Saab 900 SE Turbo Convertible

Saab 900 SE Turbo Convertible

The new-generation Saab 900, introduced in 1994, was the most controversial car in Saab's history. Developed after General Motors acquired a 50% stake in the Swedish company, the 'NG900' (New Generation 900) was based on the GM2900 platform shared with the Opel Vectra — a radical departure from the proprietary engineering that had defined every previous Saab. The SE Turbo Convertible was the model that most directly inherited the spirit of the beloved original 900 Convertible, and it remained Saab's most desirable and emotionally compelling offering throughout the NG900's production life.

The Convertible was assembled at Valmet Automotive's factory in Nystad (Uusikaupunki), Finland — continuing a partnership that dated back to 1968 when Saab first contracted the Finnish company to build its convertible models. Valmet's craftsmanship in convertible construction was well-established, and the NG900 Convertible featured a well-insulated multi-layer soft top that provided genuine all-season comfort. The three-layer top could be lowered and raised electrically, folding neatly behind the rear seat under a tonneau cover.

The SE Turbo specification combined the range-topping SE equipment level with the turbocharged 2.3-liter engine. Producing 185 horsepower and 263 Nm of torque through Saab's Trionic engine management, the turbo four provided brisk acceleration and strong highway performance. The SE trim added leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control, and a premium audio system — all the equipment expected by the affluent buyers who were drawn to convertible motoring.

Driving the NG900 Convertible was a different experience from the original. The GM-derived platform offered improved refinement, better NVH isolation, and more predictable handling than the idiosyncratic original 900. Scuttle shake, the traditional enemy of convertible chassis rigidity, was well-controlled thanks to substantial structural reinforcement in the sills and floor. The front-wheel-drive layout continued Saab tradition, and the Trionic-managed turbo engine responded to throttle inputs with the progressive boost delivery that was a Saab hallmark.

The NG900 Convertible occupied a unique market position. Priced between the mass-market convertibles (VW Golf Cabriolet, Chrysler Sebring) and the premium offerings (BMW 3-Series, Mercedes CLK), it attracted buyers who valued individuality, Scandinavian design sensibility, and the Saab brand's intellectual associations. The Convertible was particularly popular in Northern Europe and the American Northeast, where Saab's loyal customer base ensured steady demand.

While Saab purists debated the NG900's GM platform, the Convertible model escaped much of the criticism directed at the coupe and sedan — the emotional appeal of open-top turbocharged motoring with a distinctive Swedish character was difficult to argue with. The NG900 Convertible was succeeded by the 9-3 Convertible in 1998, but the model established that Saab's convertible tradition could survive the transition from independent manufacturer to GM subsidiary.