The Saab 900 is a compact car (first series) respectively mid-sized (second series) automobile produced by Swedish manufacturer Saab from 1978 until 1998 in two generations: the first from 1978 to 1993, and the second from 1993 to 1998.
Saab 900 "Classic" (1978-1993) The first-generation car was based on the Saab 99 chassis, though with a longer front end to meet upcoming U.S. frontal crash regulations and to make room for the turbo-charged engines, air conditioning and other equipment that was not available in the early days of the 99 model. The 900 was produced in two- and four-door sedan, and three- and five-door hatchback configurations and, from 1986, as a cabriolet (convertible) model. There were single– and twin–Zenith-carburettor, fuel injected, and turbocharged engines, including full-pressure turbos (FPT) and, in European models during the early 1990s, low-pressure turbos (LPT).
The 900 was originally introduced on 12 May 1978, for the 1979 model year. Sales commenced in the fall of 1978. It has a longitudinally mounted, 45-degree canted, inline four-cylinder engine, double wishbone front suspension and beam-axle rear suspension.
Like its predecessor, the 900 contained a number of unusual design features that distinguish it from most other cars. First, the B engine was installed "backwards", with power delivered from the crank at the front of the car. Second, the transmission, technically a transaxle, bolted directly to the bottom of the engine to form the oil pan (albeit with separate oil lubrication). Thus, power from the crank would be delivered out of the engine at the front, then transferred down and back to the transmission below, via a set of chain-driven primary gears.
The body of the 900 CC (Combi Coupé) was developed from the older 99 model, keeping the basic layout but with a new longer front-end. This allowed for more space in the engine bay and better crash protection for passengers. The middle and rear parts of the body were in the first years identical to those of the 99 Combi Coupé (which was withdrawn from the lineup at the same time). Later, the rear end underwent minor changes (the tailgates of a 99 CC and a 900 CC are not interchangeable); among other things, the lights were moved to the tailgate. A new rear end was designed for the two-door and four-door sedans which was also used for the convertible. In the early 1980s, most 900s were produced in Trollhättan. However, coinciding with the introduction of the 9000, most of the 900's production took place elsewhere. The Valmet plant in Finland produced the base models of the 900, a total of 238,898 examples. The plant in Arlöv, near Malmö, also produced the Saab 900.
Refined over several decades of two-digit Saab models, the 900's double wishbone suspension design provided excellent handling and road feel.https://sportscardigest.com/airplanes-trolls-and-turbochargers-the-saab-900/ The rear suspension comprised a typical beam axle design, stabilized with a Panhard rod. However, the attachment points between the axle and chassis made up an unusual configuration that, in essence, consists of two Watt's linkages at either end of the axle: A lower control arm attaches the axle to the bottom of the vehicle, while an upper link attaches at the top but faces towards the rear, unlike a typical four-link design with both lower and upper links facing forward. The design principle being similar with the rear suspension presented in Alfa Romeo Alfasud already in 1971, except in the Alfasud, the beam axle itself functioned as a sway bar, hence separate sway bars in the rear suspension were not needed.
The 900 has a deeply curved windshield, improving driver visibility.https://sportscardigest.com/airplanes-trolls-and-turbochargers-the-saab-900/ The dashboard is also curved to enable easy reach of all controls, and featured gauges lit up from the front. Saab engineers placed all controls and gauges in the dashboard according to their frequency of use and/or importance so that the driver need only divert their gaze from the road for the shortest possible time and by the smallest angle. This is why, for example, the often-used radio is placed so high in the dashboard. In keeping with the paradigm of its predecessor, the 99 model, the 900 employed a door design unique in automotive manufacturing, with an undercutting sweep to meet the undercarriage, forming a tight, solid unit when the door was closed. This feature also eliminated the stoop in the cabin at the footing of the door, as seen in automobiles of other manufacturers, thereby preventing water and debris from collecting and possibly entering the cabin or initiating corrosion, as well as enabling passengers to enter and exit the cabin without need to step over several inches of ledge.
The 900 underwent minor cosmetic design changes for 1987, including a restyled front end and bumpers that went from a vertical to a more sloped design. To save money, Saab kept the basic undercarriage more or less unchanged throughout the 900's production run.
The Saab 900 could be ordered with different options, including a high performance option called the Aero or, as it was known in the U.S. "Special Performance Group" (SPG). The Aero/SPG incorporated a body skirt, a sport suspension (that included shorter, stiffer springs, stiffer shocks) and sway bars. The sway bars decrease body roll, but at the expense of some ride comfort and when driven aggressively, increase inside wheel spin. With MY 1987 also the standard 900 turbos got sway bars. All models can be retrofitted with this feature.
The trim levels varied by model year and market. Typically, features that were standard on U.S. models were available as optional extras in Europe (e.g., leather seats, premium stereo and air conditioning). Each of these features could also be ordered independently from Saab's Accessories Catalog for fitment to standard models.
A special UK option at this time was the fitment of Minilite alloy wheels. Initially these had the words 'Minilite' and 'Saab' cast in raised lettering; later cars had similar wheel made by Ronal. History
The 900 in 1978 as MY 79 (Saab's model years were generally introduced in August/September of the preceding year) was available in three versions of the B-engine in the European market: The GL had the single-carb engine, the GLs had twin carburettors rated at , the EMS and GLE had Bosch jetronic fuel injection rated , and the 900 Turbo was rated at . The Turbo had a different grille from the naturally aspirated models, which received a design with a hexagonal central element. The only bodywork originally available was the three or five-door hatchback, which was seen as more modern at the time. The EMS was only available with three doors while the automatic-equipped GLE was only offered with five.
In the most important foreign market, the USA, the model (and engine) range was different, mainly due to the omission of carburettor engines due to the stricter emissions regulations in force. The Saab 900 was introduced only with two engines: the fuel injected version of , producing in Western and Rocky Mountain states, and the Turbo with . Engine performance was lower than in other markets due to emissions regulations. The body shapes included three-door GLi, EMS and 900 Turbo variants, along with the 900 GLE and Turbo five-doors. An optional automatic transmission was available on all models except the Turbos.
For the 1980 model year, all versions in all markets received the sleeker turbo-style grille. The 900 also received larger taillights rather than the earlier units shared with the 99, as well as lower, adjustable head restraints. 1980 was also the first year for a five-speed gearbox, originally only available in the EMS and the Turbo. By 1980 in the US, all naturally-aspirated models were now powered by the , "Lambda" emission control engine which required unleaded fuel only. 1980 was also the last model year for the Saab 99 in the US market.
First shown during the 1980 Geneva Motor Show, Saab introduced for the 1981 model year a new body style: a four-door sedan. With the introduction of the new four-door sedan, the country importers finally decided which models and in which forms they wanted to offer the 900 in their respective markets. So not all engine and body variants were offered in every country. A policy that Saab maintained in the following years and makes generalization impossible. The information here on individual models and engines depending on the model year is therefore only indicative. While the new body shape complemented the model range in all markets, it replaced the five-door variant in the U.S. The introduction went along with a considerable boost in equipment (except the base model "GL") as well as broader side trims, larger luggage compartments and fuel tanks on all models. Another big change: the spare tyre was moved to underneath the floor, rather than standing upright in the luggage compartment (this was the case again with the later introduced convertible).
With the introduction of the new four-door body type for 1981, Saab simplified the model designation on the international markets (with the exception of the US): GL for the model with the single carburettor (with three, four, or five doors), GLs for the models with the twin carburettor engine (also with three, four, or five doors), GLi as designation for the models with fuel injection (with three or four doors), and the GLE was now offered as a better equipped GLi only as four-door Sedan. Top of the range was the "Turbo" with the corresponding engine (with three, four, or five doors). The EMS designation was dropped. In the USA the simplification went even further: "900" for the base model with the 110 hp (81 kW) eight-valve mechanical Bosch injection engine, "900 S" with the same engine, but better equipment, and "900 TURBO" with the eight-valve Turbo 135 PS (100 kW) engine. Since 1980 engines in the US were always equipped with catalytic converters. All models were available only as three- or four-door type.
Also a big change underneath the bonnet for 1981 was the evolution of the old "B engine" to the new "H engine" (which was retained until the end of the 900 series in 1994). The H engine was simplified compared to the old engine design, making it more robust and lighter and, according to Saab, should also reduce fuel consumption. The power output remained the same in all variants as the B engine. Characteristics of the new engine type: no countershaft, ignition distributor driven directly by the camshaft. It is assumed that Saab used up old B engine blocks in the Saab 99, so the new engine layout was not officially introduced in the 99 until the MY 82.
A big change for 1982 was the introduction of Saab's Automatic Performance Control (APC), a.k.a. boost controller for the turbo models. The APC employed a knock sensor, allowing the engine to use different grades of gasoline without engine damage. Another new feature that year was the introduction of central locking doors (on the GLE and Turbo). The long-wheelbase 900 CD was also introduced. Asbestos-free brakes were introduced in 1983, an industry first. The front pads were semi-metallic while the rears were made from silica. The GLE model gained a new central console, while the decor strips on the bumpers of all models were made wider (necessitating wider trim pieces on the flanks as well). A new luxury package was made available on Turbo models.