2008 SAAB 9-5: INSPIRING MIDSIZE LUXURY AND PERFORMANCE

The 2008 Saab 9-5 portfolio brings stylish European performance, luxury and value to the midsize sport sedan category. Both the 9-5 Sedan and SportCombi models feature sophisticated, aircraft-inspired design inside and out, befitting Saab's storied aviation heritage.

For the 2008 model year, the OnStar safety and security system; tire pressure monitoring system and rain-sensing windshield wipers are standard on all 9-5 models, bringing even greater levels of safety and security to the 9-5 series. Leather-appointed sport seats in Black or Parchment also are standard on all models. Also new for 2008, five-spoke high-split alloy wheels are included on the Aero, and power-folding mirrors are included in the Visibility Package.

The Visibility package complements a long list of standard features on the Sedan and SportCombi. The Aero model includes a lowered, sport-tuned chassis; 17-inch, 5-spoke high-split alloy wheels; leather-appointed sport seats with contrasting accents; metallic-finish interior trim, and special Aero badging.

The Visibility Package offers aerodynamic headlamps with xenon projector beams; power-folding and auto-dimming outside mirrors; and the Saab rear-park assist system.

Available stand-alone features include front-ventilated and perforated leather-appointed sport seats and a DVD-based navigation system with trunk-mounted six-disc CD changer, which replaces XM Satellite Radio if ordered.

All 9-5 models are powered by a single 2.3L I-4 Turbo with 260 horsepower (194 kW), and 258 lb.-ft. of torque (350 Nm), mated to a five-speed automatic Sentronic transmission or available five-speed manual transmission.

The Aero sport chassis features a suspension that benefits from increased spring and damping rates, and a larger anti-roll bar than the standard chassis.

The 9-5 Sedan and SportCombi ride on P235/45 R17 all-season tires and standard 17 x 7.5-inch alloy wheels. All Saab 9-5 models are designed for sure-footed driving, thanks to standard electronic stability program, traction control and anti-lock brakes.

Sedan and SportCombi standard equipment

Although the Sedan and SportCombi come with unique equipment and appointments, both versions have the following standard features:

• Leather-appointed sport seating

• Leather-trimmed sport steering wheel

• Cooled, illuminated and lockable glove compartment

• Power moonroof

• Dual-zone automatic climate control with cabin filter

• Eight-way power-adjustable front seats with driver's side three-position memory

• Power windows with express-down in front

• Power operated and heated exterior mirrors

• 200-Watt Harman-Kardon tuned audio with eight (or nine) speakers

• Six-disc in-dash CD changer (not available with optional DVD navigation system)

• XM Satellite Radio (not available with optional DVD navigation system)

• Saab Information Display with trip computer

• Rear-seat center armrest with pass-through ( Sedan )

• Central locking with remote

• Anti-theft alarm with immobilizer

• Five-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty

• Four-year / 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty

• No-charge scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.

And, in keeping with Saab's safety heritage, all 9-5 models are equipped with the following standard safety-enhancing features:

• Standard OnStar safety and security system

• Electronic stability program

• Tire-pressure monitoring system

• Anti-lock brakes

• Traction-control system

• Dual adaptive frontal air bags

• Head/torso side air bags (front seats)

• Three-point safety belts with front-seat pretensioners

• Pendulum B-pillar side-impact protection structure

• 'Triple Load Path' safety cage construction, front and rear

• Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR) for front seats

• LATCH (Lower Anchorages and Top tethers for CHildren)

• Headlamp delay function ('follow-me-home')

• Daytime running lamps

• Theft-deterrent system with engine immobilizer

• Passenger Sensing System

Newly standard for 2008, OnStar provides post-crash safety and security services, including notifying emergency services personnel in the event of an air bag deployment. OnStar also provides enhanced, hands-free voice recognition capabilities, including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.

Saab history

Following the end of WWII, Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (SAAB) faced an economic shift from the military-industrial complex to the consumer-based market. Looking to diversify, the primarily military aircraft manufacturer gave 16 aircraft engineers license to create the company's first automobile.

On June 10, 1947 , the automotive division of Saab was officially born, with the unveiling of the original Saab 92 production prototype to Swedish media. More than 4 million cars later, the spirit of Saab's pioneering engineers lives on in an extensive product lineup that is marketed in more than 50 countries around the globe.

Today, Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of the Saab 9-3, 9-5 and the 9-7X SUV for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden.

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