Win a dashcam

Saab 900 NG
Overview
Manufacturer	Saab Automobile
Production	1994–1998
Assembly	Trollhättan, Sweden Uusikaupunki, Finland (Convertible) (Valmet Automotive)
Designer	Björn Envall, Aina Nilsson Ström (interior), Einar Hareide (1991)
Body and chassis
Class	Entry-level luxury car / Compact executive car
Body style	2-door convertible 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	GM2900 platform
Related	Opel Calibra Opel Vectra Vauxhall Cavalier Saab 9-5 Saturn L-Series
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L B204 I4 2.3 L B234 I4 2.5 L B258I V6
Transmission	5-speed F25 manual 5-speed "Sensonic" manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	102.4 in (2,601 mm)
Length	182.6 in (4,638 mm)
Width	67.4 in (1,712 mm)
Height	56.5 in (1,435 mm) 1997-98 Hatchback: 56.6 in (1,438 mm)
Chronology
Successor	Saab 9-3

The second or 'new' generation Saab 900 (also referred to as the GM900 or NG900 among enthusiasts) was built on GM's GM2900 platform as a replacement for the "classic" first-generation Saab 900. This all-new 900 was produced in the 1994 through 1998 model years. In Mid 1998 it received over 1100 individual improvements (although some were actually introduced on the 1998 model 900), and was renamed the Saab 9-3 (in most markets; in the US the name change was introduced for 1999). As the 9-3, the NG900 was produced through 2002.

Variants

Variants included 900i (4-cylinder, non-turbo), S (4-cylinder, non-turbo) and SE (4-cylinder turbo or V6) models in three-door, five-door and convertible body styles. For 1997 and 1998 only, there was also a Saab 900 Talladega, after a record-breaking endurance test in 1996, on the Talladega Superspeedway.

Depending on market, the NG900 was available with a choice of 2.0 L or 2.3 L Saab 16-valve DOHC engines (Saab engine codes B204, B234) in naturally aspirated or turbocharged form (2.0 L only), as well as a 2.5 L version of GM's European 54° V6 engine. Engine management for the turbos was by Saab Trionic 5 with Direct Ignition (SDI) and Automatic Performance Control, and for non-turbos by Bosch Motronic fuel injection. A distributor-operated ignition system was provided for naturally aspirated engines in some markets.

In contrast to the 'classic' Saab 900 with its longitudinally mounted engine and front-hinged hood (bonnet), the NG900 had a more-common transversely mounted engine with rear-hinged hood (bonnet).

Sensonic

The 'Sensonic' clutch variant, (available on Turbo models only) provided a manual gear lever as in a standard manual transmission car, but omitted the clutch pedal in favor of electronics which could control the clutch faster than an average driver.

When a driver started to move the gear shift knob/gear selector lever, a computer-controlled actuator operated the clutch. With the car in gear but stationary, the clutch was released only when throttle was applied. If neither brake nor gas pedal was depressed, a warning tone sounded and a message flashed on the on-board display, and if no action was taken after 7 seconds, the engine was shut off.

A "Hill Start" function for Sensonic-equipped cars (as described in the owner's manual) was intended to assist in getting underway on hills, by engaging the car's clutch to prevent rolling backward. However, this feature was not actually implemented on the car.^{[citation needed]}

Sensonic was discontinued after a short time,^[when?] as it proved unpopular.

Saab Information Display

The NG900 introduced the Saab Information Display, or SID (available on S or SE models only), which gave the driver real-time information while driving, such as fuel efficiency and outside temperature. Base specification cars had a digital clock in place of the SID and a non-digital instrument panel with a mechanical odometer (as opposed to the digital odometer on higher spec models). The SID also controls other vehicle components, including but not limited to audible warnings for turn signals and the vehicle's horn.

NG engines

• 2.0 L B204I normally aspirated 16-valve four cylinder, 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp)
• 2.0 L B206I normally aspirated 16-valve four cylinder with no balance shafts, 133 PS (98 kW; 131 hp)
• 2.0 L B204L 16-valve turbo intercooled, 185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp)
• 2.3 L B234I normally aspirated 16-valve four cylinder, 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)
• 2.5 L B258I 24-valve 54º V6, 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp)

Night Panel

One Saab innovation, inspired by the company's roots in aeronautics, was the 'Black Panel' feature (available on S or SE models only), which extinguished most instrument panel lights at the touch of a button on the SID, to eliminate distraction from dash lights during night driving. While active, this feature permitted darkened instruments to re-illuminate themselves when they required driver attention - if say, the engine speed increased alarmingly or if the fuel level should drop below 15 litres (4 US gal). This feature was later renamed 'Night Panel' in Saab 9-3 and Saab 9-5 models. In the later Night Panel version, the speedometer is only illuminated up to the 87 mph/140 km/h mark. The remainder of the scale will only be illuminated if the speed of the car exceeds 84 mph/135 km/h.

900i

Under the leadership of General Motors, Saab was re-branded as a luxury maker. This meant that the NG900 would be positioned, and priced, above the Opel Vectra, with which it shared its chassis platform. It would also make the bottom-of-the-range 900i more expensive than the Vectra. This led to cost-reduction measures for the 900i. The 900i would lose its rear-window wiper, the exclusive Saab Information Display, and would utilize a different instrument layout with a mechanical odometer instead of a digital one. The NG900i would also lose its rear spoiler.

The 900i was only available in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan as a three-door or a five-door with a choice of a 2.0 or 2.1 L engine. It did not sell very well in the UK and Australia, where the S and SE models were popular with Saab drivers. It was, however, popular as a cheaper alternative to the S and SE models.

Awards and achievements

1998

• Best in Class, cars US$25,000-US$35,000 (900 S Turbo) - Kiplinger's Personal Finance, USA

1996

• Among Top Ten Sports Cars - Consumer's Review, USA
• IBCAM British Steel Auto Design Award (Saab 900 2.0i Coupé) - The Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers, Great Britain
• Best Buy - Consumers' Digest, USA
• New world-records for endurance, at Talladega, USA

1995

• Top Car in its Price Class (Saab 900 SEV6) - American Automobile Association (AAA)
• Best Buy - Consumers' Digest, USA
• Among Top Ten Sports Cars - Consumer's Review, USA
• Technology Award 1995 for Saab Sensonic - Autocar, Great Britain

1993 and 1994

• Top Choice in annual Car of the Year reader poll - Autoweek Magazine, USA
• Annual Special Prize To Saab Safeseat - Motoring Journalists' Club, Denmark
• One of the Ten Most Improved Cars And Trucks of 1994 - Syndicated automotive experts Mike Anson and Steven Parker, USA
• Import Car of the Year 1993/94 in Japan - RJC (Automotive Researchers and Journalists Conference of Japan), Japan
• Best Buy - Consumers' Digest, USA
• Excellent Swedish Design 1994 - The Swedish Society of Crafts and Design, Sweden
• Family Car of the Year (900S) - Motoring '94, Canada
• Scandinavian Design Prize 1994 - The Scandinavian Design Council (The Nordic Design Centres)
• Executive Car of the Year 1994 - Portuguese Car Trophy
• 1993 Best Buy - Consumers' Digest, USA
• 1994 Design of the Year - Automobile magazine, USA
• Best New Car - Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, USA
• Car of the Year 1993 - Moottori magazine, Finland
• Best of What's New - Popular Science, USA
• 2nd Most Popular Car - STATUS magazine, Germany
• 1994 Technology of the Year (for Saab Trionic) - Automobile magazine, USA

Sale of intellectual rights to BAIC

In January 2010 General Motors confirmed it was selling the intellectual property rights of the 900 along with the pre-2010 Saab 9-5 and pre-2002 Saab 9-3 to the Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) for US$197mn for 3 vehicle platforms, two transmission systems, and two engine systems.