dcn@ihuxl.UUCP (Dave Newkirk) (06/29/84)
The new Saab 9000 was announced last month in Sweden. The 9000 is an entirely new model meant to compete with the Audi 5000 and the Volvo 760. The picture on the cover of the Saab Club Newsletter shows a 4-door hatchback with a typical rounded Saab nose, but a Volvo-like midsection and a large rounded hatchback at the rear. It is powered by the third generation Saab Turbo engine with 16 valves, dual overhead cams and an intercooler. The engine is mounted transversely(!) over a new 5-speed transmission. In Euro-trim the 9000 will do 137 mph and 0-62 in 8.3 sec. The 9000 will be available in Europe this fall, and a year later here in the USA (1986 model). The 900 series will continue to be the majority of Saab production and sales for now. Dave Newkirk, ihnp4!ihuxl!dcn