SAAB 9-5 2.3 HOT AERO ESTATE
Whereas the States have that all-American icon, the snailpaced station wagon with its fake wood on the side and bonnets the length of a cricket pitch, we in Europe have the estate car – a far more refined beast. Since the Seventies, those cunning Swedes at Saab have been at the forefront of its design, creating something that is spacious, safe and perhaps, just a little bit, sexy. The latest model the Saab 9-5 Aero should top all expectations for both you and your brood. Not only can it ferry the whole family but it shifts it too.
The key to the Saab’s swift turn of pace is the fact that every single model is turbocharged. The Aero, the fastest of the lot,
delivers 250bhp, sprints from 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds and has a 150mph top speed. That means when you put your pedal to the metal, you notice the effects there and then rather than in a couple of days. Of course, should you need to justify purchasing such a sporty set of wheels with the missus, just tell her that the “strong torque at low engine speeds is absolutely necessary for safer overtaking” which should keep her quiet for a bit. |
This review from FQ MAGAZINE July 2004 >> Read more
As a parent, safety will naturally be a high priority for you when buying a new car. Which is why you will be assured to hear that when it was first assessed under the EuroNCAP crash test programme, the Saab 9-5 came top of its class. Following the recent adoption of a new seat-belt reminder system in the back as well as the front, the model has now been given a
maximum 5-star EuroNCAP rating. But its not just the assortment of airbags and safety cushions that makes the Aero such a sweet option, Saab has also |
reinforced the back seats so that nobody gets caught in the back of the neck by flying luggage in an emergency situation.
Unlike so many luxury estates, this Saab is as easy on the eye as it is on the pocket. The Aero boasts a tidy, neatly angled tailgate with sharply styled front and rear bumpers.
Its low, sporty stance is also complemented by the addition of new, fivespoke 17-inch alloy wheels and ‘jewel effect’ front lights. If all of that hasn’t got you drooling with pleasure then simply admire the integrated cup holder which boasts a graceful spinning action that is almost worth the fee alone.
Saab 9-5 2.3 HOT Aero Estate
Price: £29,085
Engine: 2.3 litre
Top Speed: 152mph
0-60: 6.9sec
Economy: 28mpg
>> Read More
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