When you hear ‘Saab’ your mind may flit between the beautifully sleek Aero X concept car that was revealed in Geneva last year, or James Bond movies where 007 drove a Saab 900 Turbo, to international rally superstar Erik Carlsson who has been the brand’s globe trotting international ambassador, or to its aircraft heritage, where it all began…

Saab fans and enthusiasts from all over the world gathered in the Swedish town of Trollhättan in June to celebrate Saab’s 60^th anniversary as a car manufacturer. Four days of events and festivities culminated in a huge gathering of historic Saabs outside the Saab Car Museum on Sunday, 10^th June – exactly 60 years to the day after the first Saab car was revealed.

Back in 1947, Saab was known only as an aircraft manufacturer - the name is an acronym for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget AB, or Swedish Aircraft Company Limited. That first car, the Saab 92, looked like no other with its streamlined shape and innovative engineering. Hardly surprising, of course, since it was conceived by a team of aircraft engineers not bound by the conventional automotive design wisdoms of the day.- the 9-3 sedan and convertible, 9-5 sedan and the 9-7x SUV.

Now, more than four million cars later, Saab is established as a global premium car brand selling in more than 60 countries around the world, many represented by enthusiasts coming to Trollhättan, Saab’s home town. Much has changed in the automotive industry since those years, but the same spirit of innovative, independent thinking behind the Saab 92 continues to inspire the Saab brand and the development of its products today.

It is a perspective driven forward by a unique brand heritage, reflecting the values of Scandinavian culture and Saab’s roots in aviation. It was Saab who pioneered numerous advances in car safety, good driver ergonomics, environmental responsibility, distinctive design, and, of course, enhanced engine performance through turbocharging.

Turbocharging is typical of the ‘less is more’ Scandinavian mind-set and, in an era when the need to save energy and achieve improved efficiency has never been greater, it continues to be a cornerstone of Saab’s future development. 

Today, while most manufacturers have followed Saab’s lead in adopting turbocharging, the company has again ‘moved the goal posts’ with its innovative BioPower technology. This unleashes the potential of turbocharging to deliver more performance, as well as greatly reduced fossil-based CO2 emissions, when using E85 fuel (85% bioethanol/15% gasoline).

Another part of Saab’s legacy is the Saab Performance Drive Team, formed in 1987 as part of Saab’s commemoration of its 40^th anniversary and it originally included Saab rally drivers, who were only supposed to perform once! Today the team is formed of full time Saab engineers that feel very passionately about the cars; some of whom them have been with the company for twenty years or more. They tour the world orchestrating the strong bond between man and machine through synchronized precision driving calculated to the millisecond. The Saab Performance team has its own tour, doing about 30 events a year. So far, they’ve appeared in 25 countries worldwide and too many cities to count, performing in front of as many as 22,000 people at once.

In April 2007, it was the Saab Performance Team’s first trip to Dubai, and it wowed audiences with its performances. One of the most interesting feats involved tilting the car on its two right side tyres, while one of the drivers displayed his balancing ability by standing on the other side while holding the UAE national flag. After the show, adrenalin junkies jumped at the fist opportunity to experience a high speed drive with the Performance Driver Team. The drivers took their passengers through a series of 360 degree turns and high speed calculated maneuvers, leaving guests with a thrill ride to remember.

To mark its 60^th anniversary, Saab released a special limited edition 9-3 to celebrate the occasion. The Saab 9-3 Anniversary edition that arrived in the UAE recently, offers customers enhanced value in recognition of Saab's 60^th birthday. Anniversary editions for Vector and Aero models in the Saab 9-3 range have color-keyed door handles and trunk lid spoilers for the Vector Sport Sedan and Convertible, in addition to the Anniversary alloy wheels and unique Ice Blue metallic paint finish (with other current color choices available). The Anniversary Convertible also adds sand to its blue and black hood color choice. Inside, the Anniversary theme is based on a gray room color choice. The uniqueblack leather sports seating, including Saab-embossed front seatbacks, is trimmed throughout with complementary gray inserts and prominent stitching. The central gearshift molding and door trim is or matte chrome finish, with the prominent stitching also added to the armrests. The textile floor mats now have gray piping.

More than 30,000 visitors are attended the 60^th Anniversary Festival in Sweden. They celebrated the people, the cars and the events that have shaped a unique brand. It is a rich heritage of which Saab is justifiably proud and one that will ensure the next 60 years of independent thinking are just as exciting.