The Saab 9-2X is a Saab-branded automobile assembled in Japan at the Ota-Gunma plant by Fuji Heavy Industries and based on the Subaru Impreza WRX, but with a modified body, suspension, and interior. Because of this the 9-2X earned the nickname “Saabaru” before it was released. A smaller car named Saab 9-2 will come in 2007.  The car is actually badged as a 92X, but Saab consistently advertises it as the 9-2X.

As of 2004, Saab planned to offer the 9-2X to a limited public, starting in July of 2004, for the 2005 model year, as a 4-door station wagon only. Europe will not receive the 9-2X as it is for the North American market only. Initial sales have been 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 will spell the end of this slow-selling but excellent performing model. Production will end after the 2007 model year.

Characteristics

The 2006 9-2X is priced between US$23,710 and 27,670. The new for 2006 DOHC turbocharged 2.5 L engine produces 230 hp at 5,600 rpm and 235 ft.lbf of torque @ 3,600 rpm.

New for 2006:

• 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 Subaru Impreza WRX in the ‘Aero’ badged model.

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, badged 2.5i, 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 can produces 227 hp at 6000 RPM, as well as 217 ft.lbf 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.

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 bespoke. Saab’s Active Head Restraints have been incorporated into the front seats, unlike the Recaro seats in the WRX. The rear suspension arms are in aluminum, with further reduction of unsprung weight achieved by using plastic in place of heavier components, bushings separate 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 steering ratio, more rigidly mounted steering hardware and stiffer chassis bushings.

Background

Although marketed by General Motors, which is the 100% owner of Saab and a 20% shareholder of Subaru (soon to be only 11% as GM and Toyota ink out a stock sales deal, and less as GM sells some of its remaining shares back to Fuji in a share buy-back program) in Fuji Heavy Industries (parent company of Subaru), the 9-2X is not particularly popular with brand enthusiasts and reportedly management at the companies concerned.

The 9-2X will be the only remaining joint effort between Fuji and GM. From the perspective of Saab enthusiasts, whether founded or not, the idea has been criticized for the fact that the changes are mostly cosmetic; thus, while it may look like a Saab, it might not drive like a Saab, nor have the same high standard of safety as a Saab (although the Impreza is among the safest cars in its class).

Subaru, meanwhile, is not happy about its image-building “hero car” being used to help prop up the sales of another brand - 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 basic. Initial reviews have praised the car for its more refined handling and higher-quality interior.