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Wheelbase versus Length (and future platforms) Posted by rpm2 [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Tabulated size comparisons, MI-Roger ![]() |
Look at the wheelbase of the BMW or Audi versus SAAB, then the length. Whilest the SAAB is 2 inches shorter at 197" it has a much shorter wheelbase by around 7" if you take into account the difference in length.
Is their a safety advantage of having a longer rear and front end? Certainly cargo space is improved. The 111" wheelbase certainly doesn't affect leg room which I know by experience. I wonder if the length of the new 9-5 vs wheelbase was by design so that GM could use the same chassis for a shorter Regal (although I notice the Regal's wheelbase is 4" shorter than the new 9-5). So why didn't SAAB design the 9-5 specs to be like the Regal.
Here is another interesting point that came out at our round table at the SOC. A question was asked whether they would make a L version for the new 9-5. Victor responded first by saying it would take a couple of hundred million to build a L version. Then Jan-Ake said they were building the next platform to build the new 9-3, then use that same platform as a basis to build the future (next) 9-5 and 9-4X generation. He said they even tried to use the same platform for the 92 (or 9-2 spoke by Victor) however it wouldn't work. So they have to get another platform for that. So it seems this long 9-5 may be short lived for 5 years or so. Another interesting comment is the platform for the new 9-5 is not owned by SAAB but the 9-3 chassis is so they can modify it. Please if I stated anything incorrectly please someone step in.
BTW I think you might have the width ( both 9-5s ) stated with the mirrors.
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