Saab 900 SPG/Aero
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"Potential Victims will take one look in the mirrors and know, flat know, what is about to happen to them" -AutoWeek
The SPG/Aero story began back in 1983 when Saab was starting to test its new 16valve turbo engine (Saab was first with fitting a turbo to a 16valve engine). Saab also wanted to develop a very special Saab 900.
The result was one car with many names, for example in the US and Canada it was named SPG (Saab Performance Group), in Europe it was called Aero but in the UK it had the simple name of Saab 900 16S. The Saab 900 SPG was introduced in 1985 and it was to be in production threw out 1991. (The Aero was in production at least threw out 1992)
In Sweden the Aero had the bigger painted rear spoiler and covers over the fairings

Equal to all SPG's (could vary on the Aero and 16S) was they that all were equipped wit the following features:
5-speed transmission (manual)
three-door body
Leather interior (Swedish cars had leather mixed with mocha)
195/60 VR 15 tires
5.5 x 15 three-spoke alloy wheels
Fog lamps
Power locks, windows and sunroof
Aerodynamic lower body fairings De-badged
On the hatch lid only the "Saab" emblem and the Blue Saab-Scania roundels were used (different on the Aero).

If you want to be shore you can only tell a SPG/Aero apart from a a regular 900 by looking at the VIN # and contacting Saab (the only ones that know) since, many Saab owners mostly in the states has modified there regular 900s so that the look exactly like an SPG or an Aero.
The Aero and the SPG don't not have a exactly the same exterior (mostly colors) features and interior features (leather or cloth interior). The Canada version of the SPG can also have different features then the US version.

Model Year & # made Color(s) available & code Engine Suspension Other options

- SPG specifications for the US market
Model Year
# imported to the US
Color(s) available & (code)/ leather type
Engine
1984
4 or 6 (prototypes)
Pearl White (156)/ Colorado Red
160 hp/5500
188 ft-lbs/3000
1985
1469
Black (170)/ Sierra Tan
160hp/5500
188ft-lbs/3000
1986
1498
Edwardian Grey (158)/Buffalo Grey
160 hp/5500
188 ft-lbs /3000
1987
1014
Edwardian Grey (204)/Buffalo Grey
165hp/5500
195ft-lbs/3000
1988
1774
Edwardian Grey (204)/ Buffalo Grey**
165hp/5500
195ft-lbs/3000
1989
841
Edwardian Grey (204) or Black (170)/ Buffalo Grey
165hp/5500
195ft-lbs/3000
1990
771
Talladega Red (219) or Black (170)/ Buffalo Grey
175hp/5500
195ft-lbs/3000
1991
254
40 cars in Talladega Red (219), 105 in Black (170), 109 in Beryl Green (216)/ Buffalo Grey
175hp/5500
195ft-lbs/3000
** Apparently, there were about 410 Black 1988 SPGs. The color chart I have, however, lists only Edwardian Grey.

The SPG was upgraded many times during its production time.
In Early 1985 the SPGs had black fairings (we=sido kjolar). All others had Anthracite Grey fairings. The change may have occurred during December 1984 or January 1985. Most 85 SPGs that were made before the calendar year of 1985 seem to have the black fairings. (change from black to grey).
The SPG always used gas shocks and sway bars, but in 1987 they got got any upgraded suspension which resulted in tighter and lowered stance aka Saab Roadhandling Kit.
In 1988 change involving that the wheel arches got flared slightly and the hubs/brakes system was now the same as the 9000 used.
In 1988 another change was made, this time to they engine it was now fitted with a Garrett H20 cooled turbocharger.
In 1990 it was time to upgrade the Turbo again, this time to a Mitsubishi TE-05.
In 1989 the SPG was equipped with; leather 3-spoke steering wheel and leather shift boot cover.

7,625 SPG's were imported to the US between 1985 and 1991

- The prototypes

This prototype does not use the 6,5x16" AERO weels

In 1984 only about 4 or 6 SPGs were made, they were all protoypes, they were used for market evaluations. Later the cars were sold to saab employees or the saab dealers.

Special features on the prototypes were:
Pearl White Paint extending into the fairings
Whale Tail rear spoiler (the bigger spoiler)
 Colorado Red Leather interior
Red dashboard and 'A' pillar covers
6.5 x 16" AERO wheels

The prototypes were all painted in the Saab color "Pearl White". This is the same color Saab Saab used for its frist 99 Turbo cars as well as the first protoypes of Saab first convertible back in 1986.

- More...

- Visit the Gold gallery for related pictures!
Thanks to Larry for some of the SPG info! visit Larry's site here!


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