Saab 900

Saab 900
Overview
Manufacturer	Saab (Saab-Scania)
Production	1978–1998
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D)
Layout	FF layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Saab 99
Successor	Saab 9-3

Saab 900 "Classic"
Saab 900 3-door liftback (first generation)
Overview
Manufacturer	Saab Automobile
Production	1978–1993 (1994)
Assembly	Trollhättan, Sweden Arlöv, Sweden Uusikaupunki, Finland (Valmet Automotive)
Designer	Björn Envall
Body and chassis
Class	Entry-level luxury car/Compact executive car
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door sedan 3-door liftback (hatchback) 4-door sedan 5-door liftback (hatchback)
Layout	Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L B I4 2.0 L B201 I4 2.0 L B202 I4 2.1 L B212 I4
Transmission	4/5-speed manual 3-speed Borg-Warner T-37 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,517 mm (99.1 in)
Length	4,685 mm (184.4 in) 4,680 mm (184.3 in) (S & Turbo)
Width	1,690 mm (66.5 in) 1,695 mm (66.7 in) (Turbo SPG Hatch)
Height	1,425 mm (56.1 in) 1,400 mm (55.1 in) (Turbo Convertible & Turbo) 1,405 mm (55.3 in) (Turbo SPG Hatchback)
Chronology
Predecessor	Saab 99
Successor	Saab 900 (NG)

Saab 900 NG
Overview
Manufacturer	Saab Automobile
Production	1994–1998
Assembly	Trollhättan, Sweden Uusikaupunki, Finland (Convertible) (Valmet Automotive)
Designer	Björn Envall, Aina Nilsson Ström (interior), Einar Hareide (1991)
Body and chassis
Class	Entry-level luxury car / Compact executive car
Body style	2-door convertible 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	GM2900 platform
Related	Opel Calibra Opel Vectra Vauxhall Cavalier Saab 9-5 Saturn L-Series
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L B204 I4 2.3 L B234 I4 2.5 L B258I V6
Transmission	5-speed F25 manual 5-speed "Sensonic" manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	102.4 in (2,601 mm)
Length	182.6 in (4,638 mm)
Width	67.4 in (1,712 mm)
Height	56.5 in (1,435 mm) 1997-98 Hatchback: 56.6 in (1,438 mm)
Chronology
Successor	Saab 9-3

The Saab 900 is a compact luxury automobile which was produced by Saab from 1978 until 1998 in two generations. The first generation from 1978 to 1993 is known as the "classic" and the generation from 1994 to 1998 is known as the "new generation" (see below).

The "classic" Saab 900 was based on the Saab 99 chassis, though with a longer front end to meet U.S. frontal crash regulations. The 900 was produced in 2- and 4-door sedan, and 3- and 5-door hatchback configurations and, from 1986, as a cabriolet (convertible) model. There were single- and twin-Zenith carburettor, fuel-injection, and turbocharged engines, including both Full Pressure Turbo (FPT), and, in European models during the early 1990s, Light Pressure Turbos (LPT).

The Saab 900 is a front-engined, front-wheel-drive compact car with a longitudinally mounted, 45-degree slanted, inline four-cylinder engine, double wishbone front suspension and beam-axle rear suspension. It was originally introduced in May 1978, for the 1979 model year.

Like its predecessor the 99, the 900 contained a number of unusual design features that distinguish it from most other cars. First, the 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. In similar fashion, Minis also had their gearbox mounted directly below the engine; however, the Mini gearbox and engine shared the same oil, whereas the Saab 900 (and 99) gearboxes contained a separate sump for engine oil.

Refined over several decades of two-digit Saab models, the 900's double wishbone suspension design provided excellent handling and road feel. 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 4-link design with both lower and upper links facing forward.