Saab 9000

Saab 9000 hatchback

The 9000, an automobile made by Saab, was released in 1984 for the 1985 model year (it was released in 1985 for the 1986 model year for North America). It was replaced by the Saab 9-5 in the spring of 1998.

The Type Four chassis which the 9000 was based upon was shared with the Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema and the Alfa Romeo 164. The Fiat and Lancia looked much like the Saab, but the Alfa Romeo only shared the chassis. Because they were very similar, many parts can be exchanged between the four cars regardless of brand. For example, the doors from the Fiat Croma fit directly on the 9000, but are lighter, due to less side impact protection. The windshield from the Croma can also be used on the 9000. The cW value was 0.32. The design was done by Giorgetto Giugiaro.

Because its platform was shared closely with three other cars, the Saab 9000's ignition was situated in the traditional location (on the dashboard), instead of in the Saab-traditional location (between the seats.) The 9-5, whose platform was shared with the Saturn L-series and some Opel models, returned the ignition to its traditional location.

For the first year, the only engine available was a watercooled DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with a turbocharger, at 1985 cc, giving 175 hp (129 kW). It was equipped with a computer display showing actual and approximate fuel consumption, distance to an empty fuel tank and the outside temperature. It also controlled all of the interior light bulbs in case of failures.

The wheelbase is 2.67 m (105.2 inches) on all models. Total length is 4.66 m (183.7 inches) on the original 9000. The 9000 CD's total length is 4.79 m (188.7 inches). The 9000 CS' total length 4.76 m (187.4 inches).

History

• 1986: Introduction of a 2.0 L engine with 130 hp (96 kW).
• 1987: Watercooling added to the turbo.
• 1988: Introduction of the CD model (four-door sedan/saloon) and the Talladega version.
• 1989: Introduction of Direct Ignition - an electronic ignition system
• 1990: Introduction of a 200 hp (147 kW) 2.3 L turbo engine.
• 1992: Introduction of the CS model (lowered headlights, redesigned hatch, etc).
• 1993: Introduction of the CS Aero/SPG, the second strongest and fastest Saab ever made (beaten by the Saab 9-3 Viggen). The engine was a tuned 2.3 L turbo with 225 hp (165 kW), the version with automatic transmission only produced 200 bhp (147 kW) due to the huge torque. The Aero also had special 16" 'Super Aero' wheels, and a lower ride height to improve handling. The Aero body-kit was fitted as standard to all Aero models.
• 1995: Introduction of the first V6 engine, a 3.0 L 54° non-turbo with 210 hp (154 kW).
• 1996: Introduction of the Ecopower engine, a 2.0 L turbo engine giving 150 hp (110 kW). The Ecopower was an electric preheating of the catalytic converter, giving lower emissions when starting the engine.
• 1997: Introduction of the Anniversary model (also known as Jubileum in Sweden), a special celebration model to honour Saab's 50th anniversary. The Anniversary came with special 8 spoke wheels, the skirts from the Aero and leather seats with the old Saab airplane logo on the back of the seat.
• 1998: After the Aero model was discontinued in 1997, all manual transmission 2.3 L Full Pressure Turbo models received the Aero's 225 bhp engine.

In total, 503,087 Saab 9000s were manufactured.

Awards

1996

Best Bet - The Car Book, USA Top Pick (CSE) - American Automobile Association, USA

Top Ten Engines. One of the Top Ten Engines of 1996 (Saab 9000 2.3 LPT) - Ward's, USA

1995

Top Car in its Price Class (9000 CDE V6) - American Automobile Association (AAA), USA

One of the Top Ten Engines of 1995 (Saab 9000 2.3 LPT) - Ward's, USA

Best Bet - The Car Book, USA

Luxurious'R'Us Among Top Ten Luxury Cars - Consumer's Review, USA

1994

Technology of the year (for Saab Trionic) - Automobile magazine, USA

Safest Safe Car 1993 - 1994 Award - Folksam insurance company, Sweden

Saab vs. The Police. Alternative Law Enforcement Car - Police Magazine, USA

One of the Most Reliable Cars - Consumer Report, USA

Best import performance car of 1994 (Saab 9000 Aero) - Car News magazine, Taiwan

1993

Innovative. Technological Innovation Award (for Saab Trionic) - Motoring Journalists of Denmark

Best Bet - The Car Book, USA

"Safest Car in Sweden" - Newspaper Dagens Nyheter confirms folksam findings

Economical Saab 9000 Aero Leads EPA Large Car Fuel Economy Ratings 1993/1994 - EPA USA

Top 40 Best Car - Consumer Review magazine, USA

Top Car in its Price Class - American Automobile Association (AAA), USA

Best Crash Index (in its size category) - The Car Book, USA

1992

Class Win, Michelin Downeast Tour Rally - Sports Car Club of America, USA

Safe Car 1991-1992 Award - Folksam insurance company, Sweden

Saab 9000 Leads EPA Large Car Fuel Economy Ratings - EPA, USA

Best Bet - The Car Book, USA

Most Environmentally Friendly Car In its Price Class, Saab 9000 CS 2.3 Turbo - Medical Journal STATUS, Germany

1990

Fastest Skagen-Gibraltar-Skagen, 7230 km in 63 hours and 17 minutes with a Saab 9000i - Guinness Book of Records

Lowest Overall Injury, Mid-Size Sports and Specialty Cars - Highway Loss Data Institute, USA

1989

Big League Best Buy - Which? Magazine, Great Britain

Safe Car 1989-1990 Award - Folksam insurance company, Sweden

Ten Best Cars List - Car and Driver, USA

Lowest Overall Injury, Mid-Size Sports and Specialty Cars - Highway Loss Data Institute, USA

Best Imported Car In Upper/Medium Class - Auto Motor und Sport magazine, Germany

1988

Lowest Overall Injury, Mid-Size Sports and Specialty Cars - Highway Loss Data Institute, USA

Best Winter Car - Vi Bilägare magazine, Sweden

Best Imported Car in Upper/Medium Class - Auto Motor und Sport magazine, Germany

Ten Best Cars List - Car and Driver, USA

1987

Flying Kilometer Speed Record, Saab 9000 Turbo at 282.86 km/h, 2.3 litre class - Sweden

Ten Best Cars List - Car and Driver, USA

Lowest Overall Injury, Mid-Size Sports and Specialty Cars - Highway Loss Data Institute, USA

Best Imported Car in Upper/Medium Class - Auto Motor und Sport magazine, Germany

Executive Best Director's Car - What Car magazine, Great Britain

1986

Best Swedish Car - Teknikens Värld magazine reader's poll, Sweden

Owner's Manual of the Year - Swedish Automobile Association

Lowest Overall Injury, Mid-Size Sports and Specialty Cars - Highway Loss Data Institute, USA

One of the 10 Most Significant Cars - Autoweek Editor's Choice, USA

Best Sports Sedan - Canadian Auto Writers

The Long Run. Standard Saab 9000 Turbo sets 2 World Records and 21 International Records at the Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, USA. 100,000 km with an average speed of 213.299 km/h and 50,000 miles with an average speed of 213.686 km/h.

Best Imported Car - California's Motoring Press Association (MPA), USA

Car of the Year Portugal Journalist's Jury Ten Best Cars List - Car and Driver, USA

Design Award - Swedish Society of Crafts and Design

1985

Leads EPA Large Car Fuel Economy Ratings - EPA, USA

Ten Best Cars List - Car and Driver, USA

1,000 km Automobile vs. Airline Contest, L'beck, Germany to Salzburg, Austria (6 hrs. 28 min., with Erik Carlsson and Pat Moss -Carlsson flying) - Pirelli and the Royal Automobile Club, Great Britain

Best Prestige Car 1985 - L'Action Automobile, France

External links

• Saab 9000 website
• Saab User Community
• Saab Enthusiast's Bulletin Board
• Saab 9000 Owners Bulletin Board
• UK Saab Forum
• Reviews
• Awards & Unique Attributes