AK47

I know this should be posted in other marques, but this is so Subaru related. Now personally I think this looks very nice, dare I say better than the current 2003 wagon by some way?









The new, sporty Saab 9-2X continues Saab's biggest-ever product offensive by taking the Swedish manufacturer into a new market segment with a fresh expression of Saab's traditional reputation for combining fun-to-drive enjoyment and smart versatility.

Positioned below the 9-3 Sport Sedan in size, the 9-2X is the first production Saab to have all-wheel drive and will offer excellent driving dynamics, in addition to turbo performance and hatchback practicality. Two versions will be available, both with five-door bodystyles and all-wheel-drive as standard. The entry level Saab 9-2X will be powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter engine and the top Aero model will feature a 227 bhp, 2.0-liter turbo unit.

Its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the US was confirmed today at the Tokyo Motor Show by Peter Augustsson, President and CEO of Saab Automobile AB.

“We see a rapidly emerging segment in the United States for a premium, small car below the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and we intend to be among the first in the segment,” says Augustsson. “The 9-2X will help introduce Saab to younger customer group. “

Leveraging the global resources of the GM Group. Saab Automobile AB is collaborating with Fuji Heavy Industries to create the Saab 9-2X model in cooperation with Subaru, Fuji’s automotive division.

“The Saab 9-2X is the result of a collaboration between two like-minded companies. We both have a special aircraft heritage and a successful history in rallying, and our cars are known for being dynamic, safe and fun-to-drive. It makes a lot of sense to combine our strengths in creating a Saab that can be brought to market quickly.”

The Saab 9-2X is scheduled to go on sale early next summer in the USA and Canada, with other markets still under consideration. It is the latest step in the most aggressive new product and concept development program in Saab’s history. Within the last two years Saab has launched the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and 9-3 Convertible ranges, as well as three concept cars: the 'four-dimensional' 9-X, the 9-3X 'Cross-over' Coupe and the 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept, for which a production version is scheduled.

General Motors owns Saab Automobile AB and holds a 20 percent stake in Fuji Heavy Industries and the Saab 9-2X program allows both companies to reach their goals by jointly leveraging the global resources of the GM Group.

Bob Lutz, GM’s Vice Chairman for Product Development said: “The Saab and Subaru brands have a special flair. It is a natural fit for them to combine their talents and expertise in bringing the first all-wheel-drive performance car into the Saab family — a car with great dynamic qualities and exhilarating performance."

The new Saab 9-2X will be produced in Fuji Heavy Industries’ facilities in Japan, beginning in the spring of 2004.

This is probably why Subaru have not build a 2003 STi Wagon as it would not make people down at SAAB very happy....

Harry_Boy

More details on page 10 of today's Autocar.

Prices start at about £14,500 when it goes on sale in the US and Canada on the 1st July.

Linear has a 165 bhp 2.5, and the Aero has a 227 bhp 2.0 turbo. So that's (slightly) more power than the UK WRX then.....

Kit includes CD, climate, cruise control, alloys, leccy windows & mirrors, front & side bags and active head restraints.

jaf01uk

Will have been upped to overcome the emmisions probs in the US (which is ironic really when they wont sign up to Kyoto!?)
Noticed a few weeks ago that Saab dont seem to be publicising the fact that the car is basically a Scoob very vigorously

MATTeL

It is a grown up Scooby... now I wonder how long it takes TSL to get one... after all how long have they been playing with both sets of cars?!

Paul_M

I hope the slush-box in the pic is limited to the 165bhp model! Yuck perish the thought of strangling a turbo with a slushy

Tractor

Paul, if I were a betting man, I'd put a grand on there being more autos sold than manuals, or 'standards' as they refer to them in Canada..... Most people in Canada and the US learn how to drive, and pass their tests in autos. Manuals are considered to be for the dedicated enthusiasts (the minority) or as a cheap option.

Paul_M

Yeah right enough... forgot their impression of a true high-performance sports car is the smaller version of the hummer



0-60 in ... hmm not sure it will actually do 60

jaf01uk

Plus the fact that theyre bound to have used a top spec car for the publicity shots, and it has a scoop,

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Followed a H2 Hummer on the motorway a few weeks back whilst I was doing the "white van man" thing

Put it this way, these modern 16valve, twin-cam, common rail, Turbo Intercooled diesel Transits just about have the edge over the H2

So yes they can goover 60mph....and yes I WAS speeding (and the H2 too) so.. !

Always liked Saabs, but never really liked the idea of so much power though the front wheels. So the above is the ideal solution

carl

Mmmm. A car with a Subaru 4WD drivetrain and Saab build quality, interior and values. Where do I sign?

Tractor

I have to say that I think the Hummer H2 is possibly the crassest, saddest, most small-*****-big-car type-o-thing that I have ever seen. The original had a kind of coolness to it, despite the excesses, because of what it was designed for. This thing however is SHIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiite!!!

greasemonkey

Remains to be seen. It could just as easily be a Subaru AWD drivetrain, Subaru bodyshell and interior with a couple of Saab badges on it.

Anyone know where they're going to be assembled? If in Japan alongside the "proper" Imprezas, I doubt the build quality would be hugely different...

jaf01uk

Er,

StickyMicky

i think it looks pretty good

JackClark

I think it looks great!

what would scooby do

I wonder if I could trade my Saab and my Subaru in for one of those..D:

EvilBevel

This would make it possible to say to family & friends "yeah, I realize I was a boy racer, but now I've grown up and bought this sensible Saab, no more of that silly Subaru malarchy."

EvilBevel

BTW, I wonder if they'll do a Saab STiggen ?

zax

Looks great, but I'm sure it's 95% Impreza. That's not a typical Saab interior for sure! So a re-skinned wagon then...

AK47

Now all things being equal, who would rather buy this SAAB rather than a Scooby because basically it is an Impreza but in a different body. If they built a saloon or coupe I wonder if any scooby faithful would make the jump?

ktomass

It's a rebadged Impreza, it will be assembled in Japan on the same line as any other Impreza.

I worked for Saab for the last year and a half... and i should know this

Kristijan

Edited to say that the starting key is on the steering column and you know what I mean (the last Saab to use this was 9000 and it was basically Fiat Croma/Lancia Thema/Alfa 164, but it was built in Sweden with Saab engines; and this one is not!!

[Edited by ktomass - 12/10/2003 11:06:57 AM]

carl

JackClark

I'd rather buy the Saab than the current wagon, much better looking.

JamieMacdonald

That front end is SO much better than the new Impreza's

PETENAUD

good looking bit of kit, some styling for the new impreza?

Markus

Interesting, I've liked SAAB's for a while now, was thinking about getting a 9-3, but might get one of these, as I like wagons too.

Now, this is meant to have the scoob's engine, right? so does this in theory mean that some of the mods one could apply to the scoob could also be done to this? APS front mount and induction perhaps?

What exactly is SAAB only on this beastie? is the chassis and drivetrain scooby with only the bodywork and interior being really SAAB? What about the ECU? that SAAB or is it just using the scooby one? just thinking about ECUTEK remaps

ok, so getting a bit ahead of things here, but it could be interesting.

As said by action man, would not be at all suprised to see TSL having a tinker with a 9-2

jmk

If the only key difference about the Saab is it's front end, then that's enough to take a huge number of sales away from Subaru as the new one (and bug eye more so) look dreadful. Still bought one though lol.

jaf01uk

Looking at the pictures it looks like the wagon doors so would imagine its just the front and rear bumpers and interior that will be different, wouldn't imagine they would go to the expense of ecu's and stuff on what is a proven package already,





Gary