Saab 99 Evolution

Saab 99 - 1970

Changes:

- clock added
- cigarette lighter added
- ash trays in rear
- improved interior lighting
- seat belts added in rear as standard
- mew steering wheel with double horn button

- three-point engine suspension
- new inner uni joints
- aluminium exhaust
- Automatic transmission added (Borg Warner 35)
- Bosch EFI (95hp)

- 4-door model added in March

Colors:

Polar White (Red)
Silversand (Black)
Toreador Red (Black)
Savannah Beige (Golden Brown)
Sea Green (Golden brown)
Black (Golden brown)
Medium Blue (Dark Blue)

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Saab 99 - 1971

Changes:

- Headlight washers and wipers (standard)
- New instrument panel
- Anti-glare fitting on rear view mirror
- larger external mirrors
- Two external lower grilles for improved cooling
- larger 1854cc engine (93hp - carb version and 103hp EFI)

- Electrodipped body
- Better brake servos

New Colors:

Silvermink
Tyrolese Green

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Saab 99 - 1972

Changes:

- electrically heated driver's seat
- energy absorbing bumpers
- larger flashers and parking lamps
- new wheels
- 1.7 litre engine ceased
- freewheel ceased

January 1972 - EMS model unveiled
- copper coral metallic
- light-metal wheels
- steel cord tyres
- halogen lamps
- leather-covered steering wheel
- tachometer
- Swedish-built 2.0 litre engine (Bosch Jetronic - 110hp)
- 0-100 in 11.6 seconds
- 170kph top speed
- Price: 27,500 SEK

New colors for non-EMS range:

Verona Green
Amber Yellow

Ceased colors:

Silvermink
Savannah Beige

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Saab 99 - 1973

- 99L model (1.85)
- Door protection beams
- compression moulded fibreglass headliner mould
- pivot-mounted front springs
- instrument modifications
- halogen headlamps for non-EMS models too

X7 model introduced for Nordic market
- lower cost model in basic trim
- no chrome trims
- seats from V4
- rubber mats
- plain wheels

New colors:

Brilliant Yellow
Caroline Blue
Sepia
Silver Crystal Metallic (EMS)

Ceased colors:

Tyrolese Green
Medium Blue

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Saab 99 - 1974

January 1974 - Saab Combi Coupe starts sales.

- Primary development by Bjorn Envall.
- 184cm load space
- electrically heated rear window
- improved aerodynamics

- New higher front seats with integrated head restraints
- New steering wheel
- rel type seat belts
- improved interior heating and ventilation
- improved door locks

- More luxurious interior on EMS
- armrest built in to rear seat
- improved inner door mouldings

New color:

Sunset Orange

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Saab 99 - 1975

Changes:

- Improved brakes
- Improved steering gear
- Improved uni joints
- Improved exhaust
- Bigger fuel tank
- Standard power raised to 100hp
- Double-carb model introduced - 108hp
- X7 name for base model dropped

- EMS model moves to mechanical continuous injection (118hp)
- central grille received extra frame trim

- May 1975 saw the introduction of a goods fan for Denmark

New colors:

Solar Red
Emerald Green
Coral White

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Saab 99 - 1976

Changes:

- Improved clutch
- wider rims
- improved instruments
- electrically heated rear window for sedan
- new boot interior
- improved dip lights

GLE model introduced at Belgium Motor Show
- 118hp engine from EMS
- power steering
- automatic transmission
- EMS wheels with gold tones
- tinted windows
- power adjusted mirrors
- heated passenger seat

5-door CombiCoupe introduced at Geneva Motor Show

New colors:
Opal Green
Mustard Yellow

Ceased colors:
Emerald Green
Sunset Orange

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Saab 99 - 1977

Changes:

- Turbo model unveiled!! Test series vehicles numbered 900-999 based on EMS hatch
- New larger front lamp cluster
- larger tail lamps on sedans
- New bumper decor
- larger outside rear view mirror with black casing
- speaker inserts in doors for EMS (standard on previous year's GLE)
- New steering wheel for L and GL

New colors:
Astral Blue
Antelope Brown
Dorado Brown
Cardinal Red (EMS and GLE)
Anthracite Grey (EMS and GLE)

Ceased colors:
Mustard Yellow
Caroline Blue
Sepia
Brilliant Yellow
Verona Green
Amber Yellow

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Saab 99 - 1978

Saab 99 Turbo for sale!

- special Inca rims
- 2.0l turbocharged four cylinder
- 4 speed gearbox
- top speed around 200kph
- 0-100kph in 8.9 seconds
- Black or Cardinal Red three door hatch

Other models:

- Automatic preheating of induction air
- new shift lever
- oil cooler for automatics
- daylight driving lights wired to starter in Sweden
- catalytic converter for certain markets
- sunroof availability on certain models

- interior redesign for GLE
- gold tone on wheels changed to black
- EMS available as a 3-door in certain markets

New colors:
Jade Green
Laguna Blue

Ceased colors:
Opal Green
Astral Blue

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Saab 99 - 1979

Number of model variants declines due to Saab 900 becoming available.

- Reinforced rear axle
- modified front suspension
- semimetallic brake linings
- Bigger fuel tank made from polyethelyne
- more legroom in the rear

A small number of 2-door turbos was made for certain European markets

New Colors:
Alabaster Yellow
Chamotte Brown
Midnight Blue
Marble White
Acacia Green

Ceased Colors:
Jade Green
Laguna Blue
Antelope Brown

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Saab 99 - 1980

Changes:

- seats upgraded to the same as those used in the 900
- Lower side mouldings to alter appearance
- Bumpers from 900 fitted
- black moulings around wheel wells

New colors:
Carmine Red metallic
Aquamarine Blue metallic

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Saab 99 - 1981

Changes:

- limited numbers of 2-door turbos in UK only
- same front and rear seats as 900
- new steering wheel and powered rear mirrors (previously GLE)
- single-carb version in base model

- 1,600 GLi units were made for the Nordic markets
- 2-door abnd 4-door
- electric mirrors
- tinted windows
- decor rings on wheels
- upholstery in blue, red or green
- white cars given black mouldings on windows and black door handles
- econometer installed in dash

- Saab 99 Petro released in Finland
- designed to run on kerosene.

New colors:
Cirrus White
Cameo Beige
Terracotta Red
Indigo Blue Metallic

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Saab 99 - 1982

- All models receive the 'H' engine
- New grille
- black window surrounds for two door
- Nordic market received 2 and 4 door 99s with 5-speed gearboxes and low-profile tyres

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Saab 99 - 1983

- New bumper moulding on all models
- New 900-style grille
- Black decor on windows of 2-door models
- Asbestos-free brake linings
- Oil filler repositioned so that dipstick could act as filler cap
- separate econometer removed with economy markings placed on tachometer
- Rear fog lamps
- New centre console
- sunroof option on 5-speed cars

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Saab 99 - 1984

- final year of manufacture for the Saab 99
- breakerless electronic ignition system
- seats lowered 20mm in the front
- seat heating for passenger seat is made standard

New colors:
Azure Blue
Ivory
Platinum Blue Metallic