SAAB has its sights on Audi and BMW with the launch of its new 9-5 flagship saloon.
The Swedish car maker’s first new model since being bought by Dutch supercar company Spyker, the 9-5 is an executive express priced to impress.
The seven model line up runs from £26,495 to £37,995 which puts it head on against the Audi A6 and BMW 5-Series.
All look good and while the most expensive 2.8-litre turbo Aero has all wheel drive to compete against the quattros of this world, it is the entry level version which signals Saab’s intentions.
It’s a two-litre diesel, is highly equipped and with CO2 emissions of 139g/km has business drivers well and truly in mind.
For the time being the cheapest petrol engine 9-5 is a two-litre turbo priced from £28,195 although a 1.6-litre will be available soon costing from £26,695.
Pound for pound the two-litre diesel 9-5 Vector SE undercuts its German rivals by a significant margin.
Add satellite navigation, which costs an extra £1,200, and the Saab is still almost £1,000 less than the cheapest BMW 5-Series diesel.
That’s compelling stuff, especially in the company car world where there is a fine balance of equipment versus price.
Standard specification on the 9-5 Vector includes twin zone climate control, part leather upholstery, cruise control and keyless entry and start up.
Inside it is roomy and comfortable and while the instrumentation makes plenty of use of graphics the dash remains very black – a hangover from early Saabs.
The 9-5 was conceived while Saab was still under the control of General Motors and the newcomer shares its underpinnings with the Vauxhall Insignia.
That’s no bad thing as the Insignia is a fine car to drive and those traits have helped produce a model which is the best handling Saab since the earlier Aero on the mid-1990s.
Acceleration from the diesel is on the brisk side at 9.4 seconds 0 to 60 and with a top speed of 134mph the 9-5 cruises impeccably.
On the road it is well insulated in terms of noise intrusion and while the ride is adequate it is not as responsive or as firm as the German models.
But when it comes to economy it is a different question. Officially Saab is claiming an average of 53.2mpg for the two-litre diesel and on a run it is easy to achieve consumption figures in excess of 50mpg without having to try too hard.
A 15.5 gallon fuel tank gives it a theoretical range of around 820 miles.
Again that is a characteristic which will impress business users where every penny counts. For the average driver that represents a visit to the fuel station only once a fortnight.
A boot of 515 litres is above average and so is the rear legroom which is bordering on limousine standards.
The 9-5 is a very important car for Saab as it launches on independence. In the wings are new versions of the smaller 9-3 saloon, an SUV and the promise of a baby model to rival the BMW 1-Series.
Certainly the 9-5 sets new standards for the brand and it is good enough not only to impress loyal Saab customers but also attract plenty of new ones.
FAST FACTS
Saab 9-5 2.0 TiD Vector SE
Price: £26,495
Mechanical: 160bhp, 1,956cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
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