SAAB 9-5 EXPECTED FOR A 2010 LANDING

Spy pictures of the next generation SAAB 9-5 have appeared on the Internet. The next 9-5 is said to be bigger and smoother than the current model. SAAB will use the 9-5 to launch a fresh onslaught on the German trio of BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

In terms of styling SAAB is basing a number of its future models on these two pictured concepts, the Aero X and 9-X Air Concept as well as other concept cars.

The new 9-5 will feature several engines including a 2.0-litre turbo and a 2.8-litre V6 turbo. Diesels will be offered too, especially in Europe and in South Africa, as well as a hybrid option. GM needs for the 9-5 to work in order to help SAAB support itself, otherwise the company could be put on the market in the same way as HUMMER and Buick are being put on the market or made to “disappear” off it.

We should first see the car in public in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It will then go on sale soon after that and hopefully arrive in South Africa during the second quarter of 2010.

JAGUAR COULD ATTACK AUDI!

AutoExpress claims to have details of a new Jaguar sports car which will claim the mantle of the fastest Jaguar ever built. So far that title belongs to the XJ 220 which was made between 1992 and 1994. The XJ 220 was in fact not only the fastest Jaguar ever at the time, but also the fastest car period, with a top speed of 350km/h (217mph). The pictures you see here are obviously not the real thing but merely an artist’s impressions of what such a car could look like.

Now this new car will be built to rival cars like the Audi R8 V10 and Lamborghini LP 640. It will apparently feature a mid-engine layout similar to the R8’s and use an evolution of the new 5.0-litre V8 Jaguar engine. This supercharged powerplant currently produces 380kW (510hp) but can be pushed to over 400kW (544hp) for this application.

Although the Indian-owned British brand is still concentrating on growing its XF, XK and next XJ lines, a sports car of this nature cannot be ruled out, especially with Jaguar’s proud racing history.

SOURCE: AUTOEXPRESS

IRELAND WINS A1 GP NEW ZEALAND. SA 10TH

Ireland (Adam Carroll) strengthened their position in the lead of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport with a win in the sprint race and second in the feature race in round four at Taupo in New Zealand on Sunday. Switzerland (Neel Jani) won the afternoon feature race after coming second in the morning’s sprint race. South Africa (Adrian Zaugg) finished 10^th in the sprint and ninth in the feature races and now lie 9th in the championship with five rounds remaining.

Zaugg, starting from 11^th position on the grid in the 15-lap sprint race, made up a place shortly after the mandatory pit stop to change tyres when Australia (John Martin) clipped a tyre curb and damaged its suspension. Switzerland, who earned a bonus point for fastest lap of the race, made up two places as a result of a slick pit stop, while Portugal (Felipe Albuquerque) was the big loser, dropping from second at the start to sixth after the anti-stall device on his Ferrari-engined car kicked in as he exited the pits.

It was Ireland and Carroll’s third win of the season. The next A1 GP race takes place at the Kayalami Racetrack in Johannesburg on the 22nd February 2009.