Saab 9000
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 and Achievements
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
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