2006 Version is Most Thorough 9-5 Upgrade in Years
At eight years old, many consider the Saab 9-5 to be on its last remaining leg. Having had a facelift once already, with several interim powerplant and model-line upgrades, the car that remains is truly an acquired taste. Nevertheless, needing to give its loyal consumers a large car to move up
to while the next-generation 9-5 is in development (speculated for 2008), the current 9-5 will soldier on with yet another post-mid-cycle revision. Making its debut at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2006 9-5 is the most comprehensive redo to date, covering everything from powertrain to interior.
The most obvious changes affect its exterior, which now sports completely revised front and back ends. It's quite an aggressive approach to Saab styling, and is the first production implementation of the design language first spotted in the bold 9-X and 9-3X concepts. Saab has taken its traditional grille with two offset, diagonal spars and separated them; the central grille is now smaller, and the headlamp bezel incorporates the components, as well as
the covered headlamp bulbs. Both are outlined in chrome, to catch the eye. Below this, the bumper is completely new, and features a centre intake with body-coloured ribs, offset on both sides by Audi-esque intakes that have 'teardrop' bulges for fog lamps.
Around back similar changes take place, but they are less dramatic. Saab has swapped out the old 9-5's frumpy trunk lid for a new unit that's flatter, while a new rear bumper works to play an optical illusion. The new car looks as if it's got a loading lip that's much lower than the previous model due to its cut-in indent, and curving sides, however, dimension-wise it's the same. New tail lamps have also been fitted, looking a might bit similar to the ones on Audi's new A3 Sportback, A4 and A8. Body coloured trim on bumpers and doors, body-coloured door handles, and a new selection of alloy wheels round out the exterior changes.
At eight years old, many consider the Saab 9-5 to be on its last remaining leg. Having had a facelift once already, with several interim powerplant and model-line upgrades, the car that remains is truly an acquired taste. Nevertheless, needing to give its loyal consumers a large car to move up
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| The most obvious changes affect its exterior, which now sports completely revised front and back ends. (Photo: Saab) |
The most obvious changes affect its exterior, which now sports completely revised front and back ends. It's quite an aggressive approach to Saab styling, and is the first production implementation of the design language first spotted in the bold 9-X and 9-3X concepts. Saab has taken its traditional grille with two offset, diagonal spars and separated them; the central grille is now smaller, and the headlamp bezel incorporates the components, as well as
 |
| Saab has swapped out the old 9-5's frumpy trunk lid for a new unit that's flatter. (Photo: Saab) |
Around back similar changes take place, but they are less dramatic. Saab has swapped out the old 9-5's frumpy trunk lid for a new unit that's flatter, while a new rear bumper works to play an optical illusion. The new car looks as if it's got a loading lip that's much lower than the previous model due to its cut-in indent, and curving sides, however, dimension-wise it's the same. New tail lamps have also been fitted, looking a might bit similar to the ones on Audi's new A3 Sportback, A4 and A8. Body coloured trim on bumpers and doors, body-coloured door handles, and a new selection of alloy wheels round out the exterior changes.