SAAB is hoping to turn around its flagging fleet sales by targeting user-chooser drivers with its new 9-5 Aero model, priced from £27,995 on-the-road. Offering more power and performance per pound than any executive class rival, the saloon and estate Aero are fitted with a 2.3-litre turbocharged engine which produces 230bhp and 258lb-ft of torque.

Saab hopes this model will rekindle the spirit of the Ford Sierra Cosworth by offering company car drivers high performance and something different from the executive models available. The Aero has been engineered to offer peak torque between 1,900rpm and 4,000rpm, giving strong pulling power at low speeds.

A lower and firmer chassis, upgraded brakes, traction control and new body styling measures are all fitted as standard. The company saw its share of the fleet market fall by 2% from January to June this year. Saab's UK corporate sales manager, Margaret Small, said: 'This has been a tough year for us but we believe the Aero will be a good company car for the user-chooser market.'