Miguel Sánchez
Talking about models supercharged by turbocompression during the seventies is like mentioning sports cars with sometimes very abrupt nerves. However, every rule usually has its exception, in this case being the Saab 99 Turbo presented in 1977. One of the most advanced vehicles of its time and, ultimately, the foundation for the appearance of the much better known 900 Turbo.
This being the case, it is best to go in parts in order to discover the keys to our protagonist; not only transcendental when analyzing how turbocharging landed in the field of compact cars but also heir to a tradition of efficiency and safety based on the very beginnings of the Saab 99 around a decade earlier.
To begin with, the first thing to take into account is the unorthodox nature of the Saab range relative to the fifties and sixties. Based on its 92, 93, 95 and 96, this one was carried for most of the time on the production line bare two-cylinder or three-cylinder with two-stroke cycle always with front-wheel drive. A series of somewhat unorthodox solutions although, to tell the truth, especially efficient for a climate where the roads remain icy for a good part of the year.
What's more, the excellent motor skills exhibited by those Saabs are well reflected in their successes in the winter rallies, in which the snow It not only required measured control of power but also reliability which was demonstrated in African events such as the Safari Rally. However, the passage of time required a greater increase in power, thus incorporating a V4 from the Ford Taunus into the engine family.
ENTER THE NEW TIMES WITH FIRM FOOT
Although for two decades Saab had demonstrated an exquisite adaptation to the particularities of its local market, the truth is that by the end of the sixties its range required a profound adaptation. Likewise, this was necessary for the export growth, already successfully experimented with for years, especially when we look at the figures relative to the United States.
At this point, the future Saab 99 presented in 1967 started from a blank page with a specification where safety stood out above all. Thanks to this, this compact available in saloon, coupé or combi-coupé bodywork -almost a «shooting brake» thanks to the good access given to the cargo space - presented very interesting innovations still applied today.
In this sense, surely you know the peculiarity given in the Subaru boxers, which They come off very easily in case of a forceful impact. All this with the intention of dissipating less energy while ensuring that the mechanics do not end up becoming embedded in the passenger compartment with disastrous consequences for the bodies of the occupants.
Well, the Saab 99 already included this advance in a quite novel way. They were also integrated into the doors anti-intrusion reinforcement bars very effective in case of side impact. And yes, we are talking about a model released in the late sixties; approximately two decades before German brands like Audi announced this same safety element as something exclusive to them.
SAAB 99, BEGINNINGS WITH TRIUMPH ENGINE
As we see, most of the safety innovations presented by the Saab 99 had an impact on the creation of a cabin conceived as a security cell. What's more, the roof and its pillars underwent severe tests seeking the greatest possible rigidity - on the winding, snowy roads of Sweden it can be easy to tip over - while the hood was designed to deform in its central part in the event of a front crash.
All this with the aim of acquiring a sheet in the shape of a raised wedge behind which to shelter the windshield; really a very practical idea when - remember, we are talking about Sweden - run over a huge reindeer It is relatively common and absolutely dangerous.
Anyway, we could talk more about the safety of the Saab 99 - there are still elements such as the ignition inhibitor or the deformable bumpers - but, in general terms, we think that it has been quite clear how the Swedish company did a disruptive bet for the future with the launch of this family model.
Regarding the engine, this was entrusted to Triumph, which provided the same block with four cylinders - and this time, four strokes - seen in the Dolomite. More than enough with its around 87 HP. Of course, when in 1972 Saab and Scania merged The truck brand began working on a new and more solid engine block for passenger cars; something to which we add the appearance at that same time of direct injection in the Saab range.
THE PERFECT BASE TO MOUNT A MORE POWERFUL ENGINE
It is interesting to discover the mechanical evolution of the Saab 99 because thanks to the experience accumulated by Scania in its trucks The original Triumph engine was constantly revised and improved -especially in reliability- until generating something completely new.
What's more, in 1973 the appearance of the version EMS -Electronic Manual Special- took a first step forward in a sporty way by delivering 110 HP thanks to the addition of direct injection as well as a displacement increased to 1.981 cc.
However, Saab engineers continued to think about the possibility of presenting an even more powerful 99. And, not in vain, the excellent rigidity which we talked about when reviewing the safety of the model gave wings to a chassis capable of taking on an engine with a much more forceful response.
Thus, the first thought was - obviously - to resort to the 8 liter V2.5 installed by Triumph in its Stag convertible. However Scania had extensive experience supercharging its trucks through turbocompression, so in the seventies Saab decided to join a small club that only competitors such as BMW had entered with its 2002 Turbo designed for performance on the circuits.
SAAB 99 TURBO, SMOOTH POWER
Although the turbocharger has proven to be a magnificent ally for consumption efficiency in the long run, the truth is that its massive application to the field of European motorsports since the late seventies and early eighties goes hand in hand with sportsmanship.
Something explained - in part - not only by the performance increase given from a certain rotation regime but also by its somewhat abrupt response during those initiatory times. That said, it is striking how the 99 Saab 1977 Turbo managed a comfortable and progressive response -without being that of an atmospheric one, of course- despite being one of the protagonists of that first batch "turbo".
And the thing is that the Swedish house did not want to create a sports model in an energetic sense at all. Far from it I was simply looking to provide more power -it reached 145 HP, more than 44% of what was delivered by the non-turbocharged versions- to the safe and comfortable 99; a car distinguished by both design, finishes and price that really benefited from a more performance variant in terms of prestige and brand image.
With all this, the extra price to pay in case of purchasing a Saab 99 instead of a Lancia Beta HPE or a BMW 323i could be better justified thanks to the incorporation of supercharging. In short, here you can see the seeds that ended up creating the Saab 900 Turbo years later; And in the Swedish company the Turbo versions were synonymous with power delivered with moderation and comfort.
