Saab Debuts New 1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon and High Output Turbo Engine
5 January 1999
Saab Debuts New 1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon and High Output Turbo Engine at North American International Auto Show NORCROSS, Ga., Jan. 5 -- Saab unveils its first-ever entry in
the luxury wagon segment, the aerodynamic and cargo-savvy 1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon,
at the North American International Auto Show, January 9-18, 1999. Also
starring at the Saab exhibit are Saab's newest high-performance variants, the
Saab 9-3 Convertible and Saab 9-3 five-door, featuring the automaker's all-new
high output, 200 hp, 2.0L turbocharged powerplant. The Saab 9-5 Wagon, Saab's
first wagon in 25 years, debuts at Saab dealerships in the spring of 1999, and
high output turbo engine equipped Saab 9-3's are available at dealerships now.
Visitors to the North American International Auto Show are also invited to
see Saab's entire 1999 model line, ranging from the Saab 9-5 performance sedan
to the sporty Saab 9-3 Coupe. Every Saab on display features state of the art
turbo technology, as well as innovations like the world-first Saab Active Head
Restraint (SAHR) system, designed to reduce the risk of whiplash injury, and
head and chest protecting side air bags, standard equipment across the entire
1999 Saab model line.
Unlike many wagon versions of cars, the Saab 9-5 Wagon is not an
afterthought. Conceived and styled in parallel with the 9-5 performance
sedan, the 9-5 Wagon combines the driving refinement of a sports sedan with
innovative utility features. Again inspired by Saab's aircraft heritage, the
aerodynamic 9-5 Wagon has a drag coefficient of only 0.31, among the best in
its segment. With its long roof line, "blacked out" D-pillar, the wrap-around
effect of the rear glass, and rake of the tailgate glass, this Saab is a study
in motion -- even when standing still.
The 9-5 Wagon will be available with two engine choices, including Saab's
200 hp, 3.0L V6 asymmetrically turbocharged powerplant, or the 170 hp, 2.3L
light pressure turbo four-cylinder. Strong torque at low revs, and a broad
plateau of usable power, distinguish both engines.
True to Saab's tradition of versatility, the Saab 9-5's cargo capacity is
flexible to meet a variety of customer needs. Either one or both sides of
the rear seat can be folded flat (or the seat pads removed entirely) to make
room for carry-ons of many shapes and sizes. Loading packages, furniture or
other heavy and unwieldy items is easy, thanks to the low loading height and
the optional sliding floor feature that can be rolled out almost 20 inches.
Fully extended, the sliding floor can support up to 440 lbs. The cargo hold
also features an innovation from the aircraft industry -- CargoTracks(TM), a
system of aluminum rails with one-grip locks, spring-loaded holders and
special belts that allow owners to position and secure virtually any type of
cargo without worrying about load shifting. Load straps, nets, space dividers
and various other accessories further enhance the utility of the Saab's cargo
area. The 9-5 Wagon's cargo hold also features a hard, foldable parcel shelf
instead of the traditional window shade design, for added refinement, noise
reduction and as an anti-theft measure. Loading and unloading in the dark
even is easier, with the help of tailgate lighting that illuminates the entire
loading area.
Like its Saab 9-5 sedan sibling, the Wagon's safety systems include an
exceptionally rigid safety cage, triple load path front and rear crash
structures, Saab Active Head Restraint (SAHR), front airbags, head and chest
protecting side airbags, front-seat belt pretensioners and a collision
deflecting pendulum "B" pillar side-impact protection design. At night, an
advanced instrument/control panel -- Saab Night Panel -- displays information
on a need-to-know basis, with a choice of illumination modes and variable
brightness. Other technical highlights include a cabin double-filtration
system, an independent "temperature zone" for the driver, an air-conditioned
glovebox, and optional ventilated front seats equipped with fans that pull
trapped warm air away from the driver or front passenger through premium
perforated leather upholstery. An engine-immobilizing alarm system, with
free-wheeling lock mechanisms, is among the best anti-theft protection in the
world.
All Saabs feature an industry-leading list of standard equipment, and
prices begin as low as $25,650 for the 1999 Saab 9-3 Coupe with a turbocharged
185 hp engine. Saab 9-5 pricing begins at $29,995 for the Saab 9-5
4-cylinder. Saab 9-5 Wagon pricing will also be in line with the automaker's
aggressive 1999 pricing strategy, and will be announced in the spring of 1999.
