Things Saab has GM to thank for: independent rear suspension

"Someone Else's Projects" (someoneelsesproject)
02/12/2015 at 17:01 • Filed to: None

If you don't count the Saab-Lancia 600, the first-ever Saab with independent rear suspension is the 1999 9-5. In an age when the Nissan Maxima was criticized for reverting to a beam rear axle in its 4th generation (1995-1999), Saab managed to claim European sporting pretensions despite never having bothered with IRS in the first place. Even the GM-based 900 and first-gen 9-3 stuck with a beam rear while its platform-mate Opel Vectra/Vauxhall Cavalier had the option of rear independent suspension.

Oh, Saab.

DISCUSSION (7)

Klaus Schmoll > Someone Else's Projects
02/12/2015 at 17:09

What is a Saab-Lancia 600?

Someone Else's Projects > Klaus Schmoll
02/12/2015 at 17:23

It was a badge-engineered Lancia Delta only sold in Scandinavia, basically a quid pro quo for sharing the platform that became the 9000.

Klaus Schmoll > Someone Else's Projects
02/12/2015 at 17:35

Thanks for educating me! A google searche came up with this: http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/saab-600-anyon…

Don't say you can't learn stuff on oppo!

Carl (@stuffcarlsays) > Someone Else's Projects
02/12/2015 at 17:48

GM900 was rushed to production and every other Saab (600 notwithstanding) had the beam in back to that point, so I figure it was just a matter of cost. The original "New 900" had its origin in Project 102, which was a shortened 9000 chassis giving way to Project 104 (the Vauxhall based one that went to production). They had time with Project 640 (the 9-5 that went to production) to make that sweet, sweet IRS. I still prefer the way a 9000 handles over a 9-5 any day, though.

Someone Else's Projects > Carl (@stuffcarlsays)
02/12/2015 at 17:51

No doubt that cost is a huge driver of everything that Saab did, including getting acquired. I agree on the 9000 vs. 9-5 comparison; I bet a lot of it is down to the pointless increase in weight of the 9-5.

Carl (@stuffcarlsays) > Someone Else's Projects
02/12/2015 at 18:05

I think I recall there being talk at one point of doing AWD on the 9-5 back in the late 90s when I worked at the dealership. That would explain the rear end design, for sure. Very similar to the P80 and P2 Volvos of the same vintage.

Burnah > Someone Else's Projects
04/13/2015 at 12:16

Burned!