1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon

1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon

DETROIT - With station wagons enjoying a bit of resurgence as part of a backlash against boring minivans and bulky SUVs, Saab introduced its 1999 9-5 Wagon. While sharing its front end with the 9-5 sedan, the 9-5 Wagon wears unique sheetmetal from the B-pillars back.

Unlike Volvo, Saab wanted to give its wagon a decidedly rounded shape. "Instead of aiming for a box-like load-carrier, we decided to go for something with a visual appeal worthy of the Saab brand," explained Simon Padian, one of the Saab designers who worked on the new wagon.

Despite its tapered rear roofline, the 9-5 Wagon offers 37 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and 72.9 with them folded forward. The cargo floor uses an aircraft-inspired load-securing system that Saab calls CargoTracks. The system employs two floor-mounted aluminum rails and spring-loaded pinch locks that hook into and slide along the rails to keep cargo in place.

The all-turbocharged powertrain lineup for the 9-5 Wagon includes a 170-horsepower, 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual or electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, or a 200-horse 3.0-liter V6 with automatic only.

The Wagon model comes with a wide variety of standard features found on the 9-5 Sedan, including Saab's Active Head Restraints and side airbags. Leather upholstery, heated front and rear seating, and an integrated child safety seat are optional. Saab's 9-5 Wagons begin arriving in dealerships this spring.