Saab – 5 That Changed History

These are the cars that changed Saab history, 5 models that were turning points in the marques history, each with technology far ahead of its time, sheer ground breaking moves that could only have come from one manufacturer SAAB!

No5    Saab 99

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Saab 99

Produced from 1968 to 1984, the Saab 99 was available as 4 and 5-door sedans as well as 2 and 3-door coupes. Particularly remembered are the 145 hp, 1977 99 Turbo which elevated Saab to the top of the industry as far as turbocharged vehicles were concerned. The 1st mass produced turbo vehicle.
The 99 benefited from unique innovations including headlight wipers and self-repairing bumpers that withstood collisions up to 8 km/h.
Overall, 588,643 units were sold during the car’s 16-year existence.

No4 Saab 9000

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Saab 9000

The spacious Saab 9000, which ran from 1984 to 1997, came standard with a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and set numerous records on the famous Talladega Superspeedway. In 1986, three 9000 Turbo 16s lapped the track for nearly 20 days straight. The goal was to reach 100,000 km as quickly as possible. The fastest of the three cars maintained an average speed of 213 km/h for the entire duration of the event, setting 2 world and 21 international speed records.
Of course, no one will ever forget the premium variants called Aero, whose mighty 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque made for quicker 80-120 km/h accelerations than the Ferrari Testarossa!
The 9000 was not only explosive but also environmentally friendly. A 1992 study by the British government revealed that the exhaust emissions from a 9000CS 2.3t was actually cleaner than the air entering the engine!

No3 Saab Sonett

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Saab Sonett

Designed to launch Saab onto the racing scene, the Sonett used an aircraft-inspired unibody construction along with fibreglass reinforced plastic. As a result, it weighed a mere 500 kilos.
Despite a modest 57.5-horsepower, 2-stroke, 3-cylinder mill borrowed from the 93 sedan, the two-seater’s light weight and rigid chassis helped legendary driver Erik Carlsson shine on the track. Oh, by the way, Sonett is Swedish for ”how nice.”

No2 Saab 900 Convertible

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Saab 900 Convertible

Introduced in 1978, the Saab 900 was in fact an extended variant of the 99. The first drop-top model appeared in 1986 and inaugurated the 2.0L 16-valve turbo engine that stomped the ground with 160 ponies. Production ended in 1994.
For many fans, the 900 produced from 1979 to 1993 is still considered as the last ”true” Saab. General Motors later stepped in and changed everything with the second-generation 900/9-3 and other models.

No1 Saab 92

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Saab 92

Saab has long been acclaimed for its innovative spirit, and the 92 is the car that started it all. Its unibody construction, independent torsion beam suspension, and 0.30 drag coefficient were all revolutionary at the time.
Versatility became the car’s trademark. In addition to a detachable rear seat, a rudimentary kit was available to convert the cabin into a useful double bed.
Every sample from 1949 to late 1952 came in green. Under the hood, the Saab 92 relied on a 2-stroke, 2-cylinder engine that produced 25 horsepower and allowed a top speed of 105 km/h. It had zero problems with cold starts, hence the appeal among Swedish drivers.
By the end of production in 1956, a total of 20,128 units had been manufactured.