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Saab 9000 Aero turbo-charges a powerful path beyond luxury
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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Saab, the Swedish automaker noted for safety systems in its automobiles and a high-powered turbo kick derived from relatively small but muscular and efficient engines, produces a performance variation of the full-size 4-door hatchback 9000 sedan series.
Known as Aero, it's a wolf in sheepish sheetmetal.
To prove the point, a Saab tester 9000 Aero and I spent some time together ringing the steeply banked oval track at Atlanta Speedway.
Strap on the racing helmet and hang on tight: Despite the understated exterior treatment, this thing can fly on four wheels.
Cursory inspection does not reveal the true character of this Saab. In overall shape, it's boxy in the European manner yet rounded at all corners to maintain a certain aerodynamic elegance.
A cleverly concealed hatchback lid leaves room for two wide doors on each side, so the vehicle functions like a conventional 4-door sedan.
Conventional, though, is not a word to associate with Saab's Aero.
After my high-speed Atlanta tests, I call it Bullet.
How fast is fast?
On a banked oval, any speed will do, and Aero pegs the needle into triple digits.
From a standing start, it zips to 60 mph in something under seven seconds, thanks to a turbo-charger added to the fuelish 4-in-line engine which produces 225 hp.
It's seductive with that power, however, because Saab laces the Aero with all of the trappings of ultra luxury in the European style.
As a result, driver and passengers find themselves encased in a well-heeled and quiet environment where engine and wind noises cannot penetrate. The ride quality, while firm and sporty, still feels remarkably neutral.
But raw power and rich interior fittings are only two of the seemingly incongruent aspects of Aero. It also has the kind of handling hardware aboard which accommodates those aggressive quick-cut turning maneuvers usually accomplished only by an exotic sports car.
At the end of the clubhouse straightaway at Atlanta Speedway, the driver can hang a hard left U-turn onto the infield maze of twisties.
Thanks to the front-wheel-drive traction format, Aero held a hard edge around that first severe cut, with help from down-shifting and a hard foot on the brake pedal. Then comes an up-shift through the S-shaped path, followed by a broad right sweeper which makes rubber squeal on big 16-inch Z-rated tires.
You can open it up again on the backside straight, but watch out for the lip of a rise where Aero catches air under all four wheels.
Power down at the end of the straight for a tight right, followed by another, then a left bend which takes you back onto the banked west end of the oval circuit.
Lap that loop five times to familiarize yourself with all nuances of track and car, and you'll discover this Saab lets you push its limits, whether in tight turns or raw speed, well beyond what you imagine it can do.
It's truly impressive on the track, but more so even on city streets I discovered when living with an Aero for a week's worth of routine tests.
The power kicks quick enough: Even with a slight turbo lag, it blasts ahead of lesser traffic, giving driver a feeling of reserved arrogance.
If you're like me, though, you may find yourself incredulous that such lusty performance could stem from an engine containing only four cylinders.
Talk to an informed Swede like Gunnar Johansson, program manager for the 9000's technical development, and you'll learn that even a large car like Aero doesn't need six cylinders when a forceful 4-cylinder turbo model will perform that task and also earn high fuel economy figures.
Johansson pointed to the 9000 CS to illustrate.
Its 2.3-liter in-line-4 turbo -- dubbed Light Pressure Turbo due to less turbo-boost pressure that trims the power delay of a typical turbo -- produces 170 hp and 192 lbs/ft of torque. Still, it's so frugal at the gas pump that CS earns top honors in its large-car class.
The Aero's engine, a 2.3-liter four with dual cam, also packs that turbo booster.
Saab adds a sporty, short-throw 5-speed manual shifter as the standard transmission. If you enjoy working through a set of gears, you'll love this stick.
A nice 4-speed automatic is also available, by the way.
The Swedes engineer their automobiles to plow through severe arctic winters, so 9000 Aero with the front-wheel-drive format, power-assisted rack and pinion steering and standard restraining assets such as anti-lock brakes makes agile maneuvers in mastering snow-slick streets.
Still, it's the power factor that grabs your attention with Aero, followed by its uncanny ability to keep all wheels planted around hard road kinks. Log time in the cockpit, and you'll also begin to see the other side of this car -- its big, plush quarters.
Riding on a full-size platform, the 9000 presents a generously proportioned passenger compartment. Twin bucket seats appear in front, separated by broad console, while in the rear the bench features special cushioned spaces for two but ample room for three riders.
A spacious trunk compartment appears behind the back seat, and the hatchback lid makes access easy.
All of Saab's 9000 trims provide a long list of standard features, with power to operate everything, plus such refinements as heated front seats.
Ultimate Aero then installs sport suspension components, speed-rated tires, a rear spoiler and wood trimmings on the inside, along with that powerful turbo.
It all adds up to awesome performance from a full-size sedan which behaves like an exotic racer.
Aero's bottom line begins at $41,600.
1996 SAAB 9000 AERO
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1996 SAAB 9000 AERO Specs |
| Description: |
Full-size hatchback sedan |
| Model Options: |
Full-size hatchback sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
105.2 inches |
| Overall Length: |
188.7 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.3-L I-4 Turbo
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
20/29 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 41,600 to $43,000 |
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