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Anti-Lock Brakes and Air Bag



Anti-Lock Brakes and Air Bag: Standard Safety Additions In All Models

In its last two annual reports, the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) reported that the Saab 900 had the lowest Overall Injury experience, in both the two-door and four-door categories for small cars. Additionally, the 900 hatchbacks were rated lowest in small car Severe Injury experience.

The HLDI reports reflect the accumulated loss experiences of most American insurance companies, and also list the Saab 9000 as having the lowest Overall Injury experience in the mid-size sports and speciality model category.

For 1990, all Saab 900 cars become even more protective of their drivers and passengers with the addition of anti-lock brakes and a driver's side air bag (Supplementary Restraint System) as standard equipment, thus offering new active and passive safety features.

The 1990 Saab 900 series consists of eight models: The 900 three-door hatchback and four-door sedan; the luxury-trimmed 900S hatchback and sedan; the high-performance 900 Turbo three- door and four-door; the sensuous Saab 900 Turbo Convertible; and the limited-production 900 Turbo SPG -- for 1990 the most powerful Saab ever offered on the American market.

In addition to standard anti-lock brakes and driver's side air bag, all Saab 900 models for 19gO also come equipped with a larger fuel tank. All are powered by a four-cylinder, double overhead camshaft, 16-valve, 2.0 liter engine, in either naturally-aspirated or turbocharged form.

900 Turbo SPG

The most powerful Saab ever-offered, the limited-production SPG hatchback gets even more power and improved turbo response for 1990. The SPG receives a new turbocharger that offers excellent response, thanks to its recalibrated low-end behavior. This translates to improved throttle response at lower engine speeds along with higher top speed capability. With its new turbocharger, specially calibrated APC unit and engine management system, the SPG delivers 175 hp at 5,500 rpm (10 more hp than in 1989) and 195 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. The SPG comes with Saab's five-speed manual transmission only.

To handle the extra power, the Turbo SPG also has a uniquely calibrated and lowered suspension forimproved handling and special, high-speed V-rated, low profile tires on unique wheels. Also new is the SPG's four-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Besides different wheels, tires and more power, the SPG is clearly recognizable by its aerodynamic lower-body panels. The 900 SPG is available in distinctive Talladega Red or traditional Saab Black. As befits a limited production flagship, there are no extra cost options. The gray leather interior, four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, electric sliding steel sunroof, fog lights and aerodynamic lower-body panels distinguish the SPG as a unique sport variant.

900 Turbo Convertible

The exclusive 900 Turbo Convertible is based on the Saab 900-Turbo model but was designed from inception as a convertible. Unlike convertible versions of other cars, Saab builds the convertible on a dedicated production line at the company's Uusikaupunki, Finland factory. This in-house manufacture ensures that the car meets all of Saab's highest technical standards -- including those for the rigidity of body and chassis. The convertible has extra reinforcements at the windshield pillars, door sills, behind and under the rear seat and in the doors' rear pillars.

Powered by the same 160-hp, 16-valve, turbocharged 2.0- liter, four-cylinder engine as other Saab 900 Turbo models (except-the SPG), the convertible has-front and rear electrically-powered windows as standard equipment. The cloth- covered top, with integral headliner and electrically defrosted glass backlight, is electro-hydraulically powered and well insulated against outside road noises. The dash-mounted switch will only allow raising and lowering of the top when the car is parked and the emergency brake set.

Standard equipment on the 900 Turbo Convertible for 1990 includes leather seating surfaces, fog lights, an anti-theft system, and a new four-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as a driver's-side air bag, anti-lock brakes and an enlarged (18 gallon) fuel tank.

The only options are automatic transmission and clear-coat metallic or black paint.

900 Turbo

For 1990, Saab offers two versions of the 900 Turbo, a three-door hatchback and four-door sedan, in addition to the limited production SPG and the exclusive convertible. Like the rest of Saab's 1990 line, all 900 Turbos are equipped with anti- lock brakes and driver's side air bag as standard equipment. In addition, for 1990 all 900 Turbos benefit from an increased cruising range, thanks to the larger (18 gallon) fuel tank.

All Turbos feature leather seating surfaces, electric steel sunroof and windows -- including one touch operation on the driver's window. Four-door models have a safety lockout switch to prevent children from operating the rear windows. All Saab four-door sedans also have child safety locks on the rear doors to prevent children from opening the doors from inside the car.

Other standard equipment for all 1990 900 Turbos include fog lights, air conditioning, and an electronic-tuned AM/FM-cassette stereo with an 80-watt amplifier, seven-band equalizer and anti- theft circuitry.

Options include an automatic transmission and clear-coat metallic or black paint.

900 and 900S

The 900 and 900S receive their power from a-naturally- aspirated version of Saab's renowned dual-overhead camshaft, 16- valve, 2.0-liter, four cylinder engine. With eletronic fuel injection and ignition timing controls, the engine delivers 128 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm.

New standard features for 1990 include anti-lock brakes, drivers side air bag, leather seating surfaces, electric steel sunroof and fog lamps. In addition, air conditioning, central door locking, and an electronic-tuned AM/FM-cassette stereo with 80-watt amplifier and anti-theft circuitry is included in all 900 and 9000S models.

Options on 900 and 900S models are automatic transmission and clear-coat metallic or black paint.

The Saab Soul

The essence of every Saab is its proven front-wheel drive technology. All 900s have their front wheels driven by a longitudinally placed double overhead camshaft, four-valve per cylinder, 2.0-liter engine, with electronically-controlled fuel- injection and ignition timing and hydraulic engine mounts. That engine develops 128 hp in its naturally-aspirated state and 175 hp in its highest form of tune in the SPG Turbo.

All 900s' front driving wheels have a fully independent suspension with upper and lower wishbones with pivot mounted coil springs, separate gas-charged shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar. The non-driving rear wheels-are mounted via a lightweight axle tube that is located by five links -- two forwar arms, two rearward armsj and aPanhard rod -- to keep the rear wheels parallel under all conditions. There are separate coil springs, gas-charged shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar in the rear as well.

Saab continues as a leader in automotive safety by engineering cars for accident avoidance -- active safety -- and occupant protection -- passive safety. Saab 900s offer excellent all-weather traction and stability thanks to Saab's continuing refinement of front-wheel-drive. All 900s have 60/40 front/rear weight distribution; when fully loaded, the weight distribution is still front biased, at 51/49, to ensure that the car handles predictably regardless of load. All 900s for 1990 have power-assisted, rack and pinion steering and four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes as standard equipment.

Saab's anti-lock braking system was developed jointly by Saab and Alfred Teves, GmbH, to provide shorter stopping distances for all drivers under slippery conditions. In addition, the system gives shorter stopping distances under most dry conditions as well. Most importantly, with anti-lock brakes the driver retains steering control under emergency stopping conditions, a critical life saving feature. Saab 900s have 5- mph deformable bumpers as well.

An equally important ingredient, passive safety has been well considered in the driver's environment of every Saab 900. Developed over the years to provide maximum safety, comfort and driverawareness, the padded passenger compartment of all 900s feature heated driver and front-passenger reclining bucket seats and air conditioning. In addition, for 1990, three-point shoulder harness safety belts at all outboard seating positions are supplemented in every model by a driver's side air bag.


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