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HERE IT IS IN ENGLISH!!!!!!!! very long! Posted by Paul [Email]  (#792) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Paul) on Tue, 17 Jul 2001 16:21:08
In Reply to: To those of you who can read French - a review of the new 9-5, Caspar, Tue, 17 Jul 2001 10:52:52 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The goal of the small voyage to the stronghold of Saab was to discover the new turbo Diesel which powers the new 95, which unlike the 93, has not previously had a diesel engine. Saab has developed this new engine with Izuzu, also partner of General Motors. It is a very modern engline : V6 of 3 liters to 24 valves, entirely out of alloy and which uses technology common rail. It delivers a power of 170 hp and torque similair to that of the 95 Aero about 258ft/lb at 1800rpm. This torque had to be limited to extend the life of the engine. The car is capable of 0-62mph is 8.2seconds. The turbo is by Garrett and feature variable geometry. This engine is particularly compact with an angle 66degrees between its two banks of cylinders. The turbo with variable geometry (VNT, for Variable Nozzle Turbine) requires less inertia than an old generation turbo by varying the angle of the turbine blades according to the amount of gases produced by the engine allowing for smoother power. The common rail provides a pressure of 1450 bars to the injectors and the gases are sent thru an intercooler before being returned back to the combustion chamber. Among the other innovations, there is an electric drive of the recirculation of combustion gases (EGR) which allow a more precise control of the emissions.
This new turbo engine Diesel is not the only new technolgy in the new 95 which was introduced in 1997 and thought it necessary to give the car a facelift for 2002. The frond end of the car was changed, its bumpers more rounded and the length of the car is 1inch longer than before. The addition of Bi-xenon headlights with plastic lenses. There are also new rims. But owners of the 'old' 95 can rest assured that this new look will not affect the value of their existing cars as the changes are purely asthetic, even thought the older model looks more original. . This new look gives the car a far more sporty image. Having plastic headlight covers means that the wipersystem for the headlights is replaced by a high pressure waterjet system as wipers would scratch the plastic lenses. The car howere, does posess excellent ergonomic qulaityy that Saab is known for. The model designations change to Liner, Arc and Vector replacing S SE and Griffin. The car also has excellent sport seats. More significant are the modifications to the suspension, brakes and chassis. The front suspension was changed and the shocks were stiffened by 10pc without any penalty in comfort. The anti-roll bars are now 1mm thicker. This has transformed the car making it less liable to roll/pitch and keep the car better glued to the road. . The back suspension underwent the same process, improving its contact with the road, with better handling. The new Michelin tires add to a more pleasureable drive. Brakes and steering were re-examined. Power steering is thus less strong around the middle position and is a lot more precise allowing better driver/car interaction (SOUNDS GREAT TO ME, 'ed'). The dynamic control of stability (ESP) is also new. Saab hesitated a long time with adopting this feature as their philisophy is to let the driver take the lead but this new system is not overly invasive. Saab has dediced to leave ESP as an option for drivers to decide if they really want this on their car. The BI-XENON headlights combine halogen and xenon bulbs with the xenon bulbs iluminate twice as much road as norlmal headlights. Safety, which Saab is tradfitionally excelled at has also been upgraded. New intelligent airbags inflate according to various different parameters. (WHAT THEY ARE THEY DONT SAY, 'ed'). The 95 received a four star rating in ENCAP tests, which places it as the saftest car tested. The turbo Diesel is not the only change in the engine lineup! The Aero gets 250bhp ios 230bhp by way of modifying the Trionic engine management system allowing 1.5bar of overboost. The torque remains thew same at 258ftlb with the overboost to 273ftlb, top speed remains 250kmh.
But it is time to put it all to the test! The Swedes had provided us with varied test course cosisting of of highways and sideroads allowing us to testthe new engine and the chassis setup. . Saab 95 obviously remains a pleasant high-performance touring car, thanks to its ergonomics and its comfort. And V6 turbo Diesel is in no way about to change that. It makes display of its muscle at revs as low at 1500rpm continuing in a smooth linear fashion. The acceleration is a smooth powerful flow of power, not a kick in the butt which allows for more comfortable progress. We averaged about 30mpg (IMPERIAL not US, 'ed'.) and most of the time forgot we were driving a diesle engined car. Official MPG figures are not yet available. The new chassis give the car much better control and road feel without affecting the cars superb comfort. The Aero is on another level altogether with firmer damping which shakes its occupants artound on Swedens not so perfect roads. Our vehicle was equipped with the new automatic box with 5 speeds which is an imporvement over the old 4speed. But let us return in our V6 3.0 TiD. We were impressed with the new suspension on the car but found out that the car was equpiied with optional sports suspension, which made it a little difficult to judge what the regular suspension would have been like. Curious choice on behalf of Saab. The new car is a logical evolution of the four year old design and is very much improved in many areas. The new 3.0 TiD engine is excellent and if you dont want a V6 diesel there is always the 2.2 TiD from the 93 which will find its way into the new 95.
, Tue, 17 Jul 2001 16:21:08 <-- Viewing This Message
, Tue, 17 Jul 2001 16:03:29
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