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Saab Innovations and Industry firsts
Saab Historical milestones and achievements


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Saab Innovations and Industry firsts

1947 The Saab 92 is presented, with a streamlined, stressed-skin steel body. Thanks in part to a completely smooth underside; the Cd value for the Saab 92.001 is no more than 0.32. The engine is a two-cylinder two-stroke, transversely mounted ahead of the front axle.

1953 Preheating of the induction air, to prevent icing in the carburettor, is introduced in December on the 1954 models.

1958 The GT 750 is Saab's first model to have factory fitted seat belts.

1960 Ventilation system of through-flow type with effective extraction behind the side windows.

1961 An air "slicer", intended to keep the rear window clear, is introduced on the Saab 95 in March.

1962 From January, all cars for Sweden are fitted with seat belts in front.

1963 Diagonally divided brake system with double brake circuits on all Saabs of 1964 models.

1967 The Saab 99 is presented, among other things with a double-jointed steering column of safety type, a safety body with crumple zones at front and rear and the starter switch on the floor between the front seats.

1969 As the 1970 model, the Company releases the 99E Automatic, the first Saab with an automatic gearbox and electronic fuel injection. Head restraints, of a unique Saab design, are offered as an extra on all models.

1970 Headlamp wipers and washers, a world "first", are introduced on the 1971 models.

1971 Two unique Saab innovations are presented on the 1972 models: an electrically heated driving seat and self-repairing (up to 8 kph, 5 mph) bumpers.

1972 Protecting members in the doors and glass-fibre headlinings as crash protection are introduced on the "99s" of 1973.

1973 Front seats with integrated head restraints are introduced on the 1974 models.

1976 Exhaust cleaning with a 3-way catalytic converter and a lambda sensor are introduced on cars for the U.S. Saab unveils its turbo concept in August, the first Saab 99 Turbo goes on sale a year later as a 1978 model.

1978 Yet another world "first" is introduced with the Saab 900: the unique compartment air filter. The Saab 900 also has a safety-type steering column with a telescopically collapsible steering shaft and a sheet-steel crumple bellows.

1980 The APC system protects the engine from injurious knocking due to uneven fuel quality and enables the engine to be run on petrol of various octane ratings. The APC system goes in production on the 1982 Saab 900 Turbo.

1981 A wide-angle rear-view mirror is introduced on the driver's side of the 1982 models.

1982 Beginning with the 1983 models, Saab fits all its cars with asbestos-free brake linings.

1983 In March Saab presents a new development of the 2-litre engine, with double overhead camshafts, 16 valves and domed combustion chambers having centrally sited sparking plugs. With a turbo and intercooler, the engine is capable of 200 hp (160 hp in series production) - while still burning 10% less fuel than the corresponding turbo car with two valves per cylinder.

1985 At the Stockholm Motor Show Saab presents the direct-ignition system, Saab DI, with an ignition coil for each cylinder. Automatic belt tensioners are introduced on the 1986 models of the Saab 9000.

1986 The Saab 9000 of the 1987 model becomes the first front-wheel-drive car to offer ABS brakes.

1988 Airbag on the driver's side, Saab Traction Control and climate-adapted exhaust cleaning.

1989 Plastic parts are marked for recycling.

1990 The term "light-pressure turbo' enters the automotive language when Saab launches a new way to use turbo-charging.

1991 Saab is the first carmaker to present a freon-free (CFC-free) air-conditioning system.

1992 Saab presents its Trionic engine-control system with a 32-bit microprocessor.

1993 Automatic clutch: the Saab Sensonic is offered on the Saab 900 Turbo.

1995 Saab launches the idea of Ecopower as an overall concept for all turbo-charged engines. At the Motor Show in Frankfurt it presents an engine-development project featuring asymmetric turbo-charging of a V6.

1996 Saab presents an active head restraint (SAHR, Saab Active Head Restraint) that is in course of development and goes in production with the new Saab 9-5.

1997 Yet another Saab innovation: ventilated front seats. It is the first time a passenger car, the new Saab 9-5, is offered with this feature.