After a considerable amount of secrecy surrounding the next generation Saab 9-5, it seems as though the cat is finally out of the bag. Two German publications (Autobild and Autozeitung) have published what appear to be official Saab press photos of the 2011 9-5.

Normally a new Saab doesn’t get much attention, but with the pending sale of the company by General Motors to Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, there is a great deal riding on the new model. If the 9-5 succeeds, Saab will succeed. And if it doesn’t, well, it will be tough to keep funding the niche-market automaker.

The exterior of the car is certainly traditional Saab style, which means it isn’t likely to appeal to a much wider audience. The interior, however, is impressive with a nicely-designed center stack, a push-button ignition and available rear seat LCD screens.

The next Saab 9-5 is expected to be a 2011 model, with sales starting in 2010. With pictures already emerging we’d expect that car’s official debut at this Fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show, however, the Geneva Auto Show would certainly be more neutral ground for a Swedish automaker.