In the late 1970s, Saab's executives decided that the company ought to introduce a new large saloon model.
However, the Swedish manufacturer was small and cash-strapped, so the development of a new model and associated new engine was prohibitive. Some 1200 miles south, Fiat was in a similar situation, with new saloons required for its Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia brands. In 1978, the two companies agreed to team up, the result being the front-wheel-drive Type Four platform.
The first models it spawned were the Saab 9000 and Lancia Thema in 1984, followed by the Fiat Croma in 1985 and the Alfa Romeo 164 in 1987.
Aesthetically, there was very much a noticeable similarity between the handsomely boxy sibling models, all having been designed by Giugiaro, except for the Pininfarina-penned 164.
However, the Saab was a step away mechanically. As expected, it had better passive safety and Saab engines rather than rebadged Fiat and Alfa Romeo units but, more notably, it didn't use the others' independent MacPherson strut suspension set-up.
On our first acquaintance with the 9000 back in 7 November 1984, Autocar sat down with Saab's suspension expert, Magnus Roland, to find out how the car's innovative set-up could "prove that it is possible to have the best of both worlds: excellent stability and the progressive handling that appears to go hand-in-hand with a front-wheel-drive car".
Roland described the set-up of the 9000 as having a "side force oversteer" geometry and said that he could only have adopted it due to the "favourable dynamic index" of the car – its transverse engine layout, long wheelbase and minimal overhangs, with the powertrain and passenger area more within the wheelbase.
Autocar explained: "For Saab, handling has to be first-class on Tarmac but also provide the average driver with ease of control on the thousands of miles of gravel road in Sweden. Few must reach the limit on Tarmac, but almost all drivers must experience the car sliding at some time or another on gravel, and they certainly do on the snow and ice that grips Swedish roads for at least four months of the year.
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Product Development
I recently attended a talk by a Lancia development engineer who oversaw the Thema and talked about the Saab team’s intransigence regarding their beam-axle rear which was unacceptable to Lancia who could not compromise on fully independent suspension as even the small Delta and outgoing Beta had independent rears that look like that of the Mk1 Focus. Having to cater for both, delayed the overall project. What could be read here is that Saab were quite conservative and went with what they knew from the 99/900.
Fiat didn't buy Alfa Romeo
Fiat didn't buy Alfa Romeo until 1986, and the Alfa Romeo 164 was launched in 1987, so the vast majority of the Type Four project was carried out while Alfa was still independent - that's why the Saab 9000, Fiat Croma and Lancia Thema look broadly similar, while the 164 doesn't - Alfa chose to use only a modified version of the chassis, and designed it's own bespoke bodywork and front suspension.
Yes
I too am waiting for an in-depth report and test of the new Citroen suspension, planned to be rolled out on other models after the new Cactus, with baited breath. But I fear it won't come.
Of course if it were a JLR product...