2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi Preview

The 2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi is a car that almost never was. It was 2009, and Saab was a brand of General Motors. The huge American automaker was reeling from a depressed economy and in the midst of dropping its less-than-profitable brands — Saab was on the cutting block. Cars like the Saab 9-5 Sedan, and 9-5 SportCombi (station wagon), had been previewed at the major auto shows but were on the verge of arriving stillborn unless a proper suitor was found.

Enter Spyker Motors. In January of 2010 the small Swedish automaker declared it would be purchasing Saab. It was good news for all involved. Not only did the arrangement include an influx of capital (guaranteed by the Swedish government), but there was a legal agreement that General Motors would continue to supply engines, transmissions and vehicles to the new owners of Saab. After a slight delay, development work on the 9-5 Sedan and SportCombi variant continued. Today, the new 9-5 Sedan is on sale, soon to be joined by the 2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi.

What's New for the 2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi:

• Marks the Return of the Big Saab Wagon: The arrival of the 9-5 SportCombi fills a gap in the automaker's lineup. Not only does it join the model range as a larger sibling to the 9-3 SportCombi, but it also becomes the largest vehicle on Saab's increasingly crowded showroom floor.

• Built on Shared GM Platform: The Saab 9-5 SportCombi is built on a flexible platform shared with the Buick Regal, Buick LaCrosse and European Opel Insignia. The flexible platform allowed the designers to increase the size of the model, both inside and out. Compared to its predecessor, it is three inches wider and nearly seven inches longer, making it bigger than an Audi A6 Avant.

• Impressive Cargo Capacity: While the 9-5 Sedan is roomy and affords plenty of storage capacity, the SportCombi trumps its sibling with a maximum 56 cubic feet of storage space (with the rear seats folded flat). The space shrinks to 18.6 cubic feet with the second row in use. A power-operated rear tailgate is optional.

• One Engine, Turbocharged: While the Saab 9-5 Sedan is available with a choice of turbocharged four- or six-cylinder power, and front- or all-wheel drive, the Swedish automaker has simplified the North American SportCombi lineup with a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and all-wheel drive. Rated at 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the turbocharged four sends power to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

• Features Mirror the Sedan: Like the Saab 9-5 Sedan, the SportCombi is expected to arrive with a full complement of power equipment and accessories. It will also be offered with adaptive chassis control, tri-zone air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, bi-xenon headlamps, head-up display and keyless ignition.

• Priced Slightly Higher than the Sedan: Pricing information was not available as this article was written, but Saab's SportCombi models are generally priced about $1,000 higher than their sedan counterparts.

source :  http://www.vehix.com/articles/auto-previews--trends/2012-saab-9-5-sportcombi-preview