|
|
Weekend roadtest : New Saab is one of the family
publication date: Jul 17, 2010
|
author/source: Robin Roberts
SAAB’s “homecoming” is something every enthusiast
of
the Swedish brand can celebrate with the arrival of the new 95
series.
The
95 was conceived when the company was still part of General
Motors but
it is the first to be released since the car business was bought by
specialist sports car maker Spyker. It has Saab’s heritage running
through its chassis and powertrain and delivers it with cutting edge
technology which reinforces the brand’s safety credentials. | 
|
It shows
where Saab is fast going under new ownership, not where it has been
festering under threat of closure.
Backed by the Swedish government
and European Investment Bank, the new Saab company depends on the
success of the 95 to bring in much needed funds.
Spyker’s business
plan sees all car production returning to its home Trollhatten plant and
a new SUV model being built in America, where it will be sold in big
numbers.
Saab say its current 3,500 staff at Trollhatten will build
about 220 cars a day but with hundreds more added to the payroll in a
few months it will raise output to over 300 a day. This year’s
production will rise from approximately 50,000 cars made so far to
90,000 by the year end before the 95 Wagon is added and lifts that to
120,000 cars in 2012.
With so many new cars being built in
Trollhatten, Saab is also keen to buy more components from its home
producers and source others from Europe.
| | 
| With the 95, Saab say it is
the most technologically advanced model they have every built, being
available with a choice of three different chassis depending on
powertrain, sophisticated driving dynamics programmes, cutting edge
sound systems and safety features.
Smart functions range from an
aircraft-style, head-up display (HUD) to Advanced Park Assist (APA), and
from hard disc onboard music storage to adaptive cornering headlights
and flexible trunk storage.
The new 95 Saloon is the
first Saab to
offer real time damping control through DriveSense, which includes a
range of adjustments that helps the car adapt to the way it is being
driven and buyers can also specify a lower sports chassis setting for a
more involving experience. |
It is also one of the biggest models they
have ever made with a wheelbase of 2.83m. The interior length of the new
Saab gives more legroom than an Audi A8 and this is going to be a
strong selling point to private hire and chauffeur fleets as well as
individuals who really need a lot of legroom for whatever reason.
Under
the bonnet is a selection of turbo-charged petrol and diesel engines
which meet tough emissions requirements and further engines will be
introduced to comply with upcoming tighter controls.
The new range
comprises six models powered by three petrol and two diesel engines,
which have standard six speed manual or automatic transmissions, three
chassis set ups depending on what engine is used and if it’s two or four
wheel drive. The familiar trim levels are Vector and Aero and prices at
launch will go from £26,500 to £37,800.
Saab has been given a
disappointing estimated residual price of 29pc after 3yrs/ 60,000 miles
for the 95 but believes this will improve once the new models
are on the
road and their qualities and rarity are appreciated.
The new Saab
GB company anticipates selling 15,000 models annually with a third being
the 95 and the best seller will be the 160ps 2.0TiD.
| FIRST IMPRESSIONS
| | I briefly tested three models which covered the trio of
chassis choices, the 300ps 2.8V6 petrol, 220ps 2.0 T petrol and 160ps
2.0T diesel.
The four-wheel-drive transmission comes as standard
with the V6 and is a very sophisticated system which automatically and
imperceptibly adjusts traction so it goes to the wheel which needs it. My
Aero version with sports chassis is a firmly sprung model which rides
on low-profile tyres and wide wheels and tyres so it picks up bumps and
potholes and you are aware of them, but thankfully the suspension copes
fairly well. |  | You get the feeling of an agile chassis which makes the
most of the responsive engine and transmission and I averaged 24mpg.
The
220ps petrol engine is a very eager four-cylinder, has better get up
and go and feels particularly sharp behind the wheel. Without the sports
setting, it rides in a slightly softer way than the V6 and I saw it
return 29.4mg.
My favourite was the 160ps diesel and I can see why
Saab believe it will be the best seller.
It produced 42.6mpg without
any problem, delivered great acceleration from low revs and through the
gears and it was very smooth and quiet even at higher speed.
The
over-riding impression of the new Saab 95 is a distinctively sleek
profile wrapped around a very roomy interior and boot, a cosseted cabin
and sitting on a dynamic chassis.
What a way to arrive home. ©Robin
Roberts | | | |
Download the Wheels Within Wales toolbar for your quickest way to keep in touch with everything that's happening on Welsh roads and in showrooms or use our RSS feed for the headlines you will not want to miss
|
|
|
.gif){kind=small}