Founded only 10 years after its aircraft-manufacturing beginnings, SAAB built its first 92 prototype in 1947, which had a transverse 2-cylinder engine powering the front wheels.
The car also used the shape of an aircraft wing section as its profile, resulting in aerodynamics that have only been achieved in recent years by many modern cars, and an extremely strong body shell. The 92 was produced until 1956, with the major mid-life change being the provision of an external lid to access the boot area.
The next car, the 93, had a 3-cylinder engine, 2-stroke like the original and sourced from DKW. It also introduced tubeless tyres and coil springs. In 1957 a clutchless gearshifting system, the Saxomat, was offered. The 1960 model was marked by having the doors hinged from the front instead of the rear. At that time, SAAB also produced its first estate, the 95. It predated the modern MPV concept, having a foldaway rear seat system that allowed it to be a 2-, 5-, or even 7-seater vehicle.
In the mid-60s, SAAB made a major shift in power plants by adopting the new Ford V4 1500cc 4-stroke engine, first in the 95 and later through its range. The company realised it had to get into producing a larger car, which began as the 99, powered by a Triumph in-line 4-cylinder engine and revealed in 1967.
From 1979, an extended version became the first 900. In 1985, the older 99 became a 90, and a big-car joint development with Lancia and Fiat had produced the 9000. The basic engine was a 2-litre inline four, with 100hp, but since 1983 the company had also introduced turbocharging. That was also the year it showed the concept that became one of its most important cars, the Convertible, which today represents 24 per cent of all sales.
In 1985 direct-ignition individual coils on each spark plug were introduced. In 1986 the 9000 was the first FWD car to offer
ABS brakes.
The experimental vehicle EV-1 was also developed around this time, incorporating such prophetic ideas as solar cells in the roof to power ventilation inside on hot days.
In 1990, the year that SAAB introduced "light pressure turbocharging", GM took a 50 per cent stake (which they since converted to 100 per cent ownership). A new 900 model was unveiled in 1993. Active head restraints were among the innovations developed by the company through the 90s, among the others being ventilated front seats. Today, SAAB has just two basic cars, the 9-3 and 9-5, but a 9-2 in conjunction with Subaru is planned, and there's talk of an SUV.
Best Car: Current 9-3 with 201hp engine.
Worst Car: Sonett from the 1960s.
Weirdest Car: The 1959 Monster experimental car with TWO 748cc 3-cylinder 2-stroke engines. It had an output of "well over 100bhp", was recorded to reach at 196km/h, but "was found to be difficult to corner" and retired to a museum.