2005 Saab 9-2X: First Look

Saab's new AWD turbocharged 9-2X, perhaps the smallest model the marque has ever considered, makes a lot of sense.

You see Saab isn't exactly setting the sales charts alight in any significant markets with it current line-up, and seeing that General Motors now owns the Swedish company, it demands results.

The 9-3 Sport Sedan is slowly but surely starting to make headway in a number of countries, but GM wants Saab entrenched in the US, to take on Lexus et al.

Consequently, the ideas people at GM came up with the idea of safe, good looking, very sporty and cost effective luxury car to penetrate the hearts and minds of Americans.

The Saab 9-2X was decided upon, and its underpinnings are taken from the Subaru WRX.

GM doesn't own Subaru, but it does have a 20 per cent stake in the Japanese carmaker's parent, Fuji Heavy Industries.

Long story short, GM leaned on Fuji, and the 9-2X was born without having to draft, design and engineer a brand new driveline, which substantially reduces costs and manufacturing time.

Bob Lutz, GM’s Vice Chairman for product development, and the man who brought the Holden Monaro to America, said, "Our role at GM is to help enable Saab to grow its product range."

Interestingly, the rather purposeful-looking Saab may never see the light of day in Australia, as Subaru has fiercely campaigned against it, suggesting it will destroy the niche AWD small car market it has pioneered.

But beyond the politics and wheeling and dealing of the world's automotive giants, the 9-2X makes for a very swish-looking car, and one that has every chance of winning over the American car-buying public.

The hatchback-only 9-2X was recently unveiled to the press at a special unveiling in America recently, as part of the 2004 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.

It fits into what Saab calls the premium sports compact segment, and will go on sale in the U.S and Canada on July 1st, 2004.

From a visual standpoint, the new baby Saab is a stunner. Perhaps it's the bonnet scoop, maybe it's the 17-inch alloy wheels, or could it be the deep front apron and gaping air dams?

Whatever it is, there's something about the new model that intrigues, and it will help improve up the Swedish car makers image considerably.

The vehicle retains Saab's now familiar curvaceous front end, complete with trademark three-hole-grille. Together with low, horizontally emphasised headlamps that hark back to the 9-5's wrap around items, the result is pleasing enough.

Horizontal lines in the design of the 9-2X's rear end contribute to the car's wide-looking stance, and while the front end is unique, the similarities of the rear end between the WRX are all too apparent.

"Since we are targeting a young and enthusiastic customer, we decided to express the strong and dynamic character of the 9-2X in its design and even add a bit more of an aggressive touch compared to the rest of our line-up," said Saab's head honcho of design, Michael Mauer.

Performance wise, the 9-2X won't be quite as rapid as the WRX, despite identical engine and transmission layouts. Kerb weight will be very similar, if not lighter ("less than 1400kg"), which begs the question - what's slowing it down?

Saab officials reckon the 9-2X will do the 0-100km/h dash in 6.8 seconds, compared to the claimed WRX (Australian-spec sedan) time of 5.8 seconds.

Initially there will be two models on offer, the Linear and the Aero. The latter gets the turbocharged, intercooled horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine, whose vitals are 168kW @ 6000rpm and 294Nm of torque @ 4000rpm.

The 2.5-litre naturally aspirated power plant for the Saab 9-2X Linear, also a boxer 4, delivers 121kW @ 5600rpm as well as maximum torque of 225Nm @ 4000 rpm, meaning it won't be a complete slug in comparison to the Aero.

The 9-2X also benefit from advanced full-time all-wheel-drive and further technical highlights include four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, which are partnered with a 4-channel/4-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS).

The Aero also gets improved traction and handling performance thanks to a viscous limited-slip differential at the rear, and both cars come standard with a 5-speed manual transmission; a 4-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

The 2005 Saab 9-2X is one of Saab's most promising vehicles yet, likely to inherit the Impreza's awesome cornering ability, and with solid performance credentials and a luxury leather interior, it's also likely to make the WRX look pretty common in comparison.

Slotting in below the 9-3 Sport Sedan, the new baby Saab is an entirely encouraging design, but there will be some who may find it hard to buy a so-called European luxury car that's built in Japan.

When it's launched halfway through 2004, Saab says it will ship for less than $US25,000, or $33,799 in Aussie dollar (at the time of writing). Citing customer surveys, the European marque asserts that up to 40 per cent of all Americans are looking for all-wheel-drive in their next vehicle, a feature Saab is keen to capitalise on.

Peter Augustsson, Saab's President and CEO, put the launch of the Saab 9-2X in broader perspective: "The Saab 9-2X is a milestone in expanding our model range and our customer base, especially in the very important North American market.

"We see a rapidly emerging segment in the United States for a premium, small car below the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan. And being one of the first entries, we intend to shape that segment."

Bold words from Saab's main man, as the 9-2X makes a lot of sense for the Swedish marque, while representing good value. But at what cost?

What will the 9-2X do to Subaru in the States? Will the WRX and other Imprezas be forgotten when the 9-2X's marketing juggernaut rolls in, or can both cars co-exist in automotive equilibrium? Whatever the case, Subaru of Australia won't have a bar of the new 9-2X, while Saab is keen for the AWD compact luxury to be sold in here.

2004 will be an interesting year in the automotive world, make no mistake.