The internet is a fantastic invention, in 1992 you were able to see if the guys from a British University had enough Coffee in the Trojan room of coffee.
Today somebody has left a back-door open and somebody else has found a 9-5SC catalogue for the US market, albeit without prices.
The guys from Saabworld have put it in the public domain, so it should be OK if I talk about it.
The Brochure of the Saab 9-5 SC MY 12 can be downloaded from the SaabUSA site.
This is the most important page of that catalogue.
I haven’t counted the S (as in Standard) but there are many more than O (as in Optional). Among those standard features you can find, Keyless entry, Nav-system, metallic exterior colour, remote start and heated seats.
The car will have the looks of the Aero, but under the bonnet you will find the 2L turbo engine mated with XWD and the auto transmission.
And for the ones waiting for the 9-4x. JustSaab from Cincinnati has the first (to me at least) bilboard with the 9-4X.
Cars will follow. 🙂
Wow on the standard 2.0T/XWD Combi!!
I wish Saab could use the upgraded version of the DI 2.0 that Buick will use on the forthcoming Regal GS, I think they’ve tuned the same motor to crank out 275 HP. The new BMW turbo four is rated 245 HP. Of course, the Hirsch tune will get you 260 HP – this upgrade would be at the top of my list!
GM has told Saab they cannot ‘up the power’ on their engines.
Yes but clearly that 2 liter motor (assuming it isn’t hackproof) has all the hardware for 260+ hp and perhaps 290 lb-ft? Hardware wise, this is quite a car.
…and congrats to Just Saab, nice work!
Wow impressing standard equipment. I think this is the right way for Saab to go.
FYI, I found this on autoblog today. http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/30/saab-9-5-sportcombi-specs-revealed-for-u-s
Just looked at the pictures. Wow! Normally, I wouldn’t be that excited about a hatchback but this is just beautiful.
I want to give a very special shoutout to WooDz for policing the comments section there and making sure to cancel out all the negativity. The 9-5 Wagon is easily the best value for the money of any large wagon that will be on the market in the US this year.
And what about me, Jeff? 😀 (hobbesfanmaster)
Meaning, it wasn’t stolen from somewhere.
I haven’t checked who posted it first, I only know that today the file was available though google search from a non-public site, and google isn’t showing that link any more.
It’s on the SCNA website, guys!
http://www.saabusa.com/us/en/start#/Cars/9-5sport-combi/intro/
😉
Then, it is simply me being too dumb to find it. 🙁
I doubt it’s very secret. I’m looking at a hard copy of it right now on my desk which I picked up from the rack at the Saab stand at the NY Auto Show.
The one with the specs list?
What I have is color brochure that folds out. When it opens up, the right half is identical to the graphic above including the spec list, the pictures of the car, tthe luggage compartment U-rail, the wheels, and even the blades of grass.
You know that you could have said that you donned an all-black cat suit and snuck into SCNA under the cloak of night and we would have believed you.
Re: SportCombi Launch brochure. Saab dealers have access to this via their Dealer E-Store.
Does anyone know if it will be available with XWD and manual trans?
the brochure I have lists it with manual standard and XWD standard.. It actually doesn’t list automatic even as an option but in the US, it would be fatal not to provide.
hughw,
on this brochure automatic is listed as standard, and there is no word about manual transmission.
My mistake. Automatic with “manual shift mode and paddle shift” is standard, whatever they mean by manual shift mode.
It means that you can shift gears manually by using the lever or the paddles on the steering wheel.
It’s a nice feature, but why automatic then 😉
I know what paddle shift is. We have an automatic but I often use paddle shift to downshift going down hill or to slow at highway exits rather than braking, but the fact that it said automatic with manual mode AND paddle shifting made me wonder if there was a manual mode distinct from the paddle shifting.
I think the list comes from a PR guy.
He wanted to emphasize that you can put the gear lever in manual mode and then use the gear lever to shift gears and you can also use the paddles.
I mean somebody that puts
Driver-focused cockpit theme
in a spec list ……
The specs only show an automatic transmission. No manual unfortunately.
With all the extra equipment as standard, it must be priced at around $49K. This is going to be a tough sell.
This is also the first 9-5 with XWD and the 4-cylinder engine (in the US). XWD was previously available for the V6 2.8T only.
I agree. US$50K for any vehicle in the US that comes with a 4-cylinder engine would be a tough sell.
Nobody knows the price. 😎
The Premium 2.0L sedan (moonroof, 18″ wheels etc) with Nav is about $46K. Add $2K for XWD and $1K for the SportCombi version and you’re at $49K.
Just a heads up to everyone here since I’m the one who has the deepest connections to SCNA. While I can’t give away too much, I can tell you that the price will be very competitive. I’ve had a busy few days at work and home (exhausted, going on 72 hours no sleep) but things are calming down and I’m looking forward to a happy holiday weekend. Thus me commenting at midnight for the first time today. My cohorts here have done an absolutely outstanding job keeping up with all the breaking news though, so I have to thank them… Read more »
Wulf, we have seen that Saab in Europe has added some extras to the cars at no cost, so I repeat, nobody knows the price, to start speculating on a fantasy price at this point is pointless.
I’m not sure why but very few automakers seem to put out appealing hatchbacks these days. Even the name “hatch-back” or “wagon” just sounds cheesy.
The name “SportsCombi” is the best of seen, and the 9-5 SC is certainly quite beautiful. Making XWD standard is a stroke of brilliance. This way it will draw in people that are biased against front-wheel driven cars (I used to be one of those people by the way: until I test drove my 9-3).
This post has really nothing to do with the new 9-5 SC. Although I’ll admit that to me, it looks a bit like a hearse. I know that’s probably a horrible thing to say here…..
But here’s something else of interest to Saab enthusiasts. The New York observer is reporting tonight that John F. Kennedy, Jr.’s last car has been put up for sale. It’s a 1994 Saab 900 coupe. The article includes photos, including JFK Jr’s registration papers. It could be yours for a whopping $100,000. Here’s the link:
http://www.observer.com/2011/06/jfk-jr-s-last-car-a-94-saab-now-for-sale-for-100k/#slide0
SaabMan,
That cars been on for a while now, not sure the’ll find a buyer at $100,000 even though it is JFK Jr’s car with documents to prove it.
SaabMan,
I guess if you take any hatchback with tinted rear windows you could say that. I don’t see how this looks anymore like a hearse than any other hatchback. An actual Hearse has a much longer rear and those wierd diagonal line designs on the sides.
It seems more hearsy to me than other wagons/hatchbacks. But my partner (who is far less enthusiastic about Saabs than I am) disagrees with me, so I guess maybe it’s just my weird perception of things. But even if it’s not my favorite I hope they sell bazillions of them. I’m more 9-3 focused anyway.
As do I.
Me too. Even if I am in the position to buy a 9-5 down the road, might just get another 9-3 (sedan). They are just the right size, look awesome and plenty fun toss around on the road. I think my only gripe is that the turning circle doesn’t seem as tight as I would like … that being said I can take turns, super fast with no body roll. Definitely, first-rate handling.
On a digression ….. I followed a brand new A6 Avant yesterday, it looked ………. purrrrrty:
http://newcarspecs.info/audi/2012-audi-a6-avant-review/
http://newcarspecs.info/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2011/06/2012-audi-a6-avant-rear-angle-view.jpg
Sorry, but after seeing a thousand A4 Avant, the new A6 Avant looks quite booooooring!!!
Forgot to say, that it looks like Audi is not bringing the A6 Avant to the USofA.
SaabKen, the Saab is much more attractive. Audi’s are dull like VW’s.
Come on!, It’s Das genuinely Boring.Wait until you see the 9-5 SC in real life, then you won’t see any DB’s anymore.
At the New York Auto Show, there was always a crowd around the 9-5 Wagon. The Audis directly next door? Ghost town.
Sorry guys. On 2nd thought, maybe I forgot my meds yesterday ………….
Bot wishing to put a damper on things, but someone in should tell Just Saab, it is SAAB, not Saab…….considering all the who-har about logo copyright.!!.
Would be good if I stopped doing typos, too.
That’s not a logo though, it is a comment from a journalist, so putting a logo there would look a little funny.
ON THE PICTURE OF THE 9.4x BILLBOARD ABOVE ^^^^^^^^^^
All I see is the quote “The Greatest Saab Ever Built” and the “Just Saab” which is the dealer name. Maybe my screen doesn’t show the other??? If you’re talking about the quote, I think it would look funny to make SAAB like the logo in a quote and in the name Just Saab, they’ve used this for a long time that way.
SAAB is SAAB and any dealer should be cashing in on that…. An alteration does not alter what the person said….
I am disappointed.
Where is Adaptive Cruise Control? Where is the new Dashboard-Carbon-Look?
The new dash is the Black pearl accent, listed next to the color of leather.
😉
Why isn’t there much more information about the 9-4X on the Saab USA website?
All other models have three “options” (in the dropdown menu)
– Overview & Gallery
– Features & Specs
– Build your Saab
And below the 9-4X you only see:
– Introduction
As I understand it the 9-4X is on its way to dealers so you might expect the website to be more up to date for the big launch.
BoeBoe,
If you click on the vehicle you will see that it gives you all the info that is on the others with the exception of the build and price. Not sure if they are wanting to maybe wait for vehicles to land before they release the build and price feature????
They usually don’t put the current model year specs and build on their website until November / December. At least when Saab was still GM.
Prices would be nice (I guess).
This is not a moment to soon as stocks of SAABs have been depleted over the last few weeks. A loaded 9-5 with a smaller engine will be really competitive for the price. What a choice 9-4X or 9-5 SC. People are always more likely to by when there is a choice as apposed to just one car. I was in marketing for 30 years and this will be the start of the journey down the road to recovery.
I’m sure it would only be JustSaab who are using the quotation “The Greatest Saab Ever Built” about a car that isn’t even built by Saab, in it’s regular advertising. Official Saab USA advertising would almost certainly not use that slogan. If it did it would certainly make GM very happy. I just find it a little sad with what the folks at Trollhattan have been through lately.
Markac, I’m sure it would only be JustSaab who are using the quotation “The Greatest Saab Ever Built” Are you serious? This is a dealer spending there own money, not Saabs money to advertise a vehicle that most will say is going to be a huge seller for them. The quote is from a journalist and probably the BEST quote out there about this vehicle. I would in a second use this to advertise the vehicle myself as well. GM is not building this vehicle without Saab input, so therefore it is still a Saab and the people in Trollhattan… Read more »
To be fair…they’re quoting a Swedish journalist from Aftonbladet. So the only person you can actually blame is the Swedes themselves on that one. But I wouldn’t push the “the 9-4X isn’t a real Saab because it’s built by GM” argument too hard. After all, Peter Dorrich worked tirelessly to engineer Saab details into the Theta Premium platform it shares with the SRX. Would you say that a 9-3 Convertibles built in Finland aren’t true Saabs either because they weren’t built in Trollhattan? The 9-4X to me is the first car that extends the Saab DNA that I care most… Read more »
I would love to have a black SC Aero. I think I can live with the 2.0l… Is Hirsch available from the dealer in the US?
Yes it is now. Just contact your dealer.
Nice looking car and nice features. I’ll be anxious to see when the 2012 models will be arriving in the USA.
The saabusa website says Winter 2012.
I hope there’s a 4cyl turbo XWD with 6-speed manual available.
Then a 9-5X in the future would be nice.
Yes 9-5x with the turbo 6, body cladding and blade style wheels to differentiate from the regular combi
Did anyone else notice the wagon on the website has the European rear hatch? Let’s see how long it takes to correct the picture. I think I like the European hatch better… 🙁
If you click on “Pictures”, it does show the US rear hatch.
They use the European hatch for the regular SC and use the American for a 9-5x variation. So the Insignia wagon is spotted and posted on GMinsidenews with Buick barging but the integrated liftgate, but still no commitment if it’ll be imported or built in Canada for US consumption.
So with Audi and Volvo dropping their wagon variants, how can that not be good for the 9-5 combi? I only question a 50,000 us dollar 9-4x turbo6 aero versus a 50,000 9-5 turbo4 combi aero.
Sorry that 1st sentence should read… “they SHOULD use…”
I just did a search on cars.com for 9 5’s and it lists 1098 available in the states. At the end of last month I recall that here were around 1800 available. As the 9 5 has been selling at 100 to 150 units a month, given the turmoil in the last 30 days, I find it hard to believe 700 sold in the US , in June.
Is it possible that the ‘mystery Chinese order’ took some existing unsold US stock off saabs hands? It would make sense from many angles.
Whether or not that happened, it would be a smart way to move those vehicles, rather than have them sit unsold in dealer lots for months and months. Plus, it would be paying for cars that are previously made, rather than making new ones on money that’s already spent. But brilliant as it might be, it seems kind of fast to pull it off. But perhaps the deal was in the works for a while. In any case, if they haven’t already they should give this idea some thought.
Hi Saab Enthusiasts, I’m responsible for the billboard. Thank you for the feedback…it is most welcome and I am very happy with it just as I am with the new 9-4x. I’ve seen the 9-4x in the flesh multiple times and have had the pleasure of driving it, as well. It will surely be one of Saab’s brightest stars. (Coming from a guy who typically doesn’t like SUV’s or cross-overs). One word describes my impression after driving, “Wow!” To the “SAAB” vs. “Saab” discussion. I don’t think I have violated any copyright rules. If go to “saab.com”, “saabusa.com”, etc. the… Read more »
And thanks for commenting AJ, we love your voice around here. I guarantee you everyone at SCNA loves the billboard. Well done– I would have used the exact same quote.
I don’t think there’s any issue here at all. The name of the company is Saab. Its origin is, indeed, an acronym (Svenska Aeroplan Akteibolaget), but Saab calls itself “Saab” on its own website. It just so happens that it presents its name in capital letters as its marketing approach and on the vehicles. But it could do all lower case in its marketing, too. That’s just artistic license. In any case, this a great ad with a fantastic quotation, much better than the boring generic billboard for the 9-5 in Boston that I see on my way to work… Read more »
AJ, if anyone at Saab complains about capitalisation, or about the billboard in any other respect, then pass them on to me and I’ll crack them one over the head. The billboard is outstanding and typical of what I see from Just Saab every time I turn my computer on.
Great stuff.
The rule that Swedish journalists use for spelling out abbreviations – there is actually an official journalists’ language guide, published by the TT news agency – is that if you pronounce it as one word, like “Saab”, then you should only capitalize the first letter. If you pronounce every letter separately, like in “BMW”, then you capitalize them all. I’m not sure if there is a similar rule in English, but Robert Collin in Aftonbladet did it by the book when he spelled it “Saab”. I love the billboard! Should help sell loads of ’em. Doesn’t hurt, of course, that… Read more »
“Saab does not currently have a 9-4x billboard template. I am simply doing what businesses do to sell a product. I would gladly give up the time and money it takes to create something like this and use Saab’s template. But, there isn’t one and I am excited to spread the word that the 9-4x is on the way.”
AJ,
As a Swede and Saab enthusiast it is a great pleasure and heart-warming to see the work you do.
Best wishes!
To hear that Saab / SCNA “does not currently have a 9-4x billboard template” is rather sad. At a time when Saab dealers need the maximum amount of support, somebody surely could have done this and got it out there?
I’m sure there’s a launch timetable somewhere and so on, but if dealers want to put up billboards for the 9-4x then the timetable is wrong, and the guys on the ground need support now.
AJ I think using Saab rather than SAAB was actually technically correct. Since the car company separated from the aero company the name has been Saab Automobile AB. In theory SAAB still ‘means’ Svenska Aeroplan AB. I wouldn’t like to see the badging change though 🙂
SAAB is the logo. That’s it.
The name SAAB for the company, both Aero and automobile is Saab and has been since since the dawn of time ie. for at least 50 years
For Aero/Defense/whatever Saab AB , for Auto Saab Automobile AB
One of the reasons that Saab ars have never been Born from Jets…They are mostly born from trucks, but don’t tell anybody
I don’t think Saab is planning to sell a lot of 9-5 SC’s here in the US. Audi dropped the A6 wagon, Volvo the V70 wagon and BMW the 5-series wagon for the US and there is a reason for that. With the 9-4X being made in Mexico and much lower cost of production, together with an unfavorable exchange rate with the dollar/kronor/euro, they’ll make more money with the 9-4X. And Americans like crossovers and don’t like wagons. The 9-5 SC is going to be available in the US for the Saab enthusiast who wants to pay the premium but… Read more »
The 9-4X premium will be less than the 9-5SC, but not by much…
Which means the 9-5 SC will have a price in the low forties.
it looks to me like a lot of car for that money!!!
The Volvo XC70 with comparable options comes out to about $47k. The issue with the Saab is that the car is not available without the options at the low end. I’ve been looking at a Volvo XC60 and the configurations with options and packages range from about $33k – $53k. That’s quite a spread. I like the options and I like the Saab. The only question is how long I can wait.
If you don’t wait the extra 2-3 months, you might kick yourself 🙂 Also, I guarantee you’ll be the coolest mom on the street. There will be less 9-5 Wagons around than Maseratis, so you can definitely feel like you’re part of a special club.
SCNA finally got something right. I just wrote them asking them to carry this exact configuration. I now know what my next car will be. Thank you SCNA for outfitting these properly.
Back in 2006 Saab greatly increased the base 9-3 content here in the USA. 210hp engine, climate control, leather became standard. This was against the Acura TSX (sticker: $25,900). It was a smart move to increase content, since that is relatively cheap to do. (compared to cutting prices) Saab needs to re-calibrate a value proposition in order to win sales. I believe they are doing that now. When they do, dealer traffic will increase. It all depends on how the the numbers in Edmund’s or the auto buyer guides stack up. If it’s $50,000 in the USA then we can… Read more »
OFF Topics !
Probably the mysterious Chinese company is one of those ones :
” It is reported that Pangda Automobile Trade a distributor of high-end autos such as Audi and Aston Martin in China will fully acquire three companies which are involved in the sales of automobiles.
The companies include Yongzhou Hexin Automobile Sales and Services, Hengyang Hexin Automobile Trade and Hengyang Changan Automobile Trade.”……..????
Seen in Steel Guru site this morning !!
Giving us the Aero trim with the smaller turbo engine and then loading it up with standard features is a fantastic plan, I hope this is what all Saabs will be looking like in the future. I assume the price will be in the mid to high 40s but it makes so much more sense to buyers when you know it has high ticket items such as Nav and XWD. These are features that stand out to buyers here in the US and if they keep it under 50k by a couple thousand it will be a very compelling alternative… Read more »
I`d be quite happy to get my ordered 95 SC Vector in Aero trim alwell :p
I wonder when the deliveries will start in Sweden. My contract says in the end of september, but who knows? It should only take about 40 days to produce the 10.000 ordered cars, even if that number excludes the Mex 94X (I`m just to funny).
I’m just happy to get my ordered 9-5 SC Vector at all 🙂 Hopefully it will be delivered in mid September 🙂
Mid september? E85 or petrol? I`ve ordered a TTiD.
Btw, is`nt it nice to actually talk about the CARS for a change!
I’ve ordered the E85. Still hoping for mid September but I’ll be happy to get it late September as long as I get it 🙂
Hmmm, I get yesterday a price list for Europe and here is the standard equipment much less than in US…
But OK, next week i will order my TTiD XWD …
XWD only? It’s a waste of gas, and a needless $2000 extra, but I could live with that. Automatic only? I’m out. Won’t even bother test driving it. Also, I know time are hard, but how about a few bright colors? There are 9 shades of gray (some of them slightly brownish), one very light blue that borders on gray, and red. Where are the greens, yellows, Viggen blues, friction tester orange, and thousands of other shades that would look stunning on this car? Let’s face it, people who buy these cars are going to be slightly adventurous. Those are… Read more »
I agree with the color pallet. I want more color in there too. I detest all the grays. I’ll have to go with the red or blue I guess. I really wish they would also offer a pearlescent white. It would be outstanding on this car.
My guess is they are playing it safe. These are the colors that sell here in the US. Once things step up sales wise I bet they will become more adventurous with color selections.
AJ – GREAT BILLBOARD! I agree with everyone else who says that SAAB is the logo. Spelling it Saab is perfectly fine with use in text (e.g., in sentences). By the way, I love following you guys on facebook. Seeing your new car delivery pictures is the reason I normally log into facebook. =-) If there are any saabsunited.com users who have not clicked “like” on you yet, I hope they see this and do it now. They will be in for a treat! I got to see the 9-4x in person (inside and out) last night at my local… Read more »