2010 Saab 9-5 is proof there's still some flight left in the ol' Griffin

by Chris Paukert

To be honest, there have been points at which it felt like this new Saab 9-5 would never see the light of day. To say that the outgoing model had grown long in the tooth would be a colossal understatement, and in the hyper-competitive market that is the globe's entry-level premium segment, the 9-5 had become something of a placeholder, playing second fiddle to the automaker's newer, more dynamic 9-3. So with its own cheaper sibling playing the role of upstager and parent General Motors in the throes of bankruptcy, we didn't exactly have faith that Saab would ever launch this new sedan. But after an arduous development process and a new owner in the form of supercar maker Koenigsegg, the future looks – if not bright – at least markedly less dim.

If we sound like we're damning the 2010 9-5 with faint praise, we're not – after sitting in the car today at the Frankfurt Motor Show and talking extensively with members of Saab's team, we're actually rather optimistic that the perennially underweight automaker may yet emerge from its funk and put some rouge back in the 'ol Griffin. But until we drive it, we're going to reserve judgment before we break out the akvavit and reindeer steaks – we've been here before.

One thing's for sure – this new, larger 9-5 looks incredibly crisp in the metal. With clean flanks, a distinctive, cantilevered roofline paired with wraparound-look glass and handsome head- and tail lamp detailing, this is an attractive, cohesive design sans adornment – no gaping ducts, fender vents, or protruding aero addenda are in evidence anywhere. Very much in the Scandinavian mold, the 9-5 pulls design elements from the showstopping Saab Aero-X concept coupe and puts them in a real-world package. Similarly, like Scandinavian furniture, the design won't be to everyone's tastes.

Inside, there's gobs more space than in the outgoing car both front and rear, and the design has been tastefully updated in a driver-centric way that honors the marque's quirkiness (Night Panel button, eggcrate grid air vents, etc.) without becoming a caricature of Saabs past. Reinforcing the aeronautically-minded "Born From Jets" theme that had become something of a punchline with distractions like the 9-7x SUV, Saab has adopted new features like an optional heads-up display and a novel altimeter-like digital speedometer readout in case you aren't interested making use of the clear analogue gauges.

Another reason for quiet optimism: Thanks to new technologies and refinements, the world's markets are finally waking up to the joys of smaller displacement engines paired with turbocharging – a development that suits Saab just fine, as blowers have been a steady part of Saab's diet for the better part of 30 years. As such, the 9-5's engine lineup will be all turbo, all the time. Global choices will range from a 220-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo to a force-fed, 300-horsepower 2.8-liter V6 paired exclusively with Saab's lauded cross-wheel drive (XWD) system). A 160 hp, 2.0-liter diesel engine will also make the scene from launch, although we don't expect to see that motor, nor are we optimistic that the planned 180 hp 1.6-liter gas turbo or 2.0-liter E85-friendly BioPower powertrains will reach American shores. Whether fitted with a stir-it-yourself gearbox or an automatic transmission, all 9-5s will be equipped with six forward ratios.

Saab officials tell us they need a total of 50,000 units globally out of the new 9-5 (in both sedan and Sport Combi form) in order to be in the black on the model. While that's theoretically a modest goal, Saab is going to need more than the trickle of 9-5 sales that the U.S. has added to the books for the past few years if it is to make good on its international projections. To our eyes, the 2010 9-5 looks good enough, but given its front-drove roots (it's got GM's Epsilon II platform underneath), will it drive well enough? Perhaps every bit as importantly, will it be marketed effectively enough in order justify Koenigsegg's leap of faith? The jury's out – but with a new Swedish foreman running the show again and a distinctive new entry, we'll give them the benefit of the doubt... if only for a while.