Saab 9-2x

Manufacturer	Fuji Heavy Industries
Production	2004–2006
Assembly	Ota, Gunma, Japan
Class	Sport compact luxury car
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front engine, four-wheel drive
Engine	2.5 L Subaru EJ253 H4 2.0 L Subaru EJ20 turbocharged H4 (2005) 2.5 L Subaru EJ25 turbocharged H4 (2006)
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	99.4 in (2,525 mm)
Length	175.6 in (4,460 mm)
Width	66.7 in (1,694 mm)
Height	57.7 in (1,466 mm)
Related	Subaru Impreza Subaru Impreza WRX Subaru Forester
Designer	Michael Mauer[1]

From this view, the interior of the 9-2X is identical to the Subaru Impreza, the major differences being the steering wheel logo, the instrument cluster, and the more subtle hood scoop.

This article is about the Saab 9-2X from the 21st century. There is also the Saab 92 from the 1950s.

The Saab 9-2X is a station wagon automobile that was sold by Saab only in North America as a 2005 and 2006 model year car. It was built in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries’ Gunma Yajima Plant Ōta, Gunma and was essentially a rebadged Subaru Impreza with a re-styled front end.

The car's name is written as 9^2X on its badge, but as 9-2X in advertising and other text.

The car's design was developed from the Subaru Impreza with a modified body, suspension, and interior. Because of this, the 9-2X earned the nickname "Saabaru" before it was released.^[2]

Saab planned to offer the 9-2X to a limited public, starting in July 2004, for the 2005 model year. It was sold only in North America. Initial sales were slower than expected, with only 410 sold within the first two months; however, incentives and promotions helped drive sales in May 2005 alone to beat the combined sales of the year up until that point. The dissolution of the GM/Subaru relationship in 2005 caused the end of this model. Production ended with the 2006 model year.

Background

Between 1998 and 2010, Saab Automobile was a fully owned subsidiary of General Motors (GM). GM was a 20% shareholder of Fuji Heavy Industries (parent company of Subaru) at the time the 9-2X was conceived. In October 2005, however, GM decided that it would sell 8.4% of the company to Toyota and dispose of its remaining 11.4% share back to Fuji in a share buyback deal. The 9-2X was discontinued with the dissolution of the partnership between Fuji and GM.^[3]

10,346 Saab 9-2Xs were manufactured during the entire production run. The production for the 2005 model year accounts for most of these (8,514 total, about 58% Linear/42% Aero). The remaining 1,832 were produced for the 2006 model year (approximately 82% 2.5i/18% Aero). The Aero model was not sold in Canada in 2006.

The 9-2X is not particularly popular with brand loyalists,^[4] although all 8,514 cars produced for the 2005 year were sold. From the perspective of Saab enthusiasts^{[citation needed]}, whether founded or not, the idea has been criticized for the fact that the changes are mostly cosmetic; yet the 9-2X won the highest IIHS safety awards.^[5]

Characteristics

For 2005, the powertrain consisted of the following:

• Either a 2.5 L, flat, four-cylinder engine shared with the Subaru Impreza in the 'Linear' model or a 2.0 L, turbocharged, flat four-cylinder engine shared with the Subaru Impreza WRX in the 'Aero' badged model
• The DOHC turbocharged 2.0 L engine produced 227 hp (169 kW) at 6000 rpm, as well as 217 lb·ft (294 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm
• The naturally aspirated SOHC 2.5 L engine produced 165 hp (123 kW) at 5600 rpm and 166 lb·ft (225 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm
• A five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission
• An all-wheel drive drivetrain, with very different characteristics depending on transmission choice.

For 2006, the powertrain consisted of the following:

• Either a 2.5 L, flat, four-cylinder engine shared with the Subaru Impreza in the formerly badged 'Linear' model, badged 2.5i, or a 2.5 L, turbocharged, flat, four-cylinder engine shared with the Impreza WRX in the 'Aero'-badged model.
• The naturally aspirated SOHC with variable valve timing 2.5 L engine produced 173 hp (129 kW) at 6000 rpm and 166 lb·ft (225 N·m) of torque at 4400 rpm.
• The new for 2006 DOHC turbocharged 2.5 L engine produced 230 hp (172 kW) at 6000 rpm and 235 lb·ft (319 N·m) of torque at 3600 rpm.

The interior is reworked and received extra acoustic insulation, with particular attention paid to the firewall, carpeting, roof, and rear window seals. The main piece of the dash is unchanged from the Subaru versions, while Saab designed the door panels and seats. Saab's Active Head Restraints have been incorporated into the front seats, unlike the fixed headrest seats in the 2005–2007 WRX. The rear suspension arms are in aluminum, with further reduction of unsprung weight achieved by using plastic in place of heavier components, bushings unique to the Saab, and the dampers recalibrated. The steering has been made more responsive and exact in the Aero by using the steering rack shared by the STI version of the WRX, which features a quicker 15.0:1 steering ratio, more rigidly mounted steering hardware and stiffer chassis bushings. While it may look similar to the Subaru Impreza WRX, the hood, front fascia, front fenders, rear fascia, rear spoiler, and tailgate were designed by Saab.

In 2005, the cars were offered with 3 options packages:

• Premium package (xenon HID headlamps (USA only), and leather seating surfaces). When the premium package was ordered on a Linear, it also included the in-dash 6-CD changer, fog lights, vinyl door cards, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
• Cold Weather package (heated front seats, side view mirror defoggers, and front/rear wiper defrosters where the wipers park). In Canada, cars equipped with the cold package also included an engine block heater.
• Sport package (Aero only - included 17-inch wheels and 215/45/17 tires, and a moonroof. A moonroof was a standalone option on the Linear.

For 2006, the cars had different options packages that essentially broke down the same equipment differently.

• Leather package (xenon HID headlamps (USA only), and leather seating surfaces). When the leather package was ordered on a Linear, it also included the in-dash 6-CD changer, fog lights, vinyl door cards, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
• Cold Weather package (heated front seats, side view mirror defoggers, and front/rear wiper defrosters where the wipers park). In Canada, cars equipped with the cold package also included an engine block heater.
• Sport package (Aero only - included 17-inch wheels and 215/45/17 tires).
• Moonroof (this became a standalone option on both models)

References

• Car Design News, Inc. (n.d.). Saab 9-2X. In Los Angeles Auto Show 2004 - Highlights. Retrieved January 18, 2004

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Saab 9-2X

• Saab 9-2x Owners Forum
• Saab USA

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