1985 Saab 900

Saab 900 (Saloon), 1978-1994

The Saab 900 was in production from 1976 until 1981. Styled in-house, it is a front-engine, front wheel drive saloon range seating five adults.

The 900 was a development of and partial replacement for the 99, sitting on a lengthened chassis and offering more interior space and luxuries. It represented the ultimate refinement of the traditional Saab concept, with 2.0 engines inherited from its predecessor in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. The 900 was available with a wide array of body styles - three and five door hatchbacks, two and four door saloons and a convertible developed for the American market. In 1987, a facelift gave the car a sloping grille in place of the previous upright unit, and over time low pressure turbocharged engines were introduced to bridge the performance and efficiency gap between the naturally aspirated models and the full pressure turbo. A new engine family was introduced in 1980 alongside the four door saloon - Saab's H engine, still confusingly known as the B202, in place of the older B engine design shared with Triumph.

Most desirable today are the convertibles, followed by the three door Combi-Coupe hatchback. Saloons are less desirable, and the four and five door examples are particularly niche in their appeal. This means that something like a 900 Turbo five door makes for excellent value today. In other markets an elongated four door was offered, called the 900CD or FInlandia. This was discontinued when Saab launched the 9000 executive car in 1986.

Saabs were always upmarket, and the competition reflects that. The BMW 3 series offers the most comprehensive range of alternatives - a saloon, estate, and convertible alongside Saab's saloon, hatch and convertible. Other executive options include the Audi 80 range and the Mercedes-Benz 190E. Drivers seeking similar performance could opt for its replacement, the NG 900 Turbo, or its predecessor the 99 Turbo. Volvo's 240 was a larger car, but offers similar Swedish solidity. The Saab 9000 is arguably a better value car than the 900, but trades some of the Saab idiosycrancy for conventional design as part of the joint venture with the Italians.