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| The Saab Super Sport (later to be named the Sonett) was
first displayed at the Stockholm Motor Show on March
16, 1956. This rakish two-seater had a fibreglass body
that was simple and streamlined. It had very large
wheel arches to accommodate the standard 15” diameter
wheels. The chassis was designed along aircraft
Saab Sonett
principles. The car was compact and light. It took 34
seconds for it to make the standing kilometer.
Interestingly, the Sonett did not have bumpers. ‘To the
dismay of many people eager for a Saab sports car, the
original Sonett was not for sale.
This caused quite a stir. Ten years later, limited produc-
tion was begun on the Sonett I and Sonett III (Saab 97).
Two-stroke three-cylinder longitudinally- mounted engine. Rating: DIN
57.5 bhp at 5,000 rpm. Four-speed gearbox with column-mounted lever.
Overall length: 3,500 mm. Height: 8,250 mm. Unladen weight: 500 kg.
Maximum speed: 210 km/h.
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The mainstay of the Royal Swedish Air Force, the Saab
35 is a multipurpose all-weather aircraft that has
attracted worldwide interest. Nicknamed Draken (The
Dragon), the Saab 35 is a delta-winged supersonic
aircraft for fighter, attack and reconnaissance missions.
It is characterized by its low supersonic drag, its ability
Saab 35
to achieve very high speeds, its fail-safe structure and its
ability to store fuel and equipment. Highly innovative,
the 35 was equipped with a high pressure hydraulic
system for full power assisted movement of the rudder
and ailerons.
During its production stage, the Draken was perhaps
Europe’s most complete integrated air defense system.
Overall length: 15.35 m. Height: 3.89 m. Wingspan: 9.40 m. Max. take-off
weight: 15,000 kg, Max. speed with afterburner: Mach 2. Time to 11,000
m. with afterburner: 2.6 minutes, Take-off ground run with afterburner:
650 m. Landing ground roll; 530 m.
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Saab entered the exclusive car segment in the summer of
1968 with the introduction of the 99 product line.
During its lifetime, several versions of the 99 were
manufactured. Each new version relied on the most
advanced automotive technology available at the time to
climb higher in the market segment. When the 99 made
its debut, it offered a special Saab feature in its fold-
down rear seat, which really made the car into a “semi”
station wagon. It was the first Saab to be available as a
four-door, to include an electronic fuel injection system,
to offer an electrically heated driver’s seat and impact-
absorbing bumpers. In 1972, Saab introduced the 99 EMS
(Electronic Manual Special) a deluxe two-door that was
quick and exclusive in nature. In September 1977, the 99
Turbo was introduced. With the combination of good
economy, a top speed of close to 200 km/h and fantastic
acceleration, the car caused a considerable stir amongst
the international motoring press and the public. The
Saab 90, which is a descendant of the 99, is available on
some markets today.
The Saab 99: Water-cooled engine with overhead camshaft. Initial rating:
DIN 80 bhp. Four-speed gearbox with floor mounted lever. Coil spring
suspension with front A-arms and rigid rear axle with trailing arms plus
Panhard rod. Disc brakes on all wheels, Overall length: 4,354 mm. Width:
1,675 mm. Height: 1,440 mm, Unladen weight: 1,070 kg.
The Saab 99 EMS: Redesigned Swedish-made four-cylinder in-line
engine with fuel injection system. Initial rating: DIN 110 bhp. Maximum
speed: 155 km/h,
The Saab 99 Turbo (The First Generation Turbo): Four-cylinder in-line
turbocharged engine with single overhead camshaft and Bosch
K-Jetronic indirect fuel injection system. Rating: DIN 145 bhp at 5,000
rpm. Four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox with floor mounted lever.
Rack and pinion steering. Maximum speed: 195 km/h.
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The Saab 37 Viggen (The Thunderbolt) is one of the
most advanced military aircraft in service today. It was
first airborn in 1967. Production began in 1971. Unique
design with a nose wing and separate delta wing, as
well as very high thrust from the jet engine, gives the
Viggen STOL (short take-off and landing) performance.
Saab 37
The Viggen is an all-weather multipurpose integrated
system, which is designed to be built in five versions -
attack, intercept, fighter, reconnaissance and training.
Equipment flexibility enables the attack version to
perform fighter missions. The Viggen has a thrust
reverser to reduce landing distances.
Overall length: 16.30 m. Height: 5.60 m. Wingspan: 10.60 m. Take-off
weight with normal armament: 16,000 kg. Max. speed with afterburner:
Mach 2 (supersonic in under 60 seconds). Time to 11,000 m. with
afterburner: under 2 minutes. Take-off ground run with afterburner
approx: 400 m. Landing ground roll with thrust reverser: 500 m.
Page 15
Saab rocketed straight into the luxury car class with the
introduction of its 900 product line in 1978. The
demand for the Turbo version was so great that exclusive
cars were traded in for new Saab 900 Turbos. The entire
900 line has the same basic design of body, chassis and
engine to ensure superb performance, roadholding, and
comfort. In 1981, the Automatic Performance Control
(APC) system was introduced in Turbo models. This
microprocessor-controlled system was the first effective
method of monitoring turbo boost as a function of
Saab 900
gasoline octane. Saab’s emphasis on safety gave the 900
line some attractive features. A collapsible steering
column and an energy-absorbing shield were designed
to protect the driver in case of an accident. Self-repairing
bumpers and electrically heated driver’s seats were also
featured. For Model Year ’86, the 8-valve 900 Turbo is
equipped with an intercooler, which'boosts the horse-
power to 155 making it one of the few high-performance
two-door cars on the market.
Saab 900: In-line two-litre four-cylinder engine. Initial rating: DIN 100 bhp
at 5,200 rpm. (118 bhp with fuel-injection engine). Four- or five-speed
manual gearbox. Overall length: 4,740 mm. Width: 690 mm. Height:
1,420 mm. Maximum speed: 160-175 km/h. Acceleration: 0-100 km/h,
125-145 s.
Saab 900 Turbo: (The Second Generation Turbo): In-line two-litre four-
cylinder engine with mechanical fuel injection and APC. Rating: DIN
145 bhp at 5,000 rpm. (with intercooler: DIN 155 bhp at 5,000 rpm)
Five-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed Borg-Warner automatic
transmission. Maxium speed: 195 km/h (automatic transmission: 190
km/h.) Acceleration: 0-100 km/h, 9.0 s. (automatic transmission: 11.5 s.)
Page 16
The 340 is a twin-turboprop regional airliner and It meets the growing demands for less expensive and
corporate aircraft. It is developed, produced and more comfortable short distance flight transportation. pe gti pee, thar aon
marketed jointly by Saab-Scania of Sweden and The first order was placed during July 1982. The 340 Cabin width: 2.16 m. Cabin height: 1.83 m. Max. cruise speed: 507 km/h.
Fairchild Industries of the United States. The aircraft is marks the continuation of the Saab-Scania Aircraft Range with 35 passengers: 1,500 km.
technically advanced, highly economical and versatile. Division’s expansion into the civil aviation sector.
Page 17
The Saab 900 Turbo 16 added an entirely new
dimension to the 900 line. The 900 Turbo 16’s third-
generation turbo engine with 16 valves and double
overhead camshafts employs an advanced micro-
processor-controlled Bosch LH-Jetronic fuel injection
system and intercooler to turn out 175 bhp* and to reach
speeds over 200 km/h*. The car’s exceptional
situation. The most recent ver
900 Turbo 1€ rodynam i
designed high-performance vehicle. Equipped with side
skirts, anti-roll bar, extended front spoiler and rear
spoiler, the 900 Turbo 16S excee
footed even when cornering at his
dominate traff
(The Third Generation Turbo) In-line two-litre 16-valve engine with
electronic LH-Jetronic fuel injection system, APC and intercooler. Rating:
DIN 175 bhp at 5,300 rpm. Five-speed manual gearbox. Overall length:
4,740 mm. Width: 690 mm. Height: 1,420 mm. Maximum speed:
205 km/h (16 S — 210 km/h). Acceleration: 0-100 km/h, 8.7 s.
Page 18
The aircraft of the future, the multipurpose JAS 39
Gripen is the first in a new generation of light combat
aircraft. It will be the first combat aircraft to make
full use of the advanced technology currently available
in engines, structural material, fly-by-wire control
systems and microelectronics. As a result, this
JAS 39 can take off from and land on roadstrips
compact aircraft will have the overall performance and _ substantially less than one kilometre long and less than
capabilities of heavier and more expensive aircraft. ten metres wide. The plane will be available in the early
The highly versatile JAS 39 is designed for interceptor, 1990s.
ground attack and reconnaissance roles all at the same
time. Thé plane will be supersonic at all altitudes. The
Specifications are highly confidential.
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Distinctive and dynamic, the Saab 9000 Turbo 16
represents a continuation of the Saab concept. Produced
in the ’80s, intended for the 90s, the 9000 is the
realization of 40 years of plane-car design and
technological know-how. The 9000 Turbo 16’s
combination of luxury and high performance gives it a
unique position in the automotive world. It has Saab’s
third-generation turbocharged engine, superb
roadholding and handling, stylish design, a large and
Saab 9000 Turbo 16
comfortable interior that seats five adults comfortably
and has plenty of room for luggage. The 9000 Turbo 16,
which has the looks of a luxury car and personality of a
sports car, proves that it is possible to build a large car
that combines performance, comfort and elegance
without compromising economy and safety.
Transversely mounted two-ltre 16-valve water-cooled engine with micro-
processor-controlled LH-Jetronic fuel injection system, APC system and
intercooler. Rating, DIN: 175 bhp at 5,300 rpm. Transversely-mounted
five-speed fully synchromesh gearbox, integrated with the engine.
McPherson struts, anti-roll bar, gas shock absorbers. Overall external
length: 4,620 mm. Width: 1,764 mm. Height: 1,430 mm. Overall internal
length: 1,890 mm. Legroom (front seats): 1,055 mm. (back seats)
985 mm. Unladen weight: 1,300-1,340 kg. Maximum speed: 220 km/h.
Acceleration, 0-100 km/h, 8.3 s. Classified as a “Large Car” by
American EPA standards,
Page 20
The Common
Denominator
The first Saab car was on the road shortly after the end
of the Second World War.
Compared to the other cars of the period, it looked
quite peculiar. In fact, it looked like a four-wheel
airplane. That’s because the engineers who designed
and built the first Saab car, the 92, had a few decades
experience designing and building military aircraft.
When the World War I ended, Saab (which is an
acronym for Svenska Aeroplan AB) decided to expand
its operations and entered the car industry. After several
years in the competitive and technically dynamic aircraft
industry, Saab engineers had no intention of copying
another person’s idea of a car. They were out to
revolutionize the car. And they were going to do it by
transferring the knowledge they developed in one
technical field to another. The result was a car that
anticipated many features that have become standard
today.
Saab engineers looked at cars from an airplane’s
point of view. By applying aircraft physics to the design
of a car, Saab engineers created a vehicle that could not
be compared to the others on the market. The first Saab
was lightweight and compact while the competition was
large and heavy. Saab favoured front-wheel drive while
virtually everyone else was designing rear-wheel drive.
The Saab showed concern for structural strength and
aerodynamics while practically nobody else paid
attention to these.
Saab engineers were not bothered that their initial
car was out of the ordinary. And they still are not
bothered. Because Saab has an out-of-the ordinary way
of looking at their products, which makes them stand
out. Saab products are not thought-out through market
research reports and economic calculations. All Saab
products (be it cars or planes) originate from the same
principle of producing the most advanced technology to
provide the user with the highest performance, best
control and most enjoyment in a safe and comfortable
machine that gets the most from its fuel.
This common trait of all Saab-Scania products
grows out of the fact that ideas and information flow
constantly among its divisions. Intimate cooperation is a
key to transfer technical experience and innovation from
product to product. The technological spill-over brings
inherent benefits.
Much of the research and development for Saab
aircraft have been incorporated into Saab passenger
vehicles. As evidence of their aircraft influence, Saab
cars have always been constructed with lighter and
stronger materials and designed along aerodynamically-
efficient lines. This contributes to high performance,
good driving stability, safety and lower fuel
consumption — traits that separate Saab cars from their
competition.
The Saab Turbo, which was one of the first turbo
engines specifically designed for everyday driving, was
first introduced in aircraft, then in trucks. Later it was
redesigned by Saab engineers to give Saab passenger
cars the same extra kick that the turbo gives to jets.
The ergonomics of Saab cars owes a lot to the
research of how Saab aircraft pilots react at supersonic
speeds. This knowledge has influenced the design of the
vehicle’s cockpit and dashboard to provide Saab drivers
with the same man-machine interaction that is a
trademark of Saab aircraft.
That’s the way it is and will be. Because we at Saab
have a’unique way of designing and building highly
technological products. Maybe that is why we are one of
the world’s leaders of advanced transportation
technology.
Saab 17 B, 1940
=)
Saab-Fairchild 340, 1982