This information is not as sketchy as it used to be, thanks in large part to Ari Novis, one of the true Saab 9000 gurus.  Please feel free (perhaps even obliged!) to submit corrections and additions to jpeed@elotouch.com.  Your contributions will be appreciated by all who visit.

Link to UK model evolution.  Some of this is accurate for US models, some is not.  It's all interesting though.

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Brief overview:

1986    Introduced (U.S.)

1991    Major changes, including 2.3 liter engine with Direct Ignition (available earlier outside the U.S.)

1993    93 is a very confusing year, with some mid-year changes.  See interesting notes from Ari
        Styling changes
            Cargo area not as wide (restricted by shock tower redesign)
            Slightly rounder lines
            Raised rear deck
            Slightly lower hood
            Smaller, hard plastic spoiler
            Color-matched air dam and lower trim
        Stiffer body design
            Fewer rattles than earlier models
        Engine control changes
            Trionic instead of separate DI/APC and FI ECUs
            Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor replaces Air Mass Meter
                Smaller, simpler, more robust, less expensive
        Aero introduced (all Aeros had TCS in '93)
        Numerous small changes
            Big round electrical connector moved from aquarium to front of false bulkhead (93 or 94)
            Blower motor controller moved to end of evaporator box, on top (smaller, but with bigger heat sink)
            No ground wire at heater hose brace/thermostat housing (91 had one, 94 did not)
          Rear wiper added (93 or 94)
            Metal sunroof replaced glass moonroof (93 or 94)
            Headlight wipers slightly different (not interchangeable with earlier ones)
            Beefier motor mounts

1994    TCS optional; add-on switch kit available
        5-speed redesign
            Beefier shafts
            Vastly improved synchros
            Improved shifter response
            Redesigned shift coupler
        Passenger side airbag made standard
            No more glove box!
        Heat-absorbent glass
        Crank sensor moved from front cover to front of engine block, flywheel end
       
            

1995    Light Pressure Turbo introduced
        Softer shocks/springs/engine mounts (per Paul de K)
        Harmon Kardon sound system
        Remote locking
        Telescoping steering wheel
        Walnut dash
        Daytime running lights made standard
        Temp gauge operation changed (driven by ECU instead of direct  from the sensor)

Details by year:

86    

• First year - Smaller 2.0 liter engine (no water-cooled turbo)

87    

• Water-cooled turbo starts
• Anti-lock brakes (ABS) becomes standard
• Variable seat heaters introduced

88    

89    

• 9000 CD Turbo (4 door) introduced
  • turbo 2.0L/160 hp, leather, sunroof, ACC

90    

• Larger 2.3 liter engine debuts mid-year, but non-turbo only (9000S)
• Driver's airbag standard

• All: 2.3 liter engine exclusively; direct ignition; D.I./APC combined into   ECU under driver's seat
• Revised body styling
  • Grille and hood line modified to make car slightly longer.

• 9000 (5 door)

• non-turbo 2.3L/150 hp, cloth upholstery, no sunroof, manual heating & AC system

• Air conditioning optional

• 9000 S (5 door)

  • non-turbo 2.3L/150 hp, leather, sunroof, ACC (Automatic Climate Control, with A.C.)

• 9000 Turbo (5 door)

  • turbo 2.3L/200 hp, leather, sunroof, ACC
  • Aero wheels
  • 205/50 - 16 tires
  • lower (8mm front/5mm rear), stiffer springs and shocks
  • Heavier sway bars (19mm vs. 18mm)

9000 CD Turbo (4 door)

9000 CD (4 door) non-turbo introduced

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92    

• Essentially the same as 91, except sunroof standard on all models
• TCS standard on all manual trans (I think)
• Griffin available (turbo automatic only)
•     Special wheels, special paint, cell phone

93    

• All: Trionic ECU introduced (fuel injection/ignition/APC - ECU between firewalls)
• TCS standard on all manual trans (I think - definitely on all Aeros)
• Revised body styling
  • hatch area changed; higher "hips"; slightly longer and rounder appearance
  • full width reflector / false tail light lens at rear
  • Hard plastic spoiler (replaces hard foam)
  • Paint-matched trim
    • Instead of dull-black spoiler and lower trim
  • Glass moonroof (replaces steel sunroof)
  • Rear window wiper

   

• 9000 CS (5 door)

  • Same as previous 9000S
  • turbo optional

• 9000 CSE (5 door)

  • All trim/comfort/luxury options included

  • turbo optional

NOTE: Aero wheels & suspension available only on Aero from here on

9000 CDE (4 door) introduced

• upgraded interior
• turbo optional

Aero introduced

• turbo 2.3L/225 hp, leather, sunroof, ACC, 5-speed only
• TCS (Traction Control System) (Not optional, so beware)
• Aero wheels
• 205/50 - 16 tires
• lower (8mm front/5mm rear), stiffer springs and shocks
• Heavier sway bars (19mm vs. 18mm)
• Incredibly fine form-fitted leather seats
• Higher final gear ratio for increased top speed (and better gas mileage)

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94    

• 5-speed reworked for much smoother, more reliable performance
• TCS Optional
• Dual airbags standard; single rear fog light; heat-absorbent glass
• Electric seats can now be adjusted without key in ignition; memory function on driver's seat
• Both CS and CSE come standard without turbo (last year for non-turbo engine)
  • turbo optional for both models

Aero

• Super Aero wheels
• TCS Optional; can be switched off when fitted
• Automatic Aeros have 200 hp engine; 5-speed Aeros have 225 hp engine

95 & 96

• CS gets the 170 HP Light Pressure turbo (LPT)
• CSE gets the 200 HP Full Pressure turbo (FPT) or 210 HP V6 and the full option package

• Non-turbo engine is no longer available

• TCS Optional; can be switched off when fitted
• Perhaps the BEST year for Aero.  Aero new additions:
  • Walnut dash
  • Harmon-Kardon 10 speaker sound
  • Remote locking and hatch access
  • Telescopic steering wheel
  • Lockable center storage console
  • Recalibrated suspension
  • Redesigned window switches
  • Daytime running lights.

97   

• CS the same as 95/96
• CSE gets the Aero engine and suspension     
  • The only difference between a 97 CSE and a 97 Aero is the seats and external trim (Aero badge)
  • Automatic transmission models have the same engine, but a wire from the auto gear selector tells the ECU to limit it to 200 HP
• Last year for the Aero

98   

• Only the CSE was available; again, it was an Aero without the seats and Aero badge
  • All other models and engines were dropped

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