SAAB Press Release: SAAB Back at Talladega for Quality Inspection

08/27/96

SAAB Returns to Talladega Super Speedway for World's Fastest, Longest
'Quality Inspection'


NORCROSS, Ga., Aug. 23 -- Ten years ago, Saab set 21
international speed and endurance records and two world records at
Alabama International Speedway in Talladega, Alabama.  The three Saab
9000 Turbos, plucked box-stock off the Trollhattan, Sweden assembly
line, were driven at top speed, around the clock, for 20 days
straight. After 62,500 continuous miles without a single malfunction.
Saab's "Long Run" ended victoriously. Starting October 16, 1996,
exactly one decade later, Saab returns to Talladega. This time, six
Saab 900s will be on the starting line, and 120 journalists from
around the world will take a turn at the wheel to challenge Saab's
existing records, as well as set 22 new ones.

The six cars Saab will campaign in this grueling endurance trial
include three 900 Turbos, two Saab 900 V6s and one
naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder Coupe. Two of the 900 Turbos will
be driven around the clock for 200 hours and a total of 25,000
continuous miles. The remaining four cars will be driven for 12 hours
each day, setting a number of international records. The record
attempts will be monitored by the FIA international motorsports
authority. NASCAR will provide scorekeeping services. Sponsors of the
event include Lear Seating, a Saab seat supplier, and Michelin, Saab's
tire manufacturer of choice in the U.S. market.

Saab's world record attempt of 62,500 miles at an average speed of
133.465 mph was established in a standard production Saab 9000
Turbo. The average speed included all pit stops for refueling, driver
and tire changes, and standard service. This world record was
subsequently broken, but only by modified cars that featured tuned
engines, non-stock spoilers, larger fuel tanks and a fast refueling
system.

The six 1997 Saab 900s will be campaigned at speeds of more than
137.500 mph on the Talladega track, which is one of the world's
fastest, longest and most steeply-banked competition ovals. Because of
the steep banking, full throttle is used the length of the
track--which subjects the cars to high G-forces, as well as intense
structural and component stresses. Despite these challenges, Saab will
once again subject its cars to the fastest, longest "quality
inspection" available.