1999 Saab 9-5 Sticks to the Components

From the Might 1998 difficulty of Automobile and Driver.

As good as it’s, the brand new four-­cylinder, turbocharged Saab 9-5 presents the U.S. gross sales group with fairly a problem. Why? First, the $30,545 value units the brand new 9-5 amongst a swarm of premium rivals, most of which have no less than two extra cylinders. Saab consumers on the lookout for a V-6 should ante up one other $3755, or step as much as the $37,350 9-5 SE.

Second, the brand new automotive has so many under-the-skin particulars and delicate refinements, it will be exhausting to stipulate them to shoppers who’re accustomed to being overwhelmed over the pinnacle by automotive commercials. For instance, there are lively headrests on the entrance seats that tip up and ahead to “catch” the heads of passengers in a rear-end collision. There are double filters within the air flow system: one electrostatic, the opposite activated char­coal. There’s a “evening panel” change that turns off all of the instrumentation besides the speedometer, reverting to full operation on a “have to know” foundation. And there’s an elaborate crash­impact-absorption construction constructed into the physique shell that exceeds regulatory stan­dards to satisfy Saab’s real-life accident expectations.

Actually, the brand new Saab is healthier than we might anticipated. Understanding that it shares some Opel Vectra–platform structure, we had anticipated just a little dilution of the marque. As an alternative, Saab’s affiliation with GM has supplied Saab with the sources it wanted to develop a robust contender. Within the new 9-5, we see simply that, even whereas rec­ognizing that the automotive is not for everybody. Not everybody will settle for a four-cylinder engine at this value, not even one with an intercooled gentle­-pressure turbo that provides 207 pound-feet of torque at simply 1800 rpm and makes the automotive really feel as if it had a V-6. The provision of a handbook transmission—a uncommon commodity within the executive-sedan class—additional com­pensates for the shortage of cylinders.

Known as the Ecopower engine, the 16-valve unit is predicated on the two.3-liter light-pressure turbo motor final provided within the 1997 9000, but it surely now provides 15 pound-feet extra torque with decrease weight and fewer friction. Having the low-inertia turbo spool up early offers the 9-5 vivid throttle response at low revs and permits early upshifts with no use for prime revs. In fact, we ran to the 6000-rpm redline in each gear to get our efficiency figures, and that resulted in an 8.0-second dash to 60 mph and a quarter-mile time of 16.3 seconds at 87 mph. These aren’t dangerous numbers and may even be improved on, given the inexperienced engine in our 480-mile take a look at automotive.

The 9-5 just isn’t solely respectably fast, but in addition clean and properly faraway from drivetrain and suspension vibrations (thanks to 2 rubber-isolated subframes and twin stability shafts within the engine). Noise ranges are low, too, the engine being audible primarily as a distant, fairly melodic four-cylinder tone that’s free from thrash or clatter. Alternatively, we discovered the tire roar and suspension bump-thump noise surprisingly loud.

The steering and the shifter really feel silky and disconnected from any vibrations, however the steering just isn’t totally freed from torque steer, which it displays as a gentle weave when the automotive is accelerating exhausting. One other little foible that seems solely underneath flat-out driving condi­tions is a type of flat spot throughout quick upshifts, when there’s a transient lack of response to reapplication of the throttle.

Maybe the sudden, chopped throttle and accompa­nying turbo-pressure drop simply confuse the electronics. Or possibly it is a operate of the automotive’s digital fly-by-wire throttle circuitry. Both method, it is a couple of 10ths of acceleration time spent ready.

Not that dash occasions are that essential in a automotive like this. Engi­neered to optimize house, consolation, stability, and security, the Saab is projected on the upscale household on the lookout for understated type. And with the 9-5’s traditional inside and evolutionary exterior, that is what it should get. We predict the Saab’s new form is engaging, regardless of the familiarity implicit in carried-over trademark options just like the grille.

And if the inside additionally seems acquainted (par­ticularly the dashboard), it’s actually spa­cious, comfy, and properly appointed. The walnut-veneer sprint has Saab’s typical con­toured instrument panel and console, with all controls set on a rigorously calculated arc that places them at precisely the identical attain. The ergonomics are just about irreproachable, and the controls function with intuitive pre­dictability.

Like many a Saab earlier than it, the 9-5 has an ignition change residing on the console between the entrance seats. A gimmick? Possibly, but it surely’s additionally alongside the handbrake and the shifter, all instantly underneath the central dome gentle. A giant, mussel-shaped key fob handles remote-access duties with buttons which can be uncommonly straightforward to differentiate and function. Eradicating the important thing from the ignition requires the choice of reverse gear, which prevents runaways and makes unlawful towing fairly awkward. (An anti-theft immobilizer is stan­dard difficulty.)

The ability-window buttons are additionally positioned on the middle console, and their oper­ation is equally self-apparent. Saab has realized classes from constructing jet fighters, the place puzzling over management features can result in deadly confrontations with the terrain. Thus, the steering adjusts for tilt and attain after releasing only one clamping lever, and the ahead cup holder pops out and rotates into place on the single poke of a finger.

The stereo system has redundant controls on the steering wheel, the air flow system is quiet, highly effective, and automated, and the Saab has double solar visors (in matte black) to thrust back glare from the aspect in addition to the entrance.

Out on the highway, the 9-5 proves to be a genteel high-performance automotive. The supple journey suggests that it’s going to fall on its face within the mountains. Not so. The automotive works very properly, has a lot of grip, and displays progressive underneath­steer with a reassuring tightening of the road when the throttle is launched.

Usually a bit distant, the automotive com­municates extra emphatically as you pile on the stress, with tires that change their tune from a sleek to a whiz after which to slight squealing because the restrict approaches. The 9-5 negotiates bumps and rises in bends with no main change of angle, and it may be braked pretty exhausting in mid-bend with no lack of composure. The brake pedal feels good underfoot, regardless of a mediocre 194-foot stopping distance from 70 mph, however the digital brake-force dis­tribution and customary ABS may shorten that distance with summer season tires fitted.

The broad torque unfold permits using a really tall overdriven fifth gear (0.66:1), preserving engine revs low at cruising speeds (70 mph is a little more than 2000 rpm) and decreasing each noise and gas consumption. The low 0.29 drag coefficient additionally provides to general effectivity and low wind noise, permitting the occupants to understand the superb seven-speaker stereo with out distraction.

With its roomy inside, consolation­ready seats, massive baggage compart­ment (made extra versatile by folding rear seatbacks), and quiet, clean journey, the 9-5 is a automotive seeking mature homeowners. The fantastic thing about it’s that the luxurious veneer is underlain by reliable chassis dynamics, and the automotive is enjoyable to drive quick. Extra essential, we grew more and more keen on the Saab as time handed, and that is a promise of long-term relationship. Who can ask for greater than that?