DISTINCTIVE 1998 SAAB 900 LINE OFFERS HIGHEST LEVEL OF AUTOMOTIVE VERSATILITY
Aggressive Pricing on New 900 S Turbo Coupe Broadens Popular Saab 900's Appeal
NORCROSS, Ga. - The Saab 900 may be a single model name, but it represents a diverse range of sporty automobiles that is unmatched for sheer versatility. From the sleek Saab 900 Convertible to the sporty turbocharged 900 Coupe and roomy 900 five-door, few cars satisfy so many car buyers' individual priorities and requirements. For 1998, Saab adds a commemorative edition 900 S Turbo Coupe, updates the 900 line's appearance with body-colored front and rear bumpers and adds several mechanical and safety improvements.
Celebrating twenty years of turbocharged Saabs, the 1998 Saab 900 S Coupe receives a 185-hp 2.0L Turbo engine as standard equipment. This is a limited production model, specially priced at $24,500. Saab's first turbocharged production car in North America was the 1978 Saab 99 Turbo, a sporty three-door that pioneered the practical use of turbocharging for an everyday automobile. Previously, turbos had been reserved for race cars and high-priced exotic sports cars to increase the car's high- speed potential. Saab took a different approach. The Saab 99 Turbo created a sensation in the auto industry because it used an adjustable-boost turbo tuned to provide stronger low-end torque and power on demand from a fuel-efficient, small- displacement engine.
The commemorative edition 1998 Saab 900 S Turbo Coupe continues the tradition of providing the many advantages of a turbocharger in a value-priced package. Features found on every 900 S - such as heated seats, alloy wheels, power windows and door locks, front and rear fog lights, cruise control, and 80-watt AM/FM/cassette stereo with six speakers, Weather Band 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, front safety belt height adjustment, telescoping steering column, adjustable driver's lumbar support and remote lock/alarm. The sophisticated alarm system includes an engine-immobilizing feature, intrusion sensors for the doors, hood and hatch and a glass-breakage sensor on the Coupe and five-door.
All Saab 900s with a five-speed manual transmission benefit from a new hydraulically actuated clutch for ease of use and smoother operation. The hydraulic clutch system helps provide smooth, precise shifting action, and is entirely self- adjusting. An electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with three driver-controlled shift modes - sport, normal and winter - continues to be an option for all Saab 900 models.
Ecopower Engine Technology: Turbocharged for Efficiency
In addition to the Saab 900 S Turbo Coupe, all of the 900 SE models - Coupe, Convertible and five-door - feature Saab's powerful 2.0L Turbo, one of the automaker's Ecopower engines. Ecopower technology achieves 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 to optimum operating temperature. 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.
The Saab 900 S five-door and Saab 900 S Convertible are powered by a 150-hp 2.3L dual-cam naturally aspirated four-cylinder, a smooth, responsive engine matched to either a manual or automatic transmission.
Safety Engineering --Integrated in Everv Saab
Saab's commitment to safety goes beyond the crash-test laboratory. Since 1972, Saab safety engineers have investigated thousands of accidents involving Saabs in Sweden. Crucial information about how Saabs respond in real-world accident situations is continuously integrated into the design and engineering of all Saab cars.
Safety is an ever-evolving process at Saab, and the 1998 Saab 900 receives modifications to increase its already renowned crashworthiness. All variants of the 1998 Saab 900, including the 900 Convertible, receive strengthened side-impact protection that already will conform to future European side-impact requirements. The angled steel reinforcing beams in the doors have been strengthened and repositioned to make them better able to absorb impact forces and distribute energy to the safety cage surrounding the interior. Additional impact absorbing material has been added between the outer and inner steel panels of the door, as well as between the doors' structure and the interior door trim. B-pillar reinforcements increase the rigidity of the center roof pillar, further strengthening the Saab's safety cage, and the upper and lower parts of the front A-pillar have also been reinforced.
Further protection from side-impact intrusion is provided by the innovative rear "Saab Safeseat." 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 lap-and-shoulder safety belts in addition, it serves as a bulkhead to protect passengers from shifting cargo in the luggage compartment.
The Saab 900 five-door also offers a pair of optional integrated child seats built into the rear seats. Available on either the 900 S or SE, the booster seats are suitable for most children from 3 to 10 years old, weighing between 33 and 80 pounds. The child is properly positioned by the booster seat to be correctly restrained by the car's lap and shoulder belt, and the seat's integral headrest offers further protection.
The powerful Saab 900 four-wheel disc brakes, which were increased in size for the 1997 model year, now incorporate the latest generation of ABS electronic control unit by Bosch. A new brake pad design incorporates a clearly audible warning when the thickness of the pads reaches 0.12 inches or less, to warn the driver that the pads should be replaced. All Saabs feature a full complement of active and passive safety equipment, including daytime running lights, dual air bags, three-point safety belts with front pretensioners, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes and safety cage construction with front and rear crumple zones.
Saab's industry-unique "Black Panel" feature allows the driver to illuminate only the speedometer at night. By darkening non-essential instruments, the driver has fewer distractions and can give more attention to the road.
Saab 900 SE - World-Class Performance and Luxury
For buyers who prefer a higher equipment level, the Saab 900 SE 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), and an 80-watt stereo system with 80-watt subwoofer and eight speakers. Also, a multi-function trip computer calculates distance-to-empty, average fuel use, average speed and additional information.
The Turbo engine in the Saab 900 SE transforms the luxury family hatchback into an aggressive performance sedan - on demand. The 185-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 16-inch high-performance tires mounted on "Viking Aero" three-spoke alloy wheels help deliver the car's performance potential to the road.
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 Turbo engine, but it can haul almost 50 cubic feet of cargo by folding down the rear seat.- The roomy Saab 900 Coupe and five-door are designated by the EPA as "Mid-size," which gives Saab an advantage in interior room over its many compact-sized competitors.
Saab 900 Convertible Enineered in Sweden For All Climates
Engineered in Sweden, a country better known for harsh winters than balmy summers, the 1998 Saab 900 Convertible is designed for year-round enjoyment. With its triple-layer top up or down and featuring a comprehensive list of standard equipment, the four-passenger Saab 900 Convertible delivers value and driving exhilaration any time of year.
No competitor can match the Saab 900 Convertible's surprising utility, starting with a unique fold-down rear seatback that sets a new standard for storage capacity among soft-top cars. With the rear seat unlocked and folded forward, and the top raised, a pass-through opening to the trunk accommodates the necessities of an active lifestyle, such as skis or snow boards. Getting to the ski slopes, or just to the grocery store following a winter storm, won't present a problem either. The front-wheel-drive Saab's renowned foul-weather driveability plus standard heated front seats, ensures motoring in confidence and comfort in sleet, snow or sunshine.
Saab Convertibles have always been assembled on a dedicated production line. Because they are engineered and factory-built as true convertibles, Saab 900 soft-tops boast an immediate advantage in the areas of structural integrity and quality. Rather than "chop" the top off a coupe, the Saab Convertible has been engineered and factory-built as a true open-top car.
Unlike conversions, every inch of the 900 Convertible's chassis has been optimized to compensate for the lack of a hard roof structure. For example, Saab engineers added heavy reinforcements at crucial stress points, such as the base of the windshield and the door sill, and the car's A pillars are formed by a continuous G- shaped member that runs from the windshield header, down the door hinge post and into the sill. These designs add to an already rigid chassis, without adding weight.
Environmentally Friendly Paint Shop Offers Colorful Choices
All metallic paint finishes for 1998 Saab are now water-based, thanks to a new 380,000-sq.-ft. paint shop at the Trollhattan, Sweden factory. Water-based paints significantly reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds, compared with solvent- based paints. Several new Mica-metallic paints grace the Saab 900 color palette for 1998, including elegant Green Silver, sporty Cosmic Blue, rich Copper Bronze and Golden Sand, a light metallic gold. For 1998, all Mica metallic paint finishes, which contain a high metallic flake content that diffuses reflected light, producing a deeper luster and richer color, are available at no additional charge to Saab buyers. In addition, eye-catching Monte Carlo Yellow and dark Amethyst Violet continue to be available exclusively for the Saab 900 Convertible. Other colors for the Saab 900 line include Mica metallic Cayenne Red and Midnight Blue, metallic Scarabe Green and Silver, and solid paints: Cirrus White, Black and sporty Imola Red.
Saab's excellent warranty protection includes four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to- bumper coverage with 24-hour roadside assistance, and six year coverage for perforation, with no mileage limit. Saab's first maintenance service at 5,000 miles is performed free of charge.
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