I presume the "Land Rover Freelander-sized crossover model which combines elements from off-roaders, people-carriers and conventional estates" model is referring to the 9-5X crossover (nee 9-6X) recently discussed here (first mentioned in Car & Driver).

:cry: Still no news of a Sonett IV


http://www.whatcar.com/News_Article.asp?NA_ID=214792
(http://www.whatcar.com/News_Article.asp?NA_ID=214792)
The future face of Saab
25 April 2005

Saab says ambitious plans to launch five all-new cars within three years won’t be derailed by huge loses at parent company General Motors.

The Swedish manufacturer plans to continue with the rejuvenation and expansion of its range, despite GM’s announcement of a $1.1 billion first quarter loss last week.

This autumn Saab will launch its 9-3 estate and it will pull the wraps of a heavily face-lifted version of the 9-5 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Then, in 2007, the company will bring a Land Rover Freelander-sized crossover model which combines elements from off-roaders, people-carriers and conventional estates to the UK. It will also launch a larger off-roader in 2007, badged 9-6X (pictured), based on the Subaru B9 Tribeca.

The following year, Saab will introduce the next-generation 9-2 small hatchback to the UK. Like the version currently on sale in the US, it will be based on the next Subaru Impreza that’s scheduled to go on sale in 2007.

Both the 9-3 and 9-5 will also be replaced by all-new models in 2008. To cope with ever-increasing power outputs the pair could feature four-wheel drive. Saab said it would never revert to rear-wheel drive, but admits its traditional front-layout would struggle with future increases in power.

one facelift is okay, but two, there's not enough skin to be good looking anymore. let's see the next 9-5 already. on the 9-5x, i think it looks pretty good actually, much better than the 9-7x.

FWIW I think that pic of the 9-6x looks pretty good actually.

About the 9-5 - even if the facelift is successfull aesthetically, we are still looking at a 10 year old model competing head-on with brand new Audi/BMW/Volvo models and it simply won't cut it. It will keep the SAAb fan happy to have a fresh new look, but is unliklry to attract the new buyers in any numbers.

Efforts should be focussed on bringing forward the new replacement 9-5.

At least 9-3 reoplacement in same year 2008 demosntrates a sensible new model lifecycle for this mainstream SAAB model.

The auto press can be pretty harsh on old models with facelifts in their comparos. Look at C&D's latest comparo where the E350, A6 4.2 Quattro, 530i and S-Type all were relegated to under the top three spots and yet they're all no more than three years old. If the madeover 9-5 gets a less than stellar review/comparison with other competitors, it may as well simmer in showrooms for two years until the next replacement comes along.

I hope the makeover is far deeper than the sheetmetal. Rumor was that it's getting a 260hp motor ..... more tweaks on the 2.3L HOT ?




About the 9-5 - even if the facelift is successfull aesthetically, we are still looking at a 10 year old model competing head-on with brand new Audi/BMW/Volvo models and it simply won't cut it. It will keep the SAAb fan happy to have a fresh new look, but is unliklry to attract the new buyers in any numbers.

looks like a BMW X-3 or X-5

...so sick of euro/luxo/performace SUVs, it detracts from the prestige of the brand i think.

leave the trucks and SUVs to Ford, Chevy and Dodge - those actually get used for PRACTICAL purposes like hauling ACTUAL HARDWARE, not picking up kids from the school bus stop a quarter mile down the road from your house, or for boosting the self esteem of 100 lb. women yaking on their cell phones!

i digress however; i'm just bored at work and needed to vent, thank you.

I hear ya, I hear ya and .... I hear ya. But above all, Saab needs to start making money & "the prestige" just ain't getting it done. If they can make the 9-6x & steal enough sales from the BMW/Lexus/MB/whatever luxury SUV segment, you had dam well believe they are gonna do it.

The best we can hope for at this point (in my opinion) is that these new vehicles generate enough money to pay for the development & vehicles we want to see coming from Saab in the future. Who knows, if things get profittable, maybe we will see a new Viggen by 2009 .... 350+hp & AWD? Yum.

Can anyone confirm this - A friend says that this weeks Auto Express has spy shots of the facelifted 9-5 (the same mobile phone photos that have been on the net recently) and more interestingly a quote that this year has been the best yet for sales of the 9-5! Can this be true? If so that's pretty good for a car that has been on sale for so long.

I don't think the pic is meant to be the proposed 9-6x as they say. I've run the full analysis, including the future proposed model line here (http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2005/05/x_marks_the_spo.html). The pic is most likely the 'Swedish Seoul' model, that dubbed the 9-5x for now.

Can anyone confirm this - A friend says that this weeks Auto Express has spy shots of the facelifted 9-5 (the same mobile phone photos that have been on the net recently) and more interestingly a quote that this year has been the best yet for sales of the 9-5! Can this be true? If so that's pretty good for a car that has been on sale for so long.


Saab was offering some pretty serious discounts on the 9-5 last year when I was in their looking at an 9000 Aero they had on the lot. So sales may be picking up because of that.