AutoAlert : The 2010 Saab 9-5

"It is easier to find a Moose in a German forest than to spot a Saab in Deutchland" according to Autobild. The 2010 9-5 will be the first model to debut under the stewardship of Saab's new owner Koenigsegg sports car. The fact that the car shares certain 'DNA' with the Opel Insignia isn't a surprising fact at all as the model was developed when Saab was still own by GM. Now what separates the Saab from all its GM cousin is the fact that it is 5.01 meters long thus putting it on Par with the Mercedes S Class. In comparison to its predecessor the upcoming 9-5 wheelbase grew by 13 cm to 2.84 meters.

The exterior design stays true to Saab's design language from the large trapezoidal grill to the chrome linings around the front headlights complete with LEDs. The indicator light located on the side mirror is darken in order to blend with the overall design.

The cockpit design is typically Saab with strong influence from its cousin the Insignia & Astra. Saab's signature mesh type air-cond vents still graces the dashboard. (personally I never like it ) The crown jewel of the dashboard has to be the 8-inch Panasonic navigation system with touch screen technology complemented by the Harman Kardon sound system. As always there is 3 equipment level offered by Saab starting with the Linear and topping off with Aero Hot. The Boot is able to swallow up to 513 liters of luggage.

Expected range of petrol engines kicks off with the 160ps 1.6liter turbocharged unit and goes all the way to 300ps 2.8liter V6 with 2 diesel power plants (2.0liter - 160hp & 2.0 liter - 190hp). Indications for the asking price for Saab's new flagship should be around 34000 Euros.

Source: Autobild

AutoAlert: The New Jaguar XJ disguises as BMW

No, it is not the upcoming BMW 7 series facelift but a camouflage technique used by Jaguar to fool people into believing that the car is not from their company. Good try but the photographer is smart enough to know that this is the Jaguar flagship sedan set to debut on the 9th of July 2009. Here is what chief engineer of Jaguar Mike Cross has to say about the car :

"With the new XJ we've tried to balance all the driving attributes, so the
car firstly needs to drive like it looks," says Cross. "The dynamics are both
agile and comfortable, but we've also tried to make the engine and transmission
to be both agile, responsive but also smooth.

"We've got a light, stiff body and that allows us to engineer precision
in to the suspension without engineering in harshness, so you get the best of
both worlds.

"So in all ways with the new Jaguar we were trying to balance response
with smoothness, comfort with agility and in terms of how the car sounds,
there's a power sound when you exercise the car, but it's also quiet and refined
when you're cruising.

"It's quite a large car but it absolutely doesn't feel like it. It very
agile but still refined and comfortable. It's a great car to be driven in but
even better to drive."

The new Jaguar XJ will be unveiled at a glitzy London launch on 9
July.
Both short and long-wheelbase versions wil be launched together. Power
will come from a twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel and 510bhp supercharged 5.0-litre
V8.

Jaguar has also confirmed that the new car will be launched in both
short and long wheelbase versions.

All models are likely to be highly specified and customers will be able
to tailor spec and options more than on previous Jags. The new XJ also comes
with a panoramic glass roof.

Source: Autocar.co.uk

Related article : Cool pictures of Jaguar XF