Saab unveiled the SportWagon at Geneva, a swooping load carrier offering a six-foot long, 1,600-litre flat cargo area with the seats folded down. Fitted with the revised 160bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, it mixes that practicality with respectable performance and low emissions of only 128g/km.

The SportWagon is part of a mid-life refresh for the saloon, which adds eco-friendly equipment including a gearshift indicator and start/stop technology to reduce emissions by an average of 4.7% across the range.

Emitting only 125g/km in the saloon, and priced below the less efficient, entry-level petrol engine, it's likely that the 160bhp 2.0 TiD engine will be most attractive both to fleet and private buyers.

Inside, drivers can enjoy a new adaptive chassis control to improve ride quality, while the in-car entertainment has been bolstered with the addition of a DAB radio and 8.0-inch touchscreen satellite navigation across the range.

The 2012 Saab 9-5 starts at £26,995 for the Vector SE saloon with the 160bhp 2.0 TiD engine, while petrol models start at £27,295 for the 180bhp 1.6-litre turbo. SportWagon versions add £1,200 to the list price. First deliveries are expected in the autumn.