The cockpit - we stress this because of its fighter jet layout and Saab's fighter jet manufacturing history - has
also been freshened. The driver-focused, wrap-around cabin, a true Saab trademark now, has new door trims, new faces for the semi-circle gauges on the instrument cluster, and a sportier multi-function steering wheel, borrowed from the 9-3. Also freshened is the centre console which includes new, simplified HVAC controls that use round knobs rather than tiny, complex pushbuttons, and a new large-format satellite navigation screen. Yes, the clever 'ballerina' cupholder, and the 'floor' mounted key are still there.
The new 9-5 marks 2006 as a year in which every product has been revised,
from the more powerful 9-2x to the newly introduced 9-3SportCombi, as well as the more powerful Aero models. The 9-7x, a North American-only version of GM's light-duty SUV, is also now on sale.
While GM has committed to keeping the Saab brand name alive despite red ink and poor sales, compromises have been made, including moving engineeringand assembly into Opel's under-capacity Russelshiem facilities in Germany. The next-generation 9-5, which is supposed to show up sometime in 2008, will be based on an extended wheelbase version of the Epsilon Mk.II Platform, also slated to underpin the next-generation 9-3 product line.
For now, this update is a significant step forward for a model which has been overshadowed by its smaller, less expensive 9-3 sibling.
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| The cockpit - we stress this because of its fighter jet layout and Saab's fighter jet manufacturing history - has also been freshened. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
The new 9-5 marks 2006 as a year in which every product has been revised,
 |
| The new 9-5 marks 2006 as a year in which every product has been revised. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
While GM has committed to keeping the Saab brand name alive despite red ink and poor sales, compromises have been made, including moving engineeringand assembly into Opel's under-capacity Russelshiem facilities in Germany. The next-generation 9-5, which is supposed to show up sometime in 2008, will be based on an extended wheelbase version of the Epsilon Mk.II Platform, also slated to underpin the next-generation 9-3 product line.
For now, this update is a significant step forward for a model which has been overshadowed by its smaller, less expensive 9-3 sibling.