Saab to sell Impreza-based compact 9-2
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Saab to sell Impreza-based compact 9-2
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=01780168
2003 New York: Saab to add small car built off of Subaru platform
By DAVE GUILFORD | Automotive News
Saab will expand its product line by adding the 9-2, a small car developed with and built by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
Peter Augustsson, CEO of Saab Automobile AB, said the 9-2 will be a hatchback with all-wheel drive.
"We see an emerging segment in the United States for a premium, small car below the Saab 9-3 sport sedan," he said. Saab's other car is the 9-5.
The 9-2 will be built for the Swedish automaker in Japan, beginning next spring. It will sell in the low $20,000s, Saab said. The automaker plans to build about 7,000 each year.
Saab will offer two versions, both with five doors and all-wheel drive. The vehicles are based on Subaru’s rally-inspired Impreza WRX. The base 9-2 will be equipped with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, while the Aero version will feature a high performance, 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine.
Initially, the car will only be offered in the United States. At the high end, Saab also reportedly plans to offer a 9-7 based on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer/GMC Envoy sport/ute platform.
Saab is owned by General Motors. GM owns 20 percent of Fuji, the maker of Subarus.
2003 New York: Saab to add small car built off of Subaru platform
By DAVE GUILFORD | Automotive News
Saab will expand its product line by adding the 9-2, a small car developed with and built by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
Peter Augustsson, CEO of Saab Automobile AB, said the 9-2 will be a hatchback with all-wheel drive.
"We see an emerging segment in the United States for a premium, small car below the Saab 9-3 sport sedan," he said. Saab's other car is the 9-5.
The 9-2 will be built for the Swedish automaker in Japan, beginning next spring. It will sell in the low $20,000s, Saab said. The automaker plans to build about 7,000 each year.
Saab will offer two versions, both with five doors and all-wheel drive. The vehicles are based on Subaru’s rally-inspired Impreza WRX. The base 9-2 will be equipped with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, while the Aero version will feature a high performance, 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine.
Initially, the car will only be offered in the United States. At the high end, Saab also reportedly plans to offer a 9-7 based on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer/GMC Envoy sport/ute platform.
Saab is owned by General Motors. GM owns 20 percent of Fuji, the maker of Subarus.
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From: Columbus, Ohio
9-2=not saab, but cool nonetheless.
i wonder if the 2.0 will make more or less hp than the wrx. also, will it be the suburu 2.0 turbo? or the saab 2.0 turbo?
such questions keep me awake long through the night
9-7=teh ghey
if they release that, then all hope is lost.
i wonder if the 2.0 will make more or less hp than the wrx. also, will it be the suburu 2.0 turbo? or the saab 2.0 turbo?
such questions keep me awake long through the night
9-7=teh ghey
if they release that, then all hope is lost.
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Yeah it's just a sketch, but the hood scoop does suggest that the WRX motor is under there. I don't think it makes sense to ship Saab engines all the way to Japan when Subaru has their own perfectly good ones right there. Also, the Impreza mounts its engines longitudinally with the transmission behind it like in a rwd application. It would take a lot of repackaging to fit an inline-four into the same location mounted the same way.
Apathy Kills
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From: The Left Lane
I'll wait till I see a spy shot before I pass judgement on the 9-2, but the idea of a small car w/ EJ20 power sounds 
...
The 9-7....
Probably look just as bad as the Escalade, if not worse (presuming that's possible).
...The 9-7....
Probably look just as bad as the Escalade, if not worse (presuming that's possible).
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The idea of the 2.5l non-turbo Saab? Kind of ruins the whole Saab image to me. And the pricing on these models better be right. A perfectly well-equipped base 9-3 starts at 26k with a 175 2.0l turbo and a base Impreza starts at 19k. I really think that they will have difficulty making these Impreza-clones a good value.
I didn't see prototype pics on any sites yet, did they not unveil one?
I didn't see prototype pics on any sites yet, did they not unveil one?
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Wannabe yuppie
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From: Madison, WI
I would assume pricing on each engine option of the 9-2 to be maybe $2-3k more than its Impreza equivalent. I'm pretty sure pricing on the 9-3 and 9-5 overlaps depending on which engine you pick.
No, they haven't unveiled anything yet. There was a rumor about this floating around a long time ago, so they may just wait til the production car is totally done to show anything to the public.
No, they haven't unveiled anything yet. There was a rumor about this floating around a long time ago, so they may just wait til the production car is totally done to show anything to the public.
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From: Southern NH
Subaru's boxer engines rule...I love them. The 2.5 is torquey and potent, and plenty quick with a 5-speed manual, although the 2.5's have weak seals that cause oil leaks - around 50,000 miles they tend to go. The 2.0 turbo positively rules, although the turbo lag is somewhat disappointing.
The H-6 is also really nice, but it isn't that quick due to a 4-speed automatic combined with long gear ratios and heavy weight to pull around. At least the H-6 can be offered in the Outback Sedan now, not just wagon.
The 9-7 should be lit on fire.
The H-6 is also really nice, but it isn't that quick due to a 4-speed automatic combined with long gear ratios and heavy weight to pull around. At least the H-6 can be offered in the Outback Sedan now, not just wagon.
The 9-7 should be lit on fire.
HC Racer H5
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From: KCK
saab is just selling a branded version of the impreza/wrx series...it is most likely that the 2.0 will be the wrx 237 hp variant (better than saabs weaker 175 2.0 turbo)...now only if this impreza will come with the ignition key in the middle
the impreza series are impressive cars but they are not saabs and no matter what sheetmetal and interior trim is done it won't be a saab...b/c the engine/drivetrain/chassis are all subaru
all of a sudden saab loyalists will get to pick from subarus & chevy clones with just a saab badge on them
the impreza series are impressive cars but they are not saabs and no matter what sheetmetal and interior trim is done it won't be a saab...b/c the engine/drivetrain/chassis are all subaru
all of a sudden saab loyalists will get to pick from subarus & chevy clones with just a saab badge on them
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It appears that there is only going to be one version of the 9-2 based on the Impreza wagon, and that Saab is not going to be selling a version of the Impreza sedan.
http://www.edmunds.com/news/regularn...6/article.html
Saab 9-2, A Wagon From the Start
Date Posted 04-24-2003
Saab confirms that it will begin selling a new small car dubbed the 9-2 — and also confirms that its new entry-level car will be a wagon based on the Subaru Impreza WRX. Both versions of the upcoming 9-2 five-door will sport all-wheel drive, too. Saab expects to outfit the vehicles with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a turbocharged 2.0-liter four making more than 300 horsepower. Saab hopes to put the new vehicle to market within a year, along with a new sport-utility vehicle based on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
http://www.edmunds.com/news/regularn...6/article.html
Saab 9-2, A Wagon From the Start
Date Posted 04-24-2003
Saab confirms that it will begin selling a new small car dubbed the 9-2 — and also confirms that its new entry-level car will be a wagon based on the Subaru Impreza WRX. Both versions of the upcoming 9-2 five-door will sport all-wheel drive, too. Saab expects to outfit the vehicles with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a turbocharged 2.0-liter four making more than 300 horsepower. Saab hopes to put the new vehicle to market within a year, along with a new sport-utility vehicle based on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer.
