Makes › Saab › EV-1 (Experimental Vehicle One) · Prototype · 1985
Saab
EV-1 (Experimental Vehicle One)
Fully functional, roadworthy 900 Turbo 16-based design study coupé with solar-cell roof
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Tubaist. · CC BY-SA 3.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- Not yet verified
- Years
- 1985
- Engine
- Saab 900 Turbo 16 powertrain and components (only chassis, front suspension and rear axle modified)
- Power
- 213 kW / 289 PSFactory: 285 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Bjorn Envall (styling)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The EV-1 was a roadworthy design study of 1985 showing a possible sports coupe of the future, never meant for production. It tested composite materials, solar-powered ventilation and lightweight seats on a 900 Turbo 16 base.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Saab EV-1 (Wikipedia article: Saab EV-1)
Photo: Tubaist. · CC BY-SA 3.0
Saab EV-1 (Wikipedia article: Saab EV-1)
Photo: Herranderssvensson · CC BY-SA 3.0
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
No production figures recorded yet.
History
The EV-1 (Experimental Vehicle Number One) appeared one year after the launch of the 9000, from Saab's small Trollhattan design department, with styling by Bjorn Envall. Apart from a modified chassis, front suspension and rear axle, its components came from the Saab 900 Turbo 16, and the museum quotes 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. Solar cells inside the glass roof powered a fan to keep the cabin from overheating.
Autocar says it was built with then-new composites including carbon fibre and credits it with 285 hp. Saab never seriously considered adding it to the range.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard EV-1 (Experimental Vehicle One).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Saab 900 Turbo 16 powertrain and components (only chassis, front suspension and rear axle modified)1 Independently researched |
| Displacement | Not yet verified |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 213 kW / 289 PSFactory: 285 hp · converted2 Independently researched |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | modified Saab 900 Turbo 16 chassis, front suspension and rear axle1 |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Aramid-reinforced glass fibre front and rear sections; carbon-fibre side impact beams in the doors1 |
| Materials | Aramid-reinforced glass fibre front and rear sections; carbon-fibre side-impact protection in doors; solar cells in the glass roof run a ventilation fan1 Independently researched |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5.9 s1 |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Saab EV-1 (Saab Museum model page, archived) Level C The Saab Museum (independent enthusiast archive) · 2020-02-22
- Excepting the modified chassis, front suspension and rear axle, the components of the EV-1 come direct from the Saab 900 Turbo 16
- Excepting the modified chassis, front suspension and rear axle
- front and rear sections ... constructed from Aramid reinforced glass fibre
- Aramid reinforced glass fibre; lightweight carbon-fibre side impact protection; solar cells mounted inside the glass roof
- 0-100kmh dash over in just 5.9 seconds
-
2
The most interesting treasures of the Saab museum Level B Autocar
- Unveiled in 1985, the 285hp EV-1
