2006 Saab 9-5 2.3T Sport: In the Autoblog Garage Day 1-2
Anoraks. To most, they're simple articles of clothing-- light parkas for inclement weather. To embattled Swedish automaker Saab, they've long made up the company's core clientele.
Let us explain. Some time ago, British tastemakers took to using the rain-repellant outerwear's term as a synonym for those overly studious, many of them "enthusiasts of unfashionable activities." In other words, Saab owners. Oddball styling, left-field small-displacement powertrains, persistent ergonomic idiosyncrasies and a healthy dose of 'willfully different' have conspired to mold the marque into the roadgoing equivalent of London Fog, and not without a little pride.
But don't misunderstand, or take the anorak remark as slander-- this writer has enjoyed a long history with Saab and doesn't take issue being jacketed with company's attendant left-field label. But as the company's chronically unprofitable history attests, it is difficult to craft a solvent brand solely on the backs of such consumers. Thus far, the General has yet to credibly decipher the recipe for selling Saab's intellectual-grade creds to a larger audience, but there's reason for hope: In recent years, fellow granola-crunchies Volvo and Subaru have managed to increase market share by at once parlaying their unique selling points and reveling in their inner-geek. Those lurking within RenCen doubtlessly continue to hold out hope for a similar outcome, but whether they on the right track or living in a protracted state of denial remains an open question.
Enter the 2006 Saab 9-5.
(Click through to the jump to find out, and click on most photos to reveal wallpaper-sized images)
While hardly a clean-sheet proposition, the big Swede has nevertheless arrived bearing a commanding new look. Up front, a prodigious proboscis has taken up residence, visually extending the front overhang of the previous iteration in dramatic fashion. While not exactly pretty, the chrome-lipped trapezoidal grille and huge new headlamps are impressively bold. An aggressive new bumper cap is also part of the mix, with a three-element midsection and inky inlets bookended by large round driving lamps complete the front's nip/tuck.
Interestingly, where Saabs of yore have traded on countenances that appeared good-natured (if a little awkward), the new 9-5 sports an altogether more serious mug, a trick largely due to the headlights' blacked-out housings. Dechrome the beak (9-5 Viggen, anyone?) and the resulting effect would pass for downright sinister. As it is, the Swedish massage treatment rendered is a mote heavy-handed, but at least it doesn't lack presence. Critically, Saab registered our tester in Michigan (a state that doesn't require front license plates). We prefer not to contemplate the visual consequences of clipping a shiny smear of legal matter to the 9-5's nose.
When viewed side-on, the dramatic wraparound sweep of the 9-5's aforementioned dual-element light fixtures perceptibly reinforces the stretch of the front overhang. We're not sure if the General was simply hoping to craft a dramatic new face or even whether the revamped snout is actually longer at all, but it certainly looks it. If the schnoz has actually grown, we'll let Saab's stylists chalk it up in the name of higher European pedestrian safety scores, a suitably anorak pursuit.
Unlike the wonky-yet-practical hatchbacks of Saabs past, the 9-5 seen here strikes a strictly three-box sedan profile. Largely devoid of ornamentation, the 9-5's side view is marked out best by its attractive bisected 17" alloy wheels, trademark oval door pulls, a small 'sharkfin' antenna on the trailing edge of the roof, and a pair of oh-so-European fender resident turn signal repeaters. Nicely integrated mirrors, svelte body-colored rub strips and subtly formed rocker trim mark out the rest of the 9-5's silhouette as the very picture of restraint.
Around back, things are somewhat less successful, with Saab among the latest to adopt the eagle's-head/interrupted-line taillamp school of design that's inexplicably sweeping the automotive universe one BMW 7-Series, Audi A6 and Honda Civic sedan at a time. The blacked-out lower reaches of the rear bumper are scalloped in a manner that subtly recalls that of the front valance, marked out here with four reversing-sensor pimples and a restrained single exhaust pipe exiting on the driver's side. Tastefully discreet chrome alphanumerics clues-in the clueless: 9-5, 2.3T, with a small round Saab griffin emblem taking center stage over the rear license plate pocket. All-in, this Trollhattanite terminates with little of the aesthetic impact that it arrives with.
Over the coming week or so, we'll take full measure of the 9-5, beginning with its interior appointments and then pulling away from the Autoblog Garage to see how Saab's latest in anorak apparel makes out over the road. Will it be the versatile top-shelf model the troubled automaker needs, or is the marque another bulldozer swipe closer to being buried? Stay tuned.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ethan 12:40PM (3/13/2006)
OK, folks, English class is over, let's get back to cars...
I'm really looking forward to your test drive impressions- I'm amazed that Saab still gets away with a 2.3liter four banger in its largest, flagship sedan. Yes, I know there is an ample turbo bolten on to those four highly pressurized cyls, but can this motor deliver the refinement and flexibility that the higher end sedan buyer desires? Interesting to note that the new S80 will offer a V8 for the first time, seems that Volvo is moving in the opposite direction of small displacement turbos.... While I'm more interested in the 5 speed version of this car, I'd be surprised if the slushbox wasn't on window sticker for most buyers of this ride...
Regarding styling, what the heck happened here? It seems as if the smartly styled, mature outgoing 9-5 has been updated to look like an old Pontiac Bonniville? http://www.rentacar-usa.com/pontiac-bonneville04.jpg
Seen those "wide" headlights before: http://www.engine-power.com/img/specs/pontiac_bonneville_gxp_07.jpg
And as for those tailights, they look much more like the A4's than the A6's...
Anyway, let's get on with the driving....
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Christian J 12:50PM (3/13/2006)
Anorak = uncool and boring in English parlance. The type of people who talk about wine all the time and wear V-necks at dinner parties. So boring you want to smack them. Their showing up at the party itself signals the death knell for fun.
The term is from the 80s I think, but it is very flexible in meaning. Basically it can be used for "dork/geek" also. The dude at the top correcting people is an anorak. No doubt you drive a Volvo; another anokar marque. Haha.
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Gunnar Heinrich 12:52PM (3/13/2006)
I like the new face-lift on the 9-5. I do not know whether it will age well, but I like it nevertheless.
http://automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com/2006/03/new-face-for-old-car.html
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snaab 1:01PM (3/13/2006)
Serious question: is GM the only company providing you guys wiht test cars?
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Alex 1:31PM (3/13/2006)
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. Looks horrid from every angle.
Also why dont they put a remote fuel door release? You are paying quite a bit on this car so you would think they would at least include that.
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RossL 1:32PM (3/13/2006)
Up to now, I've been a fan of Saab's designs.
zzzzzzzzzzzzz
The 80s live, apparently.
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Kenneth Gronholm 2:01PM (3/13/2006)
Seen a few "live". Looks much better and more aggressive "live" as the pictures. Can't wait to upgrade my 9-5 Aero to this new one. Funny story about boring anorack drivers when this is one of the most fun cars to drive (in the category), 260hp, great road handling. I hope noone compares this great car to the extremely boring socialist- box called Volvo.
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Coasterjob 2:03PM (3/13/2006)
I have to agree with #5, looks horrible. The designer that decided to blend vents/grills with the headlight assembly needs to be shot in the foot. I don't think even BMW could pull that off! It also looks as though Saab has gotten the bug to run the headlamp(blinker) assembly up the fender all the way to A-pillar? Geez, At this rate Hondas, toyotas, lexus'[now saab] will have no fenders at all, just a headlight assembly to seperate the wheel from the hood.
Two positives though; The overall silhouette still screams Saab, which is nice, and the "smile" of the hoodline over the bumper, nice touch! I am not a Saab person, but I do like to see nastolgic/classic brands stick to classic yet modernistic styling.
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Tankstelle 2:06PM (3/13/2006)
I was wondering the same thing snaab, although the answer is obviously yes. Do the other automakers refuse to loan you vehicles, or are you just lacking in contacts. I'd consider giving up some names just so I don't have to see another GM vehicle profiled on here.
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motech 8:55PM (11/24/2006)
does it have bluetooth?
hows the interior.
is it my imaginiation or does the 9-3 have a nicer interior ?
is your model a manual trani?
hows the turbo lag?
do you peal out at red lights too easily?
how about wheel spin during turns?
would you rather this car or an audi A4?
i do love the exterior styling of this car
over the 9-3.
id rather have the 9-3 interior.
i love love love the A4 styling and technology,
but some of the interior features of the saab are very cool
(night mode etc)
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Chris Paukert 2:39PM (3/13/2006)
Snaab (#4) -
To answer your question, admittedly there has been a lot of GM iron in the Autoblog Garage lately, but that's largely been a function of vehicle availability and scheduling. We recently had some Blue Oval product in the mix (Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer), but the Garage will entertain some more foreign marques soon. Other vehicles that have graced the AG garage in the last six months include Kia (Rio5 SX), Hyundai (Sonata GLS V6), Audi (A4 Avant 3.2 FSI Quattro) and Dodge (Charger SE).
In truth, we're in the process of making the AG a more prominent feature here at Autoblog, and we will happily evaluate whatever iron fits into the schedule.
Best,
CP
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BCM 3:21PM (3/13/2006)
re: the taillamps. One reason this design is popular is that it becomes less important that the decklid fit properly. Unlike, e. g., the horizontal striations on the old LeBaron convertible, which never lined up properly.
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Carfreak 5:01PM (3/13/2006)
That nose in the first picture made me think I was looking at a Chevy Impala UGH!
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Jason McKenna 5:12PM (3/13/2006)
Having driven the 2006 9-5 sedan, I can say it doesn't feel quite like a nearly decade old design. Yes there are fresher and more technologically advanced cars, but the 9-5 is still a roomy and comfortable sedan that feels smaller than it really is. The new facelift looks better on certain colors (like this silver) than it does on others, but it looks really cool at night. And I do like the unproportional lights in the back, but they are starting to look a little generic.
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Dave M. 6:59PM (3/13/2006)
I saw one last month at the Houston Auto Show. As a Saab-o-phile I was greatly underwhelmed...the overhang is way too long. #13 referred to the Chevy Impala.... that's about right. Not at all what I expect from a $35k flagship. The 9-5 replacement is 5 years overdue. GM is choking the life out of them.....
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WillDaThrill 8:23PM (3/13/2006)
Those headlights make it look dated. As a matter of fact, the whole car looks dated. Like they previously made that model.
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scooter 10:58PM (3/13/2006)
It kind of looks like the pissed off ghost of an Oldsmobile. No, it couldn't be. Gasp! It IS!
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TRLHATN 3:41AM (3/14/2006)
I love it!
Can't wait to replace my '05 9-3 Linear.
Waiting for my next BIG raise...
...still waiting.
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Car-la 6:59AM (3/14/2006)
Saw it at the Frankfurt Auto Show, and was mightily disappointed. The rear end is plain boring, and the plastic surroundings for the headlights don't help to make it look any sporty, either. Saab designers definitely overdid it with this car.
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Helen 10:03AM (3/14/2006)
I love it! I've had the older version of the 9-5, and it was the best car I ever had. Unfortuneately I had to switch cars, but this SAAB makes me want to switch back.
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