Saab 9-5 2.8T XWD Aero
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 14 November 2010
THIS IS a car I could easily live with. It’s smooth, fast and very comfortable. The new Saab 9-5 is also fantastically solid and, with all-wheel-drive, it holds the road like a fly sticks to fly-paper.
I also like the way the latest model looks. It is sleek and, unusually, the rear lights extend elegantly across the entire width of the boot. The result is an unbroken, glowing stripe of red light - making the car not only highly visible, but also very sexy.
Insignia Relation
Of course, some may sneer at this Saab, and call it a Vauxhall in drag. In a way that is true, because it is related to the Insignia, but to be fair, 70 percent of the parts that make up the 9-5 are unique to Saab. The vast majority of the components were created in Sweden and some were made under the close supervision of Swedish engineering bosses at General Motors in Germany.
Compared to the Insignia the 9-5 gets an extra 10cm in the wheelbase, meaning exceptional legroom both at the front and the rear, as well as a very generous boot.
Interior and Performance
It also has a wide, well designed cabin, which remains true to Saab’s traditional Swedish styling. The seats are also ultra-comfortable; in fact, they are possibly the most supportive car seats I've sat in for a long while.
My test vehicle also came with an optional head-up display unit, meaning I could see the speedometer and fuel readings etc all projected onto the windscreen. Great for keeping an eye on speed or fuel range without even thinking about it.
The Saab 9-5 2.8T XWD Aero’s massive 2.8-litre V6 engine is gloriously smooth and the six-speed auto-box is quick to react.
Put it this way, the potent lump can propel the car from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds to a top speed of 155 mph, despite the Saab weighing in at 1945kg.
That's some achievement!
Regardless of all the power under the hood, the Saab 9-5 is a very relaxing car to be in.
It's so quiet and the busy world seems to rush by outside while things on the inside are tranquil.
This is almost certainly explained by the car’s active damping and front suspension technology, which work together to cut out the rumble from the road surface.
They basically help to isolate the driver from all that is unnecessary to hear, while allowing the car to move very rapidly.
An Impressive Motor
All in all Saab’s flagship model is a highly impressive motor. It is speedy, velvety smooth and sophisticated.
My only worry is that BMWs and Audis will draw a bigger crowd of admirers because of badge snobbery.
But this Saab offers more kit than the average German autobahn eater – so anyone considering a change from their usual ‘vorsprung durch technik’ executive machine could do a lot worse than visiting a Saab showroom and going for the very polished new 9-5.
PROS ‘N’ CONS
PROS
- Attractive
- Good engine
- Powerful
- Grip
CONS
- Divisive Image
FAST FACTS
- Max speed: 155 mph
- 0-62 mph 6.9 seconds
- Combined mpg: 24.8
- Engine: 2792cc V6, 24-valve,Twin-scroll turbocharger
- Power: 300 bhp at 5500 rpm
- Torque: 295 lb-ft at 2000 rpm
- CO2: 269 g/km
- Price: £37,795 OTR (£41,315 price as tested)
