Saab 9000: The unsung hero of Swedish engineering and Italian flair

The Saab 9000 holds a special place in automotive history, not just for its turbocharged performance, but for its ability to bring Swedish and Italian design philosophies together into one harmonious package. This car was a product of innovation, ambition, and an international collaboration that shaped the future of Saab. Andy Haslam’s latest video on his Big Car YouTube channel takes a closer look at this often overlooked executive model, shedding new light on its origins, design, and the impact it had on the industry.

You can watch Andy’s insightful video here for a deep dive into the Saab 9000 story:

The origins: Saab’s response to Volvo’s expansion

As Andy Haslam points out in his video, Saab’s decision to create the 9000 came as a direct response to Volvo’s move upmarket in the 1970s. While Volvo was producing larger luxury cars, Saab knew it had to compete, despite its limited budget. The company’s solution was the Type Four collaboration—a platform-sharing project with Fiat, Lancia, and later Alfa Romeo. This allowed Saab to develop the 9000 without the massive costs of building a car from scratch.

Haslam notes that Saab’s small size and limited funds didn’t stop them from thinking big. “Saab always aimed high,” he says, referencing the ambitious design goals they set for the 9000. While the car was primarily aimed at European markets, Saab’s real goal was to make a splash in North America, where Volvo was already making headway. But the big question was: could a company with Saab’s modest resources pull it off?

Inside the Type Four collaboration: A fusion of styles

As detailed in both Haslam’s video and our earlier blog posts, the Type Four project was one of the most interesting automotive collaborations of its time. The Saab 9000, Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema, and later the Alfa Romeo 164 all shared the same platform, but each car had its unique traits. Haslam describes the internal clashes between Saab and the Italian manufacturers, particularly when it came to design.

While Giorgetto Giugiaro was initially tasked with designing the car, Saab wanted something different from the Italian style. Björn Envall, Saab’s chief designer, insisted that Saab’s design ethos—building from the inside out—be maintained. As a result, the 9000’s interior became one of the most spacious and practical in the executive car segment, a feature that Haslam highlights as “years ahead of its time.”

Haslam’s video points out one amusing fact about the 9000’s interior—the seats were inspired by ‘Pigs In Space’ from The Muppet Show, blending comfort with quirky charm, a true Saab trademark.

Andy Haslam on Saab 9000’s turbocharged performance

When discussing the performance of the Saab 9000, Haslam is quick to praise its turbocharged engine. The 2.0L four-cylinder turbo, a refined version of Saab’s earlier engines, gave the car the kind of power you wouldn’t expect from a four-cylinder executive vehicle. “For a car of its size, it was remarkably quick,” Haslam notes, highlighting its 0-60 mph time of just 8 seconds.

But beyond raw speed, Saab designed the 9000 for daily practicality. Reviewers at the time praised the car’s hatchback design, which made it far more versatile than many of its rivals. As Andy says in his video, “the 9000 was a car that could do it all”—it was a high-performance machine that also provided space and comfort for families and executives alike.

Haslam also touches on a key moment in the 9000’s history—its record-setting run at Talladega Speedway in 1986. Saab invited the FIA to witness the 9000’s endurance capabilities, with three cars each completing 100,000 kilometers at an average speed of 130 mph, setting multiple world records. This event, known as the Saab Talladega Challenge, was Saab’s way of proving the 9000’s reliability and performance on the global stage.

Missed opportunities: Saab 9000’s failed variants

While Haslam praises the Saab 9000’s success, he also delves into the missed opportunities that could have taken the car to even greater heights. One such project was the Saab 9000 minivan concept, which never saw production. Saab engineers experimented with creating a minivan version of the 9000, drawing inspiration from Chrysler’s early minivans, but the project was ultimately shelved.

Another variant that never made it to market was the Saab 9000 coupé, which Haslam describes as a “fascinating what-if” in the history of the brand. Saab even explored a convertible version of the 9000, created in partnership with Valmet Automotive, but General Motors, which had taken partial ownership of Saab by that point, decided it wasn’t financially viable.

In his video, Haslam doesn’t shy away from discussing Saab’s struggles under General Motors, particularly the conflict over a four-wheel-drive version of the 9000. While Saab engineers had designed a prototype with 4WD, GM executives decided to prioritize Opel’s all-wheel-drive system, leaving Saab to abandon the project.

Legacy of the Saab 9000: A misunderstood masterpiece?

Despite its innovations and standout features, the Saab 9000 never achieved the commercial success it deserved. As Haslam points out, the hatchback design—while practical—didn’t resonate with executive car buyers who preferred the prestige of a sedan. Saab tried to rectify this by launching the 9000 CD sedan in 1988, but by then, the competition from BMW, Mercedes, and Audi had already established a foothold.

Still, the Saab 9000 remains a favorite among enthusiasts for its turbocharged power, spacious interior, and innovative design. In Haslam’s words, “the 9000 was a car that didn’t get the attention it deserved when it was new, but it’s aged beautifully“—a sentiment shared by many Saab fans who recognize the car as a turning point for the brand.

Watch Andy Haslam’s full Saab 9000 video

For an in-depth look at the Saab 9000’s development and impact, be sure to watch Andy Haslam’s video on Big Car here. His detailed analysis provides fresh insights into the car’s history and the challenges Saab faced during its development.