A brave myth that will be remembered forever, 'Saab'

Gripen flying high in the sky with innovation and belief

The car is It is a machine that has developed through trial and error . It has undergone constant changes in design, safety, performance, and other aspects for decades to become what it is today , and it is certain that it will continue to evolve in the coming decades with the help of technological advancements .

Automobiles have undergone constant evolution . © Mercedes-Benz

The development of automobile technology has been achieved through the accumulation of numerous 'successes and failures' . 'Success' here can be easily associated with the elements that have survived in today's automobiles , but ' failure ' has a more diverse meaning .

In addition to failures due to simple technical flaws , there are also elements that may have been perfect in theory but failed due to lack of marketability , and there are also cases where elements that were popular as a trend of the time went beyond having marketability and gradually lost their vitality .

Pop-up headlights and rotary engines are gone today , but they are remembered for their charm from the past. © Supercars.net, Driven

In this way, the ' failure factors' in automobile development have various stories, so they are not simply recorded as failures and forgotten , but are often recalled as 'past charms'. There are many types, such as brands that once maintained a firm philosophy and moved with sincerity but lost their power due to management difficulties, design trends that disappeared due to changes in various laws, and technologies that were noted for innovation but disappeared due to the gap between ideals and reality.

For those who love cars and want to know more about the behind-the-scenes story of the automotive world, we take an in-depth look at the story of a brand that has 'gone but will not be forgotten.'

Many people immediately think of Volvo as a Nordic car company , but until just 10 years ago, there was another brand that was indispensable alongside Volvo . Now , only those in the know know about it. 'Saab' is the main character .

Saab produced fighter jets before it became known as an automobile manufacturer. © SAAB AB

' Saab AB' was formed in 1937 by the merger of ' Svenska Aero AB' and ASJA. An aircraft manufacturer founded in Trollhättan . Originally Although its main business was manufacturing military aircraft and aircraft engines , after World War II , when demand for fighter aircraft decreased, the company took its first steps as an automobile manufacturer by developing passenger cars .

After being separated into ' Saab Automobile AB' , it became an automobile manufacturer with the introduction of the 92. © SAAB Planet

The automobile business division The establishment of ' Saab Automobile AB' 1945. After developing four prototypes named 'Ursaab', the first mass-produced car, '92', was introduced in 1949. It was designed by Gunnar Ljungström and designed by Sixten Sason, targeting small German passenger cars such as the Volkswagen Beetle and Opel Kadett .

Before the launch of Saab 92 ' Ursaab ' developed as a prototype © Wheelsage

At the time, Saab was a manufacturer with no experience in developing automobiles , and the development team had only two engineers with driver's licenses, so they had to go through trial and error throughout the entire process . Nevertheless, Based on the know-how accumulated through aircraft development , we developed the engine and drivetrain and designed a unique streamlined body. We created a body that is aerodynamically superior .

Saab 92 production line © Saablog

In order to produce the sleek body of the 92 with the technology of the time , instead of making the exterior parts separately and assembling them , a unique manufacturing method was adopted in which a single sheet of metal was stamped , the parts for the doors and windows were cut out, and then reattached . After all these efforts , the streamlined body of the Saab 92, which was successfully mass-produced , recorded a drag coefficient of 0.3 . Even by today's standards, this is an excellent figure , and it is the highest among the cars produced from 2012 to 2020 . It matches the level of the 7th generation Volkswagen Golf model .

Saab 93 achieved high results at the 2008 Le Mans Classic © Saab-andan

The Saab 92 was introduced in 1956. 93 , in 1960 It was renamed 96 and steadily improved for 31 years until 1980 . About 620,000 units were produced, making its presence known around the world as a compact car from Northern Europe . In particular, the 1959 Saab 93 was produced 49 years later in 2008 at the ' Le Mans Classic'. Participate in an endurance race Same class 1st place It created a sensation by achieving 2nd place in the entire class .

The newly developed Saab 99 mid-size car © Wheelsage

However, as time went by, it became necessary to introduce a model with a more modern and larger body than the existing 92 to the market . As a result , Sixten Sasson took the lead in designing the 92 again , and the 'Saab 99' was unveiled in 1967.

The Saab 99 was a market that all car manufacturers were targeting at the time . It was developed as a mid-size vehicle targeting the United States . The length of the body is approximately 420 mm longer and the width is 56 mm longer than the Saab 92 , and a large number of new technologies are applied .

Design comparison with the BMW 1602, a competing model in the same class © Netcarshow, Car and Driver

As this is the first new model in 19 years since the Saab 92 , the design has also been completed in a modern way . Like other manufacturers' vehicles, it has a three- box body with a clear division between the engine room , interior , and trunk , while still emphasizing aerodynamic effects , creating Saab's unique design .

One of the most prominent features is It is on the windshield . Compared to other cars of the same class at the time, the windshield was curved toward the sides of the car body , providing a wider field of vision while driving, and an open feeling . Thanks to this feature , it was a company with roots in aircraft manufacturing . It also received responses that its design resembled a fighter jet canopy .

Also, unlike most vehicles where the curvature of the surface is bent towards the body, The line from the rear window to the trunk curves outward , giving the car a distinct identity that sets it apart from other cars . The rear end curves outward and juts out sharply . It was also widely nicknamed ' duck butt ' .

Key box located between the first row seats of the Saab 99 © Saablog

The Saab 99 also had a unique feature in its interior . Instead of the key box that was usually located behind the steering wheel , the key hole was located in the middle of the first row of seats , next to the transmission .

This was a design intended for safety , as the keys made of metal at the time could be used to open the car in the event of an accident. This was to prevent the risk of harm to the body . In addition , the location was moved so that the key can be inserted in a position where the arm naturally faces when boarding , compared to the general structure . It also had the advantage of being able to quickly turn off the engine even in the event of an accident or emergency .

The Saab 99 was the first to introduce headlamp wipers. © FCP Euro

Self- healing bumper in case of collision at speeds of 8 km/h or less © Saab Planet

In addition to its unique appearance and interior design for safety , experimental technologies introduced or developed by Saab were actively applied to the 99. As a result , it continued to undergo innovative changes with each model year during its 16 - year production run until 1984 .

In 1970 The world's first headlamp washer and wiper were applied , and the following year , It is the world 's first model to offer heated seats as a standard option . Shock- absorbing self- healing bumpers It was also presented through the Saab 99 .

The '99 Turbo ' , released in 1977, was Saab's first turbocharged model . © Wheelsage

but There is one historical symbol that is particularly important to the core identity of Saab : the 99 . In 1977, performance was greatly improved. The '99 Turbo' was unveiled , which was Saab 's first turbocharged model .

Chevrolet Corvair Monza , the world's first turbocharged model © Mecum Auctions

BMW 2002 Turbo, the first turbocharged model in Europe © BMW

In fact, turbochargers had been used in cars before, and Saab wasn't the first to introduce the technology. The GM Group's 'Chevrolet Corvair Monza' and 'Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire' of 1962 are known to be its origins, and BMW had already released the first European turbo engine mass-produced car with more powerful performance, the '2002 Turbo', four years earlier than Saab.

Nevertheless , Saabga The reason it is widely known as a pioneer in turbo technology is because it is the main player that advanced the popularization of turbo in the automobile industry . Compared to models that introduced turbo before Saab that were not successful , short-lived, or difficult to drive , the 99 Turbo was developed based on a popular passenger car and had both high performance and driving stability .

The Saab 99 Turbo is based on the ' Combi Coupe ' specification, which features a sleek, sloping rear end. © Wheelsage

The ' Inca Wheel ', designed exclusively for the 99 Turbo, makes the car stand out even more. © Saab Heritage

The 99 Turbo has a new, sleeker rear end than the existing 2- door model. ' Combi Coupe ' It was launched based on specifications and emphasized a sporty impression , and was presented with a design exclusive to the turbo version . It has a distinct presence from the standard model by adding the ' Inca wheel ' and trunk wing .

In addition to the appearance that had a different presence , it was able to achieve a noticeable change in performance thanks to the addition of a turbocharged 2.0- liter 4- cylinder engine . Compared to the standard model of the same year at the time of release , the maximum output was 100 horsepower. Power was increased to 145 horsepower , and the top speed was raised from 164 km/h to 196 km/h. Although it may not be considered high-performance by today's standards, it can be felt that it was a noticeable performance improvement for a passenger car -based model at the time, considering that the top speed of the Porsche 911 SC, which was more than twice the price, was 225 km/h .

The Saab 99 Turbo's advertising strongly emphasized its fighter lineage . © Flickr

The 99 Turbo marked Saab's entry into the high-performance market . Along with improved vehicle performance , By actively promoting its origins as a fighter jet manufacturer , it created the public perception that it was a brand with technology, safety, and high performance . The turbo engine that Saab introduced showed its appeal not only with increased output , but also with acceleration that did not tire even at high speeds .

The ' Saab 900' was released in 1978 as a higher model than the Saab 99. © ebay

Saab's turbo technology, which opened the floodgates with the 99, was introduced in the upper model in 1978 . It led to full-scale popularization with the 'Saab 900' .

After the death of Sixten Sasson , his disciple The Saab 900 , designed by Björn Envall , shared its body with the 99 , but the front end was lengthened to meet stricter safety regulations and the distance between the front and rear wheels was increased to improve the interior and driving performance . As a result , a five- door hatchback sedan was added to the existing three- door combination coupé , and the lineup was expanded to include a four- door sedan and a convertible after its launch .

16- valve turbocharged engine featured in the late Saab 900 Turbo model © Curbside Classic

Saab 9000 produced from 1984 to 1998 © Wheelsage

Saab's turbo engine has evolved in efficiency and reliability over the period of production of the 900 , resulting in ample performance and improved fuel economy relative to engine displacement . The 900 , which emphasizes its unique design and technical innovations from the 99 and its fighter lineage , It has established itself as the most successful model since Saab's founding . By 1994, 908,817 units had been produced. The success of the 900 further led to the development and launch of a higher grade mid-size sedan, the Saab 9000 .

A 1989 Saab 900 Turbo, a later model. © Car and Classic

Even in the 1990s , when a variety of designs were flooding in, breaking away from the angular appearance , the unique appearance of the Saab 900 still did not lose its unique Saab charm . In particular, in 1987 , it underwent a partial change , making the front end more slanted and the bumper shape more modern , and the design of the three- door coupé at that time remains a symbol of Saab to this day .

Among them The later 900 Turbo Coupe had a unique design with a curved windshield and outwardly swept rear body line that was reminiscent of late 1980s styling , while the two-tone finish and triangular aero wheels gave it a retro appeal that set it apart from other cars of the time .

'Drive My Car' Saab 900 convertible from the original novel © Bilweb Auctions

A red turbo coupe appeared in the film. © The Japan Times

Thanks to this unique charm, Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami describes the protagonist's car in his short story ' Drive My Car'. Set in a yellow Saab 900 convertible , from the movie of the same name. The red 900 Turbo Coupe has arrived .

However, paradoxically After the success of the Saab 900 , the company's situation worsened . By emphasizing innovation and turbocharging as its identity, the company gained a loyal fan base, but the small domestic market in Sweden was not enough to recover the huge investment in development . In addition, the company lost competitiveness in the international market due to its passive design strategy , such as introducing new cars with only partial changes .

Opel Vectra based on GM2900 platform © Favcars

The second generation Saab 900 model shared its platform with the Opel Vectra. © Wheelsage

As a result of the management difficulties , Saab ended its era as a pure Swedish brand in 1989 when GM acquired a 50% stake. Now that GM had great influence over Saab, it instructed them to build a new 900 using the GM2900 platform used to develop the Opel Vectra in order to update its aging models .

The '9-3 Viggen ', which came out with high-performance specifications , was named after a fighter jet once produced by Saab . © Wheelsage

Although many Saab fans were disappointed by this reality , Saab did not completely compromise with reality . Although it used GM 's platform , it made major design modifications to meet the original expectations of safety and driving performance , and many of the engines and electronic components were not shared with existing GM vehicles . Following the introduction of the second-generation 900 in 1993, the '9-3', which underwent a partial change and was renamed, was released in 1998.

Following the Saab 9000 , the new mid-size sedan, the 9-5, was launched . © Wheelsage

In the 1990s , the 900 and 9000 continued to be followed by the 9-3 and 9-5. Even after GM acquired all of Saab's shares in 2000 and made it a subsidiary, the unique feel and design of Saab's turbo engine somehow survived in both models.

The global financial crisis that occurred as a result of the subprime mortgage crisis and the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers . © Bloomberg

However, along with GM 's management's failure to revive Saab 's unique brand image , Saab was unable to overcome the crisis caused by the aftermath of the global financial crisis that began in the United States in 2008 .

It consists of only two models: the mid-size 9-3 and the compact 9-5. The meager lineup was not enough to compete in the mass premium market . GM planned to increase sales by expanding its lineup , but with limited time and money , the best Saab could do was to launch other GM models under the Saab brand .

So in the mid- 2000s , Oldsmobile, then part of GM, and Subaru, then in partnership with GM, launched the 9-7X SUV and the 9-2X compact wagon, respectively . Both models adopted some of Saab's safety- related options and were released in the US market as premium models , but in the end , it was too obvious that they were not Saab models ; they simply had changed the logos on the bumpers, grilles , and steering wheels to the Saab style , and they flopped at the box office .

The financial crisis that followed the failure of the model expansion also had a major negative impact on GM , leading to the liquidation of four brands in 2010 alone . Saab was also liquidated in the process . It was acquired with difficulty by the Dutch supercar manufacturer 'Spyker' .

However, even after changing affiliations , the company suffered from production delays and bankruptcy due to financial difficulties , and only a small number of new models scheduled for release came out of the factory or were not mass-produced, ending up as unfinished projects .

The second- generation 9-5 ( above ) resembles the Aero X concept . Only 35 9-5 Sport Combi ( below ) were produced . © Wheelsage

With Aero-X in 2006 Phoenix 2011 There were also concept cars that hinted at future Saab designs , but there wasn't enough time to make a comeback . The second-generation 9-5 , which reproduced the styling of the Aero X and the silhouette of the Saab 99 and 900 , was released. It was released and produced in 2009 , but was discontinued two years later due to bankruptcy after 11,280 units were produced . The wagon type Sports Combi was also developed . Just a prototype Only 35 units were produced .

After the 9-5 , the 9-4X was newly released as an urban mid-size SUV that shared a platform with the Cadillac SRX, but when the relationship with GM was severed, it was discontinued and only 814 units rolled off the production line.

Although the above models managed to leave the factory during the crisis, the so-called '9-3 Phoenix', which was scheduled to be introduced in 2013, ended up remaining only as a design study model and was later revealed in photographs.

Unreleased Saab vehicles designed by Jason Castriotta . The two below were supposed to be the third- generation 9-3s. © Forococheselectricos

It was supposed to be a four-door sedan that combined the futuristic styling of the concept car Phoenix with a design that felt like the heritage of the 900, but the parent companies that took over Saab failed to mass-produce it due to poor management. Saab was desperate for a revival despite its difficulties at the time, to the point where they hired Jason Castriota, who designed the Ferrari 599 GTB and Maserati GranTurismo, as the head of design for the new 9-3.

After moving around to find a new owner, Saab was acquired by NEVS, which is operated with a stake in China's Evergrande Group, in 2012, and the relationship continues to this day. However, as it failed to obtain the brand rights from GM and aircraft manufacturer Saab AB, it is using NEVS as the brand instead of the original trademark.

Also, unlike in the past when it built a reputation for turbocharged engines, it is currently developing an electric car based on the Saab 9-3 and is preparing to transform into a future mobility manufacturer by introducing a new autonomous shuttle concept car . However, many of Saab 's existing engineers are affiliated with NEVS , and NEVS also respects Saab's past heritage , so it is unknown how things will unfold in the future .

Meanwhile , in 2014, to celebrate Saab's 40th anniversary, the '9-3 Turbo Edition Concept Car' was produced . Since it was an in-house project, the Saab brand was used instead of NEVS , and the body of the second- generation 9-3 sedan was given a paint job and wheels resembling those of the 99 Turbo , creating a sports sedan with a retro feel .

Over the 136 years of automotive history , many manufacturers have come and gone , but not all brands are always remembered . Just as we honor the achievements and accomplishments of the great men of the past and revisit and savor old masterpieces , brands that have been driven by strong philosophies and beliefs are still loved even if they disappear or lose their vitality.

In the world of automobiles, Saab is the main character . Although it is on the verge of extinction today , it is clear that it once represented the Nordic automobile industry together with Volvo, and brought benefits to the entire industry with technology for safety and performance . In addition, the unique design symbolized by the 99 and 900 , and the engineering wildness expressed by the aircraft and turbo are Saab's unique DNA .

The windshield with its large curves , the rear end that curves outward , the key box placed together with the transmission , the triangular aero wheels , and the Saab ’s unique driving feel that continuously moves forward . These truly unique characteristics that only Saab possesses allow us to feel the path it has taken differently from other car manufacturers in various ways . The fact that it has maintained its original spirit that it has pursued with sincerity even while going through the crisis of being acquired for the first time in history is also a stubborn sense of responsibility that is not easily found in other brands .

"Born From Jets "

This is the slogan that Saab has been putting forward since 2005. Although it has a short history of use , it is a phrase that shows Saab's will to emphasize its roots even after the GM acquisition . There are many other car brands that have become objects of envy by pursuing performance, safety , and design , but Saab is the only one that emphasizes its " fighter lineage" and exquisitely interprets it with a history of experimentation and innovation .

Although Saab's adventure has now become a faint smoke , its significance and value are invaluable simply because it helped transform automobiles into more attractive machines and advanced the popularization of innovation . I hope that the small smoke that has endured a long ordeal can bloom again as a spark , and I engrave Saab's past footsteps deep in my heart .

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