- Saab 9-2X
Infobox Automobile
name = Saab 9-2x
manufacturer =Fuji Heavy Industries
production = 2005–2006
successor =Saab 9-1
class = Compactluxury car
body_style = 4-doorstation wagon
engine = 2.0 L "Subaru EJ20" H4
2.5 L "Subaru EJ25" turbocharged H4
transmission = 5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
related =Subaru Impreza
Subaru Impreza WRX
Subaru Forester
wheelbase = Auto in|99.4|0
length = Auto in|175.6|0
width = Auto in|66.7|0
height = Auto in|57.7|0
assembly =Ota, Gunma ,Japan
layout = Front engine,four-wheel drive :"This article is about the Saab 9-2X from the 21st century. There is also theSaab 92 from the 1950s."The Saab 9-2X is an
automobile that was sold by Saab in the mid-2000s, but assembled inJapan at the Ota-Gunma plant byFuji Heavy Industries and based on theSubaru Impreza with a modified body, suspension, and interior. Because of this, the 9-2X earned the nickname "Saabaru" before it was released. TheSaab 9-1 , a smaller car based on the next-generationOpel Astra , will come in 2009.The 9-2X was built only as a four-door
station wagon . The car's name is written as 92X on its badge, but as 9-2X in advertising and other text.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 spelled the end of this model. Production ended with the 2006 model year, and there was no return of the 9-2X for 2007.Characteristics
The 2006 model 9-2X was priced between US$23,710 and US$27,670. The new for 2006 DOHC turbocharged 2.5 L engine produced Convert|230|hp|kW|0|abbr=on at 5,600 rpm and Auto lbft|235 of
torque @ 3,600 rpm.For 2006, the
powertrain consisted of the following:
* Either a 2.5 L, flat, four-cylinderengine shared with theSubaru 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 Convert|173|hp|kW|0|abbr=on at 6000RPM and Auto lbft|166 oftorque at 4400RPM .
* The DOHC turbocharged 2.5 L engine produced Convert|230|hp|kW|0|abbr=on at 6000RPM and Auto lbft|235 oftorque at 3600RPM .For 2005, thepowertrain consisted of the following:
* Either a 2.5 L, flat, four-cylinderengine shared with the Subaru Impreza in the 'Linear' model, badged 2.5i, or a 2.0 L, turbocharged, flat four-cylinder engine shared with theSubaru Impreza WRX in the 'Aero' badged model.
* The DOHC turbocharged 2.0 L engine produced Convert|227|hp|kW|0|abbr=on at 6000RPM , as well as Auto lbft|217 oftorque at 4000 rpm.
* The naturally aspirated SOHC 2.5 L engine produced Convert|165|hp|kW|0|abbr=on at 5600RPM and Auto lbft|166 oftorque at 4000 rpm.
* A five-speed manual or four-speedautomatic transmission
* Anall-wheel drive drivetrain , with very different characteristics depending on transmission choice.The interior is reworked and has received extra acoustic insulation, with particular attention paid to the firewall, carpeting, roof, and rear window seals. The main piece of the dash is shared unchanged with the Subaru versions, while the door panels, lower dash, and seats are unique to the 9-2X. Saab's Active Head Restraints have been incorporated into the front seats, unlike the
Recaro seats in the WRX. The rear suspension arms are inaluminum , with further reduction ofunsprung weight achieved by using plastic in place of heavier components, bushings separate to the Saab, and the dampers recalibrated. Thesteering 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 quickersteering ratio , more rigidly mounted steering hardware and stiffer chassis bushings. While it may look similar to theSubaru WRX , the hood, front fascia, front and rear quarter panels, and tailgate are specific to theSaab 9-2x.Background
Since 2000,
Saab Automobile has been a fully-owned subsidiary ofGeneral Motors . GM was a 20%shareholder ofFuji Heavy Industries (parent company ofSubaru ) at the time the 9-2X was conceived. In October 2005, however, GM decided that it would sell 8.4% of the company toToyota and will dispose of its remaining 11.4% share back to Fuji in a share buy-back deal. The 9-2X will thus be the only remaining joint effort between Fuji and GM.The 9-2X is not particularly popular with brand loyalists although all 8,000 cars produced for the 2005 year were sold. From the perspective of Saab enthusiasts, 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 [ cite web|url=http://www.iihs.org/ratings/ratingsbyseries.aspx?id=571 |title=IIHS Crash Test Results |accessdate=2007-05-14 |work=Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ] . The suspension changes were such an improvement that Subaru 'demanded' to be able to place this suspension in their Impreza model. Subaru, meanwhile, is not happy about its image-building "halo car" being used to help prop up the sales of another brandFact|date=May 2007 – although officially both companies support the idea, and stress their common background in aviation and
rallying . Many Subaru owners especially liked the idea since they hoped to be able to use Saab parts to style their Subarus – notably the Subaru interior, which is often described as spartan. Initial reviews praised the car for its more refined handling and higher-quality interior.Fact|date=May 2007References
* Car Design News, Inc. (n.d.). Saab 9-2X. In "Los Angeles Auto Show 2004 - Highlights". Retrieved
January 18 ,2004 [http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2004/losangeles/highlights/index.html]External links
* [http://saab92x.com/ Saab 9-2x Owners Forum]
* [http://www.saabusa.com/ Saab USA]
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