Saab 9-5 2.2 TiD RANGE
Saab Have A Pragmatic Approach To Product Development. The Latest 9-5 Diesel Is A Case In Point. Andy Enright Reports
Saab have a reassuringly straightforward way of doing business. When they needed a coupe to compete with the
Audi TT and Mercedes CLK, they simply renamed the three-door version of their 9-3 the 9-3 Coupe. Likewise, when they needed a tax busting diesel version of their 9-5 executive model, they simply lifted the 2.2TiD engine from the 9-3 range and plumbed it into their larger car.
At the 9-5 ranges relaunch in 2001, Saab got off to a flying start in the executive diesel sector with the superb 9-5 3.0 V6 TiD models, cars which combined the twin attributes of 176bhp power and 38mpg economy with the usual blend of 9-5 qualities. The only problem was that the three-litre models were aiming at the thin end of the diesel market. With prices starting at around £25k, they may have given the German marques a good leathering in terms of value for money but they were hardly relevant to the sort of buyers primarily interested in giving the Chancellor a bunch of fives whilst pocketing the benefits for themselves.
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Hence the 2.2-litre TiD models which start at £19,995 for the saloon in Linear trim, the Arc and Vector saloon models retailing at £22,300 and £22,600 respectively. Theres now also a 5-speed automatic transmission option. Opt for the added utility of an estate and youll need to add a premium of around £1,200 to these figures.
To put these costs into perspective, if you wanted a similarly sized German equivalent diesel with at least 120bhp under the bonnet,
Audi would want around £23,000 for an A6 1.9TDi130, whilst neither
BMW nor Mercedes are remotely in contention.
Volvo provide some stiff competition in the sleek shape of their 163bhp £22,883 S80 D5 S but only
Saab can dip under the psychologically significant £20,000 barrier with their premium executive diesel. This is certainly a market sector thats worth staking a claim for, sales growing 38% last year and the Saab 9-5 2.
2TiD works within the rules cleverly. The saloon version emits 175g/km of carbon dioxide which, coupled with the low sticker price, make it an attractive option under the VED taxation system. This 2.2-litre TiD was Trollhattan's first ever diesel and it's been an impressive one. Nevertheless, the resulting rumble from under the bonnet may come as something of a shock to those who have previously never associated this Swedish badge with diesel engines.
"Only Saab can dip under the psychologically significant £20,000 barrier with their premium executive diesel"
Four years hard development work produced what is one of the best four-cylinder diesels on the market - though Audi will argue. The facts are however, that Ingolstadt's pricier 130bhp TDI engine, though more frugal, is both louder and slower. Much of this is down to Saab's insistence on using the same twin balancer shafts found in its petrol engines; and the engine has undergone constant development since it first appeared in the 9-3 models. The block was changed, engine mounts were altered and extra sound insulation was added all in the quest for superior refinement. Youd have to say the changes were effective. The result is a diesel that doesn't sound like one The interior is recognisably Saab. A recurrent theme when styling contemporary Saabs has been to preserve the essential company DNA. Certain design cues immediately remind you youre in a Saab. The cliff-face of a dashboard, the fact that you need to start the car when reverse gear is engaged, the ignition keys location on the transmission tunnel and the unshakeable feeling of solidity are all present and correct.
Then theres the most astonishing cup-holder in the automotive world (just try operating its gyroscope design only once!) and head restraints that resemble the mincing battle druids from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Three interior themes are available, Linear, Arc and Vector. Linear is pretty functional, while Arc opts for light walnut veneers, much like an upmarket sauna. Vector is a more sporting industrial theme with soft leathers and aluminium brightwork.
In terms of cabin room, dont expect any more before, which means a decent amount of elbow room and 15.9 cu/ft of luggage capacity accessible via split-folding rear seats that also feature a ski-flap. Safety as ever, has also been a priority and all the obvious protection is there, with careful touches that even stretch to anti-whiplash head restraints and those pre-tensioning
seat belts. Electrically powered door mirrors are adopted from the 9-3 Sport Saloon and can be specified with an automatic folding function to make parking or manoeuvring in confined spaces that bit easier.
This is available together with automatic dimming to eliminate dazzle. Inside the car, there have recently been a few changes too, the most obvious of which are two revised fascia panels which can be specified in either dark grey walnut veneer or carbon fibre. Other options include ventilated sports seats for the Vector and Aero models and a state of the art DVD-based navigation system with a 7-inch colour touch screen LCD panel. Over the years Saab have fettled the
Vauxhall Cavalier-sourced chassis into something thats surprisingly composed.
Whereas early 9-5 variants tended to skitter and grumble if power was applied mid corner, the 2.2-litre TiD deploys its torque cleanly, making it feel more of a drivers tool than the old motorway mogul ever was. Push the engine hard and it only ever becomes harsh way beyond its peak power point at 4,000rpm, but to be frank theres little benefit in revving it as if it was a multivalve petrol engine. Better to keep the engine surging between 2,000 and 4,000rpm riding the best of the torque.
The engine is noticeably weightier than an 2.3t petrol unit and youll feel a little more understeer mid corner than you would with the petrol cars but Saab arent marketing the 2.2TiD as a performance diesel. Thats left to the punchier 3.
0-litre model. The 2.2-litre car is in many ways a more convincing all round proposition than its larger-engined sibling. It operates in a sector of the market where its invulnerable to a duffing from BMW and Mercedes, although the Audi A6 1.
9 TDI130 will no doubt attract many with its superior urban savvy. That said, the Saab counters well with attractive pricing, a decent engine and a sense of left field individuality you may well thought had long been ironed out of an executive car. Saab reckons this diesel engine will account for a quarter of all 9-5 sales. We reckon theyve underestimated it.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Saab 9-5 V6 2.2 TiD range
PRICES: £19,995-£23,800 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 175-178g/km
PERFORMANCE: (saloon) 0-60mph 10.4s / Max Speed 124mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (saloon) (urban) 31.4 / (extra urban) 54.3 / (combined) 42.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, front side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (saloon) Length/Width/Height 4810/2040/1450mm
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