Saab 9-5

Saab 9-5

Manufacturer	Saab Automobile
Parent company	General Motors
Production	1997–present
Assembly	Trollhattan, Sweden
Predecessor	Saab 9000
Class	Executive car

The Saab 9-5 is an executive car produced by the Swedish automobile maker Saab. It was introduced in 1997 as the replacement to the Saab 9000 for the 1998 model year. At the time, the car represented a great leap forward for Saab. In the United States, the 9-5 was introduced in the spring of 1998, for the 1999 model year.

The first generation 9-5 was available with sedan and station wagon body styles. Aerodynamically, the sedan's drag coefficient is 0.29, and the station wagon's is 0.31 (U.S. version 0.33), which was introduced in 1999. It features such innovations as tracks to secure cargo down and a sliding load floor to make loading easier.

The model-number/name

Originally, Saab light-weigt bombers and fighter aircrafts only had a model.number.The name of the car 9⁵ was invented in the late 80's. Until then, models were numbered 92,93,95,96,97,99,900 and 9000. All in succession and housing at least one digit nine. Approaching the new millennium, it was thought that big numbers were outdated for a reference to the future, considering the small numbers that were to succeed 2000. During a, what in Sweden is called a; Fika-rast, in a group of CAD-engineers (all but one with a M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering), the discussion started. Looking at the series of numbers, it appeared exponential. Somone outspoke that raising the 9 to the power of five, would be enough to exceed 9000. After some thought, the group agreed, and Stig Nodin delivered the proposal to management. Nine to the power of five are two small digits that represents the number 59049. That number houses the digit 9 twice and is less than the number of the very first Saab prototype car; 92001. It has recently also been found that 5 is a natural number for Saab: In "post-wars Sweden"; June 11 1947, Saab announced that they were going to start manufacturing a civil automobile. This car had to match five requirements : 1. A two-stroke engine to be robust and reliable. 2. Low weight, to ensure fast acceleration. 3. Aerodynamic shape. 4. Long distance comfort. 5. Safety for occupants.

Those were the requirements, but it was also noted, that it preferably should be a low cost car to enable a large production volume. This last addendum, was never met. For the current 9-5, only the last three requirements are met.

Badged as a 9⁵, Saab consistently advertises it as the 9-5. The name is pronounced "nine five" rather than "ninety five". This model should not be confused with the Saab 95, produced from 1959 to 1978.

The last 9-5 Sedan of the current generation rolled off the Trollhättan production line at the beginning of July 2009, while the Estate/Wagon body style will continue to be produced for some time.^[1]

First generation (1998-)

First generation

Production	1997–present (sedan) 1998-present (wagon)
Body style(s)	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout
Platform	GM2900 platform
Engine(s)	1.9 L turbodiesel I4 2.0 L B205 I4 2.3 L B235 I4 3.0 L L81 V6 3.0 L Isuzu 6DE1 diesel V6
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,703 mm (106.4 in)
Length	1997-2000 Sedan: 4,805 mm (189.2 in) 1997-2000 Wagon: 4,808 mm (189.3 in) 2001-05 Sedan: 4,825 mm (190.0 in) 2001-05 Wagon: 4,830 mm (190.2 in) 2006-present Sedan: 4,836 mm (190.4 in) 2006-present Wagon: 4,841 mm (190.6 in)
Width	1997-2000 Sedan: 1,793 mm (70.6 in) Wagon & 2001-09 Sedan: 1,790 mm (70.5 in)
Height	1997-2005 Sedan & 2001-05 Wagon: 1,448 mm (57.0 in) 1997-2000 Wagon: 1,496 mm (58.9 in) 2006-09 Sedan: 1,453 mm (57.2 in) 2006-present Wagon: 1,465 mm (57.7 in)
Related	Opel Vectra Opel Calibra Saab 900 (NG) Saab 9-3 Saturn L-Series

1999-2001 Saab 9-5 sedan (US)

2007 Saab 9-5 sedan (US)

2006-2009 Saab 9-5 wagon (US)

Engines

The first-generation 9-5 was powered by Saab's B205 and B235 straight-4 engines, and in Europe by Alfa Romeo's 1.9 JTD 16V diesel straight-4. A version of the GM 54° V6 powered by a unique asymmetrical low-pressure turbocharger was available from 1999 to 2003. This engine was available only with an automatic transmission, and cars with this engine installed are distinguishable by their twin tailpipes. It was only available on Arc, SE, and Griffin models. In 2004, the V6 engine was replaced by a high pressure turbo straight-4 engine producing 220 hp (160 kW). By 2008 this engine was producing 260 hp (190 kW) even in the non-Aero model (US model).

The B235-based 9-5 models have suffered an abnormally high rate of engine failures due to engine oil sludge. This primarily affected the 1999-2003 models. Saab refined the engine's positive crankcase ventilation system (PCV) for the 2004 and later model years, virtually eliminating the problem. Additionally, SAAB created update kits to retrofit to the 1999-2003 cars since they cannot be easily modified to accept the 2004 and later system. Mounting complaints by 9-5 owners forced GM to offer an 8 year warranty on the engine in 4 cylinder models, provided the owner can produce proof that they followed the manufacturer's oil change intervals. Saab now also recommend the use of fully synthetic oil as a preventative measure.

On November 9, 2009, it was confirmed that Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corporation (BAIC) would take over mannurfacture of this original 9-5 generation in exchange for taking a minority stake in KoenigseggGroup, the Swedish automaker who plan to buy-out Saab from GM. Chinese production will begin in mid-2010.^[2]

Transmissions

The 9-5 was available with an Aisin AW 4-speed automatic transmission from 1997-2001. A new Aisin AW unit replaced the dated 4-speed automatic with a 5-speed automatic. A 5-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard to the base models and the Aero.

Alternative propulsion

E85

In 2005, an updated version of the 2.0 L turbocharged I4 was introduced in the European market together with the 2006 9-5. The engine is sold as 2.0T BioPower, and it is optimized to run on E85 producing 132 kW (180 hp) at 5500 rpm. There is also a 2.3T BioPower version sold from 2007.

E100

There is a Saab 9-5 E100 Concept, based on the turbo 2.0.

BioPower Hybrid

The Saab BioPower Hybrid concept/prototype is based on the Saab 9-5 E100, with three additional electric motors.

Safety

The 9-5 continued Saab's long-running tradition of offering class leading safety features and pioneered the availability of ventilated seats with Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR), that moved up and forward to prevent whiplash when the car is struck from the rear. This feature won technology and safety awards, in Australia, Denmark and the United Kingdom. The Saab 9-5 also has been one of the first cars to have extensive side-crash protection. In the front seats are torso and head airbags on even the oldest of 9-5s, making it unique in that few other late 1990s vehicles provide the same feature. Even more important is the side structure, which includes a passenger cage and crumple zones. The design has been proven by the IIHS to protect occupants in side crashes, even without the addition of side airbags to the rear seats.

Another Saab feature is the "Night Panel", which permits dousing of the instrument panel lighting, except for essential information, for less distraction when night driving.

In the United States, OnStar is standard.^[3]

Aero

The performance-oriented 9-5 Aero was first released in 2000 with a 230 hp 2.3T B235R engine. This flagship model had a long list of standard features^{[citation needed]}, a sport tuned suspension, and body side moldings. In 2002 a 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) 2.3 turbo engine was made standard. The high-powered version of the 9-5 in the current form produces 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) and 350 N·m (260 lb·ft) of torque (370 N·m (270 lb·ft) with its 20-second overboost function accessible on the manual transmission equipped version). Hirsch Performance, MapTun Performance, and Nordic Uhr and BSR AB, all tuners specializing in Saab models, can increase this to a maximum of approximately 300 hp (220 kW) ECE (220 kW).^[4]

Currently, the 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) B235R is the standard engine in the 9-5 in both the 2.3T and Aero trims. In addition, almost all standard features on the Aero are now standard on the 2.3T, the exceptions being sport-tuned chassis, two-tone leather upholstery, "anniversary" wheels and brushed aluminum interior trim, all of which are standard on Aero and not available on the 2.3T.

Additionally, companies like MapTun Performance have developed aftermarket BioPower conversion kits for the 9-5 Aero and other Saab models. Larger injectors and remapped software in the Engine Control Unit (ECU) allows impressive power levels from 285 hp, 330 lb/ft in the Aero model on E85 ethanol.

Police car

• The 9-5 is used for patrol and undercover in several parts of its native country, Sweden, alongside the Volvo V70. Several police forces in the UK also use the 9-5 in their fleets, mostly in Aero guise.
• The city of Aspen, Colorado, used Saabs as patrol cars from early 1970s until 2005, when the 9-5 was discontinued in favor of Volvo XC90.^[5]
• The town of Vail, Colorado, had been using Saabs since 1980, but in 2005, the black 9-5 patrol cars were replaced by Ford Explorers, due to budget reasons.^[6]
• Lothian and Borders Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, have started using three Saab 9-5 Aero 2.3T patrol cars as part of a fleet of 580 various vehicles. These 9-5s were customised to police specifications by the Saab, Vauxhall and Chevrolet Special Vehicles Operation (SVO) in Papworth, Cambridgeshire.^[7]
• In Poland, unmarked 9-5 is used as a video-pursuit vehicle, in Plock (Płock) area ^[8]

Engines

Second generation (2010-)

Second generation

Production	2010-
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive/four-wheel drive
Platform	GM Epsilon II platform
Engine(s)	1.6L turbocharged I4 2.0L turbocharged I4 2.8L turbocharged V6 2.0L turbodiesel I4
Transmission(s)	6-speed automatic with manual shift capability 6-speed manual
Length	197.2 in (5009 mm)
Width	71.5 in (1816 mm)
Height	58.0 in (1473 mm)
Related	Buick Regal Buick LaCrosse Opel Insignia

External images
	2010 Saab 9-5 images.

A next generation 9-5 built on the Global Epsilon platform has been presented at the Frankfurt International Auto Show in September 2009 and is scheduled to go on sale in 2010. The vehicle had its North American debut in October 2009 at the South Florida Auto Show in Miami.^[10] November 24, 2009 the first pre-series Saab 9-5 of the new generation rolled off the Trollhättan production line. On the Saab International Site stated below, more pictures and information on the car can be found.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Saab 9-5

• Saab 9-5 international page, official website.
• Saab 9-5 BioPower.
• Saab 9-5 Gallery, official website.
• IIHS Saab 9-5 Crash test.
• Pictures of New 9-5