Saab 9-2X
Encyclopedia
- This article is about the Saab 9-2X from the 21st century. There is also the Saab 92Saab 92Saab 92 is an automobile from Saab. The design was very aerodynamic for its time, and the cW value was 0.30 . The entire body was stamped out of one piece of sheet metal and then cut to accommodate doors and windows. Full-scale production started December 12, 1949, based on the prototype Saab 92001...
from the 1950s.
The Saab 9-2X is a station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
that was sold by Saab
Saab Automobile
Saab Automobile AB, better known as Saab , is a Swedish car manufacturer owned by Dutch automobile manufacturer Swedish Automobile NV, formerly Spyker Cars NV. It is the exclusive automobile Royal Warrant holder as appointed by the King of Sweden...
only in North America as a 2005 and 2006 model year car. It was built in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
by Fuji Heavy Industries
Fuji Heavy Industries
, or FHI, is a Japanese transportation conglomerate most known for being the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles. It traces its roots to the Nakajima Aircraft Company, a leading supplier of airplanes to the Japanese government during World War II...
’ Gunma Yajima Plant Ōta, Gunma
Ota, Gunma
is a city 50 miles northwest of Tokyo, in eastern Gunma prefecture, Japan. This city is located between the Tone and Watarase rivers. As a result, the new city reached a total population of 219,789, making it the third most populous city in Gunma....
.
The car's name is written as 92X on its badge, but as 9-2X in advertising and other text.
The car's design was developed
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
from the Subaru Impreza
Subaru Impreza
Introduced in November 1993, the Impreza was offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions and as a four-door sedan/saloon or five-door station wagon/estate. According to a Motor Trend article written March 1992 on page 26, the name of Subaru's new compact was, initially, to be...
with a modified body, suspension, and interior. Because of this, the 9-2X earned the nickname "Saabaru" before it was released.
Saab planned to offer the 9-2X to a limited public, starting in July 2004, for the 2005 model year
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
. 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 AutomobileSaab Automobile
Saab Automobile AB, better known as Saab , is a Swedish car manufacturer owned by Dutch automobile manufacturer Swedish Automobile NV, formerly Spyker Cars NV. It is the exclusive automobile Royal Warrant holder as appointed by the King of Sweden...
was a fully owned subsidiary of General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
(GM). GM was a 20% shareholder
Shareholder
A shareholder or stockholder is an individual or institution that legally owns one or more shares of stock in a public or private corporation. Shareholders own the stock, but not the corporation itself ....
of Fuji Heavy Industries
Fuji Heavy Industries
, or FHI, is a Japanese transportation conglomerate most known for being the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles. It traces its roots to the Nakajima Aircraft Company, a leading supplier of airplanes to the Japanese government during World War II...
(parent company of Subaru
Subaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
) 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 buy-back deal. The 9-2X was discontinued with the dissolution of the partnership between Fuji and GM.
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, although all 8,514 cars produced for the 2005 year were sold. From the perspective
Perspective (cognitive)
Perspective in theory of cognition is the choice of a context or a reference from which to sense, categorize, measure or codify experience, cohesively forming a coherent belief, typically for comparing with another...
of Saab enthusiasts, whether founded or not, the idea has been criticized for the fact that the changes are mostly cosmetic
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
; yet the 9-2X won the highest IIHS safety awards.
Characteristics
The new for 2006 DOHC turbochargedTurbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
2.5 L engine produced 230 hp at 5,600 rpm and 235 lbft of torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
at 3,600 rpm.
For 2006, the powertrain
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
consisted of the following:
- Either a 2.5 L, flatFlat-4A flat-4 or horizontally opposed-4 is a flat engine with four cylinders arranged horizontally in two banks of two cylinders on each side of a central crankcase...
, four-cylinder engineEngineAn engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
shared with the Subaru ImprezaSubaru ImprezaIntroduced in November 1993, the Impreza was offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions and as a four-door sedan/saloon or five-door station wagon/estate. According to a Motor Trend article written March 1992 on page 26, the name of Subaru's new compact was, initially, to be...
in the formerly badged 'Linear' model, badged 2.5i, or a 2.5 L, turbocharged, flat, four-cylinder engine shared with the Impreza WRXSubaru Impreza WRXThe Subaru Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Subaru Impreza, an all-wheel drive, four-door passenger vehicle. It is available as a sedan or wagon....
in the 'Aero'-badged model. - The naturally aspirated SOHC with variable valve timing 2.5 L engine produced 173 hp at 6000 rpm and 166 lbft of torqueTorqueTorque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
at 4400 rpm. - The DOHC turbocharged 2.5 L engine produced 230 hp at 6000 rpm and 235 lbft of torqueTorqueTorque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
at 3600 rpm.
For 2005, the powertrain
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
consisted of the following:
- Either a 2.5 L, flatFlat-4A flat-4 or horizontally opposed-4 is a flat engine with four cylinders arranged horizontally in two banks of two cylinders on each side of a central crankcase...
, four-cylinder engineEngineAn engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
shared with the Subaru Impreza in the 'Linear' model, badged 2.5i, or a 2.0 L, turbocharged, flat four-cylinder engine shared with the Subaru Impreza WRXSubaru Impreza WRXThe Subaru Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Subaru Impreza, an all-wheel drive, four-door passenger vehicle. It is available as a sedan or wagon....
in the 'Aero' badged model - The DOHC turbocharged 2.0 L engine produced 227 hp at 6000 rpm, as well as 217 lbft of torqueTorqueTorque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
at 4000 rpm - The naturally aspirated SOHC 2.5 L engine produced 165 hp at 5600 rpm and 166 lbft of torqueTorqueTorque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
at 4000 rpm - A five-speed manualManual transmissionA manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
or four-speed automatic transmissionAutomatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually... - An all-wheel drive drivetrainPowertrainIn a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
, with very different characteristics depending on transmission choice.
The interior is reworked
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
and received extra acoustic insulation, with particular attention paid to the firewall
Firewall (construction)
A firewall is a fireproof barrier used to prevent the spread of fire between or through buildings, structures, electrical substation transformers, or within an aircraft or vehicle.- Applications :...
, 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
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
arms are in aluminum, with further reduction of unsprung weight
Unsprung weight
In a ground vehicle with a suspension, the unsprung weight is the mass of the suspension, wheels or tracks , and other components directly connected to them, rather than supported by the suspension...
achieved by using plastic in place of heavier components, bushings unique to the Saab
Saab Automobile
Saab Automobile AB, better known as Saab , is a Swedish car manufacturer owned by Dutch automobile manufacturer Swedish Automobile NV, formerly Spyker Cars NV. It is the exclusive automobile Royal Warrant holder as appointed by the King of Sweden...
, and the dampers recalibrated. The steering
Steering
Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel or vehicle to follow the desired course...
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
Steering ratio
Steering ratio refers to the ratio between the turn of the steering wheel or handlebars and the turn of the wheels .The steering ratio, is the amount of degrees you have to turn the steering wheel, for the wheels to turn an amount of degrees.In motorcycles and bicycles, the steering ratio is...
, more rigidly mounted steering hardware and stiffer chassis bushings. While it may look similar to the Subaru Impreza WRX
Subaru Impreza WRX
The Subaru Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Subaru Impreza, an all-wheel drive, four-door passenger vehicle. It is available as a sedan or wagon....
, 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)