1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
[Profile/Gallery]
, Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:44:39
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
You info is correct for the later models, however, not quite so for the 900 and 9000. Only the NG900 (1994-1997) shared the platform with the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra designed over here in Europe. The design of the 'classic' 900 has no connection whatsoever with Opel, neither has the 9000. The platform of the 9000 was a co-design with Fiat from Turin, even though ways parted quite soon and the platform was subsequently heavily 'customized' by saab to suit their safety requirements.
Fiat built:
- The Lancia Thema. A rare sight nowadays over here, not many of those were sold. Even more rare was the version with a Ferrari V8 engine slotted in. A former colleague of mine owned one. A real maintenance nightmare.
- The FiaT Croma. An economy version, but still a rare sight nowadays as most of these have spontaneously fallen apart or, if not, rusted away lol.
- The Alfa Romeo 164. Actually the most common variant nowadays, quite nice specimens can be had for dirt cheap.
The similarities in geometry between these cars and the 9000 are striking, but only if you know this relation of course.
The only 'connection' between GM and the 9000 came in MY 1995 when Saab slotted in the B308 engine with the Motronic 2.8.1 system, to suit the North American propensity for V6 engines (The NG900 got the B258 version). These engines were extremely rare over here in Europe (I owned one of the 25 sold in the Netherlands).
It was a real 'afterthought' and I can tell you the balance of this car was not too good, quite nose-heavy since teh engine was too far forward to suit the geometry of the existing 4-cyl drivetrain. The engine mounting was similar to a 4-cyl one as well. The only advantage of this setup as I experienced it was that you had so much room between the engine and the false firewall that the infamous '9000 blower motor replacement' actually turned out a walk in the park. In terms of power and souplesse it was no match for the 2.3T variants I owned as well, but as a family man I liked the way it induced a more 'sedate' driving style.
The B308 carries through to the 9-5 (abeit with DI and trionic and turbo), until it was succeeded by a 3.2L version in 2003 and GM did't bother to try to squeeze that into the 9-5.
still i am (pleasantly?) surprised to see how few (visible) parts are shared between the Opel vectra, omega on the one hand and the 9-5 on the other. I have driven quite a few of those on occasion, and they feel and look entirely different.
But I guess the price to pay is that it makes the 9-5 quite expensive.
Jan Geert
posted by 86.87.155...
, Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:13:55
, Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:35:53, Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:44:39
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
