Who am I?

Definitely no Saab ...
Definitely not a Saab ...

No, we are not starting a new picture puzzle now. Even if you could think so. At the end of the day it's all about our favorite brand, and it's about the Saab 9-5 NG. However, this is not a Saab in the picture, not guaranteed. No Saab 9-5 new edition, no secret design study by NEVS. Even if everything reminds us of a Saab. But what is it then?

What we see here is an Audi Prologue and the blunt copying of the continuous Lightbar. And if we take a look at the complete rear end, we discover a lot of the lines of the Saab 9-5 NG.

Audi Prologue. Heck with Saab 9-5 bonds.
Audi Prologue. Heck with Saab 9-5 bonds.

The Audi Prologue is not the study for a new model; he should, and this is much worse, anticipate the new design line from Audi. Future design that already stands in our garages. For this, designer Mark Lichte was allowed to try the Audi Prologue. The single-frame grill remains, however, at the front there is no revolution, and Walter da Silva remains the top Audi design chief. More Audi images are available Mirror online to discover.

The Saab 9-5 NG came on the market in 2010 and its design will be from 2006 or 2007. We are in 2016 until Audi has realized the Saab-based design in the first model. So 10 years later ...

Should we feel flattered now or how far was the Saab design department under Simon Padian really ahead of their time? Or how bad do you drive in Ingolstadt?

28 Comments
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mike3k
mike3k
9 years earlier

The fact that the cars from Zuffenhausen have long been running around with such a light bar, have all participants already noticed?

Herbert Hürsch
Herbert Hürsch
9 years earlier

Old wine in new bottles

Already at the SAAB, the continuous light strip reminded me of old times. The SAAB 9000, several Audis and ever numerous models of several manufacturers were equipped at that time and for many model years with a large red reflector, which connected the rear lights.

I never liked it.

And with the current lighting and design orgies you have to ask yourself when the threshold is exceeded, from which this is no gain in security more but endangered.

Cars that have a face at the back are somehow “ass faces” too. I find glowing grimaces in front of me on the highway at night extremely annoying!

GP362
GP362
9 years earlier

I have to agree with you to a large extent. It's a matter of taste, of course, but that does not fit with every car, not even with SAAB.
My personal view: the 9000CC it does not fit, the 9000 CS, it is awesome (only the reversing light is too puny) on my 902, I have the light strip against a rear panel in body color swapped (from the older model) and the 9-5NG I think it great again.

For a long time, a (safety) limit has been exceeded in today's light games. The outgrowths of the daytime running lights have largely distanced themselves from safe light guidance and with some (VW) models, it is really difficult to detect the turn signals in between.

Herbert Hürsch
Herbert Hürsch
9 years earlier
Reply to  GP362

Yes, the Volkswagen group is particularly negative when it comes to light ...

The other day, bright light on the headliner in my car irritated me.
A brand new Skoda Something else next to me was the cause and scattered its headlights from huge clear glass blocks in all directions ...

And when cars come around the corner with three lights on, I'm still watching for a moment, thinking a headlight would be broken.

thylmuc
9 years earlier

I do not like him. Neither from the front nor from the back nor from the inside. Restless, and affected ornamentalism, without which it is no longer possible.

I thought that de Silva would now be the head of design at Volkswagen, so the absolute Obermuffti. What a pity, because apparently he is no longer able to design himself. He's one of my favorite designers, designing design highlights with the Alfa 156, Seats and the Audi A5.

Hans Sägesser
Hans Sägesser
9 years earlier

Above all, Audi is one thing; a mass product and has become a real nuisance here in Switzerland! Aggressive, aggressive, Audi ..... I praise my Saabs, which just don't look so monstrous! And at the same time are very individual!

aero x
aero x
9 years earlier

Those of Audi should come up with something they could at least saab Buy then I would have no problem

Anddeu
9 years earlier

If you can't defend yourself ... There are also models from Kia / Hyundai that were probably inspired by Sweden.

Saabfan
Saabfan
9 years earlier
Reply to  Anddeu

For example, the front of the Kia Sorento seems a bit copied:

http://data.motor-talk.de/data/galleries/0/6/7618/52110727/kia-sorento-011-2038612536584401477.jpg

But it doesn't change the fact that for me the car is just a heap of sheet metal and plastic 😉 So they should take over all the elements ... there is only one original anyway!

Saabfan
Saabfan
9 years earlier

I do not know why you make such a drama out of it now. Objectively speaking, the Lightbar is the only thing that makes the design look the same. Soberly considered: A Lightbar does not make a whole car and so ne bright invention that was probably not?
My favorite is and remains the 9-5NG. Incidentally, I don't really like Marc Lichte as a designer. He's probably not going to do that much good to Audi either ... He's just the one who ironed the folds and curves of Da Silva straight again without really adding character.

matze local
9 years earlier
Reply to  Saabfan

If you really “only” recognize the lightbar in the A9, then I really feel sorry for you. To put it mildly, I would call the rear end and parts of the side an homage to the 9-5!

To start at the stern:
- The light bar
- The “rough” shape of the taillights (those of the A9 look squashed ...)
- The outer transition from the C-pillar to the fender / trunk
- Lower part of the bumper

Page:
- Rear flank shape
- Form C-pillar / window
- Indentation above the sill

These are just the most striking similarities, just take a closer look:
https://twitter.com/MatzeLoCal/status/535037032889069569/photo/1
!

saabisafealing
saabisafealing
9 years earlier

It shows again what good way Saab was until the brain dead from GM thought they had to cover up their own inability with an example. Unfortunately, Victor's money messenger was also caught by the handle in the cash register and a few other things went wrong, otherwise Saab would still exist today ... Without a doubt, it is a loss for the entire industry ...

matze local
9 years earlier

That's exactly what I had tweeted today: https://twitter.com/MatzeLoCal/status/535037032889069569

matze local
9 years earlier
Reply to  matze local
mountain saab
mountain saab
9 years earlier

When I had the 9-5ng new, a site manager said to me, “Oh, a new car! looks great… I've always liked Audi ”… ..I'm sure it's a Saab, she, oh, still exist?

… .. Audi overheard us there! 😉

Greif08
Greif08
9 years earlier

Ice blue headlights, solid rear light band, quiet lateral lines! And as a new car soon available !! Of course that seems copied! And Audi is actually not on my list! But he is beautiful! And I acknowledge that. Congratulations Audi, well done!

Greif08
Greif08
9 years earlier

I have always been a fan of Simon Padian !! And always hoped the Castriota story is and remains !! But both have done so!

Greif08
Greif08
9 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

Yes this is Swedish! Probably the only thing new from Sweden! I am convinced that after what Padian has “drawn” at SAAB, he will do Volvo well!

phibo
phibo
9 years earlier

I immediately had to think of the 9-5 at the first picture. Apparently, Audi is getting a bit more jagged again ... if you open the sections of A4, A6 and A8 or A5 and A7 one after the other on their website, then the same car looks at you over and over again, upscaled over and over again (well, A7 and A8 look a bit more elegant out).

Spicy was yes that Mark Lichte has already wailed against this model range. Let's see if he makes friends with it, or whether can prevail against da Silva.

KG-930
KG-930
9 years earlier

Mercedes has used its Saab style elements with its G-code study in the window area (black A pillar).

phibo
phibo
9 years earlier
Reply to  KG-930

Maybe, but the front is more likely to be a total failure in the designer's brain. Honestly, who needs a magenta / violet LEDs deposited, gigantomanic chiller?

red99
red99
9 years earlier

What would Ove say about that?

Gallix
Gallix
9 years earlier
Reply to  red99

Guess what ?
Especially about the "wavy" headlights.

Detlef Rudolf
Detlef Rudolf
9 years earlier

The rear of the Audi design is almost as successful as the rear design of Simon Padian's 9-5. The copied light strip is a bit poor - the Audi also looks pretty good from the side.

However, the front section is a complete disaster - it looks really hideous!

Wolfi Saab
Wolfi Saab
9 years earlier

I find it flattering…. Tom about the 10 years behind, I can say I agree…. let's see back saab 9-5 double sun visor ... year of construction? 1998 ??? With Vw Passat from 2004 ??? That's funny

Gallix
Gallix
9 years earlier
Reply to  Wolfi Saab

.... and my "replacement" Wamsler year 2012 does not have the double sun visor.
I can not say how that leaves me!
An absolutely practical idea.