The development of the automobile industry was made possible by companies that always sought to find something new and improve existing vehicles. Each decade had its leaders in this field, who moved progress forward. However, if you look at the whole history, you can single out one company that made the most significant contribution to the development of the automobile industry. It is the Swedish Saab. Most of the cars it produced were ahead of their time and used technologies without which people cannot imagine their existence even today. Let’s study the activities of Saab in more detail and consider its most famous inventions, which are used in most cars today.
Aviation technologies
Saab was founded in 1937 and, for eight years, exclusively produced aircraft and related products. After the end of WWII, the automobile division opened in 1945. Many of its employees had previously worked on various aviation projects, so they brought innovative solutions to the new company.
Aviation technology allowed the first Saab models to be ahead of their time. It was used to create an aerodynamic body shape, which was unique at the time and gave the Swedish company’s cars a futuristic look. The aviation past also affected the engineers’ approach to creating some design parts. These parts were made from advanced materials used to produce various aircraft components. These materials increased strength and lightness, making Saab models reliable and weighing less than their competitors.
Saab’s car control systems were also based on aviation technologies. This allowed the vehicle to be as responsive as possible to the driver’s actions and ensured predictable behavior on the road. This helped Saab be ahead of its time, as other manufacturers began implementing something similar only a few decades later.
Benchmark safety
Saab has always prioritized creating the safest cars. The company used its innovative developments to achieve the highest possible performance, which many other automakers later copied. Some of Saab’s solutions have become mandatory for all modern models, once again proving the uniqueness of the Swedish brand.
As early as 1958, Saab began using seat belts on its GT 750 model. This car was the first in the world to have this device available, even in the basic configuration. Later, seat belts appeared on other company models. This happened much earlier than competitors, so Saab was ahead of its time. In 1971, the Swedes developed a unique shock-absorbing bumper. It significantly reduced the negative consequences for drivers and passengers who got into accidents. In 1981, Saab models began using side mirrors with a separate field of view. This development made it possible to minimize the blind spot and improve travel safety.
In 1993, Saab introduced the Safeseat system into its cars. This proprietary development helped protect passengers in the back seat during accidents. Before that, all safety systems aimed to protect the driver and the person beside him. Today, models that even passengers in the back row can feel safe can be purchased at every car dealership and salvage car auction in Denver. Three years later, the Swedish company demonstrated another unique development. It was active headrests. During impacts, they moved forward and supported the head. Thanks to this, it was possible to avoid serious neck injuries. 2002 Saab modernized its active headrests, making them even more effective.
Saab was ahead of its time in its approach to testing its models. Using unique methods, the company carefully tested the protection of the driver and all passengers, making the safety system perfect. Saab’s crash tests were also unlike those of other manufacturers. For example, the Swedes tested the car’s safety during collisions with moose and other large animals that often come onto the road. These tests were, of course, carried out on dummies, not on live animals. Still, the fact that they were carried out demonstrates Saab’s desire to consider all possible situations and create a car with exemplary safety.
Advanced technologies
Since the beginning of the automobile division, Saab has actively introduced advanced technologies to the operation of its vehicles. These technologies significantly improve the operation of various car systems, expand the driver’s capabilities and make control much more accessible.
1970, the company added special headlight washers to almost all its models. These washers were specially shaped brushes that, at the driver’s command, extended from a special compartment and removed dirt. At the same time, a jet of water was shot out under high pressure and directed at the headlights. This technology has always made it possible to keep the headlights clean and increase efficiency. In the same year, the company introduced windshield wipers. They had a slightly different operating principle but worked as effectively as washers.
In 1976, Saab was the first company in the world to create a turbocharged engine with a special valve for boost control. This development became a natural sensation and was used by many well-known manufacturers in their cars. In 1980, the Swedes introduced their own APC technology. This technology increased the compression ratio, thereby saving fuel. It also permitted gasoline use with a lower octane number without harming the engine.
In the 1980s, Saab also developed its unique 16-valve turbocharged engine. In the 1990s, the Swedes introduced an engine management system called Trionic and a revolutionary Night Panel option. The latter allowed drivers to dim the indicators on the dashboard at night, preventing various distractions. Today, this feature is available on many modern cars and models used on the Autobidmaster online platform.
Unattainable level of comfort
Saab designed its cars to be the best in everything, including comfort. This allowed them to receive recognition from drivers and good reviews from experts. Saab was far ahead of its competitors in many comfort aspects and was the first to offer features that people still use today.
Saab began to improve the level of comfort in cars back in 1971. It was then that the company was the first in the world to include a seat heating function in the essential equipment. It was available on several models initially intended for the Swedish market. In this country, which is quite cold, seat heating has become a favorite option for many drivers. Because of this, other manufacturers copied Saab’s ideas and reproduced them in their vehicles.
In 1978, the Swedes were ahead of their time again by introducing a cabin air filtration function. Special air filters helped to eliminate accumulations of various small particles (for example, dust, pollen, etc.), thereby increasing the comfort level in the car. In the early 90s, Saab installed its models’ latest air conditioning system. Its efficiency was extremely high, which helped to maintain the optimum air temperature in the cabin. In 1997, the Swedish company’s cars got a seat ventilation function. It was successfully tested on the Saab 9-5 model, after which it appeared in other vehicles.
Ecological standards
Most manufacturers have only recently begun to address the issue of vehicle compliance with environmental standards. However, Saab has also set the pace in this area, offering various innovative solutions that help protect the environment from the harmful effects of transport.
The very first Saab development related to ecology was asbestos-free brake pads. They appeared in 1982 when few people cared about the state of the environment. Nevertheless, the Swedish company stopped using this substance, which can pollute the air, water, and soil and negatively affect human health.
Saab was one of the initiators of the introduction of catalytic converters for exhaust gases. This element of the exhaust system reduces harmful emissions into the atmosphere and protects the environment. Saab did this by using unique chemical compounds that reacted with the exhaust gases and converted them into less dangerous substances for the environment.
Saab is a unique company. Throughout its history, it has strived for innovation and created unique cars. In the 1950s and 1960s, Saab models used technologies without which it is impossible to imagine any modern vehicle. Over the decades, Saab models have advanced and opened up new possibilities for drivers. They brought a new level of safety and comfort to car travel, setting specific standards for other manufacturers.