Divorced from General Motors and now attached to Koenigsegg (the Swedish supercar maker), Saab has just launched its new flagship model, the 2010 9-5. The suits in Trollhättan aren’t the type to rush things — the previous 9-5 model came out in 1999. So this one has some ground to make up on all the competitors that have stayed current and relevant. Still, it could be worse, there could be a recession on.

Nevertheless, at least the new 9-5 seems to have looks on its side, with styling reminiscent of the intriguing Aero-X Concept that has been doing the motor show rounds these past few years. This car was under development while Saab was still part of GM, but someone at the company has managed to preserve a touch of real Scandinavian design.

A little Saab quirkiness still exists. There’s a starter button set down on the center console where the ignition key used to be.

Unlike the outgoing model, there will be a V6 option: a turbocharged 300-hp 2.8-liter version on the all-wheel-drive 9-5 XWD. The rest of the range will, unsurprisingly, employ front-wheel. But there’s also another nice turbo engine in the form of a 225-hp 2.0-liter. In some markets, Saab will offer E85 ethanol or diesel-powered versions, but it’s not clear whether North America will be one of them.

With the word “adaptive” being applied to suspensions, headlights and cruise control, Saab has declared this latest creation the most technologically advanced car it has yet produced. The rest of the industry will be able to get its greasy paws on it during this September’s Frankfurt show. The rest of us will have to wait for it to go on sale next spring.