2011 SAAB 9-5 pics revealed
July 23, 2009 by Matt Brogan
German magazine Autoblid has this morning leaked images of SAAB’s 2011 9-5 on to the web ahead of its official reveal at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show (in September).
The redesign shows a roof which flows more smoothly to the rear, making it look almost coupe-like, as well as evident styling cues from the 9-4X BioPower concept.
A darker interior shares some 9-3 decor as well as the new GM corporate steering wheel as featured in the Buick LaCrosse and Opel Insignia.
The 9-5 will gain some extra weight, height and length over the current model as well as a wheelbase increase of 140mm.
Engine selection hints at a 156kW 2.0-litre turbo-charged four cylinder (flex-fuel) in the base model – with a choice of automatic and manual transmissions – as well as a higher output 2.8-litre V6 for European models and even a 1.6-litre turbo diesel. A hybrid powertrain hasn’t been ruled out.
US models are also tipped to receive an even bigger 3.6-litre V6 engine, the same one found in the Buick Lacrosse.
Print it: 
Is that a Holden Cruz steering wheel?
The buttons for the audio and cruise control on the steering wheel are the same as the Cruze, but the steering wheel is not the same.
Finally they’re up (thanks CA)! I think it looks pretty good! Modern, funky, stylish – something that Saab certainly needs. The interior is the highlight though – it retains some classic Saab bits but incorporates them into a whole new design. I think they could be onto a winner for themselves here, and because it’s on the Insignia’s platform, it should drive really well.
Great-looking (it just looks happy – something needed in these times), no doubt great quality (it’s Euro and a Saab – you couldn’t go wrong) and it will hopefully drive well, this could be the re-start they need.
All they need now is the Wagon (although I really hope the new 9-3 is under development – I think they need that even more, as well as the 9-4 and 9-1) and it’ll be great. Shows that alot can be done with not alot of money!
Its been a long while coming and well worth the wait, what a brilliant piece of design way better looking than anyting in its class including the xf, *drools* i want 1!
Way better looking than the XF? Disagree there slightly Dude, but the class of them does look similar. I’ll take the XF tho.
Hands up the poor souls who purchase $75K SAABs in Oz?
has been a looooooooooooonnnnggg wait for this new model,
but looks to be worth it, finally a SAAB with some decent style, lets hope it drives and handles well too…
the main problem with all saabs is that they all look like saabs , yuck
The front and rear (se*y back) dont really flow for me – almost like from 2 different designers who missed their meetings…need more pics though.
You can’t say that Saab didn’t try hard this time round, finally.
It has the solid basics to start with, platform i’m sure is shared with the Opel insignia.
I must need my eyes checked, because I think it looks really awkward and ungainly. I agree with GGG, the front and rear don’t match each other at all. And the interior is hardly inspired. If they are relying on this to turn themselves around, I don’t have much faith in their success.
Jake02, Saab’s are known in Europe as having very bad quality, a trait picked up from GM.
Saab,
Ford Aus called and they want there FG Falcon tail lights back !
outside looks great, interior is hidiously ugly
Whats with SAAB and its air vents, they always look weird, not in a good way weird in a cheap way weird. Other then that I quite like the car.
Honda Accord vs Subaru Liberty?
SAAB ain\’t going to move too many of these.
I look forward to a Keonegsigg designed electric model coming to SAAB dealerships. They\’ll need to move fast though, before they all go out of business.
I think it looks like a Skoda Superb from the front. Not the details, just the shape and the way it holds itself.
I think it looks good but the interior vents seriously need to change for production. They may be practical but they put me right off.
I think that a sports model and big wheels in a different colour would look great, but I don’t like that one much. As for the interior, well I hopethey offer more choice in finishes this time. As far as I know, Saab currently offer two leather finishes and that’s it – not good enough.
All I can say is that it needs to be well priced because frankly, it’s not quite special enough to do the job. I’d rather one over a Commodore, possibly even a Superb and a Passat, but not much else. However, the current one only starts at $43,000 so there’s no reason why they won’t.
that is one fugly looking car
It looks as if Saab are going back to the older more bland styling, rather than the attractive and sharp new look on the current 9-3.
It looks nowhere near as good as the Vauxhall Insignia with which it shares the platform.
Nice, bring on the twin turbo X-wheel drive Viggen edition, should be a real hoot!
The exterior design is OK, but sweet baby Jebus! That dashboard is a wretched assault on all that is decent and proper in this world! The “trademark” Saab airvents should have been retired before they were ever introduced, and what is the deal with the plastic horizontal ribbing across the instrument cluster? Apart from looking awful when new, it’s going to look a lot better 2 weeks after delivery when it’s full of dust. Did the cluster collide with an industrial filtration mesh or something? The shared “GM look” steering wheel means you’re going to think of a $19,990 Cruze every time you sit in your Saab. The rest of the cabin is dour and dark. Not even GM’s best silver painted plastic can lift the tone. Also the fuse box cover looks cheap and poorly fitted, and will no doubt be a long-term source of rattles. At least it’ll take your mind off the abomination of a dashboard.
Tailgates a deal-breaker. Too FG Falcon-esque.
Yes, looks dated, the rear looks like a Falcon. Front looks like the older mazda 6.
Alex, stay with the Superb.
Dated? Hmmmm Im not exactly sure as to why that is….and like a Falcon? I would take that offensively if I was Saab – what an awful thing to say! It looks fine! Not exactly futuristic (I’d imagine the design wouldve been finished a while ago too) but pretty handsome. Not fussy I spose you could say.
Yeah I still don’t like the airvents. I don’t like the way the actually airvent positioner line continues to the other side especially considering it’s plastic and bloody well looks it! I’d love the V6 model apparently it has a 260kW 3.6l which is only 10kW under V8 Commodores! I think maybe an Aero wagon would be nice.
Alex: Sorry but it’s the 9-3 that starts at 43k, the current 9-5 starts at like 60-ish?
Tom: Quality as in interior plastics etc (something Euro cars always do well at) not engines/reliability (mostly because the engines are from GM as you suggested).
I would still rather a Skoda Superb (I drove it on the weekend – it’s FANTASTIC!!!) over the lower specs of this (the one above would be an Aero) simply because you can’t beat the quality of the Superb, and the dynamics are top-notch. If I were spending abit more yeah I’d consider the 9-5 Aero, but Saab Australia IT BETTER HAVE SAT-NAV! None of the current range do!
Wtf is with the roof line in the last picture???
And that steering wheel isnt even the same colour!!!
Oh dear… what a waste…
zSame old story for SAAB and VOLVO.
You can buy Benz, BMW, Audi and Lexus for around the same coin, why bother with these [EXACTLY as the market is telling/showing us at the moment] so nothing is going to change.
Will crash in resale like you wont believe, small and low quality dealer network etc etc, dealers are handing back the franchise, SAAB is doomed.
Not worth the risk, a doomed orphan if one ever existed, be lucky if they can sell 100,000 units a year, impossible top make any money on that volume.
Had its chance to get in bed with FIAT Group and blew it.
I will call it, game over
Cheers
F-0
For my part, I think it looks great, but will it be enough to save SAAB? I hope for the day when the 9-1, 9-4x and the new 9-3 bring new life into the company. Who knows, maybe this is the car that turns the company around like the XF did for Jaguar!
P.S: I think if SAAB wants to attract younger buyers, a C30 style hatch is the go. Volvo got respect from the ankle-biters after they released that, and it is well desirable now.
I used to love Saabs but since GM’s ownership has virtually destroyed the brand. The rear design of the new 9-5 may work in Australia, but for any market that also has the Opel Insignia the similarities will be too disconcerting. Plus, this isn’t the 2010 9-5 but 2011! By the time it is released it will already look dated, much like the flogged-dead-horse current model has for the last 8 years.
front= Futuristic
rear= falconistic
but in overall it looks good! A big improvement especially the interior.
I really dont think that SAAB would have copied the Falcon, but it is very similar. But SAABhave been trying hard under their irresponsible American mastersa and they really need something to turn themselves around, this might be it. Lets hope so.
Finally SAAB!!!! Get rid of the curent 9-5 quick!!! It’s been in need of a update in years!!!!!
This looks good, even if the dash is sorta similar design to oloder SAAB’s but it looks more modern!
New Saab looks stunning inside and out…I’ve seen other pics and interior looks good actually. This is an amazing design so far from Saab.
I would just like to say first of all I love Saab, I own two. That being said, the front looks like the new Ford Taurus.
I have to say that I will be one of the first in Oz to get my hands on one. I actually went into my local Saab dealer and he said that SAAB Australia (being their typical useless selves) still have not the import agreement together, and that there has not been a new 95 shipped into the country in the past year. One of the reasons behind this was what he remarked at ‘GM running Saab into the ground’ and the new owners od Saab trying to sort out their mess !!!