• Upgraded chassis and suspension
• Responsive vehicle dynamics
• Bold styling and road presence
• Dramatic new interior
• Driving comfort
• Aero flagship performance 191 kW

The new Saab 9-5 combines bold, contemporary styling and more dynamic ride and handling, beginning a new chapter for the highly respected model.

In Sedan and SportEstate body styles, the new 9-5 boasts high levels of specification, significant new design treatment and enhanced performance in Linear, Vector (Sedan only) and Aero variants.

The new 9-5 also represents even greater value with a $2,000 saving on the recommended retail price of each model in the range.

Continuing the Saab tradition of progressive and individual cars, Director Saab Australia and New Zealand, Ralph Stevenson, says the enhancements ensure the new 9-5 is a compelling alternative in the premium segment.

“The new exterior and interior styling will increase Saab’s appeal among independent-minded and discerning customers with a strong design aesthetic,” Mr Stevenson said.

“Even more dramatic are the changes under the skin. The new 9-5 offers a much more dynamic driving experience without compromising the excellent ride quality the vehicle is renowned for.”

Saab ownership data confirms the strength of the 9-5 nameplate and how exceptionally loyal these customers are.

“Around three-quarters of our current 9-5 drivers have previously owned another 9-5. This is an enormous vote of confidence from our customers in both the vehicle and the brand,” he said.

“Building on the vehicle’s existing strengths, we think the enhancements will give our existing and prospective customers reason to move into the new 9-5.”

Ride and Handling

Saab customer research reveals the 9-5 has established a strong reputation for safety and ride quality. Nearly 90 per cent of owners base their decision to buy on the ‘driving comfort’ of the vehicle.

Without sacrificing this comfort, the new 9-5 also delivers stronger performance and improved ride and handling with an upgraded chassis and suspension across the entire range and a front assembly 40 per cent more rigid than the previous model.

Overall the result is better road holding, and steering precision with more responsive vehicle dynamics for a sportier driving experience.

This was achieved by adjusting all major suspension components to reduce body movement and improve responsiveness. The 9-5 core suspension and chassis layout benefits from isolated front and rear sub-frames, de-coupled MacPherson strut front suspension, an independent, multi-link system at the rear and anti-roll bars all-round.

The sporty dynamics of the 9-5 Aero range have also been improved. Aero ride height is up to 10mm lower than the standard chassis with increased front and rear damping forces atop a larger tyre and wider wheel for improved grip, ride and steering.

Power and Performance

Saab engines boast exceptionally flat torque curves, delivering useable power where it provides maximum benefit.

At this time, the 9-5 range is launching in Australia in three 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol only engine variants:

• Linear Sedan and SportEstate: 136 kW/280 Nm
• Vector Sedan: 162 kW/310 Nm
• Aero Sedan and SportEstate: 191 kW/350 Nm

Aero performance has been turned up from 184 kW to 191 kW achieving the maximum output for the 2.3-litre engine. Generating 350 Nm between 1,800 and 5,200 rpm, Aero remains among the best in its class for low-end torque.

In manual form Aero includes a ‘super boost’ facility which automatically engages at full throttle openings, raising torque to 370 Nm for up to 20 seconds for even swifter overtaking. Manual Aero is available in Australia as a special order.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the 9-5 Linear Sedan. A sophisticated Aisin AW five-speed automatic transmission, with steering wheel Sentronic gear selection buttons, is optional on Linear Sedan and standard on all other 9-5 models.

Exterior Design

The fresh new look and powerful stance enhances the more dynamic character of the 9-5 and is the most dramatic change in frontal design since the launch of the classic Saab 900.

The all new body work forward of the A-pillars features new grille and headlamp and indicator units which are now separately framed in chrome, extending on to the front edge of the hood.

The grille features a slim aircraft inspired horizontal bar in tribute to Saab’s aviation heritage and round, more modern projector style headlamps set in black. Asymmetric halogen headlamps with remote levelling are standard on Linear and Vector and bi-xenon headlamps with auto-levelling and washers are standard on Aero.

The sleeker overall look of the vehicle is enhanced by colour-keyed body work, including the introduction of new slimmer front and rear bumper mouldings, body side mouldings and door handles (standard on Vector and Aero).

The sill-line is visually extended by both front and rear bumper mouldings where they blend into the wheel arches. There are also new tail-light clusters with all-red lenses which add to the crisper styling.

2006 Saab 9-5

Interior Styling

The 9-5 cabin retains the cockpit, driver focussed theme with the introduction of more fluid and organic forms to complement the exterior styling.

The new main instrument panel curves around the driver featuring new white-on-black dials set in chrome. The main console now has separate control panels for the infotainment system and automatic climate control.

The 9-5 features new seats and door panels with trim similar in style to the 9-3, with matt chrome handles and colour coordinated with the main instrument panel.

The interior also introduces a more modern ‘Black Room’ theme, with Parchment coloured headlining in contrast to the black carpets, main fascia moulding, B-pillar trim and lower storage compartments.

Safety Leadership

The 9-5 continues Saab’s leadership in vehicle safety based on real-life experience. It has achieved the maximum five star EuroNCAP crash test rating and is recognised by independent American and Swedish accident injury studies as one of the safest cars on the road.

The outstanding overall safety performance is achieved through the fundamental body structure, safety cell design and active and passive safety systems.

Active safety features standard across the range include: Electronic Stability Programme (ESP®), Traction Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and ABS.

Passive safety features including Saab Active Head Restraints, dual-stage front airbags, head/thorax side airbags and seat belt pretensioners are also standard.

Model Range

Saab continues its commitment to offer competitively priced and highly specified vehicles with ‘luxury standard’, not optional. In addition to the standard safety features, Saab also offers standard on 9-5:

• Turbocharged performance
• Alloy wheels
• Heated front seats
• Leather upholstery
• Automatic Climate Control
• Cruise Control
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Electric windows and mirrors, and
• Saab Active Head Restraints

Now priced from $57,900 for the 136 kW entry level Linear Sedan, the new 9-5 represents extremely competitive value in the European premium segment.

In addition to the highlights above, Linear Sedan and SportEstate gain new 10-spoke 16 inch alloys.

The previous mid-level specification Sedan, Arc, becomes Vector for the 2006 model year. Retaining the 162 kW engine, Vector gains a more sporty-character with:

• New 17 x 7 inch alloys
• Colour-keyed body work
• Sport leather trim upholstery, steering wheel and gear shift, and
• More modern ‘Tektite’ effect dashboard and door trim

Offered in Sedan and SportEstate, Aero gains:

• A power increase to 191 kW
• New 17 x 7.5 inch alloys
• Upgraded Sport Chassis
• Colour-keyed body work
• New two-tone sport leather upholstery, and
• Tint-chrome trim dashboard and door trim

2006 Saab 9-5

Pricing (RRP)

			Manual	Automatic
9-5 Sedan
9-5 Linear Sedan	2.3t	136 kW / 280 Nm	$57,900	$60,400
9-5 Arc Sedan	2.3T	162 kW / 310 Nm		$70,900
9-5 Aero Sedan	2.3 HOT	191 kW / 350 Nm		$82,900
9-5 SportEstate
9-5 Linear SportEstate	2.3t	136 kW / 280 Nm		$62,400
9-5 Aero SportEstate	2.3 HOT	191 kW / 350 Nm		$84,900