The 9-5 departs from this formula much like its Giorgetto Giugiaro styled 9000 CD progenitor did in 1988. The current 4-door trunk equipped model is as close to conformity as Saab has ever ventured. While the base and top-line engine incorporate 4-cylinders each, the mid-priced 9-5 delivers V6 power. The offerings are as follows: a 185-hp 2.3-L, designated 2.3-t; a 200-hp 3.0-L named 3.0-t; and a 250-hp 2.3-L that goes by 2.3-T. The latter is specified in the 9-5 Aero. All are equipped with efficient turbo technology, a current Saab staple originally debuting in the 1979 900 Turbo.
Engines aside, the 2002 model year marks some qualitative improvements. For starters a new adaptive 5-speed automatic transmission still puts power through the front wheels. Next, electronic stability control is now available for the first time while a modified suspension improves overall handling. Last but not least, new trim level designations, Linear, Arc and Aero, take the 9-5 from blasé to bravura.
The Linear is as it sounds, straight forward, simple and in other words, base. Still walnut accents, attractive cloth upholstery (leather is optional), heated seats and standard 16-inch alloy wheels make it anything but austere. A 185-hp light-pressure turbocharged 2.3-L 4-cylinder mates to a 5-speed manual gearbox allowing 8.3 second sprints to 100 km/h. A 5-speed automatic is optional.
Move up to Arc trim and its 200-hp, 3.0-L V6 is slightly less sporting at 9.0 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, mostly due to its standard 5-speed automatic - no manual transmission is offered. Still the engine is velvety smooth, biased towards luxury with sporting pretensions. Leather is added plus a 200-watt Harmon Kardon audio system. Electronic stability control comes standard too, as it does on the top-level Aero.