The New Generation Saab 900 (called the NG900 among enthusiasts) was a compact car replacing the “classic” Saab 900 in 1994. Influenced by General Motors after a substantial investment in the company, the car based on the Opel Vectra chassis was introduced.

The cW value was improved to 0.30. Variants included the S and SE models - three-door model, five-door model and the GM900convertible. There was also a “Talladega” version, after an endurance test on the Talladega racetrack.

This version of the 900 was equipped with 2.0 L, 2.3 L, (low or full pressure turbo) Saab 16V DOHC engines (B202, B204, B234) and also 2.5 L displacement version of GM’s European 54° V6 engine (3.0 L). Engine management was operated by Saab Direct Ignition (SDI) + Automatic Performance Control (APC) + Bosch LH Jetronic or Saab Trionic unit, although in 1996 the distributor operated ignition was re-introduced for 2.0 and 2.3 L naturally aspirated engines. The turbocharged variants powering the NG900 (B204) used Saab the Saab Trionic 5 system.  As opposed to the “classic” Saab 900, it has a transversely-mounted engine and a rear-hinged hood.

Engines:

• 2.0 L B204 full pressure 16-valve turbo intercooled, 175 hp DIN (129 kW)
• 2.0 L B204 full pressure 16-valve turbo, special with a red APC controller (see below), 185 hp 136 kW)
• 2.3 L B234 normally-aspirated 16-valve four cylinder, 150 hp
• 2.5 L 54° V6, 24-valve, 170 hp DIN (125 kW)

1998

Saab made over “1,500 improvements” to the NG900 in mid-year 1998, and rebadged it as the Saab 9-3. Some 1998 model year vehicles were the older NG900 style and later model year 1998 vehicles were the newer 9-3 specification. A total of 273,568 were made.

Awards and Achievements

1998

• Best in Class, cars $25,000-$35,000 (900 S Turbo) - Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, USA

1996

• Among Top Ten Sports Cars - Consumer’s Review, USA
• IBCAM British Steel Auto Design Award (Saab 900 2.0i Coupé) - The Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers, Great Britain
• Best Buy - Consumers’ Digest, USA

1995

• Top Car in its Price Class (Saab 900 SEV6) - American Automobile Association (AAA)
• Best Buy - Consumers’ Digest, USA
• Among Top Ten Sports Cars - Consumer’s Review, USA
• Technology Award 1995 for Saab Sensonic - Autocar, Great Britain

1994 and 1993

• Top Choice in annual Car of the Year reader telefax poll - Autoweek Magazine, USA
• Annual Special Prize To Saab Safeseat - Motoring Journalists’ Club, Denmark
• One of the Ten Most Improved Cars And Trucks Of 1994 - Syndicated automotive experts Mike Anson and Steven Parker, USA
• Import Car of the Year 1993/94 in Japan - RJC (Automotive Researchers and Journalists Conference of Japan), Japan
• Best Buy - Consumers’ Digest, USA
• Excellent Swedish Design 1994 - The Swedish Society of Crafts and Design, Sweden
• Family Car of the Year (900S) - Motoring ‘94, Canada
• Scandinavian Design Prize 1994 - The Scandinavian Design Council (The Nordic Design Centres)
• Executive Car of the Year 1994 - Portuguese Car Trophy
• 93 Best Buy - Consumers’ Digest, USA
• ‘94 Design of the Year - Automobile magazine, USA
• Best New Car - Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, USA
• Car of the Year 1993 - Moottori magazine, Finland
• Best of What’s New - Popular Science, USA
• 2nd Most Popular Car - STATUS magazine, Germany
• ‘94 Technology of the Year (for Saab Trionic) - Automobile magazine, USA