A poll has been added. US-centric engines only.
[poll id=”9″]
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Today is Saab 9-5 SportCombi day, no doubt about it. I didn’t want to write about anything else today, which is why I’ve been silent since the press release.
Unfortunately, I have a sinking feeling that I’m raining on the 9-5 SportCombi’s parade by having to quote this…..
From Inside Line:
Pricing has not been confirmed for the U.S., said Michele Tinson, Saab Cars North America spokesperson, in response to an e-mailed query from Inside Line on Wednesday morning. However, the SportCombi body style typically sells for about $1,000 more than the Saab 9-5. The current 9-5 is priced between $38,525 and $43,030.
“We may have only one powertrain in the U.S. and limited trim options,” Tinson said when asked to provide more details about the 9-5 SportCombi.
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One powertrain and limited trim options.
First of all, we don’t know what this means. The Saab 9-5 Sedan launched last year with just one powertrain and trim level – the highest. It’s possible that the 9-5 SportCombi will come with the V6 and quite loaded.
UPDATE: Automobile Magazine seem to be hedging their bets. They first claim that powertrain options will mimic the Sedan, with both engines available, and then in a lower paragraph from the same article, they say it’ll be just the top-shelf Aero model.
UPDATE II: Car and Driver say it’ll be just the 2.0T.
Conclusion – No-one’s got a freaking clue and they’re all poking holes in the sky with a stick. IMHO there should have been nothing said about ‘one engine option’ at all. Just point them to the press release and save all the guesswork.
BUT……
Now that we’re compelled to have a guess, I’d say it will be well equipped with a couple of trim levels to choose from, but that it will come with the higher volume engine – the 2.0T. Even though that engine is an absolute gem, I have a feeling that the comments section is going to fill up with people who say they want access to the V6.
Please, prove me wrong.
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NOTE – The quote above is from Saab Cars North America and doesn’t necessarily have any relevance to markets outside North America.
Thanks to Alan H and to Joe Best for the tips.