1997 SAAB 900 COUPE EMBODIES HIGH PERFORMANCE. PURE PRACTICALITY Stronger Brakes, New Wheels Emphasize Saab Commitment to Continuous Improvement NORCROSS, Ga. -- From the first Saab 92 prototype unveiled 50 years ago, to today's 1997 Saab 900 S and SE, coupe body styles have been an integral part of Saab's heritage. In 1974, the aerodynamic two-door Saab 99 evolved into an innovative new concept known as the Combi Coupe or WagonBack, which offered the practicality of a large, lift-up tailgate with folding rear seats. This new type of premium hatchback proved immensely popular with buyers who realized that they could have both dynamic styling and pure practicality in one fun-to-drive car. The 1997 Saab 900 Coupes showcase Saab's most distinctive design cues in a package that combines high performance with the kind of functional utility that Saab owners demand. The Saab 900 SE Turbo Coupe has the acceleration numbers to back up its aggressive appearance. With a five-speed manual transmission, the turbocharged 900 reaches 60 mph in a mere 6.5 seconds. And with powerful new brakes, the 1997 Saab 900 returns to a standstill even quicker. Brake discs and calipers on both front and rear wheels of the 1997 Saab 900 are largerj improving overall braking performance. Front brakes are approximately 13.5 percent larger, while rear discs increase by 5 percent. Calipers and brake pads are now positioned further from the disc center, allowing more braking torque. In addition to shorter braking distances, these changes result in a more progressive pedal feel. Ten percent larger front brake pads are composed of a new friction material, extending their useful life by about 15 percent. A four-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) continues to provide further braking security. EBD precisely controls the braking pressure between front and rear wheels, regardless of the car's load. Wheel width has been increased to 6.5 inches for the 1997 Saab 900 S Coupe, which sports an attractive new wheel design. A new three-spoke 15-inch wheel, light alloy with visible lug nuts and a distinctive Griffin center emblem, is standard on the 900 S Coupe, giving it a sportier, more aggressive appearance. The 900 SE Turbo Coupe is fitted with a revised "Viking Aero" 1 6-inch light-alloy wheel, also with exposed lug nuts and Griffin center emblem. Tires are low-profile, high-speed-rated radials. Both the 900 S and SE Coupe make an additional sporty statement with a rear spoiler as standard equipment. Drivers who choose the five-speed manual transmission will appreciate a revised gear shift mechanism that enables more positive, precise gear changes. Front seats of the Saab 900 Coupe models have been slightly elongated for better thigh support, and are reshaped to provide a more supportive and comfortable seating position. Deeper side bolstering provides more lateral support. Flexible storage pockets are now provided at the forward edge of both front seats for added convenience. Other changes for 1997 include new luxury velour upholstery for the 900 S, two new Mica-metallic paint choices and rear badging that identifies the engine type and size. Rear fog lights, standard on all Saab cars, have been redesigned to tum off automatically when the ignition is switched off, so they won't inadvertently be left on when the car is restarted. Sporty and Fun. But Always Safe A high-performance car should offer a high degree of driving excitement, but not at the expense of occupant protection. Every Saab has been engineered with an extremely high level of passive and active safety. In fact, many of the same handling, braking and acceleration characteristics that make Saab cars especially fun to drive also enable drivers to more easily avoid accidents. Daytime running lights are another proven accident-prevention device, making the vehicles more visible to other drivers during daytime hours. When a collision does occur, the Saab 900 Coupe includes a lengthy list of standard safety features to help minimize the chance of injury. Such passive safety items include dual air bags, ABS, lap and shoulder safety belts and head restraints in all five seating positions (optional rear seat center head restraint), side-impact reinforcement, the innovative rear "Saab Safeseat" and Saab's renowned safety cage construction with front and rear crumple zones. To reduce damage to the car in a low- speed collision, the Saab 900 uses industry-leading 5-mph self-restoring bumpers. Saab's commitment to safety goes beyond the crash-test laboratory. Since 1972, Saab safety engineers have investigated thousands of accidents involving Saabs in Sweden. Crucial information about how Saabs respond in real-world accident situations is continuously integrated into the design and engineering of all Saab cars. With the rear seat in its locked upright position, the unique "Saab Safeseat" design can be fully appreciated. This design, shared by all Saab 900s, integrates special crossbeams under the seat and at the top of the rear seatback. The sturdy upper crossbeam not only provides a cross-car reinforcement in the even of a side collision, but also anchors the rear headrests and three lap-and-shoulder safety belts. In addition, it serves as a bulkhead to protect passengers from shifting cargo in the luggage compartment. The "Saab Safeseat" complements the Saab 900's side impact reinforcement, built into the rear panels of the 900 Coupe (or rear doors of the five- door). The roomy Saab 900 Coupe shares the same platform as the 900 five-door, and therefore has the same generous passenger space and impressive cargo capacity with the rear seat folded down. Designated a "Mid-size" car by the EPA, the spacious Saab 900 Coupe or five-door accommodates five adults. Rear seat passengers can enter and exit the 900 coupe with ease, courtesy of doors that are nearly nine inches wider than the five-door 900 model. Active lifestyles demand sufficient capability to haul lots of recreational gear. The Saab's 40/60/100 split-folding rear seat has a pass-through opening behind the center armrest, and folds down partially or fully. With a simple push of a release button, the rear crossbeam fold down with the seatbacks to fully open the rear areas for maximum hauling capacity of a cavernous 49.8 cubic feet. Saab 900 S Coupe: Saab's Value Leader The Saab 900 S Coupe qualifies as Saab's lowest priced car, but its list of standard equipment is far from entry-level. Luxury features abound, even on this Saab value-leader. In addition to sporty new 1 5-inch alloy wheels and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, the 900 S Coupe is equipped with a lengthy list of standard features including a premium stereo with power antenna, heated seats, power windows and locks, CFC-free air conditioning and remote lock/alarm. The sophisticated alarm system includes an engine-immobilizing feature, intrusion sensors for the doors, hood and hatch and a glass-breakage sensor. Upholstery for the Saab 900 is an attractive new luxury velour, with an elegant quilted, coarse-weave design. The new upholste's pattern is easier to keep clean, as dust and lint does not readily adhere to it. For maximum comfort and optimal driving position, the steering column adjusts telescopically, front safety belts are height adjustable, the driver's seat features a variable lumbar support and the front seats are heated. The 900 S is powered by Saab's dual-cam 150-hp 2.3L naturally aspirated four- cylinder engine, with counter-rotating balance shafts for smoothness, matched to either a five-speed manual or electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. A new three-spoke light-alloy wheel give the 900 S a dramatically sportier look. World-Class Sports Car Performer: Saab 900 SE Turbo Coupe Saab's powerful 2.0L Turbo, one of the automaker's Ecopower engines, is the standard powerplant on the exhilarating Saab 900 SE Coupe. Like all of Saab's turbo Ecopower motors, the key features of the 2.0L four-cylinder are four valves per cylinder with center-located spark plug, intercooled turbocharger, Saab Trionic electronic engine management, preheated oxygen sensor and a catalytic converter positioned close to the engine for quick warm-up. Ecopower advantages include high torque at low engine speeds and generous horsepower with commendably low exhaust emissions and fuel consumption. The low-inertia, full-boost turbocharger ensures an aggressive torque curve and strong acceleration, with boost pressure monitored by Saab's Automatic Performance Control (APC). Saab turbochargers, with water-cooled bearings and maintenance-free operation, are an integrated part of the engine, and is designed to last the life of the vehicle. The Turbo engine is offered with a five-speed manual or optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with three driver-controlled shift modes: sport, normal and winter. The 1 85-hp 2.0L Saab four-cylinder Turbo engine delivers a potent match of torque and horsepower, while a standard rear spoiler, lowered sport chassis and 1 6-inch high-performance tires mounted on newly styled "Viking Aero" alloy wheels contribute to the 900 Coupe's handling prowess. The "Viking Aero" three- spoke wheels now have visible lug nuts and Griffin center emblem, along with slightly revised styling for a more aggressive appearance. The 900 SE pampers its occupants with additional luxury features, such as sumptuous leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and manua shift boot, power front seats with three-position driver's memory, power sliding glass sunroof, Automatic Climate Control (ACC), a 1 60-watt stereo system with eight speakers and a multi-function trip computer that, at the push of a button, calculates distance-to-empty, average fuel use, average speed and additional information. New Mica Metallic Paint Classic Saab 900 Coupe colors -- Black and Imola Red -- continue for 1997, along with Cirrus White, metallic Scarabe Green, Citrin Beige and Silver. New for 1997 are two Mica-metallic paints -- Midnight Blue and Cayenne Red, both available with Taupe velour on the 900 S or Sand Beige leather. Saab's new Mica paints contain a high metallic flake content that diffuses reflected light, producing a deeper luster and richer color. In addition to Saab's four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper protection with 24-hour roadside assistance, the first maintenance service at 5,000 miles is performed free of charge. Perforation coverage extends for six years with no mileage limit.
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