(Mon 31 Aug 09)

The latest Saab 9-5 saloon, described by Managing Director Jan-Ake Jonsson as "the start of a new era for our brand", will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Show in mid-September.

Clearly new, but showing a strong connection with previous Saab designs, the 9-5 will be available with four engines, all of them turbocharged: a 180bhp 1.6-litre petrol, a 160bhp 2.0 diesel, a 220bhp 2.0 unit with petrol or E85 bioethanol capability and a 300bhp 2.8 V6 petrol.

Saab is offering a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or the XWD 4x4 system, but only the 2.0 petrol/BioPower model has all of these on the list. The 1.6 petrol and 2.0 diesel engines are front-wheel drive only, and the 1.6 doesn't have the automatic option, while the 2.8 V6 is available only with XWD and the automatic gearbox.

Despite these power-sapping features, the 2.8 V6 is the fastest model by some way, with a top speed of 155mph and a 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds, but it's unlikely to be very popular. The diesel manual is certain to be of more interest to UK buyers, with range-leading 53.3mpg combined fuel economy and 139g/km CO2 emissions.

Saab has devised three different suspension set-ups for the range, and all have a selectable Sport setting. Other equipment available in the 9-5, either as standard or at extra cost, include adaptive chassis control, adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control, a start/stop button (replacing the traditional key, but next to the gearlever in time-honoured Saab fashion), a head-up instrument display, a Harman Kardon 5.1 sound system and satellite navigation with an 8" colour touchscreen.

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