Performance Review: Saab 99 2.0L Turbo - [1980]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Saab 99 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Saab 99 2.0L Turbo is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1980. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo and the 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS 937.This particular Saab 99 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 99 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 99's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback 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 1130 kgs (2491 lbs) this makes the Saab 99 2.0L Turbo in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Saab 99 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1985cc 16V St4 engine produces 145 bhp (108 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 174 lb-ft (235.9 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Saab 99 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1966 Ford Falcon 3rd Gen Sports Coupe 289 V8 4-Speed (153.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Saab 99.

The Saab 99 has a Power to weight ratio of 128.3 bhp per ton and 153.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1980 99 competing with the 1966 Ford Falcon 3rd Gen Sports Coupe 289 V8 4-Speed (153.2 bhp per ton) or the 1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340 (153.1 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 99 generating around 153.9 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 1978 Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra (178.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1966 Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 (178.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Saab 99 2.0L Turbo as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs). This Saab 99 2.0L Turbo is also faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 99 and the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988

When talking about the performance of the Saab 99 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.98 secs @ 85.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988 (15.92 secs), the 2004 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 (15.92 secs), and the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - EDM (15.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1980 version of the Saab 99 2.0L Turbo has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 1980 99 equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1980 Saab 99 2.0L Turbo then how about the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).

Related Links:

1980 99 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Saab

Car Comparison