Saab had a long and distinguished history but, under
General Motors’ ownership, its products were sub-par for the premium segment.
Even though GM sold it and the new management tried to revive it, it was so
deep in the red that, eventually, it had to declare bankruptcy.
Ironically, the Swedish automaker had released its
best car ever: the all-new 9-5 sedan and estate. The model had an extremely
short lifespan, with production operational only between 2009 and 2011.
Overall, though, it was received pretty well, as it was the first competitive
car to emerge out of Trolhattan for a very long time.
National Electric Vehicle Sweden, which acquired the
company, didn’t manage to secure neither the rights to the 9-5 tech, so it
rolls out 9-3-based EVs. For all we know, Saab is dead, so, until we hear
otherwise, renderings such as this one from Joe Zechnas are the closest thing
to picturing what a brand new 9-5 might look like.
The designer dubbed it the NEVS 9-5, as the Chinese
consortium failed to get the Saab name or logo. So where does that leave this
one? Styling-wise, it certainly is elegant, with the front end resembling that
of the impressive 2011 Saab PhoeniX concept. Unlike the last generation, this
one looks bigger than a BMW 5-Series/Audi A6/Mercedes E-Class rival, so that
would make it a large luxury saloon.
