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(Judging a book by its cover) I love the NG9-5. Long Posted by B Millar [Email]  (#1109)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from B Millar) on Sat, 25 Jul 2009 08:04:00
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It's been what, three days since all the pictures came out? I must admit I was expecting something a little more... bold?... Saaby? Whatever. I didn't dislike it but I was still a little bummed. Well, it has taken three days or so for the images to hit home, but I opened up my NG9-5 folder this morning and said, "damn, that's a nice looking car." I think my '04 Aero is quite a looker, and I reminded myself I have taken some not-so-flattering pictures of it. There are a few angles where the car is UGLY, and I think a lot of negative feelings toward the NG9-5 are based on a few awkward angles someone's camera captured of it. If I were the lead designer there are a couple things (JUST a couple) I would have done differently, but it is impossible to design a car that everyone is going to 100% love. I'm about 95% loving it.
Here's the 5% I don't like (put a big IMHO in front of everything):
-The grille. The center grille is MASSIVE (and too rounded) and the side pieces incorporated into the headlights are too small and far away to complete the classic Saab 3-piece grille look. I have to remind myself to look for them. I wish they just copy/pasted the Aero-X front end onto it.
-The front end shape. It looks like a monster truck. It is a beast. I just wish it sloped forward a bit more like the current 9-5. I think some pedestrian safety laws prevented this though, maybe?
-Something small, but the windshield wiper arms are buggin' me. They are not sleek or streamlined looking whatsoever. They are big and stick out. I like the continuous arm look of the current Audi lineup.
-The size. It's big, man. But hey, I understand. If the 9-5 is going to be Saab's flagship sedan, and it wants to steal sales from Audi, BMW, etc. it has to be on the large size. Luckily the 9-3 is due to grow in its next overhaul so that should make up for it.
-Engine choices. So far it looks like the US gets a 2.0t (220 hp) and a 2.8t (300-325 hp). I want the 2.0 Direct Injection Turbo bugger found in the Saturn Sky Redline. Maybe give the block to engineers at Saab and let them tweak it past 260hp? Just putting it out there.
And now the 95% I DO like. A lot:
-The REAR END!!! It is freaking cool! I love the lights. Some may complain they look Japanese, but I think they're smoked just enough not to have the Altezza stupid look to them. I can't wait to see the dual tail pipes sticking out of the bumper on the Aero.
-The interior. I want to sit in one. NOW. Minus the chunky-monkey poorly-disguised Insignia/Buick headrests it's really pretty, I think. Everything is laid out so ergonomically-looking and the materials look top notch. Someone on another Saab forum posted pictures of the dash of the NG9-5, 5-Series, A6, Jag XF or whatever, and the Merc E-Class. The 9-5 was right up there. No joke. The seats look ultra-comfy. Oh yeah, it has ambient lighting too. The door handles are back-light green, which I think it pretty awesome.
-Creature-comfort features. I read through a PDF of the Insignia owner's manual. I am assuming the 9-5 will have ALL the features of the Insignia, plus some. Anyway, what really excited me was all the stuff you could do with the key fob. Raise and lower all the windows, open/close the sunroof, AND fold/unfold the power folding side mirrors. How cool is THAT!?
-Window switches. Okay, okay, having them in the middle is a "Saab thing." And like many I wanted to see them on the console. Then driving my car with my father in the passenger seat yesterday I remembered I HATE them in the middle when I have a passenger. I find any passengers who use the armrest (most) have their hand laying right above the switches. I always have to rudely shoo them out of the way to get to the switches. Maybe I'm a bad Saab enthusiast, but I look forward to switches on the doors. I need all the power. :) Plus this leaves room for a storage cubby or cupholders there, and losing the cubby in front of the shifter, you need one somewhere.
-Technology. Finally, a 9-5 that comes jam-packed with features like nav, Bluetooth, CURTAIN AIRBAGS (as the supposed leader in safety I was a little peeved you couldn't get a 9-5 for the past five years without curtain airbags), full color LCD multi-function computer in the dash, lane departure, advanced park assist, road sign reading, head-up-display, customizable suspension, the list goes on. Some purists may not like or need all those fancy things, but gimmicky electronics SELL CARS, and that's what Saab needs right now.
-Harman/Kardon. 'Nuff said.
-The new rear badging for engine variants. I personally think it is brilliant. TTiD-4 (with the 4 superscripted) means TwinTurbo Diesel 4-cyl. There's going to be a TTiD-6 too, and the gas engines will be marked Turbo4 and Turbo6. Again, how cool is that!?
-The promise of the Aero to come. If the car in the pictures looks this good (albeit a bit bland) imagine what the Aero is going to do to it. Lowered, bigger wheels, lower body panels, exhaust tips... I am drooling.
-And all the rest, plus this picture:
, Sat, 25 Jul 2009 08:04:00 <-- Viewing This Message
, Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:47:40, Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:01:06, Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:34:16
, Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:08:23
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