Table of Contents
- 1 The Saab 900 Turbo: A Legend Revived
- 2 Retropowercars’ Ambitious Restomod Project
- 3 Restomod: A Growing Trend Among Enthusiasts
- 4 A Designer’s Challenge: Honoring Tradition While Innovating
- 5 Performance That Matches the Design
- 6 A Design That Pays Tribute to the Aero Model
- 7 What’s Next for Saab Restomods?
- 8 Final Thoughts
The Saab 900 Turbo: A Legend Revived
Nearly 12 years after the unfortunate end of Saab, the brand is still alive in the hearts of enthusiasts. The iconic Saab 900 Turbo, one of the marque’s most revered models, is now making a comeback thanks to Retropowercars. In a project that seamlessly blends vintage charm with modern performance, this restomod is bringing back the spirit of the 900 Turbo, but with a twist—350 horsepower and an Aero-inspired design.
Restomod projects have gained massive popularity, as they allow classic cars to retain their timeless aesthetic while receiving much-needed upgrades under the hood. This revival of the Saab 900 Turbo is not just a nod to nostalgia but a celebration of modern engineering wrapped in a beloved design.
Retropowercars’ Ambitious Restomod Project
Retropowercars, a UK-based company known for their high-quality restomod projects, is taking on the Saab 900 Turbo with an obsessive attention to detail. The project is led by their designer, George, who has spent months refining every aspect of the car’s design. The goal is clear: retain the unmistakable lines of the original 900 Turbo while modernizing the car to meet today’s performance standards.
“We are very close to finalizing the design,” said George, who has been working tirelessly on the car’s appearance in Photoshop. “It’s been a process of constant refinement, and I’m hoping the client will approve the final version soon—but this is always a moving target.”
The design heavily draws from the original Aero version, but there are new elements that set this restomod apart. Once completed, it will feature a 2.0-liter turbo engine, significantly upgraded to deliver a jaw-dropping 350 horsepower. The mix of raw power and elegant design is aimed at bringing the Saab 900 Turbo back to life in a way that honors its legacy while pushing it into the future.
Restomod: A Growing Trend Among Enthusiasts
The Saab 900 Turbo is not the first Saab to receive the restomod treatment, and it certainly won’t be the last. The rise in demand for these modernized classics comes from a deep-seated appreciation for automotive history coupled with a desire for the latest in performance and technology.
Belgium’s Saabjorn took on a similar project recently, aiming to restore and upgrade another Saab 900 Turbo by the end of 2024. Saabjorn’s model also features a turbocharged engine with 350 horsepower, proving that the 900 Turbo’s appeal spans across continents and enthusiasts.
For many, restomods offer the best of both worlds. Classic lines, modern tech—that’s the mantra driving these projects forward. In the case of the Saab 900 Turbo, it’s the love for the car’s unmistakable design, combined with the performance capabilities that modern engineering allows, which keeps the 900 Turbo in the spotlight.
A Designer’s Challenge: Honoring Tradition While Innovating
For George and the team at Retropowercars, one of the biggest challenges has been striking the right balance between staying true to the original Saab 900 Turbo design and introducing innovative, performance-enhancing modifications.
“This isn’t just about throwing in a bigger engine,” George explained. “Every line, every angle of this car has to respect the legacy of Saab’s design language, but we also need to make it clear that this is a 21st-century machine.”
The use of Photoshop as a design tool has allowed Retropowercars to explore countless variations of the 900 Turbo’s appearance. Customers have the opportunity to provide feedback throughout the design process, ensuring that the final result meets both their personal vision and the car’s original spirit.
While the client is nearing approval of the final design, the process is ongoing. “It’s a dialogue, not a one-way conversation,“ George added, reflecting the painstaking attention to detail that has gone into this project.
Performance That Matches the Design
Underneath the sleek design of this modernized Saab 900 Turbo lies a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The original 900 Turbo was no slouch, but this restomod will take performance to the next level. Delivering 350 horsepower, this updated powerplant is far more potent than the car’s original specs, making it a formidable player in today’s market for performance cars.
With this much power, the driving dynamics of the restomod are expected to be equally impressive. George and his team are ensuring that the chassis, suspension, and braking systems are all upgraded to handle the additional horsepower, providing a driving experience that matches the 900 Turbo’s new-found muscle.
A Design That Pays Tribute to the Aero Model
The Aero model of the Saab 900 Turbo has always held a special place in the hearts of Saab fans, and it’s this version that has inspired many of the design cues in Retropowercars’ restomod. The wider stance, sharper angles, and aggressive front fascia of the Aero are all present in this modern take on the classic.
Despite the upgrades, this restomod still retains the unmistakable silhouette of the 900 Turbo. The iconic hatchback shape and sloping roofline are intact, ensuring that the car is immediately recognizable to any Saab aficionado. While the Aero-inspired design touches push the car toward a more aggressive, modern look, the original spirit of the 900 Turbo remains front and center.
What’s Next for Saab Restomods?
The Saab 900 Turbo restomod by Retropowercars is set to be completed by the end of 2024. Once it hits the road, it’s likely to spark even more interest in the growing trend of Saab restomods. While Saab enthusiasts around the world wait for an official revival of the brand, projects like these are keeping the flame alive.
This is not just a revival of a beloved car—it’s a statement. The Saab 900 Turbo restomod shows that there’s a future for these cars, even if the brand no longer exists in its original form. As the demand for unique, modernized classics continues to rise, we can expect more restomod projects to focus on Saab’s iconic models.
For now, Retropowercars is leading the charge, bringing one of Saab’s most beloved models back into the spotlight—faster, stronger, and more exciting than ever before.
Final Thoughts
The Saab 900 Turbo restomod by Retropowercars is not just a celebration of the past, but a bold statement about the future of automotive restoration. With 350 horsepower, modern design cues, and a meticulous attention to detail, this project is set to become a benchmark in the restomod world.
For Saab fans, the wait is nearly over. This restomod proves that even though Saab as a company may be gone, the legacy of its cars lives on—stronger and more vibrant than ever.
I’m not even reading the article but if those lights were for sale on eBay or even Etsy I would buy them and not give a crap if they only worked for a week
Whoever wrote this put a lot of words into saying absolutely nothing. All I got was it has planned a 350hp 2.0l motor, and Aero styling. Repeated several times in different ways. Why not wait until the plan is finalized, then write an article with some details? Don’t waste your time reading that article, you won’t learn anything from it.
Probably best head to Retropower youtube channel and the plan is clear audi s4 quattro convertible chassis mated to the saab 900 body with the 5 pot audi 2.5 tfsi turbo engine lots of bespoke carbon fibre panels
Its going to be amazing. And a 1 of 1
Yes everything seems super except the headlight and grille treatment. Not “bad”, but they could have included some SAAB headlights in there.
If you give it to me i won’t complain. 😜
Its an amazing project, but it is an Audi 4WD floorpan/structure with a Saab 900 outer ‘skin’ mated to it, there’s practically none of Saab’s original engineering left. I think that level of radical modification takes it past being a ‘restomod’ and into a different category altogether.