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Saab spins off cute convertible version of sporty 900 coupe
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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Bold white clouds dotting an azure sky reflected off Lake Champlain, where islands laced together by a ribbon of blacktop and bridges defined a rumpled route near the western shore of Vermont. With this blue sky came warm temperatures and the promise of a grand day.
Perfect conditions to pop my convertible's top.
Unlike some temperamental ragtops, though, Saab, the Swedish automaker, makes the job of lowering the roof so easy in a new convertible version of the revamped 900 coupe.
Flip overhead latches to free that lid, use your index finger to depress an electric switch, then sit back and watch this car do all the work.
A hard bonnet cover rises from the rear decklid as the top's front edge shoots up and folds back, pleating into itself as it slowly collapses into a deep compartment set behind the second seat. Next, the bonnet returns to hide that collapsed mess, leaving nothing more than that blue sky for a ceiling and the sleek exterior silhouette of an elegant wedge-shaped convertible.
If raising the roof could always be this easy, more people would choose a convertible.
Saab's new model, with spacious seating for four and a choice of three spicy engines, not only takes the work out of the conversion effort but creates a cozy, insulated passenger compartment when inclement conditions warrant keeping that lid locked on top.
Considering that the 900 Convertible comes together at the only automotive assembly plant in Finland and was designed by Swedes to weather harsh Scandinavian winters, Saab's convertible issue would have to be weather-tough with its top up -- snowproof and warm, too.
Intricate systems ensure leakproof coverage, beginning with a polyacrylic exterior top and rubber inner layer. Then the back glass window adds an electric heat element.
In addition, seats contain internal heating elements, and the power windows employ thick rubber gasket seals so you can zip this car tightly shut.
Because of these measures to insulate and secure the passenger cabin in winter, Saab's marketeers have dubbed this car the "four-season convertible," a term that implies it's the rare ragtop which remains comfortable even when motoring through a northern climate in January.
Other standard features like daytime running lights and fog lamps -- so you may see and be seen on the road even in foul weather -- along with an impressively long list of structural elements define the safety aspects for which this automaker has already established a substantial record.
One more thing: Saab makes driving so sporty.
My tests in several models equipped with both the sporty manual 5-speed shifter and an effortless electronic automatic with four forward selections, covered the islands of Lake Champlain and traversed Vermont's northern reaches below the Canadian border. In severe curve sets climbing across the White Mountains, the car delivered on Saab's promise of assertive road manners.
The stiff chassis -- outfitted with a 4-wheel independent suspension system, fat speed-rated rubber and lively power rack and pinion steering -- does a far better job than other convertibles in hunkering down on pavement and hanging tight around twisties.
It feels rock-solid tight for aggressive driving in the European mode, and there's a fat steering wheel to grip, firm seat bolsters to hold your body in place and easy-read analog instruments for a hands-on kind of driver.
In my tests of several Saabs, I scatted across the pastoral New England landscape with no complaints -- even with the base 150 hp dual cam 2.3-liter 4-in-line engine.
Link it to a 2.0-liter turbo-charged SE edition like the plant in a 900 Coupe I tested at maximum velocities on Italian freeways, and Saab makes a mean stick-shifting machine with little lag evident in the turbo department.
Saab's engineers tout these 4-cylinder engines for their fuel efficiency, then prove with turbo-charging you can also get a neck-snapping punch of power when needed.
An ultimate convertible Saab goes even further by installing the V6 of the 900 sedan.
That plant, built in England by General Motors, which owns 51 percent of Saab's auto division, pumps 170 hp from a 2.5-liter engine with twin cams mounted on top.
Couple this SE V6 to an optional 4-speed automatic transmission for effortless power flow, or go for sport with the 5-speed manual box that's precise and fun to shift.
Saab's convertible also impressed me with the amount of space it creates for human cargo. Two people riding in front buckets have 42.3 inches of legroom to stretch, and with the top up, 39.3 inches of headroom.
The rear seat, where most convertibles drastically compromise on space, contains a full yard of legroom. I found the back area quite comfortable, even after two hours logged back there during an airport dash to Burlington.
Saab crafts a complete car in base S edition.
This version's entry-level items range from safety gear like 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock control and dual airbags to comfort equipment such as air conditioning, cruise control, power door and trunk locks, heated power mirrors, telescopic steering wheel, AM-FM stereo with cassette deck, and that power top with power boot.
Base 900 S even has leather heated reclining front bucket seats and headlamp washers and wipers, plus a tachometer included with the analog clock, and 15-inch VR tires mounted on nice alloy wheels.
Increase your sporty zip with the 900 SE, which gets the 2.0-liter turbo 4-banger with a sport suspension and Z-rated 16-inch tires, as well as power front seats, Saab's on-board trip computer, premium sound system with CD changer and automatic climate control.
Then the Saab SE V6 Convertible: It stocks equipment previously listed in addition to the 6-cylinder engine and a traction control system.
Saab's prices run from $32,995 to $40,070.
The 900 series convertible first appeared in 1986 and went on to become one of the most popular of all Saabs sold in the United States market. This new version goes further than its predecessor to shape a fun to drive ragtop which takes work and hassle out of owning a vehicle that drops its top with the push of a button when the weather's right.
1995 SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLE
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1995 SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLE Specs |
| Description: |
Midsize convertible |
| Model Options: |
Midsize convertible |
| Wheelbase: |
102.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
182.6 inches
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| Engine Size: |
S: DOHC 2.3-L I-4
SE: DOHC 2.0-L I-4 Turbo
V6: DOHC 2.5-L V6
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| Transmission: |
S: Manual/5, Auto/4
SE: Manual/5
V6: Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS
V6: TCS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
S: 20/29 mpg
SE: 21/28 mpg
V6: 18/25 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 32,995 to $ 40,070 |
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