Saab 90

Saab 90 is also the name of an aeroplane, the Saab 90 Scandia.
Saab 90
Overview
Manufacturer Saab
Production 1984-1987
Assembly Uusikaupunki, Finland (Valmet)
Body and chassis
Class Compact
Body style 2-door coupe
Layout Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel drive
Related Saab 99
Saab 900
Powertrain
Engine 2.0 L H I4
Transmission 4-speed manual
5-speed manual
Chronology
Predecessor Saab 99

The Saab 90 is a compact executive car from Saab made from 1984 to 1987. It was manufactured at a facility in Uusikaupunki (Nystad), Finland, at that time owned by Saab and Valmet.[1] The 90 was a continuation of the Saab 99 and it was basically a Saab 99 from the B-pillar forward with the rear of a Saab 900 sedan. The 90, while easier to build than the 99, was still considerably more labour intensive than the more modern 900.[2]

The 900's rear end made the trunk and fuel tank larger than in the 99, while keeping the car smaller than the 900. It was only available as a two-door sedan and came with the 2.0 L Saab H engine, giving 100 hp (74 kW). It was available with both four and a five-speed manual transmissions, with the five-speed receiving closer gearing, front and rear spoilers, and lower profile tires.[1] The valve seats were hardened so it could run on unleaded fuel. It also had a new starter motor, and the steering wheel was more upright than the one in the 99.

Rear view of Saab 90

In 1986 it underwent some minor cosmetic changes and was fitted with modified shock absorbers. In 1987 the Zenith carburettor was altered to make it easier to start in cold weather. Falling sales meant that it was not worth the investment to catalyze the engine and 1987 was the final year for the model, with the last car built on 1 July (and immediately dispatched to Saab's museum).[2] In total, only 25,360 Saab 90s were made. It was sold in a limited number of European countries only.

A limited edition of 10 Saab 90 Lumikko was made for the Finnish market. These models were all white and had extra trim. Lumikko is Finnish for least weasel (Mustela nivalis), known as Snow weasel in Scandinavia.

References

  1. 1 2 Renaux, Jean-Jacques (1984-07-05). "Saab 9000, de achtergronden" [Saab 9000, the background]. De AutoGids (in Flemish). Brussels, Belgium: Uitgeverij Auto-Magazine. 5 (125): 24.
  2. 1 2 Carlquist, Calle (1987-08-05). "Farväl till en bredaxlad svensk" [Farewell to a Broad-Shouldered Swede]. Teknikens Värld (in Swedish). Stockholm, Sweden: Specialtidningsförlaget AB. 39 (17): 43.

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