Unfortunately, this is another Saab product that never went into production. Here’s a real tour de force of Finnish know-how, the rare Saab V8 engine now located at the Uusikaupunki Valmet Automotiveplant.

Tootal, only 5 SAAB V8 engines were made, one is in the factory in Linnavuori, Finland (on pictures), two are in the SAAB museum in Uusikaupunki. One is installed in test Saab 9000. It is unknown where he finished fifth V8 engine…

There is also a legend on this test 9000: the leaders of Saab were invited from Sweden to Finland to see the V8. Driver from the factory picked them up from the airport and took the Saab Sweden men to the factory. In front of testing hall they asked, where this ugly prototype is, expecting for a junk-built half-made thing with a raw engine and so on. Driver showed at the car, which had picked them up earlier. “No wonder it was THAT fast…”

The technical specifications of the SAAB 9000 V8 were as follows; V8 engine in 90 degree V-angle, 32 valves, 4 litre displacement and power output of – depending on the source – around 280 horsepower with 330 Nm of torque.

Unfortunately again, this V8 was also introduced to GM but it had just built a V6 engine plant in Wales and an investment in a second engine plant was not relevant.

Whole very interesting story you can read on the blog saabisti.fi.