GM Could Kill Saab, Save and Rebadge 9-5

General Motors is still negotiating the Saab sale, although voices close to the matter are claiming the US-based giant is already preparing to start winding down the brand. Still, a new rumor emerged today pointing that General Motors is indeed getting ready to close Saab but it will actually save the newly-revealed 9-5.

Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri writes that GM will actually keep alive the new 9-5 production line and use the technology to develop a rebadged model that could be sold in both Europe and the United States under one of its existing brands. In the US for instance, it is believed the new 9-5 will be reincarnated as a Buick while in Europe it could be sold as an Opel.

Saab 9-5 was officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September and is projected to go on sale in 2010.

The new model will be offered in several engine configurations, starting with a 1.6-liter turbo configuration and going as high as 2.8-liter units. The all-wheel drive system is offered with the 2.0-liter gasoline, BioPower and 2.8 V6 turbo engines, according to official information provided by Saab.

Adaptive chassis control with driver settings selection through Saab DriveSense, Bi-Xenon Smart Beam adaptive lighting and intelligent cruise control are also offered on the new Saab 9-5. There are two different suspension configurations available, depending on the engine power.

The station wagon version of the car is still in doubt as rumors are pointing that it could bite the dust unless General Motors decides to save Saab or sell the company to another investor.