A WAGON CHASSIS THAT OFFERS GREAT INTERACTION BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND THE CAR RCROSS, Ga. - The new Saab 9-5 Wagon features all the renowned Saab chassis characteristics, but they have been improved to reach new levels for a wagon model. As with all Saabs, the chassis transmits the balance of the car through the seat to the driver's hips, which are located close to the center of gravity where the car's behavior is easier to sense. This shortens the driver's reaction time for more immediate control. Stability, responsiveness and predictability are built into a chassis system that gives the driver plenty of warning well before any limits are reached. Basically the Saab 9-5 Wagon chassis is the same as for the sedan model. The driver will feel that the driving characteristics of the car have been emphasized. The springs, roll bars and shock absorbers have been calibrated to provide responsive handling even though they've been adapted to the slightly higher weight and the different center of gravity and inertia that comes naturally with the wagon body design. Saab chassis engineers were determined to develop a car in which handling was not impaired with the addition of a wagon body style. The interaction between the driver and the car is excellent. Steering response and precision are highly accurate and even though it's a rather large car, the 9-5 Wagon handles very well and is easy to control. Even with a full load the car passes through highly demanding avoidance tests without any problems. The Saab 9-5 Wagon features isolated front and rear sub-frames to attenuate disturbancesmore effectively and significantly upgrade the driving refinement. MacPherson struts are retained for the front suspension, and a multi-link independent rear suspension is used, as on the 9-5 Sedan models. The wheelbase is 106.4 inches and front and rear track dimensions are equal at 59.9 inches. The new front subframe is formed as a closed ring of pressings that runs around the perimeter of the lower engine bay and is attached to the main body structure via insulating bushings. Lower wishbones have widely-spaced pivots that apply toe-correcting geometry for a self-stabilizing effect when braking on road surfaces with varying degrees of grip under left and right hand wheels. Upper front strut mounts use a de-coupled dual-path system that separates spring and damper loads, for better optimization of each mount's characteristics, improving insulation and allowing better control of the ride characteristics. The coil springs are offset to reduce bending loads in the shock absorbers for more effective damping during initial suspension movements. A .75 inch diameter anti-roll bar is mounted on bushings at the rear of the sub-frame and connected to the struts by long vertical links. The power-assisted steering rack is also mounted on the rear of the sub-frame to operate with short tie rods and provide very precise wheel control, creating higher levels of response and steering feel. All the suspension bushings are directionally optimized for a longitudinally soft chassis. This isolates the chassis better from sharp road shocks. All bushings are also designed to be stiff laterally for maximum wheel control. The new multi-link rear suspension is also mounted on a separate sub-frame attached to the rear body structure by four large-volume elastomer bushings. Each wheel is controlled by three links. The two transverse links on each side pivot on cylindrical bushes mounted on the sub-frame, while the trailing arm is attached to the body through similar bushes mounted in rigid brackets. The vertical spacing of the pivot points on the wheel hub assembly is larger than the spacing at the inboard end, to maintain consistent wheel camber during suspension movement. The geometry of the trailing arm is designed to provide passive toe-steer in corners, reducing rear tire slip for more responsive and secure handling. The transverse links are attached to the wheel carriers by ball joints, to control wheel camber even more precisely. The dimensions, elastomer materials and detail design of compliant voids in the suspension bushings are all optimized to maximize lateral wheel control and enhance the ride characteristics.
ABS Brakes
The Saab 9-5 Wagon is equipped with disc brakes front and rear with a diagonally split
hydraulic system and electronically-controlled ABS as standard. The car is also equipped
with acoustic pad wear indicators that warn the driver when the brake linings are nearing
the end of their useful life. The ABS system incorporates electronic brake distribution
(EBD) and on V6 models an integrated electronic traction control system (TCS). As with
all Saabs, the ABS system is lightweight and compact with four-channel operation
triggered by four individual wheel sensors. Electronic brake distribution (EBD) comes
into effect under hard braking before the ABS is activated. This balances the friction
available at each wheel with the braking forces being applied. It automatically provides
optimum retardation and the shortest possible stopping distance.
Saab Traction Control
Saab's Traction Control System (TCS) is standard on all V-6 engine models. TCS works in
conjunction with the engine management system to prevent the driving wheels from spinning
if tire grip is lost. The system operates on the front brakes individually, to transfer
torque to the wheel with the most available grip. When appropriate, it also signals the
engine management system to reduce engine torque by over-riding the electronically
activated throttle. A warning light on the instrument panel illuminates when the TCS is
operating, to warn the driver of slippery conditions. The TCS system is fully automatic
in operation, but includes an "off" switch for special circumstances. The "off" switch
can be utilized when snow chains are fitted or when the driver wants to cut through soft
snow to reach the harder surface below. It will only deactivate the system at low speeds
(below approximately 37 mph). The system uses the ABS signals from the front wheel
sensors to continuously evaluate the degree of wheel slip and acceleration, comparing
this data with reference road speed information from the non-driven rear wheels. Traction
control makes a very valuable contribution to driving safety in powerful front-wheel
drive cars operating in slippery conditions. It optimizes the driving torque
automatically and relieves the driver from the difficult task of having to feel for the
available grip, especially when making sharp turns or trying to restart on a steep hill.
TCS also maintains stability if the driver applies or releases the throttle carelessly at
any time, when driving through a slippery curve, for example.
TCS also adds to driving pleasure under these conditions by adapting to the driver's
style, allowing a controlled amount of wheel slip if that is what the driver wants. Its
advanced electronic systems help average drivers maintain control on winter roads by
providing a completely seamless and effective skid-correcting system.
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