Saab History

1999 Saab 9-3 Viggen – Saab USA Heritage Collection

Posted on 03. Sep, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: GM Heritage Collection

The Saab USA Heritage Collection has recently acquired a pristine 1999 Saab 9-3 Viggen in Lightening Blue from a private sale in Florida with less than 500 miles on the odometer.

The first showing of this acquisition took place at the recent 2008 Saab Owners Convention in Devens, Massachusetts from August 21st through the 24th, 2008.

It is great to see the Saab USA Heritage Collection growing and growing! If you are interested in checking out the rest of the Saab USA Heritage Collection, please click on this link to scroll through them all!

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The Saab 9-3 Viggen History

Posted on 03. Sep, 2008 by Ryan.

svgallery=1999_9_3_VIGGEN

Photo & Video Credits: Saab Automobile

The Saab 9-3 “Viggen” was derived from the SAAB JA-37 Viggen jet fighter. Viggen means The Thunderbolt in Swedish, derived from the Norse god Thor’s warhammer Mjollner.

As we know, the 1999 Saab 9-3 Viggen began as the Saab 900 Concept Coupe in 1995.

It took a whole four years later for the engineering of that concept coupe to be unveiled to the public at the the New York Auto Show in March of 1999.

Peter Leonard, leader of Saab’s SVO team said that “we wanted to give the 9-3 Viggen a strong individuality, a personality of its own that was evident in everything from the external styling to the instrumentation. In addition, the car had to deliver the comfort and feel of driving a high-performance car. It was a design challenge that we relished.”

The Saab 9-3 Viggen’s drag co-efficient was 0.31, and the feel both inside and out of an aircraft cockpit was evident.

The first model year MY1999 for the Saab Viggen and its body continued to be manufactured at Saab’s factory in Trollhattan, Sweden, then shipped in a climate controlled, sealed container to Uusikaupunki, Finland for painting and final assembly at the Valmet Automotive plant.

The painting of the first two years of the Saab 9-3 Viggen, were appropriately colored in “lightening blue”, paying homage to the significance of the “thunderbolt” name.

That same year, the Saab Viggen Flight Academy was created in Road Atlanta, near Saab Automobile USA’s former headquarters in Norcross, Georgia.

The Saab 9-3 Viggen Coupe went on sale with only 400 distributed to Saab dealerships in May of 1999.

The next year, Model Year 2000 Saab 9-3 Viggen Convertible and 5-door versions arrived in showrooms during the fall of the same year. Only a limited number of 2,500 Saab 9-3 Viggen models were initially produced annually for a global market.

The Saab 9-3 Viggen model continued until model year 2002, when it ended due to the production of the 9-3 hatchback body style ending.

The Saab 900 Concept Coupe was the prototype for the Saab 9-3 Viggen as we know it back in 1995, a full four years prior to the public seeing it at auto shows and also available in dealerships around the world.

The Viggen has to be without question the best example of a spiritual successor to one of SAAB’s aircraft, the SAAB JA-37 Viggen, given that it was in name and theory 100% “born from jets”.

Here is the original press release in full outlining the specifications beginning with a video:

For Immediate Release Contact: Elke Martin Kevin Smith

1999 SAAB 9-3 VIGGEN — SUMMARY

SAAB LAUNCHES ALL-NEW, LIMITED EDITION 9-3 VIGGEN FOR ENTHUSIASTS WITH A PASSION FOR TURBO POWER

Aircraft-inspired Viggen targets Saab enthusiasts with a strong taste for torque Norcross, GA – Saab made its U.S. debut at the New York Auto Show in the spring of 1956. It was there that Saab exhibited its first high performance sports car ”the Sonett Super Sport prototype, a race-bred Saab still revered by Saab enthusiasts today. Since then, Saab has continued to develop limited edition performance legends, cars like the aerodynamic 900 Turbo SPG and 9000 Aero, which combined full-boost turbo engines, sport suspension and modlfcations with an aggressive stance.
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The Saab 900 Concept Coupe

Posted on 02. Sep, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile AB

The original idea of the Saab 9-3 Viggen was conceived in October 1994 by Saab Automobile AB’s Special Vehicles Operations (SVO) team led by a Peter Leonard and the Oxfordshire, England-based TWR Group.

At the time, the TWR Group was owned by an individual by the name of Tom Walkinshaw. Walkinshaw, who had a long racing background which has evolved the company into one of Europe’s foremost design and engineering houses, specializing in high-performance tuning.

It was apparently understood that the performance and tuning of the project came from the TWR group and the design and styling from Saab Automobile’s SVO team.

Once the project scope was ready, both the SVO and TWR teams started to engineer a high performance variation of a Saab 900 model in late 1995, which had its global debut at the 1996 Geneva Auto Show, then its North American debut alongside a blue convertible concept variation at the New York Auto Show.

These two models were shown in the February 1996 issue of Saab Magazine, and as a result of the world debuts of both concept vehicles, the feedback was extremely positive with both SVO concept cars.

The Saab 900 Concept Coupe featured a high-output turbocharged engine, heavily modified performance chassis, new aerodynamic ground effects, front and rear spoilers, a large wing, 17-inch light alloy three spoke wheels. The drivetrain had a maximum of 250 horsepower with 257 ft.-lbs of torque.

The exclusive paint job was as stunning on the exterior as it was on the interior, with special designed leather upholstery, matching door trim, leather covered steering wheel and gear shifter.

The go ahead began on a limited basis for production in the third quarter of 1997, as 1998 model year Saab 9-3s at the Valmet plant in Uusikaupunki, Finland.

Nearly two years continued designing and engineering, and testing 900 Concept Coupe prototypes by the newly created SVO team from 1997 until 1999.

By 1999, the the 900 Concept Coupe was designated at as Saab 9-3 “Viggen”. Viggen means The Thunderbolt in Swedish, derived from the Norse god Thor’s warhammer Mjölner. The first model year MY1999 for the Saab Viggen and its body continued to be manufactured at Saab’s factory in Trollhattan, Sweden, then shipped in a climate controlled, sealed container to Uusikaupunki, Finland for painting and final assembly at the Valmet Automotive plant. The painting of the first two years of the Saab 9-3 Viggen, were appropriately colored in “lightening blue”, paying homage to the significance of the “thunderbolt” name.

The Saab 9-3 Viggen Coupe went on sale in very limited number of Saab dealerships in May of 1999. Model year 2000 Saab 9-3 Viggen Convertible and 5-door versions arrived in showrooms during the fall of the same year. Only a limited number of 2,500 Saab 9-3 Viggen models were initially produced annually for a global market.

The Saab 9-3 Viggen model continued until model year 2002, when it ended due to the production of the 9-3 hatchback body style ending.

The Saab 900 Concept Coupe was the prototype for the Saab 9-3 Viggen as we know it back in 1995, a full four years prior to the public seeing it at auto shows and also available in dealerships around the world.

The Viggen has to be without question the best example of a spiritual successor to one of SAAB’s aircraft, the SAAB JA-37 Viggen, given that it was in name and theory 100% “born from jets”.

Source: Saab Automobile AB Press Kit, Valmet Automotive and Abbott Racing

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The New York Times Reviews Saab 9-3 Turbo X

Posted on 05. Aug, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab History

The New York Times has finally reviewed the 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X, Saab Automobile’s limited production (2,000 globally) high performance halo vehicle for XWD ‘Cross-Wheel Drive’ titled “Off the Bench and Back in the Game”

Here is an excerpt from their review:

The Turbo X is the first true Saab (that is, not a Chevy or a Subaru wearing Swedish badges) with all-wheel drive, which Saab calls XWD— pronounced “cross-wheel drive”—

To read the entire review, click on this link.

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The Saab Project Designs by Model

Posted on 28. Jun, 2008 by Ryan.

As a follow-up to the previous writeup on the past and present Saab designers and their achievements, it was necessary to include a chronological up-to-date listing of Saab projects both production and concepts.

This listing includes each Saab project, year introduced along with each designer and/or engineer that contributed to the given project.

This list is a work-in-progress, so any additions and/or modifications that you see necessary below, please add your comments to ensure correctness and accuracy.

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile

Design Contributions by Model

SAAB Scandia 90 (1946-1958)

Bror Bjurströmer

SAAB 91 (1947-1966)

A.J. Andersson

SAAB 92001 (Prototype) (1946/1947)

Sixten Sason

Gunnar Ljungström

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Saab Automobile Germany Advertises in Airports

Posted on 17. Mar, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile Germany

As a follow-up to the Saab Friction Testers that were deployed at the Munich airport recently, it looks like Saab Automobile Germany is now really covering their “Born From Jets” roots hard with distinct advertising in the airport terminals of the Hamburg, Frankfurt and München international airports.

For those native German speakers, please click here for the full press release: [...]

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Saab Exhibition at French Agriculture Show

Posted on 26. Feb, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab France

Saab Automobile France showcases their new Lynx Yellow Saab 9-3 BioPower Convertible at the French Agriculture show. Please read about this below for those able to read French.

Le superéthanol, une solution disponible immédiatement

Saab, leader européen des constructeurs de véhicules au superéthanol, sera présent au Salon de l’Agriculture 2008. Plus que jamais, pour le constructeur suédois, la performance responsable passe par le superéthanol. Saab propose aujourd’hui toute sa gamme avec des motorisations BioPower fonctionnant à l’E85 (85% d’éthanol, 15% essence), en attendant d’autres futurs modèles. Un carburant en accord avec la nature, et avec le monde agricole pour lequel il offre de nouveaux débouchés.

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The Saab Naming and Model Nomenclature

Posted on 25. Feb, 2008 by Ryan.

Image Credit: Saab History

As a follow-up to the posting I made back in November of 2006 on the logo history, it is about time that I compliment this information with the following on the correct capitalization and nomenclature of the models of the Saab Automobile brand. I hope this sheds some more light in our dialog about Saabs, SAABs and all of the great products that have been developed over the years.

I have provided a fairly well written piece already done on Wikipedia that I would like to articulate if I may regarding the correct capitalization and model nomenclature as a guide.

It is my hope that as a result of this posting, others will be able to better articulate their writing and speaking when referring to all of Saab’s products from 1947 until present. I also think that this posting will help to end search criteria that is typically entered in Google as follows: (SAAB 93 XWD, SAAB 92 ABS, Saab 94 Ski Rack, 2001 SAAB 95, 1999 93, etc.) If this search criteria was taken literally, as it should as google can only do just that, we would have had Cross Wheel Drive available in the late 1950′s, ABS in the late forties, and two long production runs for the SAAB Ninety Five and Ninety Three. Let’s hope that this clarifies this naming and model nomenclature once and for all.

1947-1969 (Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget)

The Company: When referring to the company in both written and oral communication where the products were produced between 1947 and 1969, it is proper to use SAAB in all capital letters to refer to these vehicles.

The Models: When referring to vehicles model nomenclature in both written and oral communication that were produced during this time, they are written and pronounced as 92 (Pronounced: Ninety Two), 92 (Pronounced: Ninety Three), 94 (Pronounced: Ninety Four), 95 (Pronounced: Ninety Five), 96 (Pronounced: Ninety Six), 97 (Pronounced: Ninety Seven)

1970-2000 (Saab-Scania)

* Note: Although the merger took place in 1990, the original products continued. (excluding NG900, 9-3 & 9-5)

The Company: When referring to the company in both written and oral communication where the products were produced between 1970 and 1990, it is proper & acceptable to refer to them as Saabs in lower case letters or Saab-Scania vehicles, also in lower case letters.

The Models: When referring to vehicles model nomenclature in both written and oral communication that were produced during this time, they are written and produced as 97 (Pronounced: Ninety Seven), 98 (Pronounced: Ninety Eight), 99 (Pronounced: Ninety Nine), 90 (Pronounced: Ninety), 900 (Pronounced: Nine Hundred), 9000 (Pronounced: Nine Thousand), 9-5 (Pronounced: Nine Five), NG900 (Pronounced: New Generation 900), 9-3 (Pronounced: Nine Three).

2001 – Present (Saab Automobile / General Motors)

The Company: When referring to the company in both written and oral communication where the products were produced between 2001 and the Present, it is proper & acceptable to refer to them as Saab in lower case letters and/or Saab Automobile / GM vehicles.

The Models: When referring to vehicles model nomenclature in both written and oral communication that were produced during this time, they are written and produced as 9-X (Pronounced: Nine X), 9-2x (Pronounced: Nine Two X), 9-3x (Pronounced: Nine Three X), 9-3 (Pronounced: Nine Three), 9-4x (Pronounced: Nine Four X), 9-5 (Pronounced: Nine Five), 9-7x (Pronounced: Nine Seven X)

I leave you with a brief summary from Saab Automobile’s entry from Wikipedia.

Saab / SAAB Correct Capitalization and Model Nomenclature:

While Saab is in fact an acronym, and, as with many other manufacturers, the word “SAAB” appears in all-capitals within the corporate emblem and in on-vehicle badging, the current correct capitalization of Saab when in print is “Saab,” and not “SAAB.”[citation needed] Other manufacturers such as Volvo, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, and Chevrolet employ the use of all-capitalized vehicle badging, but they are still considered proper names and capitalized as such when written. Likewise, Saab is treated as a proper name and not an acronym, despite its origins..”[citation needed]

Furthermore, all current Saab vehicles are badged with a large 9 and a smaller 3, 5, or 7x following the 9, such as “9³”. However, the digits are considered separate, and are spoken as, for example, “nine three,” and written as “9-3.” Nearly every Saab model ever produced has begun with the number 9 (Saab 600 being an exception), and Saab’s two models became 9-3 and 9-5 in the late 1990s, which was likely a marketing attempt at positioning the vehicles as direct competitors to the BMW 3-series and 5-series, respectively.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Automobile

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