In the last issue of the Swedish auto,motor&sport the 9-5 had to show if it was able to withstand a face-to-face comparison with the new Audi A6, the BMW 5-series and the Mercedes E-class.
The test is a little bit unfair for Saab, but the guys at AMS knew it from the beginning, as the big V6 diesels of the Germans are compared to the TTiD4.
We knew that a four-cylinder diesel would fall short against the other six-cylinder diesels. But we wanted to see if Saab 9-5 chassis is still champ in the class.
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The candidates are:
* Audi A6 TDI 3.0 quattro; 245hp; 500Nm; 7-speed automatic; AWD; 1887kg
* BMW 535d530d; 245hp; 540Nm; 8-speed automatic; RWD; 1902 kg
* Mercedes E350 CDI; 265 hp; 620Nm; 7-speed automatic; RWD; 1941 kg
* Saab 9-5 TTiD4 XWD; 190 hp; 400Nm; 6-speed manual; 4WD; 2010 kg
Saab reached only the 4th position with 4 stars where the other 3 reached 4.5 stars. But the guys at AMS keep asking, how would have been if we had tested a TTiD6 instead of the the TTiD4?
And why do they ask this question? Well if we believe the test, the Saab has the best chassis and the best steering, and despite the fact their car only had the McPherson front suspension.
AMS titles the 9-5 as the driving fun choice.
We note that the A6 never been so alert on the road, they have really done their homework in Ingolstadt.
BMW has a more difficult job than ever to compete.
Though it is still Trollhättan which builds the finest ride in this group.
No one is completely perfect. Audi is too hard and the rear seat is not impressive; BMW is a bit too tight, Saab has no fifth or sixth cylinder under the hood and Mercedes Avantgarde Package has no comfort benefits.
Audi is for those who want efficient V6 diesel, with good facilities.
BMW is the crystal clear choice for customer comfort.
Mercedes E 350 CDI has most of the torque, 620 Nm gives a totally different feeling against the other cars.
If you really prioritize the pure driving pleasure, then you choose the Saab 9-5.
So in the end the Saab is a car for the driver, but we already knew about that– although the 5-series and the E-class are RWD, they don’t have the stiffness of a 4WD car, and even despite the Audi’s new torque vectoring sports differential.
The seating comfort in the front is second to none, and in the back, well Mercedes is slightly better, but only Mercedes.
The car is also the least thirsty, although it has the highest official figures, and is the heaviest of them all.
* Audi; norm 6,0 l/km; test 7,7 l/km
* BMW; norm 6,2 l/km; test 8,6 l/km
* Merc.; norm 6,4 l/km; test 8,4 l/km
* Saab; norm 6,7 l/km; test 7,5 l/km
And for the ones looking at their pockets, the Saab is 100.000 SEK less expensive than the others. And the costs per km are also lower.
All in all the 9-5 is a good car, and after the MY 12 interior upgrade will also have the appeal of the class it is aiming for.
We know that for MY 12 a 136hp Diesel engine will be added to the offering in Europe, but this comparison also denotes that a big V6 Diesel is also very important in Europe if Saab wants to compete on the same level as The Teutonic Three.
Sursa:
http://www.saabsunited.com/2011/03/ams- ... three.htmlCe e de retinut:
1. Saab e desemnat "the driver's car" in dauna BMW-ului.
2.Costa cu 11000 de euro mai putin decat restul.