like it was hastily photographed from a presentation or sales brochure, fills Saab boosters with great hope. Go, go Griffin.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Saab 9-5 SportCombi

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Saab 9-5

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

Saab 9-5 Estate leaks out originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Engineers still testing Saab 9-5 SportCombi, should somebody tell them?

John Neff — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Saab

Saab 9-5 SportCombi spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

We know automakers like to test prototypes in remote, freezing locations to ensure that they'll start and run properly when sold to a family of five in Buffalo, New York. Perhaps these Saab engineers are in such a remote corner of Sweden that they haven't heard the mothership has crashed. While Saab's future is still undecided, hope seems to dwindle by the day that we'll ever see the new 9-5 go on sale to the public - at least while wearing a Saab badge. Nevertheless, these engineers are still at their mobile desks in case a miracle happens.

The next-gen 9-5 has already been outed and is a looker for sure. The SportCombi version (Saab-speak for wagon) adds an extra dose of practicality to those unique lines of the sedan and, from the look of the things, appears to operate just fine in crazy cold conditions. Not much else to report unless, you know, Saab survives.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Saab 9-5 SportCombi

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Engineers still testing Saab 9-5 SportCombi, should somebody tell them? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Saab in "expansionist mood," plots own 9-3 replacement, new compact

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Saab, Koenigsegg

Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The talk has begun: last week the outlines of Koenigsegg's intent for Saab was publicized, now the sports car company is flapping their jibs to back it up. The 9-5 and 9-4X that GM developed will be arriving shortly, and behind those is the 9-5 SportCombi. The gem for Saab fans is the mention of a redesigned 9-3, and perhaps a 9-1 and 9-2.

That 9-3 might even make a return to the days of quirky, since it is "more unlikely than likely" that it will be built on a GM platform. In short, Koenigsegg wants to do a clean-sheet design, and that could mean restoring the aura of the Saab 900 to the brand's smallest car. That, a huge leap in feel and quality, and the ability to sustain a paucity of sales for a few years just might put a Swedish crown back on the old gal. However, we realize that is asking a lot...

But going beyond that, Koenigsegg's plan is that the 9-3 wouldn't remain the brand's smallest car for long. A 9-1 or 9-2 that takes inspiration from the 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept is being considered, which would finally give Saab an entrant in a segment where buyers have proved they are willing to pay a premium for well-done small cars. The test of Koenigsegg's ambition begins now.

Gallery: Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept

[Source: Motor Trend]

REPORT: Saab in "expansionist mood," plots own 9-3 replacement, new compact originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Saab 9-5 gets its SportCombi on

Noah Joseph — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Saab

Opinions have been mixed over the overall shape of the new Saab 9-5. The detailing, as we found at the pivotal sedan's debut at the recently concluded Frankfurt show, takes the Swedish automaker's aerospace-inspired design to a new level of sophistication, but some believe that the silhouette cut by the sedan's form left something lacking. That could all be fixed, however, if the estate wagon comes out looking as slick as this rendering imagines.

Slated for debut in about a year from now, the 9-5 SportCombi, as Trollhattan calls its wagons, is scheduled to be the first new launch for Saab after leaving GM for Koenigsegg's management. Following the market debut of the sedan, the 9-5 wagon will precede the replacement for the smaller 9-3 and the anticipated new 9-4X crossover to give the Swedes a solid lineup to take on the likes of Audi and company. Engines are expected to include turbo fours displacing 1.6 liters and producing 178 horsepower, two liters with 217 hp and 2.8 liters with 296 hp; to be joined by a 158 hp two-liter turbodiesel and a reported turbocharged hybrid option. Saab's trick proprietary XWD traction system should be available across nearly the entire range.

With all that, plus Swedish practicality and what looks to be a slick wraparound rear windscreen, the next wagon from Scandinavia's quirky stepchild could be a real departure from the usual Saab story.

[Source: CAR Magazine]

Rendered Speculation: Saab 9-5 gets its SportCombi on originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Koenigsegg to rebadge Saabs in its own image? Not so much

Noah Joseph — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Europe, Saab

How much does it take to turn a Saab into a Koenigsegg? The half-billion dollars in funding the niche automaker is locking down to acquire the erstwhile General Motors subsidiary? The million euros one of its supercars sells for? How about 116 kronor? That amounts to about $16.50, and it's how much one local motorist has paid to slap the Koenigsegg name on his Saab 9-5 SportCombi wagon in an apparent jab at Swedish domestic auto industry.

The photo has got enthusiasts in Scandinavia jabbering over Koenigsegg's "secret plans" for Saab, as if the exotic automaker was planning to scrap its new acquisition and assimilate its products under its own name. While Saab might not rank as high among Swedish brand names, as, say, Ikea, it does have a little higher level of brand recognition than Koenigsegg. Thus, tossing the Saab name in the plastic, assemble-it-yourself trash bin would make about as much sense as a supercar garage buying a family sedan factory from one of the world's largest auto conglomerates. Oh, wait a second....

[Source: Vi Bilägare]

Spy Shots: Koenigsegg to rebadge Saabs in its own image? Not so much originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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