I think no part of Saab has been discussed so often here as the two back ends of the Saab 9-5 SportCombi.
So maybe to say the last word about it or maybe to distract myself from Ms Eva Srejber, here are two equal pictures of the two back ends both published by Saab.
I like the EU-lights more, but I would buy the US tailgate. My problem is, the recess for the US license plate is two small for an EU-plate 🙁
So its good for me not having to take a decision, at least not now 🙂
Au contrary. I like the us lights. And would order the swedish license plate without the EU symbol.
Who needs it? Wants it? Sorry bout that political protest.
But even the old Swedish plates without the blue stripe on the side were to wide. 😉
There is a smaller version of the Swedish plates, usually seen on motorcycles and cars imported from the U.S.
Posted before I saw JH:s post. Sorry about that.
Here in Sweden I believe it is possible to get extra small license plates for cars with less space for them, like in the front of some Alfa Romeos and cars imported from the USA. That may be possible in Germany too.
Thats right JH. I have a small one on the Sonett.
What is actually the reason there are two different back ends?
Well, for starters the smaller US license plates. Many eurocars have two different tailgates, one for the US, one for Europe, like the VW Golf II.
There are different standards for bumpers and crash-damage in the EU vs. USA. Anyone who has bought a early 1970’s English car – TR6, Jag E-type, etc. would have seen the “fruits” of this when seeing how the US legislation killed the looks of many of these cars when the government required the ugly 5mph bumpers be retrofitted for all imported cars.
With all the EIB and politician’s games this week, at this point, I’d be happy to see either rear end see the light of day in production.
+1
Is looking at the” end ” of a SAAB supposed to have some symbolic connotation? I’ll continue to pray – tis the season of resurrections.
Which one would countries not in Europe or America (ie. Australia) get?
One issue I’ve noticed with the US tailgate is that when snow piles up on the rear “ledge”, the badges will be covered. No Saab driver is going to want to hide they are driving a 9-5. Other than that small issue, I like both designs equally.
Europe always gets the classier stuff 😉 I’d have to see them in person to decide, but just based on those pictures I prefer the European model.
And while I would prefer the Euro style, the license plate area is too narrow for US plates.