Page 21
HOW CAN WE CREATE AN INTERIOR
THAT WILL ACCOMMODATE FOUR
ADULTS COMFORTABLY AND HAVE
EXPANDABLE LUGGAGE SPACE,
WITHOUT DICTATING AN
OVERSIZED EXTERIOR?
From the outside, the Saab 900
isn’t a very large car. It has the
same overall dimensions as many
compact automobiles.
Yet it has as much luggage
space as the largest American
luxury sedan. Moreover, the Saab’s
luggage space can be quickly and
easily expanded until the car has as
much usable carrying capacity as a
small station wagon.
Part of the reason for the
generous interior space is the lack
of a long drive shaft tunnel through
the floor. Since the Saab uses front-
wheel drive, there’s no drive shaft
running beneath the passenger
compartment and stealing floor
space. By eliminating the hump in
the middle of the floor, we pro-
vided much more legroom for all
the occupants and made the car
much more comfortable.
The body design in both three-
door and four-door styles allows
plenty of headroom for rear seat
passengers, an unusual treat
especially in a hatchback design.
Saab's three-door sedan was
one of the first hatchback styles
introduced by an auto manu-
facturer and it combines many of
the virtues of a sedan, coupe and
station wagon. It’s more aero-
dynamically “slippery” and less
bulky than a conventional wagon
but still provides lots of cargo
space.
The four-door body style is
preferred by lovers of more tradi-
tional sedans but it too has an ex-
pandable cargo deck for occasional
hauling jobs.
Without any expansion at all,
the three-door body provides a
21.3-cubic foot trunk; 14.9 cubic
feet by SAE standards, which
reflect the amount of standard-
sized luggage that can be fitted
in the space. The figures for the
four-door model are 21.8 cubic
feet and 14.2 cubic feet SAE.
By lowering the rear seats, an
operation which requires only a
few moments and no tools, the
cargo area is more than doubled to
56.5 cubic feet in the three-door
and 53.0 cubic feet in the four-door.
The large hatch on the three-
door model and the low sill make
loading and unloading bulky
packages much easier.
31.5
39.8
EIN ~ yy
the luggage space is a well for the
spare tire which also has enough
room for carrying a spare fuel can,
jack, tools and emergency gear.
The Saab 900 has greater luggage capacity than most larger cars. Its cargo space can even be
expanded to the size of many station wagons. The three-door model, shown here, provides a
21.3 cubic foot trunk, expandable to 56.5 cubic feet when the rear seats are lowered.
Under a hatch on the floor of lockable glove compartment,
pockets on the insides of the front
doors, and recesses for coins
and other accessories in both
the center console and on the
Other convenient carrying dashboard.
space inside the car includes the
Page 23
WHY CHANGE A GOOD THING?
We didn’t stop thinking about
the Saab 900 after the first cars
rolled off the assembly line. We
keep refining our ideas, making an
outstanding car even more out-
standing.
The most dramatic change
we made for the 1983 model year
is the application of the Automatic
Performance Control to the Saab
900 Turbo. Actually, we didn’t wait
for a now model year to start using
the APC system. It was fitted on
Turbos during the 1982 model year,
as soon as it had been developed
and tested.
The APC will undoubtedly
have the same impact on turbo-
charger design that the turbo-
charger itself had on engine design.
It improves fuel economy, perfor-
mance and engine durability and
reliability.
But engines aren't the only
thing we think about. There are
improvements throughout the
1983 Saab 900s. Some of them
are obvious as you look at the
photographs of new Saabs in this
brochure, New paint colors and
upgraded interiors, Bronze-tinted
windows. New parking lights
between the headlights and the
grille.
Other changes are less
obvious but nevertheless impor-
tant. For example, we've recali-
brated our Lambda emissions
control system to efficiently
dispose of hydrocarbon wastes,
carbon monoxide and nitrous
oxides.
The front brake pads on the
1983 Saab will be longer-lasting
because we've made the inner and
outer pads on the disc brakes of
a semi-metallic, non-asbestos
material. Semi-metallic material
was used before on the outer pads
only and proved to be more
durable than other materials.
Two rear seat passengers now
get three-point shoulder safety
harnesses. The middle position of
the rear seat, which is used less
frequently than the other two, is
fitted with a lap belt.
1: Central locking system for 900S/Turbo 3-door mode!
3 S Sinaia’ latch and fold-down mec
5: Increased rearward travel for driver
2: Protective belt line molding.
sm for rear seat. 4: Bronze-tinted windows.
’s seat. 6: New front parking lights.
21
Page 25
OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES.
Saab owners tend to be very
individualistic people. So, even
though they appreciate the intelli-
gence that has gone into their car’s
design, they almost always add
some personal touch.
Whether you want to squeeze
a little more performance out of
your new Saab, or make it look
more distinctive, or add a terrific
sound system, the best place to
start is at your Saab dealer.
The car at the right, for ex-
ample, was “customized” entirely
with accessories that are available
from authorized dealers: Shelby
wheels; rear louver; pop-top
sunroof; wraparound rear spoiler;
trailer hitch; custom striping
(available in combinations of
charcoal and silver, green and silver,
blue and silver, and red and maroon);
mud flaps; and antenna.
Accessories displayed on the
opposite page are:
Twin quartz-halogen beams,
with integral flip-up covers.
Includes all mounting hardware
and dashboard switch.
2. European-style Sedan Spoiler.
Rear spoiler for the 4-door
Saab, to give it a European flair.
3. Magik-Rak.
The Saab Magik-Rak is a sleek
system of stainless steel tracks
that allows you to carry bi-
cycles, skis or cargo on your
roof. When the Magik-Rak is
not in use, it virtually disap-
pears. Fits standard or sunroof
models.
4. Speed Control.
Automatically reaches and
maintains a pre-set speed, for
maximum fuel economy and
relaxed driving on long
highway trips.
5. Sony XR-35 AM/FM Stereo
Cassette.
A sophisticated sound system
for your car, features automati-
cally reversing cassette deck,
Dolby noise suppression.
Output is 4 watts per channel,
on 4 channels. Receiver has
three-band step equalizer.
6. Sony XS-43 Speakers.
Triaxial, 4” x 10” speakers
deliver superior bass response,
excellent high, and medium
frequency response.
7. Blaupunkt 3001,
Electronic AM/FM stereo
tuning with 12-station pre-set.
Auto-reverse cassette deck
with sendust alloy heads. Dolby
noise reduction ontape and
tuner, driving a separate 4 x 14-
watt amp.
8. Saab Logo or Turbo Logo.
On belt buckles, tie tacks,
money clips and other personal
jewelry items.
9. Saab Vest.
Fiber-filled for warmth on brisk
days, allows free, comfortable
movement.
10. Rally Jacket.
Good-looking, comfortable
jackets feature lightweight
polyester filler in water-
resistant nylon shells. With
Saab or Turbo logos.
Travel Accessories.
11.
All your clothing and gear for
a long weekend can fit into this
handsome Saab nylon travel
bag. And for cool nights, curl up
under the plush Turbo-logo
blanket.
Page 26
Saab has had an impact on the
development of automotive techno-
logy that is out of all proportion
to our size and age. We are a
relatively small company and a
young one. Our first production car
rolled off the line in 1950 and today
we produce about 90,000 automo-
biles a year for the worldwide
market.
Nevertheless, we have con-
sistently led the field in innovative
design, and other manufacturers
have followed our lead in introduc-
ing front-wheel drive, aerodynamic
bodies, driver comfort systems,
safety systems, and now turbo-
charging. Not only other manu-
facturers; time and again, the
innovations of Saab’s engineers
have been legislated into safety
requirements at home and in
countries where we export
our cars.
THE SAAB HERITAGE.
Our leadership stems from an
early decision to set aside con-
ventional wisdom and reinvent the
car. The first Saab automobile
was designed and built by aircraft
engineers of Svenska Aeroplan
AB. The aircraft manufacturing
company, after developing
military aircraft during World War
II, decided to apply its advanced
technical capabilities to a new
product. The first example of that
product, introduced as a prototype
in 1946, was the Saab 92.
It was a unique car for its time.
The body was aerodynamically
slippery, like an aircraft's, so it
used fuel economically. It was
lightweight but very strong and
the front wheels were driven. The
Saab 92 reflected a concern with
safety and economy that was
unusual in the late 1940s and 1950s.
Four years later, when the first
production models became avail-
able, the car proved its worth
immediately in one of the toughest
arenas of motor sport by winning
Sweden's major winter rally three
weeks after production began.
THE ULTIMATE TEST:
ROAD RALLYING.
From one model change to
another, Saabs have proven them-
selves in that same arena. When
we began building, we began
rallying. One reason, obviously,
was to make the car known to the
public. But a more important
reason was to test our ideas and
designs in a demanding and
realistic situation.
International rallying is unlike
circuit racing in that it is done on
everyday roads and with cars
developed from standard produc-
tion models, rather than with exotic
vehicles that are not used in daily
driving. It’s unlike the American-
style rally in that it is a perfor-
mance contest instead of a point-to-
point navigational exercise.
A single rally, such as the East
Africa Safari Rally, may require
thousands of miles of nonstop
driving through harsh weather
conditions and over surfaces that
include dirt, gravel, sand, snow, ice,
mud and rock. It puts stresses ona
I
car and driver that would not
normally be matched in years of
daily driving.
Saabs have distinguished
themselves in international
rallying, whether as part of a
factory-sponsored team or in the
hands of independent enthusiasts.
Our first major victory came in
1952, when Greta Molander won
the women’s division at the Monte
Carlo Rally. In 1962 and 1963, Erik
Carlsson won Monte Carlo overall.
He also won the famous British
RAC Rally in 1960, 1961 and 1962.
Carlsson’s relentless flogging
of his cars taught us a lot about
building a tough vehicle. Rallying
led us directly to the use of disc
brakes as standard equipment,
to reinforced gearboxes, better
cooling, wider wheels, efficient
lights. It taught us the importance
of driver comfort and control
accessibility.
One of Carlsson's favorite
anecdotes illustrates both the
staying power of the Saab and the
demands of rallying:
“In the 1964 Safari Rally, we
wets
Page 27
became stuck in a mud-pool. We
got out of the car and rolled it over
four times until it was back on solid
ground. The only results of this
procedure were two small dents—
one on the front door and the other
on the roof.
“Despite this small incident,
we were second across the line in
Nairobi. But nobody believed us
when we told them our story. So
we turned the car over onto its roof
outside Nairobi City Hall, rolled it
back onto its wheels again, got into
the car, started it and drove away.
“During the prize ceremony at
City Hall, the winning crew did not
want to be outdone. They took
their car onto the stage and suc-
ceeded in turning it upside down.
However, they couldn't roll it back
onto its wheels again and all the oil
and battery fluid ran out onto the
floor. It had to be carried out and it
cost $10,000 to repair the floor”
Most of the manufacturers
who enter international rallies
spend a lot of time and money
modifying their competition cars
for specific contests. Saab doesn’t
do much of that; we tune the
engine, reinforce the springs, strip
unnecessary weight from the car
and use wider wheels.
Aside from that, the Saabs that
have compiled such a long list of
rally victories have been identical
to the Saabs you can buy from our
dealers.
A DIRECT LINEAGE.
The basic idea of the Saab 92
was continued and gradually
modified for 30 years. The last
Saab 96 that was built, in 1980,
looked very similar to its ancestor,
although it incorporated most of
what we had learned about auto-
motive engineering in that time
and was as up-to-date as any of its
contemporaries.
Today's 900 series is among
the most technologically advanced
cars of the 1980s. Yet it, too, shows
a clear debt to that first design.
There is the same concern
with both active and passive safety;
the same commitment to front-
wheel drive and aerodynamic
efficiency. Most of all, there is the
same reflection of our determina-
tion to set aside the conventional
wisdom and reinvent the auto-
mobile to meet the conditions of
the real world of today.
The direct ancestor of the
Saab 900 is the Saab 99, which we
introduced in 1967. It was intended
to meet the demand for a car which
was at once roomy and compact,
robust and comfortable. The result-
ing design was a Saab larger than
our V-4 Saab 96, but still compact
and economical.
The thing which struck auto-
motive journalists more forcibly
about the Saab 99 was the
enormous attention to safety in the
car’s design. That attention has
been carried over into the engineer-
ing of the Saab 900.
That concern with safety has
led to many of our most important
innovations: dual, diagonally-
opposed hydraulic lines for brakes;
a heated driver's seat; a self-
repairing bumper; a steel safety
cage surrounding the driver and
passengers.
Almost every year, some other
manufacturer announces the in-
corporation into his cars features
that Saab has pioneered.
The Saab Car Division is one
of four major components of Saab-
Scania AB. The Scania Division,
which builds trucks and buses, has
been making road vehicles since
the beginning of the century. It is
today one of the world’s leading
manufacturers of diesel-engined
vehicles. More than 90 percent of
the division's production is ex-
ported to 50 countries outside of
Sweden.
The Aerospace Division,
which gave birth to the Car
Division, continues to be one of
Europe’s leading manufacturers
of military aircraft. Its products
include the Saab 37 Viggen, an
advanced fighter, interceptor and
reconnaissance aircraft; ballistic
missiles; the Viking, Sweden's first
research satellite; and the Saab-
Fairchild 340, an advanced 34-
passenger aircraft scheduled to go
into service in 1984,
The Nordarmatur Division
makes advanced fittings and in-
struments for process control.
25
Page 28
26
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS, SAAB 900, 1983.
Four-cylinder, in-line, overhead camshaft.
Bosch CI (continuous injection) mechanical fuel
injection.
Displacement: 121 cu in/1985 ce.
Cylinder bore: 3.54 in/90 mm.
Piston stroke: 3.07 in/78 mm.
Compression ratio: 9.2:1, normally aspirated.
8.5:1, Turbo.
Horsepower, SAE Net: 110 hp/81 kW @ 5250
rpm, normally aspirated.
135 hp/100 kW @ 4800
rpm, Turbo.
Peak torque: 119 ft lbs/161 Nm @3500 rpm,
normally aspirated.
160 ft lbs/217 Nm @ 3500 rpm,
Turbo @ 87 octane.
172 ft lbs/233 Nm @ 3500 rpm,
Turbo @92 octane.
Recommended octane rating: 87 minimum
(pump rating).
Fuel tank capacity: 16.6 U.S. gal./63 liters.
ELECTRICAL.
Battery: 12 V, 60 Ah, maintenance-free.
70A Alternator with integral voltage regulator.
Breakerless electronic ignition, Hall-effect.
DRIVETRAIN.
Front-wheel drive.
Five-speed manual transmission with single dry
plate, Borg & Beck clutch.
Gear ratios: Ist..... 4.53:1
BA ws: 2.56:1
3rd o 1724
4th . 1.241
SER icc 1.00:1
Final drive ..... 3.67:1, normally aspirated
nd Turbo.
Primary ratio..... 0.78 normally aspirated.
0.84 Turbo.
j
56.1in
Three-speed automatic, built by Borg-Warner.
Gear ratios: Ist..... 2.39:1
Snd cswas 1.45:
Drive... 1.00:1
Final drive ..... 3.67:1, normally aspirated
and Turbo.
Primary ratio ..... 0.93 normally aspirated.
0.88 Turbo.
Disc brakes with asbestos-free, semi-
metallic inner and outer brake pads on front
wheels. Asbestos-free disc brakes on rear
wheels.
Independent front suspension comprised of
transverse wishbones, coil springs and hydraulic
telescoping shock absorbers.
Page 29
Lightweight rigid axle in rear. Coil springs;
hydraulic telescoping shock absorbers.
Rack-and-pinion steering, 3.65 turns lock-
to-lock.
Turning circle: 33.8 ft/10.3 m.
Tires: 900, 900 S,900 Turbo 4-door—
185/65 SR 15.
900 Turbo 3-door— 195/60 HR 15.
900: 2600-2630 Ibs, 3-door.
2640-2680 Ibs, 4-door.
900S: 2710-2750 Ibs, 3-door.
2750-2800 Ibs, 4-door.
900 Turbo: 2790-2850 lbs, 3-door.
2820-2880 Ibs, 4-door.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT.
All models:
Power-assisted steering. Four-spoke
steering wheel with do rim and impact-
absorbing center Energy-absorbing steering
column. Impact shield below instrument panel.
Child-proof safety locks for rear doors. Rheostat-
controlled green lighting for instrument panel.
Three-point safety harness for four seats. Lap
belt for rear seat center passenger. Day/night
interior rear-view mirror.
Econometer-tachometer, trip meter, quartz
crystal electric clock.
Stereo speakers mounted on instrument
panel.
Side-guidance reversing lights. Large
outside rear-view mirrors with anti-dazzle
treatment. Hazard warning lights. Reflectors on
driver’s-side door edges.
Non-dazzle interior lighting. Ignition key
light. Map-reading light. Glove compartment
lighting. Luggage compartment lighting.
Electrically-heated rear window defogger.
Front seats with lumbar support and
adjustable headrests; backrest rake adjustment.
Driver’s seat adjustable for height and tilt.
Bronze-tinted glass on all windows.
“Self-restoring” bumpers.
900S and 900 Turbo only:
Air conditioning.
Deluxe velour interior.
Electrically-heated front seats.
Folding center armrest in rear.
Sliding steel sunroof.
Electrically-operated exterior mirrors.
Central locking system (4-door models).
Turbo only:
Sony XR70 AM/FM stereo cassette radio
with four-speaker system and electric
antenna.
Turbo boost gauge.
Digital clock.
Halogen headlights.
Front and rear spoilers on 3-door model.
27
Page 30
Cherry Red and Ivory Saabs
will be appearing on the street in
1983, showing off our two newest
body colors. And with the addition
of a new Sierra Tan color for
interiors, Saab buyers now have a
choice of 11 different exterior and
BODY COLORS AND INTERIORS.
four interior colors.
Not all models will be available
in all colors, but the selection is
wide enough to assure you of a car
that pleases your eye as well as
your desire for practical and excit-
ing transportation.
The full line of body colors
available in 1983 includes: Ivory;
AN IMPORTANT WORD ABOUT THIS BROCHURE.
We hope you find this brochure helpful, as we have tried to make it as comprehensive and factual
as possible. However, since this brochure was printed, some of the information you see within may have
been updated. Also, some of the equipment described in the brochure is available at extra cost. Further,
certain photographs and illustrations in the brochure are also common to editions published for other
Maroon; Cherry Red; Admiral
Blue; Cirrus White; Indigo Blue
Metallic; Black; Walnut Brown
Metallic; Silver Metallic; Slate
Blue Metallic; Pine Green Metallic.
Interior colors are Sierra Tan,
Cashmere, Blue Fox and Bokhara
Red.
Photographs rarely do justice
to body colors, so we invite you to
sit your Saab dealer and inspect
his book of exterior and upholstery
color combinations.
markets. Consequently, certain details shown in these photographs or illustrations may not be
available in the U.S. market.
Finally, we reserve the right to make changes at any time, without prior notice, in prices
materials, equipment, specifications and models, including the discontinuation of model
with your Saab dealer for complete and up-to-date information before ordering.
International and Diplomat Sales (IDS) available. Your dealer can supply information.
colors,
Check