While the automotive world often fixates on the forced-induction bravado of the iconic Saab 900 Turbo or the sun-drenched allure of the later cabriolet models, there remains a more subtle, foundational narrative to the Swedish marque’s success. The Saab 900 EMS—the "Electronic Manual Special"—represents a pivotal, if often overlooked, chapter in the brand’s history. It was the most potent naturally aspirated variant of its era, a car that balanced the eccentricities of Scandinavian design with a surprising degree of everyday utility.
To understand the 900, one must first look at its predecessor, the 99. Though the 99 was a pioneer in its own right, the 900 managed to eclipse it, selling 50% more units despite a four-year shorter production lifecycle. It was, in many ways, the car that defined Saab’s identity as an aeronautically inspired, safety-conscious, and quirkily efficient manufacturer.
Main Facts: The Genesis of an Icon
In 1977, the headquarters in Trollhättan faced a strategic dilemma. The Saab 99 was approaching its tenth anniversary, and the venerable 96 was a direct descendant of the 1947 Saab 92. With limited capital and a brand image that demanded both innovation and practicality, Saab could not afford to replace two distinct product lines simultaneously.
The solution was a masterful exercise in engineering pragmatism. Inspired by Volvo’s approach to updating the 100 series into the 200 series, Saab opted to modernize the 99 platform. The chosen base was the "Combi-Coupé," a fastback design introduced in 1974 that offered a clever, hybrid silhouette—part sedan, part station wagon, part coupe. This "bicorps" (two-box) layout placed the 900 squarely in the company of sophisticated European contemporaries like the Citroën CX, the Audi 100 Avant, and the Lancia Gamma.
While the 900 retained the 99’s silhouette from the windshield to the rear bumper, it was fundamentally a new machine. The chassis was stretched by 5 centimeters to accommodate a reinforced front structure, a necessity dictated by increasingly stringent American safety regulations. This decision to push the front wheels forward was purely an engineering imperative for impact safety, though it inadvertently gave the car a more balanced, purposeful stance.
Chronology: The Evolution of a Legend
- 1947: The birth of the Saab 92, establishing the "9" prefix tradition.
- 1968: The launch of the Saab 99, featuring the innovative Triumph-derived "Slant Four" engine.
- 1972: Introduction of the "B" engine, a 1,985cc powerplant marking Saab’s move toward internal manufacturing.
- 1974: The launch of the Combi-Coupé, the design blueprint for the upcoming 900.
- 1977: Design and development phase for the "new" 900 begins in Trollhättan.
- May 1978: Official announcement of the Saab 900, aimed at the 1979 model year.
- 1979–1993: The golden era of the 900, cementing its reputation as a cult classic.
Supporting Data: The "B" Engine and Engineering Peculiarities
The heart of the 900 EMS is the Saab "B" engine—a power unit that is as much a case study in industrial adaptation as it is in mechanical ingenuity. Originally, the 99 relied on the British Triumph Slant Four (1.7L and 1.85L). By 1972, however, Saab sought independence.
The "B" engine, which powered the 900, was manufactured in the Scania plant in Södertälje. While it retained the 78mm stroke of its predecessor, the bore was expanded from 87mm to 90mm, resulting in a displacement of 1,985cc.
The engine layout remains one of the most eccentric in automotive history. Following the "Mini" philosophy, the gearbox was placed directly beneath the engine, sharing the same lubrication circuit. To optimize space, the engine was rotated 180 degrees; the flywheel and clutch were positioned toward the front of the car, while the water pump sat at the rear, near the firewall, driven by a shaft adjacent to the cylinder head. This configuration, while challenging to maintain, allowed for a compact, longitudinally mounted front-wheel-drive setup that offered exceptional traction and a unique center of gravity.
Official Responses and Market Positioning
When the 900 launched, the automotive press was initially skeptical of its "recycled" platform. However, the market’s reaction was overwhelmingly positive. The EMS (Electronic Manual Special) was specifically targeted at those who appreciated the responsiveness of a naturally aspirated engine over the burgeoning complexity of turbocharging.
Saab’s marketing positioned the 900 as a "premium-utility" vehicle. It was not marketed as a dedicated sports car, but rather as an intelligent, high-performance daily driver. The specific presentation of the EMS—distinguished by its trim, interior appointments, and chassis tuning—appealed to professionals who wanted a car that felt "different" from the German and Italian hegemony.
Internally, Saab executives referred to the 900 as the "Safety-First Sedan," emphasizing that the elongated platform was not just for aesthetics but for the protection of its occupants. This focus on safety became a core pillar of the brand, effectively shielding it from the "cheap car" stigma that plagued other budget-conscious manufacturers of the late 1970s.
Implications: A Legacy of "Intelligent" Engineering
The success of the 900, and the EMS variant in particular, had profound implications for the automotive industry. It proved that a manufacturer did not need to reinvent the wheel every decade to remain relevant. By focusing on incremental, high-quality improvements, Saab cultivated a loyal, almost cult-like following that persists to this day.
The "Bicorps" Philosophy
The widespread adoption of the fastback hatch by mainstream manufacturers in the late 70s was a validation of the 99/900 concept. The ability to fold the rear seats and create a cavernous, flat loading floor transformed the "sports sedan" into a "utility vehicle," a versatility that few competitors of the time could match without compromising on driving dynamics.
Safety as a Selling Point
The 900’s reinforced front structure was years ahead of its time. By prioritizing structural integrity to satisfy US crash-test standards, Saab inadvertently created a vehicle that felt "indestructible" on the road. This perception of robustness was not merely psychological; it translated into a long-term durability that meant many 900s remained on the road decades after their contemporaries had been scrapped.
The EMS Legacy
The EMS occupies a unique space in the hierarchy of the 900. It is the purest expression of the Saab 900 platform before the "Turbo" branding took over the marketing narrative. It offers a linear, predictable throttle response that modern turbocharged engines struggle to replicate. For the collector, the EMS is the thinking person’s choice—a vehicle that captures the Swedish spirit of functional beauty, mechanical unconventionality, and a refusal to bow to mass-market trends.
In conclusion, the Saab 900 EMS is more than just a piece of Swedish history; it is a testament to the idea that smart engineering and a clear vision can transcend the constraints of a limited budget. As we look back from the vantage point of the modern era, the 900 remains an outlier—a car that, like the company that built it, marched to the beat of a very different, and very melodic, drum.
For an in-depth technical analysis and comprehensive photo gallery of the Saab 900 EMS, please refer to the full feature in Gazoline No. 346, available now via the official Gazoline online store.
