Saab 9-5 news - Saab 9-5: properly officially real - 2009

See more Saab 9-5 pics

Having seen the new 9-5 escape merrily onto the interweb a few weeks ago, Saab has now released official photos of its Ford Mondeo rival for careful perusal by your own eyes.

The 9-5 arrives in the UK next spring to replace the current model, which has reached a geriatric 12 years of age. It is based heavily on Insignia underpinnings, and will be powered by a range of GM-sourced engines fettled for a little extra power.

Expect 1.6- and 2.0-litre turbo petrols, along with a 300bhp V6 and a pair of 2.0-litre turbodiesels developing 160bhp and 190bhp.

Inevitably, the new 9-5 is considerably bigger than the outgoing car, growing in length by around 15cm, though only gaining around 50kg in weight.

Saab says it will not offer the 9-5 in hatchback form - the Insignia, remember, is available as a five-door - but has confirmed that an estate version will arrive later next year, expected to account for around 40 per cent of sales.

The 9-5 gets plenty of traditional Saab styling cues, from the egg-crate vents and green-hued instruments on the inside to the faux-wraparound windscreen and ‘hockey stick' kink to the rear pillar on the outside.

We particularly like those ‘ice effect' rear light clusters, and we're delighted to see the 9-5's traditional chrome sunglasses have been toned down a little, if not removed completely.

The 9-5 saloon will go on sale in two- and four-wheel-drive flavour early next year. Expect prices to be expressed in pound and also Euros.