Subaru Impreza (second Generation) - Saab 9-2X

Saab 9-2X

Subaru manufactured a badge engineered version of the second generation Impreza hatchback as the "Saab 9-2X" between 2004 and 2005. Retailed only in the North American market for the 2005 and 2006 model years, the car earned the nickname "Saabaru". The car's name is written as "92X" on its badge, but as "9-2X" in advertising and other texts. At the time the 9-2X was conceived, Saab Automobile had been a fully owned subsidiary of General Motors (GM), and GM held a 20 percent stake of Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries.

Although still produced in Japan by Subaru, Saab appointed Michael Mauer to commission the redesign of the front- and rear styling to better integrate the contrived Saab with the brand's own design language. This totally restyled front fascia included new fenders and hood, with the rear gaining a redesigned tailgate and bumper. The interior received extra acoustic insulation over the Subaru, with particular attention paid to the firewall, carpeting, roof, and rear window seals. The main piece of the dash is unchanged from the Subaru versions, although the instrument cluster was redesigned. Saab also specified their own front seats incorporating active head restraints, unlike the fixed headrest seats in the equivalent Impreza WRX. The rear suspension arms are in aluminum, with further reduction of unsprung weight achieved by using plastic in place of heavier components, bushings unique to the Saab, and the dampers recalibrated. The steering had 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 faster 15.0:1 steering ratio, more rigidly mounted steering hardware and stiffer chassis bushings. The 9-2X is not particularly popular with Saab brand loyalists for the fact that the changes from the Subaru are mostly cosmetic. The 9-2X also won the highest IIHS safety awards.

Saab planned to offer the 9-2X to a limited public. 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. In October 2005, however, GM decided that it would sell 8.4 percent of the company to Toyota and dispose of its remaining 11.4 percent share back to Fuji in a share buyback deal. The 9-2X was discontinued after the 2006 model year 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 percent Linear; 42 percent Aero). The remaining 1,832 were produced for the 2006 model year (approximately 82 percent 2.5i; 18 percent Aero). The Aero model was not sold in Canada for 2006.

Saab offered the 2005 model year 9-2X with Subaru's naturally aspirated 2.5-liter EJ253 engine in the "Linear" trim level (165 hp, 123 kW and 166 lb·ft, 225 N·m), with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine shared with the Impreza WRX offered in the "Aero" badged model (227 hp, 169 kW and 217 lb·ft, 294 N·m). All-wheel drive came standard with an optional four-speed automatic transmission available instead of the five-speed manual for both trims. For 2005, Saab offered three options packages. The first of these, the premium package, added leather upholstery and for the US model, xenon HID headlamps. When ordered on with the "Linear" trim, the premium package also included the in-dash six-CD changer, front fog lamps, vinyl door cards, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The cold weather package added 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. The final combination, the sport package, added a sunroof, and for the "Aero" only, included 17-inch wheels.

Updated for the 2006 model year included the re-branding of the "Linear" to "2.5i", with its 2.5-liter engine uprated to 173 hp (129 kW) and 166 lb·ft (225 N·m). The Aero's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine made way for the higher-displacement 2.5-liter EJ25 turbocharged unit, increasing outputs to 230 hp (172 kW) and 235 lb·ft (319 N·m). For 2006, the cars had different options packages that essentially broke down the same equipment differently. The premium package became known as the leather package and incorporated the same additions are previously. The cold weather package also remained unchanged. However, with the sport package with its upgraded 17-inch wheel upgrade package became exclusive to the Aero as the sunroof became a standalone option.