From the Might 1998 subject 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 worth units the brand new 9-5 amongst a swarm of premium rivals, most of which have a minimum of two extra cylinders. Saab consumers searching for a V-6 must ante up one other $3755, or step as much as the $37,350 9-5 SE.

Second, the brand new automobile has so many under-the-skin particulars and refined refinements, it is going to be laborious to stipulate them to customers who’re accustomed to being crushed over the top by automobile 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 “night time panel” swap 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.

In truth, the brand new Saab is healthier than we would anticipated. Realizing 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 assets it wanted to develop a powerful contender. Within the new 9-5, we see simply that, even whereas rec­ognizing that the automobile is not for everybody. Not everybody will settle for a four-cylinder engine at this worth, not even one with an intercooled gentle­-pressure turbo that provides 207 pound-feet of torque at simply 1800 rpm and makes the automobile really feel as if it had a V-6. The supply of a guide transmission—a uncommon commodity within the executive-sedan class—additional com­pensates for the dearth of cylinders.

Known as the Ecopower engine, the 16-valve unit relies on the two.3-liter light-pressure turbo motor final supplied within the 1997 9000, but it surely now presents 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 need for top 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 are usually not unhealthy numbers and would possibly even be improved on, given the inexperienced engine in our 480-mile check automobile.

The 9-5 shouldn’t be 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. Then again, 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 shouldn’t be solely freed from torque steer, which it reveals as a light weave when the automobile is accelerating laborious. One other little foible that seems solely beneath flat-out driving condi­tions is a type of flat spot throughout quick upshifts, when there’s a temporary 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 automobile’s digital fly-by-wire throttle circuitry. Both approach, it is a couple of 10ths of acceleration time spent ready.

Not that dash instances are that essential in a automobile like this. Engi­neered to optimize area, consolation, stability, and security, the Saab is projected on the upscale household searching for understated model. And with the 9-5’s traditional inside and evolutionary exterior, that is what it is going to get. We predict the Saab’s new form is enticing, regardless of the familiarity implicit in carried-over trademark options just like the grille.

And if the inside additionally appears to be like acquainted (par­ticularly the dashboard), it’s definitely spa­cious, snug, 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 swap residing on the console between the entrance seats. A gimmick? Perhaps, but it surely’s additionally alongside the handbrake and the shifter, all immediately beneath the central dome gentle. An enormous, mussel-shaped key fob handles remote-access duties with buttons which might be uncommonly simple 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 subject.)

The facility-window buttons are additionally situated on the middle console, and their oper­ation is equally self-apparent. Saab has discovered 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 computerized, and the Saab has double solar visors (in matte black) to keep at bay glare from the aspect in addition to the entrance.

Out on the street, the 9-5 proves to be a genteel high-performance automobile. The supple trip suggests that it’s going to fall on its face within the mountains. Not so. The automobile works very properly, has plenty of grip, and reveals progressive beneath­steer with a reassuring tightening of the road when the throttle is launched.

Usually a bit distant, the automobile com­municates extra emphatically as you pile on the strain, with tires that change their track from a graceful 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 perspective, and it may be braked pretty laborious 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 would possibly shorten that distance with summer time tires fitted.

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

With its roomy inside, consolation­ready seats, giant baggage compart­ment (made extra versatile by folding rear seatbacks), and quiet, clean trip, the 9-5 is a automobile in quest of mature house owners. The great thing about it’s that the luxurious veneer is underlain by reliable chassis dynamics, and the automobile 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 a great long-term relationship. Who can ask for greater than that?