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Saab 9000
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The 9000, Saab's first executive car, was released in 1985. It was replaced by the Saab 9-5 in the fall of 1998 for the 1999 model year.
The 9000 was based on the Type Four chassis, a platform shared with the Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema and Alfa Romeo 164. The Croma and Thema are outwardly similar to the 9000 while the 164 shares only the chassis. Much of the bodywork was interchangeable between the 9000, Croma and Thema; for example, the doors of the Croma fit directly onto the 9000, but are lighter due to less side impact protection.
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Encyclopedia
The 9000, Saab's first executive car, was released in 1985. It was replaced by the Saab 9-5 in the fall of 1998 for the 1999 model year.
The 9000 was based on the Type Four chassis, a platform shared with the Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema and Alfa Romeo 164. The Croma and Thema are outwardly similar to the 9000 while the 164 shares only the chassis. Much of the bodywork was interchangeable between the 9000, Croma and Thema; for example, the doors of the Croma fit directly onto the 9000, but are lighter due to less side impact protection. The 9000's body was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro.
Despite having a shorter wheelbase than the 900, the 9000 had a great deal of interior space, and was classified as a "Large Car" by the EPA. Unlike the 900, the 9000 kept the ignition switch in the more conventional steering column position rather than between the front seats.
First generation
The 9000 was launched in 1985 as a 5-door hatchback only, powered by a watercooled, turbocharged DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine, providing 175 hp (129 kW). Both a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmission were available. In 1986, a normally aspirated engine was introduced in the 9000 and 9000 S models, producing 130 hp (96 kW). A four door sedan with a conventional trunk, the CD, arrived in 1988, and was available only with the turbocharged engine in the US market.
All 9000s were equipped with an electronic display unit (EDU) which displayed fuel consumption, distance to an empty fuel tank, alternator
output voltage, outside temperature, and lowest battery voltage during vehicle start. If the outside temperature fell to to , the temperature display is automatically selected to warn of possible "black ice" road conditions. A separate pictogram monitored door and hatch opening and exterior light bulb condition.
Direct ignition was fitted to the 9000 CD in 1988 and expanded to all turbocharged 9000s in 1989. In 1990, the 9000 Turbo was equipped with the
larger B234 200 hp (147 kW) 2.3L engine.
The limited edition 9000 CD Griffin was available for the 1992 model year only, and was highly appointed with luxury features including all
available electric options, special eucalyptus green paint, a separate rear-seat air conditioning system, walnut trim and rear window blinds. In
the United Kingdom, a limited run of 9000 Carlsson models was produced, with a paint-matched Airflow body kit, spoiler, and specially tuned
turbocharged engine producing 220 hp (160 kW) with a manual transmission or 200 hp (150 kW) with an automatic.
Second generation
The second generation of the 9000 was introduced as the CS in 1992 for the 1993 model year, and included a lowered front fascia with new headlights and grille and a redesigned hatchback. Both the CS and better-equipped CSE were available with a 2.3L inline four, either normally aspirated (150 hp) or turbocharged. The CS Turbo was equipped with a low-pressure turbocharger setup producing 170 hp, while the CSE Turbo sported a full-pressure turbo with 200 hp. In European markets, a smaller two-litre engine was offered in normally aspirated form (130 hp), light-pressure turbo (150 hp) or full-pressure turbo (175 hp). The CDE model, a four-door sedan with conventional trunk, was offered initially with only the 200hp turbocharged engine, and later the 3.0L V6. An optional trip computer, the SCC, was introduced for the 1993 model year, and provided mileage, speed warning, and alarm functions.
A new turbocharger management system, Trionic 5, was equipped from the 1993 model year onwards. The Trionic system used resistor spark plugs to detect for engine knock in place of the knock sensors incorporated into the engine block in the previous APC system.
In 1993, the Aero was introduced, and was the most powerful Saab ever produced upon its introduction. The Aero was powered by a 225 hp (165 kW) form of Saab's 2.3L B234 engine, with more power courtesy of a larger Mitsubishi TD04 turbocharger. Automatic transmission-equipped Aeros were limited to 200 hp and kept the regular turbocharged models' Garrett Systems T25 turbocharger. Aeros were equipped with paint-matched body kit and spoiler, 8-way Recaro-designed heated sports seats, a sport suspension, and 16-inch Super Aero wheels.
The Aero's in-gear acceleration was strongly emphasized; the Aero was capable of accelerating from to faster than a Porsche Carrera 4 or a Ferrari Testarossa.
In 1995, a 3.0L B308 GM V6 engine with 210 hp (154 kW) was introduced as standard in the CDE sedan and optional in the CSE hatchback. The same engine was used in the Vauxhall/Opel Omega. The V6 was discontinued in the United States after one year along with the CDE model, but continued on in Europe until 1997. In some European markets, a high-spec CDE Griffin model was offered with numerous luxury appointments. After the 1995 model year, naturaly aspirated four-cylinder engines were discontinued in the US.
The Aero was discontinued after 1997. A limited edition "Anniversary" model was introduced to mark Saab's 50th anniversary, featuring leather seats embossed with the classic, aircraft inspired Saab logo and a color-keyed body kit. For 1998, all manual-transmission equipped 9000 CSEs received the 225 hp Aero engine, along was special 16" Super Aero wheels with exposed lug nuts. Only 1400 9000s were produced for 1998, and of these only 400 were exported to the United States.
In total, 503,087 Saab 9000s were manufactured.
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