Performance Review: Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Saab 9000 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Saab 9000 has a 1985cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 9000 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 9000's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1316 kgs (2901 lbs) this makes the Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan STO 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Saab 9000 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 1985cc 16V St4 engine produces 175 bhp (130 kW) @ 5300 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 201 lb-ft (272.5 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Saab 9000 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1968 Ferrari 206 Dino GT (157.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Saab 9000.

The Saab 9000 has a Power to weight ratio of 132.9 bhp per ton and 152.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 9000 competing with the 1968 Ferrari 206 Dino GT (157.8 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (157.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Saab 9000 generating around 152.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1993 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 3 (177.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2004 Audi A4 S4 4.2 Quattro (177.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 9000 and the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup

When talking about the performance of the Saab 9000 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.74 secs @ 86.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (15.68 secs), the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 (15.69 secs), and the 2003 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 Hemi (15.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 141mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 9000 equals the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (152 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 Saab 9000 2.0 Turbo then how about the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (152 mph), the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (152 mph), or the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi DSG 2.0 Turbo (152 mph).

Related Links:

1986 9000 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Saab

Car Comparison