Saab cars is no more now that NEVS (National Electric Vehicle Sweden) has agreed to not use the name on its upcoming all-electric models.
You can read about the news here, but below, we remember nine of the now defunct Swedish car maker's best creations.
Have we missed any key cars off our list? Let us know in the comments below.
Ursaab
This is where it all started for Saab. In 1948 the company, which was until then solely an aeroplane manufacturer, made its first foray into the motoring industry. It did so with four interestingly-styled Ursaab prototypes, which had a lower drag coefficient than any other car at the time. The Ursaab (which translates as 'original Saab') eventually evolved into the manufacturer's first production car, the 92.
Saab 96
Successor to the 93, the 96 was first launched in 1960 with a two-stroke, three-cylinder engine that produced just 38bhp. The two-stroke motor was later replaced by a V4 four-stroke engine that produced 68bhp in its most powerful form.
The unit gave the 96 enough grunt to secure two wins in the World Rally Championship, one in 1973 and the other in 1976, helping to shoot it and its maker’s name into the limelight.
Saab 99 Turbo
One of the first popular turbocharged cars, the technology behind the 99 Turbo went on to define Saab as a manufacturer in the late 1970s.
Decent build quality means there’s still some around on the used car market, but this pocket rocket is only for the brave.
Saab 9000 (1984-1998)
The 9000 was Saab's first executive saloon, designed to battle it out with more established models from German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz. It was created in conjunction with Fiat and shared parts with the Fiat Croma and Lancia Thema. In total, the 9000 was produced in its various guises over 14 years before it was succeeded by the 9-5.
Saab 9-3
Built between 1998 and 2014, the 9-3 appeared in convertible, hatchback, saloon and estate guises over the years.
It helped to cement Saab's reputation as a safety innovator, featuring side impact airbags and active headrests. It was also the first car to feature a 'night panel'. This turned off most lights on the instrument panel, meaning fewer distractions for the driver.
Join the debate
Bullfinch
Hmm.
sirwiggum
Bullfinch wrote: Only 4/9 are
HUR DUR DUR not proper Saabs!!!!
You're the type of snob who put me off going to car club meets, people like you ruin every marque club.
"Your GTV(916) isn't a real Alfa as it has a Fiat platform!"
"Your Xantia isn't a real Citroen as it has a Peugeot platform!"
"Your 9-3 isn't a real Saab as it has a GM platform!"
The reality is that modern car manufacturing of any scale usually necessitates platform sharing.
typos1
The Alfa GTV/Spider's Tipo
sirwiggum
9-3 was electric
That was the 9-3 was it not? GM insisted that the 9-5 be packed up when NEVS took over, production of the 9-3 continued in drips and drabs, including the electric prototype.
zogle28
Should probably use the right pic
Azurite
Mistake
'The 9-3 never really lived up to the 900 it replaced, and it was derided for basically being a Vauxhall Cavalier underneath.'
The 9-3 launched in 1998 was actually a better car than the 900, that it was an update of! The GM 900 launched in 1993/1994 it was based on, was the car that replaced the original SAAB 900 (a much revised 99), this was of course a real Saab. So the GM 900 replaced the Saab 900, not the GM 9-3 from 1998!
typos1
Maybe, but its ALL totally
bomb
Who put this list together?!
tuga
Ugh...
This. SO MUCH of this. To include the Phoenix and not the 900 ( or the Sonett ) is ridiculous. Not to mention the wrong facts, the wrong photos... do you guys need editors? ( You guys need editors )
JJ
I agree with bomb...
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