Remember all those cool Saab concept vehicles that were rolled out at various auto shows over the past few years? They had a common design theme that was cool looking, yet hard to envision on a real production car, especially a sedan.
Well, it appears as though the time has come for a production application of that design and the 2011 Saab 9-5 appears to be the chosen vehicle. These shots of a 9-5 prototype taken recently in Scandinavia reveal the new shape and it's no small step.
Note how the upright windshield drops off into a steeply raked roofline similar to the concepts. The theme continues all the way back as the rear window is stretched way out until it comes to an end at the very slim looking rear end. Saab sedans have traditionally used an upright windshield and steeply sloped roofline to define their shape, but this looks like a more extreme application of the design, one that might actually get the 9-5 noticed.
jederino says:
01:09 PM, 02/17/09
That Saab shape used to be compelling, and I hope this will bring that back. It also needs to compete in the handling department, of course.
ctpax says:
01:17 PM, 02/17/09
I don't think saab needs to disguise their preproduction vehicles. it's not like anyone is interested.
adavis2493 says:
02:22 PM, 02/17/09
THANK GOD!
Last time the 9-5 was actually redesigned completely was the debut in 1997. Twelve Years Later: there doing it again.....
albook says:
03:39 PM, 02/17/09
If Saab still exists by the time this whole crisis plays out.
If this isn't rearwheel drive, no one should care. And they need to redesign all their other vehicles too. The 9-3 is also old.
benson2175 says:
04:20 PM, 02/17/09
It's good to see Saab returning to its roots. GM has really done a number on this brand and hopefully it can be saved. Hey GM FYI: Rebadged crappy SUVs is not what consumers want. Get a clue.
carfreak8394 says:
05:34 PM, 02/17/09
"Hey GM FYI: Rebadged crappy SUVs is not what consumers want. Get a clue."
If only GM read these blogs..
billt9 says:
06:49 PM, 02/17/09
It looks absolutely weird, a blend of 1980 and today. Could be interesting when the camo is off.
putachino says:
08:44 PM, 07/14/09
I hope Saab gets its soul back from GM with Koenigsegg. I hope the new 9-5 gets some Swedish soul not GM engineering.