Saab V8

The Saab V8 was a V8 engine developed for Saab Automobile by SisuDiesel in Linnavuori, Finland. Only a few test engines were made. General Motors became a partner in Saab Automobile and instead wanted Saab to use their new V6. This resulted in the scrapping of the project.

The engine had 4 camshafts, 32 valves and, in the non-turbocharged form, it produced 300 hp and a maximum torque of 300 Nm. It was fitted in a Saab 9000, but the fitment required no body modifications. It was reported to be "a hoot to drive" and the test engineers managed to collect a few speeding tickets. An example can be found in the factory museum, at Linnavuori.

This was not the first time Saab was interested in V8s. Saab also considered using the Triumph Stag V8 in the Saab 99. Only a few were built and Saab instead used turbocharging. Instead, the engine eventually used in the Saab 99 was the slant-four version, as fitted to the Triumph Dolomite. Saab also fitted a GM V8 into a Saab 9-5 as they felt a V8 may be necessary for the US market.

The 9000's design sibling, the Lancia Thema (related by their Type Four chassis), evolved into the 8.32 when in 1986, it was equipped with an adapted version of the 32-Valve, 3-litre V8 from the Ferrari 308.

External links

• http://www.saunalahti.fi/~rjh/saabv8.htm
• http://www.sisudiesel.com/
• http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/11/the-most-recent-saab-v-8.html
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVidhrnLFf0

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