EPA Classifies 9000 Series As Only European Large Car
Saab's long established tradition as an automotive engineering innovator continues for the 1990 model year with the 9000 series. All 9000s -- the 9000S four-door sedan, 9000S five-door hatchback, 9000 Turbo five-door hatchback and 9000 CD Turbo four-door sedan -- receive a driver's side air bag as standard equipment to supplement each car's high level of occupant protection. In addition, all 9000 Turbos have Saab's revolutionary Direct Ignition System to improve engine performance and driveability.
9000 CD Turbo
The flagship of the 9000 fleet is the 9000 CD Turbo four- door sedan. More than six inches longer than the 9000 five-door hatchback, the CD shares the five-door's chassis, turbocharged engine and basic body structure. The wheelbase of the CD is the same as the five-door. The additional length is primarily found in the nearly 20 cubic-foot capacity trunk. Like all 9000 models, the 9000 CD Turbo is classified as a l'Large Car" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The 9000 CD is the only European sports sedan to be so rated.
The CD's sedan configuration allows for complete isolation of the passenger compartment from the luggage area for a quieter and more luxurious ride, especially for rear seat occupants. Since the rear seatbacks are fixed and the parcel shelf behind them is permanently installed, noise from the cargo area does not intrude into the passenger area. Saab engineers were able to increase the torsional stiffness of the already structurally rigid 9000 five-door's chassis by designing the 9000 CD with a fixed backlight so that the rear glass becomes a structural member of the car.
For 1990, the 9000 CD Turbo's amenities have been increased with the refinement of the car's standard Automatic Climate Control (ACC). Improvements to this second generation climate control system include new temperature sensors; an "Off" switch and easy-to-recognize international symbols in place of words.
The 9000 CD Turbo, like all other Saabs in 1990, is equipped with a driver's side air bag as standard. To further improve the high level of safety, the Saab 9000 CD Turbo has a headlamp wiper/washer system to keep headlamp lenses clear in all weather conditions. Engine performance and driveability in all weather is also improved through the use of Saab's Direct Ignition system, fitted to the 9000 CD Turbo's engine. This ignition system ensures clean-firing, powerful ignition sparks without voltage loss or misfire. The computer-controlled, distributorless ignition system has four small, highly efficient ignition coils -- one attached directly to each spark plug.
Continuing to develop turbocharged, passenger car engine technology, Saab engineers have fitted all 1990 Saab 9000 Turbos with a new, reduced inertia Garrett T25 turbocharger. This unit offers enhanced low speed engine response and overall performance, especially when mated to Saab's four-speed overdrive automatic transaxle. For 1990, all 9000 Turbos are rated at 165 hp at 5,500 rpm and 195 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm.
Standard equipment in the 9000 CD Turbo includes leather seating surfaces, and electrically-controlled driver and front passenger seats with built-in, rheostat-controlled seat heaters. The rear seat has a fold-down armrest that conceals a pass-through opening to the luggage compartment to accommodate long loads, such as skis.
Other standard amenities for 1990 include a remote deck lid release, electrically-operated windows with a one-touch feature for both front windows, as well as an electrically-operated sliding glass moonroof with a tilt-up feature and sunshade, remote-control, heated, electrically-adjustable outside mirrors, central locking with integral theft alarm and a sound system complete with electronic-tuned anti-theft AM/FM-stereo cassette, amplifier/equalizer and eight speakers.
The only extra cost options are the four-speed automatic transmission and clear-coat metallic or black paint.
9000 Turbo
The Saab 9000 Turbo five-door hatchback receives the same new Automatic Climate Control system for 1990 and Saab Direct Ignition system as the 9000 CD Turbo. In addition, the ride attitude of the Turbo five-door is maintained under all load conditions through the use of the same self-leveling Boge Nivomat rear shock absorbers as the 9000 CD Turbo. New 195/65 VR 15 tires are also specified on the hatchback, along with accompanying chassis refinements.
Five-door Turbo models also benefit from one-touch open front power windows. In addition, the rear hatch design of the five-door model has been refined to reduce opening effort.
Standard equipment for 9000 Turbo five-door models includes a driver's side air bag, leather seating surfaces, eight-way power seats for both driver and front passenger, electric sliding and tilt-up glass moonroof, fog lights, and an electronic-tune AM/FM-cassette stereo with 80-watt amplifier and seven band equalizer with anti-theft circuitry. 9000s
The naturally-aspirated 9000S improves for 1990 as well. Both four-door and five-door 9000S models offer a driver's side air bag. The air bag is installed in a new four-spoke steering wheel. The 9000S also receives the convenience of the one-touch open feature for the electrically-operated front windows. Four- door versions of the 9000S get the further convenience of a remote trunk release, operated by a switch mounted on the driver's door near the outside mirror controls. Four-door models are also equipped with a headlamp wiper/washer system to allow optimum night and inclement weather visibility.
Other standard equipment on the 9000S for 1990 includes an electronically-tuned AM/FM-cassette stereo with an 80-watt amplifier, power antenna and anti-theft circuitry; an electrically-operated sliding and tilt-up steel sunroof; 60/40 split fold-down rear seats, and a new manually-controlled climate system.
Options include leather upholstery, with an eight-way adjustable power driver's seat, automatic transmission and choice of clear-coat metallic or black paint.
Passenaer Security And Ride Comfort
Like all Saabs before it, the Saab 9000 is a front-wheel- drive car with a suspension that has been designed for predictable and nimble handling regardless of its load. All 9000s offer excellent stability and traction in slippery conditions with 60 percent of the weight over the front drive wheels. The engine in the 9000 is mounted transversely, ahead of the front wheels.
All Saab 9000s have double-overhead camshaft, 16-valve, 2.0 liter engines with electronic fuel injection. The engine in 9000 Turbo models is equipped with Saab's revolutionary Automatic Performance Control and Direct Ignition systems.
The engine can be mated to either Saab's five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed overdrive automatic, with fuel saving "split torque" in third gear and direct drive in fourth.
Saab's engineers installed a space-saving, effective MacPherson-strut, stabilizer bar front suspension in the 9000. The eccentrically mounted coil springs and gas-charged shock absorbers offer over seven inches of travel. Equal length axle shafts drive the front wheels. Steering is power-assist rack and pinion, with 3.2 turns lock-to-lock.
The simple, effective rear suspension consists of a light- weight beam-type axle, with a stabilizer bar, separate coil springs and gas-charged shock absorbers (which are self-leveling on the Turbo models). The rear axle is mounted by leading and trailing arms as well as a Panhard rod. All Saabs are equipped for 1990 with a four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system. Fully integrated, the anti-lock system (ABS) was jointly developed by Saab and Alfred Teves, GmbH, to produce short stopping distances under slippery conditions and to maintain steering control in emergency situations.
The 9000 has so much interior space it is the only European sports sedan or hatchback to be classified as a "Large Car" by the EPA.
This large interior is designed with Saab's traditional consideration for sound ergonomics, comfort, and safety. Therefore, equipment that is standard on all 1990 Saab 9000s includes electrically adjustable, heated outside mirrors and power windows -- with a one-touch open feature for both driver and front passenger -- and rear window safety lockout to prevent children from inadvertently opening the rear windows. Rear doors are also equipped with child safety locks to prevent children from opening them from inside the car.
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