REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Liftoff…

Even if the brand has always been considered marginal, Saab wishes to take up more room on the world auto market. At the end of this year, some 133,000 Saabs will have been sold worldwide, including 1,900 in Canada. These are modest figures, according to Saab President Peter Augustsson, but he says the best is yet to come: By 2005, we will sell 250,000 units worldwide. Not a small challenge! To reach this ambitious objective, the small Swedish firm will introduce new models, including one that will replace the current 9-3 will be sold next fall and the new 9-5, redesigned this year for improved safety, performance and trademark individuality. If you ’ re the kind of person who never notices a new haircut, chances are you ’ ll never pinpoint the aesthetic changes made to the 9-5. They are subtle, must we say. First, the overall length has increased by 22 mm for the sedan and 20 mm for the wagon. For more interior room? Not exactly. Rather for improved lines and better assembly quality. Also the horizontal vents around the grille are now chrome-plated and the headlights feature a clearer, more modern lens delivering the bluish bi-xenon light. At the rear, the bumper skirt now covers the exhaust pipe tip, except on sportier Aero trims.

To better reflect the individuality of the brand ’ s clientele, stylists changed model names by renaming traditional S and SE trims Linear and Arc (the Aero is still offered). Such pretty names will help European drivers customize their vehicles according to their style and needs, regardless of the mechanical selection. In Canada, we won ’ t be allowed as much flexibility. The Linear trim is reserved to the 4-cylinder models and the Arc, to the V6 units. The Aero? It comes with a specific trim (brushed aluminium on the dashboard, tighter buckets, etc.) As of accessories, xenon lights, manoeuvring captors, automatic wipers are offered.

Saab remains faithful to some of its old habits, fortunately. The huge ignition key (that has been the object of less-than-subtle jokes, must we say) still goes between the seats. Solid, perfectly assembled, the 9-5 gives an impression of robustness. Its flawless driving position, clear and legible instruments also seduce at first sight. The details on this Saab are just as impressive. Think of this discrete cup holder mounted horizontally on the console, which coils out of its hiding place at the touch of a button. And the fan-cooled buckets that cool off summer heat and removes perspiration. The 9-5 glitters and keeps warm contacts with its passengers, contrary to the icy interiors of the other Swedish auto maker. And unlike most of its competitors, the 9-5 ’ s interior offers plenty of room for rear seat passengers. Saab officials never admitted it publicly, but the 9-5 designation is not a mere reference to the firm ’ s aircraft production. Number 9 has always been a brand fetish, but number 5 refers to BMW ’ s 5 Series, the car ’ s intended and obsessive target competitor.

At the initial launch of the vehicle, in 1997, 9-5 designers kept asking for comments from automobile writers: Can the 9-5 match the BMW 5 Series? The general consensus at the time was negative.

Let ’ s face the facts: as of today and in spite of the improvements it has undergone, the 9-5 is still inferior to its Bavarian rival on dry pavement. The gap is not as wide as it used to be, but the current format of the 9-5 can hardly ever match the BMW. Maybe the next generation will, according to some of our sources, be equipped with all-wheel drive. This being said, the BMW ’ s advantage no longer lasts on snowy or soaked up roads.

The Saab is a front-wheel drive; its superior drivability leaves the rival behind in no time. It is especially the case with the efficient Electronic Stability Program, originally designed by Bosch and re-programmed by Saab engineers for smoother operation. Regardless of the road ’ s condition, the device quietly brings you back on track. But the 9-5 suffers from loud wind noise. The hood opens on the wrong side for a Saab, that is, from front to rear. It hides a 185 hp low-pressure turbocharged 2.3-litre four or a 200 hp 3.0-litre turbocharged V6. The turbo charge is moderate (0,55 bar for the 4 and 0,25 bar for the V6), too light perhaps to threaten competitors, who offer simply more power. Saab preferred offering torque, for decent pick-ups at any speed.

In spite of the corrections made to its guidance along the years, the manual transmission remains rubbery and slow, but Saab aficionados can ’ t care less. The automatic transmission (standard with the V6) however, is now a 5-speed. This new transmission allows for the more powerful Aero engine and helps squeeze more performance out of any engine.

Road handling is sensibly improved on the Linear and Arc models, as they close up on the Aero. Suspension tuning has been reworked (coils, anti-roll bars, etc,) to minimize body movements and provide a firmer but still comfortable drive. At the same time, more changes have been made to the front suspension and steering (heavy at high speeds) to make road handling more aggressive. Active safety is also improved with more controllable braking and larger disks.

Just like good wine, the 9-5 improves with time. Always safe and comfortable, it is becoming sportier. Now, all Saab officials have to do is reducing the cost of compulsory inspections and replacement parts, and offer the wagon model more aggressively; it accounts for merely 20% of the sales.

PROS
New safety devices
More aggressive road handling
nterior room
CONS
No-name silhouette
Parts and maintenance costs

2004 Sweden