2003 Saab 9-5

2003 SAAB 9-5: MIDSIZE LUXURY WITH A HIGHLY RESPONSIVE TURBOCHARGED RIDE

Saab unveiled the new 9-5 in 2002 with model designations, or 'forms,' that give customers three distinct vehicle personalities to choose from: Linear, Arc and Aero. Each form is matched with unique interior trim, upholstery, wheel package and powertrain.

Linear embodies elegant Swedish design and features the 2.3L, four-cylinder 185- horsepower light-pressure turbo. Arc is designed to emphasize a sports touring role, with ventilated leather seats, additional comfort features and a 200-horsepower 3.0L asymmetrically turbocharged V6 engine. Aero is the ultimate performance derivative, with bolstered sport seats, 17-inch wheels, sport-tuned chassis and the 2.3L, High-Output Turbo (HOT) engine.




Electronic Stability Program
The Saab 9-5 offers an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) standard all models. ESP was an option on the Linear during the 2002 model year.

Extra sensors on the traction-control and antilock-braking systems provide a highly sophisticated stability function. ESP gives a sharp edge to the latest Saab's sports performance dynamics, while providing the driver with a greater degree of vehicle control.



Saab's ESP assists the driver in the direction of his or her steering efforts. If the driver goes into a corner in which there is less grip, resulting in an oversteering slide, the ESP system applies brake force to the outer wheels to nullify the yaw rate of the car and gently bring the car back into line. In that way, it totally complements the driver at the wheel, rather than aggressively offering help only at the last available moment, the way some systems do.

The new Saab ESP system also works when a slippery road causes the car to understeer - when the nose of the car starts to push wide instead of following its intended course. ESP offers just enough brake-force control to help bring the car back into line, whereas too much assistance might suddenly switch the car from an understeer to an oversteer situation.

Sentronic: Manual shift for automatic transmission
The new Sentronic system allows manual selection of the gears through steering wheel mounted controls, for the five-speed automatic transmission, which monitors performance and adapts to prevailing driving conditions.

To activate the Sentronic mode, drivers need only move the gear lever to the manual (M) position and then use the controls on the steering wheel for gearshifting. The (+) is for upshift and the (-) for downshift. The Sentronic mode is deactivated when the gear lever is moved from the manual position.

The five-speed automatic, added in 2002, makes effortless use of the turbo power, crisply picking up the appropriate power points, while giving all automatic models sportier and smoother performance, taking advantage of the Saab's mid-range 'turbo rush' that characterize the Saab powerplants.

The gearbox is capable of handling the Aero's high 258 lb-ft of torque. Also, the automatic constantly monitors its surroundings, adapting performance and shift points to prevailing conditions. It can sense a high-altitude environment, for example, or detect a towing load and respond accordingly. The driver has control of the automatic driving modes, with the choice of normal, sport, winter or the new manual mode.

Source - Saab