Yeah the front end treatment doesn't do anything for me.

I really liked the 2005 9-5 front/rear but the 2006 is a downgrade in
my opinion.

no they did not get it wrong. the platform is indeed borrowed from the
epsilon totally in Line with the SAAB traditions, cause mind you over the
years SAAB designed only 2 platforms: the 99 and the 9000 together with the
italo's of lancia and fiat. all the other types are little more than new
bodywork on the same platform! the classic 900 is a 99 platform with new
bodywork. the 9000 stands alone but the rest uncluding the 9-5 are just 9000
platforms with different bodywork

if you own multiple saabtype and are you own mechanic like myself you
quickly learn that a lot of parts are interchangeblefor instance the biggest
difference between a 99 and a 900 C is the length of the driveshafts. in the
900 they are longer cause the bodywork and the wheels are broader than in a
99

same goes for SAAB-powerplants: after the twostroke era ended in
1963/1964saab used the ford  V4  to finish the 96 series and for the
brandnew 99 they developed the fourcylinder in line engine that SAAB still
uses today in all its petrol driven cars. My 9-5 has the same engine only
with lots of electronic gadgets to meet environeent demands. the basic
engine however is still the same.

if one of my 99 engines brakes down and I can not get a good 99 engine I
simply use a 900C engine that fits after exchanging the driveshafts for 99
driveshafts. I even have a 1979 99 fitted with a 900 turbo engine that fits
like a glove in the 99.too bad I don't own one of the originals 99turbo's
since they are worth a fortune today!

Harrie

Netherlands