Value Saab Applies Light Pressure To Luxury Rivals
The Age
Saturday December 6, 1997
Background
The 9-5 (pronounced nine five and not nine to five) replaces the 9000 and is the second car to emerge from Saab Automobile now that it is 50 per cent owned by General Motors.
The launch was delayed by about six months in Europe to make sure the quality of the cars was up to luxury car standard and the car The Age drove was put together very well, although the overall feel was not quite as indestructible as a BMW or Mercedes-Benz.
Unlike the 9000, there is no hatch version of the 9-5, although a wagon is planned. The old 9000 hatch continues until the wagon arrives, possibly late next year.
For the 9000, Saab shared a platform with the Fiat Group, which among others produced the Alfa 164 off that chassis. For the 9-5 the Swedish car maker got to modify a new GM platform which will be used as the basis for the next Opel Omega.
This is Saab's BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-class competitor but is considerably cheaper and better equipped than either of the base German models. All 9-5s come with light pressure turbo engines so performance is also a step ahead of these models. A turbo V6 flagship is due in the first half of next year.
RIVALS Audi A6, BMW 523i, Mercedes E230, Mazda Eunos 800, Volvo S70, Lexus ES300.
Inside story
The more expensive SE model comes with leather trim, which not only smells good but works well and complements the comfortable seats. The front pews feature the company's "anti-whiplash headrests" which recently won a national safety award. The reach and tilt-adjustable steering wheel and power operated seats make it easy to find an ideal driving position.
The dash is similar in style to the 900, which means it's big, swoopy and well laid out. Only the large expanse of dark plastic in front of the passenger gives the style critics something to complain about. And if you wanted to be really picky you might decide the indicator and windscreen wiper stalks feel a little cheap.
Storage space is generous. The view out presents no real problems and the lid of the tall boot can be spied when reversing.
Like the 9000, the car offers loads of space front and rear and a big boot that can be extended by folding the rear seats. A ski hatch is also included.
As in the 900, the ignition is positioned between the front seats to minimise any injury risk from the the key.
Neat design features include the dash-mounted cup holder which unfolds like a flower in a time lapse movie. Even a committed cup holder hater would be impressed.
Tech talk
It may have only four cylinders but the light-pressure turbo engine has heaps of useable power. The small turbocharger is able to spin quickly and therefore deliver its extra punch low in the rev range, just where you want it. The engine stats tell the story, with peak torque of 280 Nm coming in at just 1800 rpm. Step on the accelerator and there is no lag, just an instant dollop of power. So much in fact that it's easy to get the front tyres squealling. Maybe traction control should be standard.
Balancer shafts keep the relatively big four-cylinder running smoothly. The only real complaint you could have with the engine is that it sounds boring and flat compared with a tunefull BMW six. Luckily what noise it does make is very subdued across the rev range.
The auto mates well to the engine with the gearchanges in the most part smooth and crisp. However, the box doesn't offer "tiptronic" change and is not quite as impressive as the five-speed boxes of BMW and Benz.
A new multilink rear end and the MacPherson strut front suspension provide a good ride that feels surprisingly supple but remains controlled and the body virtually float free when pushed.
For a big front-drive car the Saab is surprisingly agile and resists understeer. The steering is well weighted and communicative, and the car turns in to corners with surprising enthusiasm. Torque steer (wheel tug on acceleration) is absent, so committed rear-drive enthusiasts should not be put off. At cruising speed the car is very quiet.
Fruit salad
Airbags - yes, dual front, seat-mounted side
Anti-lock brakes - yes
Adjustable steering wheel/seatbelt - yes
Air conditioning - yes, climate control
Central locking - yes, remote
Power mirrors/windows - yes
Security - alarm system
Cruise control - yes
Cup holders - yes
Sound system - AM/FM radio cassette, single CD player, seven speakers
Split/fold rear seat - yes
So what's missing?
Very little. Although the woodgrain trim for the dash, which looks good and gives the car a more upmarket presence, is a $1000-plus option. Traction control to stop the front wheels spinning would also be welcome. A sunroof and six-stack CD player are also on the extras list.
Verdict
Saab has done a good job with this car. Developed under a cloud of financial strain and a need to "get it right", the 9-5 is an impressive addition to the luxury market.
On equipment and performance alone the car offers great value when compared with its obvious European rivals - the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes Benz E-class. So much so that in our market it's the smaller 3-Series and C-class that compete on price with the big Saab.
The light pressure turbo engine will change many perceptions of turbocharging. This is no high rev screamer with nothing down low. The small turbo provides bucket loads of useable power.
Inside, the leather interior, and works well and ensures this car stands out from other luxury cars. The exterior also won admiring glances Saab executives admit they have had quality dramas in the past but claim they are behind them now. The evidence would suggest that is true.
RATING (8 out of 10)
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SAAB 9-5 SE
NUTS 'N' BOLTS
HOW MUCH? $64,900 manual, $67,000 automatic.
INSURANCE $913 premium, $400 excess (AAMI, wholly owned, 30-plus, rating 1, medium-risk suburb).
WARRANTY Two years/unlimited km.
ENGINE 2.29-litres, DOHC, 16-valve, light-pressure turbo, in-line four-cylinder. 125 kW at 5500 rpm, 280 Nm at 1800 rpm.
TRANSMISSION Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
STEERING Rack and pinion with 2.9 turns lock-to-lock. Turning circle 10.8 m.
BRAKES Ventilated discs front, solid discs rear.
SUSPENSION Independent, MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar (front); independent, longitudinal and transverse links, coil springs, anti-roll bar (rear).
WHEELS Alloy, 6.5Jx16.
TYRES 215/55R16.
HOW BIG? Length 4805 mm; width 2042 mm; height 1449 mm; wheelbase 2703 mm.
HOW HEAVY? 1502 kg (manual), 1532 kg (automatic).
HOW THIRSTY? 10.5 l/100 km city, 6.8 l/100 km highway (manual); 11.5 l/100 km and 7.2 l/100 km (automatic). Fuel tank 75 litres, premium unleaded preferred.
© 1997 The Age
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