1997 SAAB 900 FIVE-DOOR BLENDS FAMILY VALUE WITH HIGH FUN FACTOR A Range of Performance Levels, Class-leading Cargo Space Contribute to Saab 900 Five-Door's Appeal NORCROSS, Ga. -- When the current generation Saab 900 five-door was unveiled in 1994, it quickly garnered an impressive list of industry accolades and awards for its ability to satisfy so many diverse customer needs. With a full complement of Saab performance, safety and comfort attributes, the Saab 900 is unmatched for sheer versatility. Sales of the Saab 900 continue to rise each year, as many car buyers find that their individual priorities and requirements can be fulfilled by the Saab 900's unique features. Some car shoppers prefer sports car performance, while others place a higher priority on roominess and cargo-carrying capacity. The Saab 900 does it all; it's a sports sedan that makes no sacrifice on utility. Not only can the 900 SE reach 60 mph in less than 7 seconds with its potent 2.0L Turbo engine, but it can haul almost 50 cubic feet of cargo by folding down the rear seat. For buyers who prefer six cylinders under the hood, a smooth 24-valve 2.5L V6 engine is available on the 900 SE, matched with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission and electronic traction control. The value-laden 900 S five-door is powered by a 2.3L dual-cam four-cylinder, a responsive engine matched to either a manual or automatic transmission. Stronger Braking Performance for 1997 Continuous improvement is part of Saab's design philosophy, and the latest version of the Saab 900 sports sedan has a number of refinements for 1997. Larger brake discs and calipers on both front and rear wheels improve braking performance on all models of the 1997 Saab 900. A larger brake disc diameter enables the brake pads to be 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. The brake system continues to benefit from a four-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), which precisely controls the braking pressure between the front and rear wheels, regardless of the load in the Wheel width has been increased to 6.5 inches on the 900 S, and both the 900 S and SE sport attractive new wheel designs. A new three-spoke, 1 5-inch wheel, light alloy with visible lug nuts and a distinctive Griffin center emblem, is standard on the 900 S five-door, giving it a sportier, more aggressive appearance. The 900 SE is fitted with a revised "Viking Aero" 1 6-inch light-alloy wheel, also with exposed lug nuts and Griffin center emblem. Drivers of the 1997 Saab 900 five-door will appreciate a revised manual transmission gear shift mechanism for more precise gear changes. In addition, front seats 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. Rear fog lights 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. Also at the rear end of 1997 Saab cars is new badging to specify the engine type and size, positioned below the right taillights. Saab 900 S Sets High Standard for Value Exceptional value helps make the Saab 900 S five-door the single best selling new model from the Swedish automaker. With an impressively long list of standard features and the convenience of four side doors and a cargo-consuming hatchback, the Saab 900 S five-door appeals to car buyers who desire a distinctive European touring car at a hard-to-beat price. Features found on the every 900 S -- such as heated seats, alloy wheels, remote locking and alarm system, front and rear fog lights, cruise control, and 80-watt AM/FM/cassette stereo with six speakers and power antenna -- are often additional cost options on other cars, or may not be available at all. Other features include CFC-free air conditioning, power windows and door locks, front safety belt height adjustment, telescoping steering column and adjustable driver's lumbar support. -- The 1997 Saab 900 S models have a new luxury velour seat upholstery, with an elegant quilted, coarse-weave design. The new upholstery's pattern is easier to keep clean, as dust and lint does not readily adhere to it. The 900 S is powered by Saab's dual-cam 150-hp 2.3L naturally aspirated four- cylinder engine, available with a five -speed manual or optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with three driver-controlled shift modes: sport, normal and winter. Turbo or V6 -- Saab 900 SE is Designed for Excitement For buyers who prefer an even higher equipment level and increased performance, the exciting 1997 Saab 900 SE five-door is available with a 185-hp turbo engine or 1 70-hp V6. Either version pampers its occupants with additional luxury features, such as sumptuous leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel and manual 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. The exciting 900 SE Turbo package transforms the luxury family hatchback into an aggressive performance sedan -- on demand. 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" three-spoke alloy wheels help deliver the car's performance potential to the road. The 1997-Saab 900 SE Turbo is available with a manual five- speed transmission or an electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The 2.0L Turbo engine utilizes Saab's Ecopower technology to achieve both high performance and high fuel economy -- hallmarks of all Saab turbocharged engines. Ecopower engines feature four valves per cylinder with center-located spark - plug and direct ignition, intercooled turbocharger, Saab Trionic electronic engine management, preheated oxygen sensor and a catalytic converter positioned close to the engine for quick warm-up. The 32-bit processor of the award-winning Saab Trionic system helps keep the exhaust emissions exceptionally low. 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 are designed to last the life of the vehicle. For six-cylinder engine enthusiasts, Saab offers a naturally-aspirated 2.5L V6 engine on the 900 SE five-door as an option, matched exclusively with the electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. The 1 70-hp V6 features four overhead cams, 24 valves and a narrow cylinder angle of 54 degrees between banks. An electronic Traction Control System (TCS) is standard with the V6 engine. Six-cylinder Saab 900 SE five-doors emphasize driving comfort and refinement. Like all Saab engines, the V6 provides a high level of low-end torque for maximum flexibility and responsive passing ability. Viking Aero wheels and a rear spoiler are now standard equipment on the 900 SE V6 five-door. Safety Enqineering - Integrated in Every Saab The roomy Saab 900 five-door is designated by the EPA as a "Mid-size" car, which gives it an advantage in interior room over its many compact-sized competitors. And while spaciousness is crucial to Saab enthusiasts, so is safety. Every Saab 900 five-door includes a lengthy list of standard safety features, such as dual air bags, daytime running lights, anti-lock brakes (ABS), lap and shoulder safety belts and head restraints in all five seating positions (optional rear seat center head restraint), industry- leading 5-mph self-restoring bumpers, side-impact reinforcement, the innovative rear "Saab Safeseat" and Saab's renowned safety cage construction with front and rear crumple zones. 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 front and rear doors of the five-door. For six-cylinder engine enthusiasts, Saab offers a naturally-aspirated 2.5L V6 engine on the 900 SE five-door as an option, matched exclusively with the electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. The 1 70-hp V6 features four overhead cams, 24 valves and a narrow cylinder angle of 54 degrees between banks. An electronic Traction Control System (TCS) is standard with the V6 engine. Six-cylinder Saab 900 SE five-doors emphasize driving comfort and refinement. Like all Saab engines, the V6 provides a high level of low-end torque for maximum flexibility and responsive passing ability. Viking Aero wheels and a rear spoiler are now standard equipment on the 900 SE V6 five-door. Safety Enqineering -- Integrated in Every Saab The roomy Saab 900 five-door is designated by the EPA as a "Mid-size" car, which gives it an advantage in interior room over its many compact-sized competitors. And while spaciousness is crucial to Saab enthusiasts, so is safety. Every Saab 900 five-door includes a lengthy list of standard safety features, such as dual air bags, daytime running lights, anti-lock brakes (ABS), lap and shoulder safety belts and head restraints in all five seating positions (optional rear seat center head restraint), industry- leading 5-mph self-restoring bumpers, side-impact reinforcement, the innovative rear "Saab Safeseat" and Saab's renowned safety cage construction with front and rear crumple zones. 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 front and rear doors of the five-door.