2010 Saab 9-5 Unveiled At The Frankfurt Motor Show

FOLLOWING A SLEW of leaked images and details, Saab had no option but to release official information and photos of the new 9-5 Sedan prior to its launch at this week's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Today, that launch has come, and Saab has issued a new batch of images and further details on its first all-new large sedan in 13 years.

The new 9-5's development has been a long path for the Swedish manufacturer, with much of it mired by an uncertain future. That changed with the announcement that the Koenigsegg Group had closed the deal to purchase the ailing carmaker from owner General Motors.

Saab acknowledged this week that in order to break even on the 9-5, it would need to sell approximately 50,000 cars globally.

In Europe, the 9-5 range will begin with a 119kW 2.0 litre turbo-diesel four, although a 1.6 litre petrol turbo engine will become the new base powertrain when it arrives sometime after the model's launch.

A 164kW 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol four will be the mid-range engine from launch and a 2.8 litre V6 will be the range-topper, delivering 224kW and 400Nm of torque thanks to a pair of turbochargers.

Further down the track, an E85-compatible BioPower variant of the 2.0 litre petrol motor will be added to the range.

All 9-5 models will come with six-speed automatic transmission; a six-speed manual will be offered as an option.

The 2.0 litre and 2.8 litre petrol engines will be available with Saab's XWD all-wheel-drive drivetrain, with the V6 featuring XWD as standard.

A choice of two suspensions will underpin the new 9-5, one of them incorporating adaptive damper technology. Both suspension layouts will be available with a sports-tuned version.

The interior of the new 9-5 is traditional Saab, albeit with a modern execution.

Green-illuminated dials and displays are housed in Saab's signature driver-centric dash design, and the marque's characteristic centre console-mounted ignition barrel has been replaced by a push-button starter.

Options include a heads-up display for the driver, an eight-inch touchscreen sat-nav unit incorporating a 10GB harddrive for music storage, a premium Harman Kardon sound system and seatback-mounted DVD screens for the rear passengers.

Saab has not yet confirmed pricing or availability, however an announcement is expected in coming weeks.