First Undisguised Saab 9-5 Spyshots Emerge

Saab's LONG-awaited flagship, the replacement for the well-aged 9-5 Saloon, has been caught in the lense again. The current 9-5, based on the rather archaic GM2900 platform, has been in production basically unchanged since 1997.  And while it's a rather good car (and I'm admittedly rather biased), the new 9-5 can't come soon enough if the plucky Swedish brand we all know and love is to survive.

These latest images come courtesy CarScoop, and they show part of the new, larger 9-5's interior uncovered for the first time as well as clear shots of the back end of the car.  That center console is looking quite nice, I think:

The new 9-5 is based on the Epsilon II architecture, which also underpins the award-winning Opel Insignia that i've waxed poetically about in the past.  That means it should be receiving some 2.0L Turbo I4's as base engines, with the 2.8L "High-Feature" Turbo V6 as an option.  It stands to reason there will be a Saab version of the hot OPC Opel and VXR Vauxhall, with the 325 horsepower Turbo V6 and Haldex IV all wheel drive.  Perhaps a new Viggen?  Pretty please?

Of course, the future of the brand itself remains to be seen, but according to Saabs United, the new 9-5 is "so good" that GM's new CEO Fritz Henderson is reluctant to let the Swedish brand go. While this is seeming more and more unlikely by the day, it does bode well for the future of Saab's flagship.

More information is coming through the grapevine on the 9-5, though.  SaabsUnited recently posted some (publically available!) order forms for the new 9-5, confirming that the Aero model will be powered by the turbo 2.8L V6, but in which state of tune (255bhp, 280bhp, 300bhp or 325bhp) isn't disclosed - which leaves it open for a Viggen version.  Well, we can always dream.  Those forms can be found here.

Stay tuned as more information on the long-awaited 9-5 becomes available!