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Re: Saab 9-5's genetics Posted by Ian Glenday [Email]  (#95)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ian Glenday) on Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:35:53
In Reply to: Re: Saab 9-5's genetics, Larry West  [Profile/Gallery]
, Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:13:55
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The attached article from Austin Rover Online clarifies the history of the genesis of the original Saab 99 engine. I had quite a bit of experience with that engine in my Saab 99 chassis number 6334. The relative section is quoted here:
"Dolomite makes an appearance
Whilst the 1300/1500 strategy was being formulated, further exciting plans were drawn up for the range. It had been patently obvious from day one of the 1300's production run, that it was a car that was crying out for larger engines and plusher levels of trim - this was a compact luxury express, and what buyers wanted was power to match the smart looks. The 1500 had been a step in the right direction, but thanks to a ready-made and in-house engine, there was further upward expansion available...
Back in 1964, and thanks to an introduction by Ricardo engineering, the Swedish carmaker Saab had approached Triumph with a view to design and build them a new engine for their upcoming range of cars. The inline-four that Triumph designed was interesting because it was devised from the outset to be canted over some 45 degrees, when installed in the car. This arrangement offered packaging advantages for any car that used it, by allowing a lower bonnet line. Because the funding came from Saab, the arrangement between the two companies were that Saab would have exclusive use of the engine for several years.
Triumph, however, had built up their future engine strategy around their own version of this "slant-four" power unit (which Triumph could develop as they saw fit, following the "exclusivity" period). Its inclined angle had facilitated a straightforward conversion (if not, assembly) to a V8, and the intention was for the company to use derivatives of these two engines in all their future models. Certainly, the slant-four had already provided sterling service for Saab, and once Triumph were able to use it, logic dictated that it should be used in a mid-range model. Thanks to a clever piece of product planning, the slant-four engine was shoehorned into the existing long-tailed 1500 bodyshell (little money was available for anything else) and the package was planned by Spen King. Triumph's version of the slant-four displaced 1854cc, and when mated to twin-Stromberg carburettors, produced a handy 91bhp. When mated to the Toledo's rear wheel drive driveline, and allied with stiffened suspension, the new version of the Ajax/Manx theme was developed into a rather handy sporting saloon..."
_______________________________________ Ian 1959 93b 1967 96V4 1968 99 1974 99L 1988 900S 1988 900 1994 900S 1996 900S 1999 9-5SE, 2.3lpt 1995 9000 CSE 2006 9-3SC, 2.0T
, Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:13:55, Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:35:53 <-- Viewing This Message, Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:44:39
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