Saab produced the Saab 900, sold from 1978 to 1998 in classic and new-generation forms.
The 900 was developed from the Saab 99 and became one of the Swedish marque's defining models. It was offered as a three- or five-door hatchback, sedan and convertible, with front-wheel drive and longitudinally mounted engines. Turbocharged versions helped establish Saab's reputation for combining practicality with strong performance.
Saab placed several distinctive components in unusual locations. The ignition switch was mounted between the front seats, and the dashboard was designed with driver-focused controls. The model also incorporated safety features such as reinforced passenger protection and a wraparound windscreen.
The classic 900 was replaced by the second-generation 900 in 1994. That later car shared engineering with the Opel Vectra after General Motors took a larger role in Saab. The original 900 is therefore often called the classic 900 to distinguish it from its successor.