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{{for|the airplane|Saab 90 Scandia}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Saab 90
| image = SAAB 90 2.0 (1984) (cropped).jpg
| caption = 1984 Saab 90 (this photo is a Saab 99, not a Saab 90)
| manufacturer = [[Saab Automobile|Saab]]
| assembly = Finland: [[Uusikaupunki]] ([[Valmet Automotive|Saab-Valmet]])
| production = 1984–1987
| class = [[Family car]] ([[D-segment]])
| designer = [[Björn Envall]]{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
| predecessor = [[Saab 99]]
| related = [[Saab 99]]<br />[[Saab 900]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel drive]]
| body_style = 2-door [[coupe]]
| engine = 2.0 L ''[[Saab H engine|H]]'' [[Straight-four engine|I4]]
| transmission = 4-speed manual<br />5-speed manual
| sp = uk
}}

The '''Saab 90''' is a [[family car]] produced by [[Saab Automobile|Saab]] from September 1984 to 1987. It was manufactured at a facility in [[Uusikaupunki]] (Nystad), [[Finland]], at that time owned by a joint venture with Finnish [[Valmet]] called [[Valmet Automotive|Saab-Valmet]].<ref name=AG125>{{cite journal |ref = AG125 |journal = De AutoGids |number = 125 |volume = 5 |page = 24 |title = Saab 9000, de achtergronden |trans-title = Saab 9000, the background |first = Jean-Jacques |last = Renaux |language = nl-be |date = 1984-07-05 |publisher = Uitgeverij Auto-Magazine |location = Brussels, Belgium }}</ref> The 90 was a continuation of the [[Saab 99]], and it was basically a Saab 99 from the [[B-pillar]] forward with the rear of a [[Saab 900]] [[sedan (car)|sedan]]. The 90, while easier to build than the 99, was still considerably more labour-intensive than the more modern 900.<ref name="TV17.87">{{cite journal |title = Farväl till en bredaxlad svensk |trans-title = Farewell to a Broad-Shouldered Swede |language = sv |journal = [[Teknikens Värld]] |publisher = Specialtidningsförlaget AB |location = Stockholm, Sweden |page = 43 |date = 1987-08-05 |issue = 17 |volume = 39 |first = Calle |last = Carlquist }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Saab90.jpg|thumb|left|Saab 90 side profile]]
When the production of the [[Saab 96]] was completed in 1980, the head of Saab's passenger car division, Sten Wennlo, was under intense pressure to create a new base model for the European market. Also people at Saab-Valmet were concerned about the fate of the Saab 99, as its production took place entirely in Nystad. Saab-Valmet's first solution from 1983 was to weld the front end of a Saab 900 together with the rear end of a 99. When the product was shown to Wennlo, he stated that the principle was good, but the car became too much like the 900.<ref name="Saabisti">{{cite book |first = Petri |last = Tyrkkö |title=Made in Finland, Made in Uusikaupunki |date=April 2006 |url=https://docplayer.fi/1337776-Made-in-finland-made-in-uusikaupunki-osa-2-korvike-bensaa-ja-jaarapaista-innovatiivisuutta-90-900-2d-99-petro-ja-muut-moottorikokeilut.html}}</ref>

Wennlo thought that the car should be done the other way around, and in March 1984 he asked [[Rony Lutz]], who worked as an illustrator at Saab, to cut together two press images on the front of a Saab 99 and the rear of a Saab 900 [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]].

The [[sheet metal]] workers at Saab-Valmet in Nystad thus welded together two bodies in the same way and only then was the car shown to [[Björn Envall]], who was then design manager at Saab.

That the name was changed from 99 to 90 was because the name would harmonize better with the Saab 900 and the then new [[Saab 9000]].{{citation needed |date=December 2020}}

==Model overview==
[[File:Blue SAAB 90 rear view.JPG|thumb|left|Rear view of Saab 90]]

In 1985, the Saab 90 was only available as a two-door sedan and it came with the 2.0-litre [[Saab H engine]], giving {{cvt|100|PS|kW hp|0}}.

It was available with both four and a five-speed [[manual transmission]]s, with the five-speed receiving closer gearing, front and rear spoilers, and lower profile tires.<ref name=AG125/> Also the transmission was changed and with the new rear end, the volume of the fuel tank increased and  also the luggage compartment volume increased from 320 to 377 liters. The car got a modern rear wheel suspension which was also cheaper to manufacture.

The [[poppet valve|valve]] seats were hardened so it could run on [[Gasoline#Additives|unleaded fuel]]. It also had a new [[Automobile self starter|starter motor]], and the steering wheel was more upright than the one in the 99.

In 1986 it underwent some minor cosmetic changes. It gained a radio option and side turn signals. The 4-speed model got the 5.5-inch wide rims and was fitted with modified [[shock absorber]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Skillnader - Saab 99 jämförelser |trans-title=Differences - Saab 99 comparisons |language=sv |url=https://saabklubben.se/saabfakta/saab-99/skillnader/ |work=Svenska Saabklubben [Swedish Saab Club] |date=2019-06-17 |access-date=2020-12-08 |archive-date=2019-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505100836/https://saabklubben.se/saabfakta/saab-99/skillnader/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1987 the [[Zenith carburettor]] was altered to make it easier to start in cold weather.

===Saab 90 Lumikko===
A limited edition ''Saab 90 Lumikko ''{{efn|name="Lumikko" |''Lumikko'' is [[Finnish language|Finnish]] for [[least weasel]] (''Mustela nivalis''), known as ''Snow weasel'' in Scandinavia.}} was made for the Finnish market. Ten examples were made by Finnish Scan-Auto in 1985. The Lumikko received Saab's Airflow kit, spoiler, rims from Saab 900 Aero, sunroof, center console with extra gauges, leather steering wheel, and Saab factory speakers. These models were all white, including the rims, bumpers, grille, side mirrors, spoiler, and door handles. No modifications were made under the hood.<ref name="Saabisti" />

All ten ''90 Lumikkos'' took part at Scan-Auto's 20th anniversary celebration at Tampere in November 1985 and were part of the parade through the city.<ref name="Saabisti" />

There are currently only three 90 ''Lumikkos'' in working order. All of them are owned by the Finnish Saab club.<ref>{{cite web |work = Tommi's Saab Site |title = SAAB 90 Lumikko |url = http://www.saabisti.fi/?m=200903 |first = Tommi |last = Järvinen |date = 2009-03-12 }}</ref>

==Sales, reception and legacy==
In total, 25,378 Saab 90s were made. It was sold in a limited number of [[Europe]]an countries only. The production took place only in Nystad, Finland, by Valmet Automotive.

About 10,000 cars were sold in Sweden. {{citation needed |date=December 2020}} A total of 1,154 Saab 90s were delivered and sold in the Netherlands, of which 446 in 1985, 451 in 1986 and 257 in 1987.<ref>{{cite web | title = De Saab 90 website! | url=https://saab-90.nl/wist-je-dat | trans-title = The Saab 90 website! | lang= nl | access-date= 15 November 2024 | url-status= live | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241115161535/https://saab-90.nl/wist-je-dat | archive-date= 2024-11-15 }}</ref> About 600 vehicles were delivered to Germany.{{citation needed |date=December 2020}}

Falling sales meant that it was not worth the investment to [[Catalytic converter|catalyze]] the engine and 1987 was the final year for the model. The last car was built on 1 July and it was immediately dispatched to the Saab museum in [[Trollhättan]].<ref name="TV17.87"/>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{commons category-inline|Saab 90}}

{{Saab automobiles}}

{{Saab Automobile}}

[[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Saab vehicles|90]]
[[Category:Compact cars]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1984]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1987]]
[[Category:Cars of Finland]]