Here are new pics and a video of the Saab 9-5 SportCombi and the Saab Phoenix Concept which were both presented at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. We won’t hide our bias and just say that we’re very taken with the 9-5 SportCombi. We like its mix of sports style and elegance and it should contribute to widening the appeal of the Saab range. They have made sensible choices with their engine range, keeping the 1.6 Turbo, 2.0 Turbo and 2.0 TTiD from the sedan and offering XWD and manual or automatic transmission, too.

The Saab 9-5 Combi is obviously a practical vehicle but with a sporty feel (see the 9-5 SportCombi video after the jump). The boot length can get up to 1.9 m and its capacity ranges from 527 litres to 1,600 litres with the rear seats down. A baggage fixture system called U-Rail is available and the boot opens electronically with remote control or a button over the rear number plate.

The Geneva show for Saab also featured the new IQon multimedia system which will soon be adopted by all models in the Saab range. It looks in the style to some Apple products and uses Googles Android system. You can see how the IQon system works in the video after the jump.

Finally there are also new Saab Phoneix Concept pics and a video avaialble. The concept reflects “aeromotional design” according to Saab and while purely an exercise in style at the moment, the model previews some future aspects of Saab design language. It uses a hybrid drivetrain with a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine (from Mini) with 200 hp, and an electric motor with 34 hp that powers the rear wheels. This all-wheel drive hybrid set-up takes the name eXWD and will form the basis for future Saab hybrid models.

Continue reading: Saab 9-5 SportCombi and Phoenix Concept new pics and videos

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The Saab 9-5 SportCombi has been unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and seeing these kinds of models, we’re hoping the company will be able to keep its head above water and keep producing some lovely cars. The model appeared alongside the Saab PhoeniX Concept which looks more like a sculpture than a vehicle. It’s purely a design concept at the moment, and could herald some of the features we’ll be seeing on Saab models in the future.

Another model on show is the Saab 9-3 Griffin. The 9-3 restyling applies to all models in the line-up: the Sport Sedan, Sporthatch, Cabriolet and 9-3X. It comes with an updated two-litre Biopower petrol engine with direct injection. It comes in two options of 163 hp and 320 Nm, or 220 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The Biopower label refers to the Bio-ethanol E85 option available. The diesel range comes in the 1.9 TTid models with 130, 160 or 180 hp. Saab XWD all-wheel drive is available for the petrol options.

We love what they’ve done with the design for the Saab 9-5 SportCombi, though. It’s elegant, well-proportioned and is definitely a worthy competitor to the German models around. The same engine range of the sedan model is carried across, but we don’t have any boot capacity details, which is a shame. The Saab models on show also came with the new IQon entertainment system and its various applications. It’s too early to say that Saab is looking healthy again, but we like what we see.

Saab live at 2011 Geneva motor Show

Continue reading: Saab 9-5 SportCombi live at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

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Saab is planning quite a big event for itself at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, which should please fans waiting for a better idea as to Saab’s future after it was sold by General Motors last year. The basis for a successful brand is certainly there, and the new Saab 9-5 sedan is a gracious model. It will be joined by a new Saab hatchback, likely to be named the 9-3 hatchback, a possible brand new Saab 9-2 concept, and the Saab 9-5 SportCombi model.

The teaser image above is currently been described as the all-new Saab Design Concept to be revealed, possibly a precursor to the 9-2, while below you can see the Geneva show invitations sent out by the company, which indicate the 9-3 hatchback model mentioned above. Do the teaser shots refer to the same vehicle? It’s currently too early to tell. By the looks of things over on the Saab premiere website, we’ll get a: Saab Concept Car, the Saab 9-5 Sport Combi, an updated Saab 9-3 range, and finally a Saab 9-3 Cabriolet.

The Saab concept car is designed by Jason Castriota and should indicate what we can expect from the company in the future, both in design and new technology developed out of a partnership with BMW. This should take us out of the GM Saab era and into a new future.

The Saab 9-5 SportCombi is an elegant station wagon model from the company, which could make quite a splash in Europe if they do things well. It is also expected to make an appearance on the US market, and the model will have the same two powertrains as the sedan version: the 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, and the 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 model. The latter will most likely offer XWD - Saab’s all-wheel drive technology. All in all, it looks like cautiously positive stuff from Saab and hopefully the company will start to look rosier. We’re intrigued at the very least, if not excited….

Saab concept, 9-3 and sportcombi Geneva teasers

Sources | SaabsUnited and Autoblog.com

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