This week's other motoring news in brief
Prices for new Saab 9-5
Saab’s Irish distributor has released provisional pricing for the new Saab 9-5 model, which is due to go on sale in Ireland in September.
There will be four engine choices at launch. Prices have yet to be confirmed for any of the petrol versions, which initially will be made up of a 220hp 2.0-litre turbo and 250hp 2.8-litre V6. A 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol with 180hp will round off the petrol line-up.
The majority of sales are likely to be made up from the two diesel variants. These will be 2.0-litre units, the TiD with 160hp and the TTiD with 190hp. Three specifications will be available – Linear, Vector and Aero. Prices will start at €36,500 for the 160hp 2.0-litre TiD Linear model. Standard equipment includes dual zone climate control, 17” alloy wheels and cruise control. From here it will be a €3,000 step to the Vector model. This adds Bluetooth, electrically adjustable seats, leather upholstery and parking sensors. Prices have yet to be confirmed for Aero models, which get 19” alloy wheels, Aero body kit, sport chassis, leather seats, sports steering wheel and xenon headlights.
Listen up!
On this week’s Motors podcast, Paddy Comyn reports from Sweden on Saab’s new flagship 9-5 (see details left), while Geoff Hill finally dismounts after his 16,000km two-wheeled Australian odyssey.
Listen to the show at irishtimes.com/motors/podcast and follow us during the week on the Motors blog at irishtimes.com/motors.
Latitude a return to Renault form?
Renault looks set to return to producing large family saloons after unveiling the Latitude, which is due to go on sale in Europe later this year. Following failed efforts with cars such as the Vel Satis, the brand will take on larger family and executive cars with technology from within the group.
The new model, which is very heavily based on the Korean market Samsung SM5, will make its public debut at the end of August at the Moscow Motor Show.
It will go on sale this autumn in Asia, Africa, Russia, Turkey, Gulf, Australia and Mexico and will make its European debut at the Paris Motor Show in September. It is expected that a European version will go on sale shortly afterwards.
At 4,890mm long and 1,830mm wide, the Latitude is slightly larger than the massive Skoda Superb and will feature one of the largest boots in its class.
There are no details on engines just yet, but we can expect to see 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines borrowed from within the Renault engine stable.