New Saab 9-5 (2010) prices announced

The 2010 Saab 9-5 arrives in the UK this summer with prices from £26,495.

Now the first new Saab 9-5 has rolled off the production line in Trollhatten this week, Saab are wasting no time marketing the car. They’ve sent us a price list for the 2010 Saab 9-5 for the UK, although they’re still not exactly clear when the first 9-5s will get to the UK. They’re opting for ‘This Summer’ – which gives them a fair bit of leeway – but orders can be placed from today, which explains why they’ve sent us a price list now.

Starting point for the new 9-5 is the 2.0TiD 160PS Vector SE which comes in at £26,495, one of just two entry-level trim models available at launch, the other being the 2.0T 220PS Vector SE at £28,195.  Top of the tree for now is the Aero trim with the 2.8T engine delivering 294bhp. That’ll set you back £37,995.

As you’ve probably worked out from all that, there are two trim levels – Vector SE and Aero – and just a single diesel engine and two petrols available to start with. Later in the year – Saab are calling them ‘MY11′ options – there will be a smaller petrol option – the 1.6T – and a more powerful diesel – the 2.0TTiD 190PS.

The Vector SE trim includes such goodies as half leather, AUX & USB sockets with MP3/iPod integration, bluetooth, heated front seats, keyless push button start/stop, auto wipers, 17” alloys, Climate and Cruise. Move up to the Aero trim and you can add 19” alloys wheels, beefier bumpers, bi-xenons, full leather electric seats, alloy pedals and sport chassis. The 2.8T also comes with XWD.

Saab’s target market with the 9-5 is probably the Audi A6. The 9-5 may be a Vauxhall Insignia under the skin – not that there’s anything wrong with that – but Saab has always been the quirky, quality option. Audi chasing is probably its best bet and luck could be on their side with the A6 getting close to its sell by date.

Prices are about where we’d expected and the spec is half decent. The launch of the 1.6 litre petrol later in the year will give Saab an entry level point below the competition, which could be a plus for them. And if you’re tossing up between the Saab 9-5 and an A6 – and you’re struggling to comapre options and trim levels – the Vector SE comes in with the Audi SE and the Aero trim is the equivalent of the Audi S-Line.

But you probably worked that out for yourself.

By Cars UK