Weekend roadtest : New Saab is one of the family

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