Saabs Compact 9-2X is Coming for Independence Day 2004

The New 9-2X Features a Saabs Face and a Subarus Heart

It turns out that Saab and Subaru might by from the same part of the automotive gene pool after all, since the Japanese companys compact Impreza wagon makes a pretty nice little Swedish car after all.

True enough, the 9-2X does not have the signature mark of a Saab, since the ignition is on the steering wheel column rather than the centre column. But the new Saabs exterior looks very much like a smaller sibling of the 9-5 wagon, theres a goodly amount of stoic luxury in the interior, and it will go like stink if you give it a chance.

On top of that, the 9-2X is supposed to sell for $22,000 when it goes on sale on Independence Day, 2004. Prices will of course go up from there, but a Saab hasnt carried that low of a starting price tag since 1997, and this new model is a better car.

In the first place, the 9-2X will have full-time all-wheel-drive, which is an excellent thing if youre looking for a little better performance or a little more safety.

This addition to the Saab canon comes courtesy of Subaru, which has been in the all-wheel-drive passenger car business for about 30 years. It is perhaps the most vivid example yet of the benefits related to Saab and Subaru being part of GMs worldwide alliance network.

GM brokered this arrangement, with Subaru supplying the basic car design for Saab to transmorph in exchange for a lot of investment money and engineering work on things like environmental controls that the small Japanese firm no longer has to do.

However it works behind the scenes, I dont think it will matter to people looking for what Peter Augustsson, Saabs president and CEO, calls "a unique and early offering in a car segment just emerging in the North American market -- the premium sports compact segment."

Whatever competition comes along, Augustsson is confident that the 9-2X will more than hold its own, based primarily on the fact that "it is extremely dynamic and is a car that you want to drive."

This desire is supposed to be reflected in the five-doors exterior shape, says Michael Mauer, Saabs executive director of design. "The Saab 9-2X needs to look as aggressive as its driving capabilities. Additionally, even though it is a functional 5-door vehicle, it shouldnt look like a traditional hatchback. Therefore, we spent a great deal of time making sure it had a strong face and sleek Scandinavian lines."

Looking fast is just fine for a car, but only if its actually fast. On this front, Augustsson thinks Saab has also done a good job.

The powerplant in the 9-2X 2.5 model is of course the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed engine that has served Subaru so well for many years, tuned here to deliver 165 hp at 5,600 rpm and 166 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The turbocharged and intercooled two-liter high performance DOHC 9-2X Aero engine produces 227 hp at 6,000 rpm and 217 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. This version is supposed to go from 0 to 60 mph in just under six seconds, which is pretty good.

Both cars will come with a five-speed manual transmission, while a four-speed automatic transmission will be available as an option.

Kjell-Ã…ke Eriksson, Saabs executive director for future products, says "The Saab 9-2X is the best example yet of Saabs brand promise of delivering sporty, driver focused performance. It is truly designed for people who love to drive, whether that be on a demanding section of a curvy road or during a relaxed long-distance drive on the highway."

The 9-2X will be the smallest model Saab has sold in some time, but Eriksson promises its big enough to carry all of those things that people with an active lifestyle are fond of -- surfboards, skis, in-line skates, camping gear and who-knows-what.

Saab 9-2X is 175.6 inches long on a wheelbase of 99.4 inches and is capable of holding 61.6 cu-ft of stuff with the rear seatback down.

When its not crammed with lifestyle gear or something else, the 9-2X promises to be a pretty good place for people, too, particularly if theyre fond of what Augustsson calls a "distinctive Scandinavian ambience."

There are Metal-rimmed round dials in the instrument panel, and a center console that integrates the gear lever gate and three distinct climate control knobs, if not the ignition key. Its finished in an aluminum color, while the gear lever knob itself is covered with leather (which is an option on the Linear model).

Theres also a leather-covered three-spoke steering wheel thats standard equipment on the Aero model. "The upholstery has a youthful feel with bold colors and high contrast," says Augustsson, and this attitude is reflected by the inner door cover panels. While the basic color used throughout the interior is black, the door panels are highlighted by contrasting color inserts. They perfectly match the materials used for the middle inserts of the seats.

Bearing those relatively low prices in mind, Augustsson says, its interesting to note that "The standard equipment level of the Saab 9-2X leaves little to be desired, with all features executed to the brands renowned premium standard."

More specifically, standard equipment in all 9-2X models includes: air conditioning, cruise control, 16 x 6.5-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 all-season tires, an AM/FM/CD Stereo, a height-adjustable drivers seat, a tilt steering wheel, power doors with a remote key, power windows and mirrors, a rear wiper/washer, tinted glass, a cargo cover and light, dual overhead map lights and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat.

On top of that, the 9-2X Aero gets larger, vented front brake discs, a hood air intake, a sport exhaust tail pipe, front fog lamps, special light alloy wheels, a semi-automatic climate control system, a six-disc in-dash CD changer, a leather-wrapped shifter knob and handbrake handle, and leather-wrapped three spoke sport steering wheel.

Stay tuned for more details and driving impressions in due course.