What D'ya Call It, Saaburu?

Motor, Dec 2003 by Nash, Tom

The Saab 9-2X, a new all-wheel-drive, five-door model, will be unveiled this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Saab's first car built outside Sweden will be a Subaru-built version of the zippy Subaru Impreza WRX and will be priced around $20,000. General Motors, which owns Saab and holds a 20% stake in Fuji Heavy Industries, which makes Subaru, says the 9-2X will help introduce Saab to a younger customer group.

Positioned below the 9-3 Sport Sedan in size and price, the 9-2X is the first production Saab to have all-wheel-drive and will offer excellent driving dynamics, turbo performance and a hatchback.

Two versions will be available-an entry-level Saab 9-2X Linear, powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, and the high-performance Aero model with a 227-hp, 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The new Saab 9-2X will be produced in Fuji's facilities in Japan beginning in the spring of 2004.