2006 SAAB 9-5: A BENCHMARK FOR MIDSIZE LUXURY AND PERFORMANCE

Luxurious and responsive, the 2006 9-5 lineup continues to offer excellent value in the performance-oriented midsize category.

For 2006, the 9-5 undergoes a thorough refresh that includes exterior sheet metal, interior features and enhancements to the chassis and powertrain. The Linear, Arc and Aero models will be merged into a single model with Sedan and new SportCombi body styles.

Thorough refresh

The 2006 9-5 Sedan and SportCombi feature a new hood, front and rear fascias, front and rear lamps, front fenders, tailgate and trunk lid and color-matched side moldings and door handles.

Inside, all 9-5 models have a new instrument panel appearance along with new door handles, steering wheel, door panel trim inserts and climate control panel. A new audio system with MP3 and XM Satellite Radio is standard. Parchment interior replaces Sand Beige.

Both 9-5 models come with optional Sport and Visibility Packages.

The Sport Package offers sport chassis, sport seats and metallic interior trim. The Visibility Package offers xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and rear parking assist.

All 9-5 models will be powered by a single 2.3L I-4 Turbo with 260 horsepower (193.9 kw) – a 10-horsepower increase over 2005 – and 258 lb.-ft. of torque (350 Nm), mated to manual 5-speed or optional automatic Sentronic transmissions.

The front suspension benefits from increased spring rates on the sport chassis, increased damping on the sport and standard chassis, and a larger anti-roll bar on the standard chassis. The power steering system was recalibrated to increase steering effort and improve feedback and precision.

The rear suspension features a larger anti-roll bar and softer springs on the standard chassis, reduced toe-in for more predictable behavior, and increased track. Damping has been increased on the standard and sport chassis.

The 2006 9-5 rides on new 235/45 R17 all-season tires and 17 x 7.5-inch wheels.

by Saab

A company that began manufacturing automobiles in 1949, Saab, originally known as Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Svenska Aircraft Company), was a Swedish company that early on focused on aerodynamics.

Introduced in 1997, the four-door Saab 9-5 was an executive vehicle produced as a replacement for the Saab 9000. Representing a huge leap for Saab, the 9-5 was introduced in the spring of 1998 for the 1999 model year. The Saab 9-5 was available with either a four- or six-cylinder engines, both turbocharged.

Available in both sedan and station wagon body styles, the 9-5 sedan had a drag coefficient of 0.29, while the station wagon was 0.31. To make loading easier, the 9-5 introduced amazing innovations such as tracks to secure cargo down and a sliding load floor. Advertised as the Saab 9-5, the car was originally badged as a 95. It's important that this model not be confused with the Saab 95 produced from 1959 through 1978.

Powered by Saabs B205 and B235 straight-4 engines, the 9-5 was also powered by Alfa Romeo's 1.9 JTD 1V diesel straight-4 engine in Europe. From 1999 to 2003, a version of the GM 54_ V6 powered by a unique asymmetrical low-pressure turbocharger was made available. Only available with an automatic transmission, this engine and cars with this engine installed were recognizable by their twin tailpipes. This feature was only available on Arc, Griffin, and SE models.

The V6 engine was replaced by a high-pressure turbo straight-4 engine capable of producing 200HP in 2004. This engine produced 260HP even in the non-Aero model by 2008.

Winning technology and safety awards in Australia, the U.K., and Denmark, the 9-5 continued with Saab's long-standing tradition of offering class-leading safety features and the new availability of ventilated seats with active headrests that moved forward to prevent whiplash when the vehicle was hit from the rear. The 'Night Panel' was also an inventive feature that permitted dousing of the lighting from the instrument panel, which aided in lessening the distraction while driving at night.

Originally the public was told that the new 9-5 would be unveiled at the end of 2008, but recent reports have suggested that the current 9-5 will be replaced in 2009 for the 2010 model year. Most likely to be constructed in Ruesselsheim, Germany, at the Opel plant, the new model will be based on GM's Epsilon 2 platform, shared with the next generation 9-3.

In various parts of its native country, Sweden, the Saab 9-5 was used for patrol and undercover police work. In Aspen, Colorado, the City has been utilizing Saabs as patrol vehicles from the early 1970's until 2005 before it was discontinued in favor of the Volvo XC90. Since 1980 the town of Vail, Colorado, has been using Saabs until 2005, when the black Saab 9-5 was replaced by Ford Explorers due to budget cuts.

by Jessican Donaldson