I had some downtime this afternoon and headed into downtown LA to hit the auto show.

I was surprised how nice the SAAB booth was. The new 9-5 Aero Turbo6 XWD (all the badges on the back)was on the turnstyle and as the show was fairly quiet, they unlocked the car for me and let me sit inside. Just like I read in one of the more recent articles. I just wanted to "give it a big hug."

The front end is really quite stunning. The C pillar is thick and a bit awkward looking but it would grow on me. The rear end looks great too, and the trunk is huge, and has built in separators that fold up to keep shopping bags or other things in place.

It's definitely a modern iteration of the car. The carbon fiber dash was a little too shiny and "thin" looking for my taste. The seats were very comfortable, the door panels and dash design was well thought out. Definitely a GM look to the stereo/climate control area but not horribly so. The gauge cluster looks great. I really liked the look and feel of the steering wheel and ancillary controls.

The back seat was much roomier than my '03 9-5. But it felt a tad claustrophobic with the steeply raked rear glass. It really makes my '03 Aero wagon feel its age.

The folks in the booth "assured" me the car was set to go into production in February, with US sales in May/June and a wagon at the end of the year.

With all the features, I can see why they would have to price it in the high 40s. It felt Audi A6 class...the question is whether people would pay A6 prices for it, which I highly doubt.

Needless to say, a 2011 9-5 wagon is on my shopping list...if it ever emerges.

Fingers crossed for SAAB...I can't imagine NOT having SAAB around.

posted by 76.214.2...

• I sat in the new 9-5 at the LA Auto show..., Paul H, Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:00:06 <-- Viewing This Message
  • But how do you change the cabin air filter??, AlS, Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:59:16
  • Car must have really been a 1.9TTiD version though, Paul H, Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:29:13
  • Re: I sat in the new 9-5 at the LA Auto show..., Mark from Toronto, Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:05:03

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