Saab Viking

The Saab Viking was a concept car designed by Tom Tjaarda and built by Carrozzeria Fissore. It was presented in 1982 as a design study based on Saab mechanical components, using the technical base of the Saab 900 Turbo. The project combined Saab’s front-wheel-drive turbocharged engineering with an Italian-bodied grand touring layout. The Viking had a long two-door body, a low front end and a large rear section. Its proportions were closer to a spacious coupé or shooting brake than to a conventional Saab saloon. The design emphasized interior room, luggage capacity and long-distance usability. One of the most distinctive features was the treatment of the front end. The car used upward-opening headlamps, giving the nose a clean appearance when the lights were closed. The front was smooth and wide, while the side profile featured a long bonnet line, large glass areas and a substantial rear volume. The rear section acted as a large luggage compartment, making the Viking more practical than a typical show car. The interior was designed to offer generous space for passengers and luggage. The concept was not a pure sports car, but a high-speed touring car with practical usability. This approach matched Saab’s traditional focus on everyday function, safety and long-distance comfort. Mechanically, the Viking used components from the Saab 900 Turbo, including its turbocharged engine and drivetrain layout. This gave the concept a proven technical base rather than an experimental powertrain. The Saab Viking remained a one-off concept.