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Saab 9-2X Summary

4082 Views 42 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  desmo9, 
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New Benchmark Among Dynamic Premium Compacts




- Early entry in emerging premium sports compact segment
- Standard full-time all-wheel-drive for improved handling, traction and versatility
- Two models - 227 hp 9-2X Aero and the 165 hp 9-2X Linear
- Styling, performance and driving characteristics create a sporty, fun-to-drive offer in the segment
- Start of sales in the U.S. and Canada in July 2004

The new 2005 Saab 9-2X is the next significant step in the biggest product development program in Saab's history. Saab - the fastest growing European premium car brand in the American market- recently launched the 9-3 Sport Sedan and 9-3 Convertible model ranges. Now the new 9-2X continues this product offensive.

With standard full-time all-wheel-drive, powerful engines, and distinctive European design, the Saab 9-2X is a unique and early offering in a car segment just emerging in the American market: the premium sports compact segment. The first Saab 9-2X models will go on sale in the U.S. and Canada July 1, 2004 - ahead of many competitors who are also bringing products to this market.

"The Saab 9-2X is the ideal addition to our line-up," says Peter Augustsson, Saab's President and CEO. "Like the recently-launched Saab 9-3 models, it is extremely dynamic and is a car that you want to drive. Additionally, its price point will attract some new, young, enthusiastic customers to Saab."

For many customers, the Saab 9-2X will be their first premium brand vehicle as prices start below $25,000. In addition, customer surveys show that up to 40 percent of all Americans are looking for all-wheel-drive in their next vehicle - a feature standard in all Saab 9-2X models, a distinct advantage as Saab enters this new segment.

"The Saab 9-2X will help us continue our extremely strong momentum," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President of Saab Cars USA. "We are definitely on a roll. The 9-3 Sport Sedan is more than doubling the sales of its predecessor, we are in the midst of launching our all-new 9-3 Convertible, and this exciting new car will arrive in the early summer 2004."

The Design: Progressive with a strong, dynamic character
"As the new 9-2X range is tremendously fun to drive and 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," comments Saab's Executive Director of Design, Michael Mauer.

The new Saab 9-2X takes a number of styling cues from recently-presented Saab concept and production vehicles and presents Saab's view on what a fun-to-drive, versatile 5-door vehicle should look like.

"The Saab 9-2X needs to look as aggressive as its driving capabilities," says Mauer. "Additionally, even though it is a functional 5-door vehicle, it shouldn't look like a traditional hatchback. Therefore, we spent a great deal of time making sure it had a strong face and sleek Scandinavian lines."

The vehicle retains Saab's now familiar curvaceous front that harmoniously integrates the typical three-hole-grille and the low horizontally emphasized headlamps that wrap around into the sides of the car. Below the bumper area, a pronounced air intake signals the dynamic potential of the new sports compact. On the top-of-the-line 9-2X Aero model, the clean line of the front hood is accentuated by a nicely integrated air intake that feeds air to the intercooler of the turbocharged engine.

As with the 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero SportWagon, the horizontal lines in the design of the 9-2X's rear end contribute to the car's wide and powerful stance. Additionally, the rear apron's dark accent provides a sporty flair.

Performance: Sporty and focused on the driver
The Saab 9-2X's advanced full-time all-wheel-drive and boxer four cylinder engines are firsts in Saab's history. Further technical highlights include four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes which, when partnered with a latest generation 4-channel/4-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS), provide enhanced driver control. Traction and handling performance of the 9-2X Aero is further improved by a viscous limited-slip differential at the rear.

The turbocharged and intercooled two-liter high performance DOHC 9-2X Aero engine produces 227 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 217 lb.-ft. (294 Nm) of torque @ 4,000 rpm. The power plant of the Saab 9-2X 2.5 is naturally aspirated and delivers 165 hp @ 5,600 rpm as well as a maximum torque of 166 lb.-ft. (225 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm. Both cars provide a standard 5-speed manual transmission; a 4-speed automatic transmission is available as an option.

"The Saab 9-2X is the best example yet of Saab's brand promise of delivering sporty, driver focused performance," says Kjell-Ake Eriksson, Saab Executive Director for Future Products. "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."

Five-door Versatility: Form follows function
Surfboards, skis, in-line skates, camping gear and more all fit well into the Saab 9-2X. With a wheelbase of 99.4 inches (2,525 mm) and an overall length of 175.6 inches (4,460 mm), the Saab 9-2X offers nimble handling around town and on backcountry roads. It also holds up to 27.9 cubic feet (790 dm3) of cargo space with the seatback up and 61.6 cubic feet (1,744 dm3) with the seatback folded down. A 60/40-split fold-down rear seatback is standard in all 9-2X models and the large rear luggage door opening gives optimal access to the trunk space provided.

Weighing in at just under 3,100 pounds (1,400 kilos), all 9-2X versions return excellent highway mileage anticipated to be in the 26 to 28 mpg range.

Peter Augustsson, Saab Automobile's President and CEO, puts 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."
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Lichtronamo
I like how the press release goes on and on about the design elements of the 9-2X as if they did't just slap a Saab face on the existing Subaru WRX body along with some great wheels. This is my favorite:

"The new Saab 9-2X... ...presents Saab's view on what a fun-to-drive, versatile 5-door vehicle should look like."

or this one:

""The Saab 9-2X needs to look as aggressive as its driving capabilities," says Mauer. "Additionally, even though it is a functional 5-door vehicle, it shouldn't look like a traditional hatchback. Therefore, we spent a great deal of time making sure it had a strong face and sleek Scandinavian lines.""
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chev454ls
Saab has made so many positive strides the last few years. I I used to think Saabs were some of the ugliest car ever made (and some of 'em are), but now they are looking pretty sweet. Yes, this is basically a Subaru, but it's looks holds true to Saab.
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L
Originally posted by chev454ls@Dec 9 2003, 04:02 PM
Saab has made so many positive strides the last few years. I I used to think Saabs were some of the ugliest car ever made (and some of 'em are), but now they are looking pretty sweet.
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They were ugly before GM took them over. When GM took them over, they were made into nice looking vehicles
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Smilingoat
Originally posted by LegendNH+Dec 10 2003, 12:46 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (LegendNH @ Dec 10 2003, 12:46 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-chev454ls@Dec 9 2003, 04:02 PM
Saab has made so many positive strides the last few years.  I I used to think Saabs were some of the ugliest car ever made (and some of 'em are), but now they are looking pretty sweet.
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They were ugly before GM took them over. When GM took them over, they were made into nice looking vehicles [/b][/quote]
im not saying that GM only makes good looking cars koffazteckkoff but i have to agree with you here. after the gm takeover saab really started to look nice... finally
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zeobandit
That is a pretty sweet looking ride!
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desmo9
Originally posted by Smilingoat+Dec 10 2003, 05:02 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Smilingoat @ Dec 10 2003, 05:02 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by [email protected] 10 2003, 12:46 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-chev454ls
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@Dec 9 2003, 04:02 PM
Saab has made so many positive strides the last few years.  I I used to think Saabs were some of the ugliest car ever made (and some of 'em are), but now they are looking pretty sweet.
Click to expand...

They were ugly before GM took them over. When GM took them over, they were made into nice looking vehicles
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im not saying that GM only makes good looking cars koffazteckkoff but i have to agree with you here. after the gm takeover saab really started to look nice... finally [/b][/quote]
Well the new 9-3 is the only Saab that was done under GM's watch, and that doesn't mean it was influenced by the likes of Wayne Cherry, at all.

The 9-5 was well in the works when GM only had a 50% stake in Saab, and the 9-2 we see here is neither Saab nor GM influenced, but Subaru.

The first truly GM-influenced Saab will be the forthcoming 9-7 SUV. Save your praise of GM's handling of Saab until that release.
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desmo9
One more thing -- although the WRX is a fine car... right, wrong, or indifferent, this is the first time in history that Saab has released a car that is not genuinely a Saab (sheetmetal and engine). So no matter how good the 9-2 may be, it's presence is a little disconcerting. There's barely a person in this market who won't see a rebadged Subaru when looking at this.

To some, it won't matter, because it's a good car. To others, it will be a "Saab story".
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mgescuro
Originally posted by desmo9@Dec 10 2003, 10:36 AM
One more thing -- although the WRX is a fine car... right, wrong, or indifferent, this is the first time in history that Saab has released a car that is not genuinely a Saab (sheetmetal and engine). So no matter how good the 9-2 may be, it's presence is a little disconcerting. There's barely a person in this market who won't see a rebadged Subaru when looking at this.

To some, it won't matter, because it's a good car. To others, it will be a "Saab story".
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:unsure:
Yes WRX is a fina car, but 9-2X is defintely the first Saab that's not all "Saab."
But like I've said before, GM's not going to pump another couple billion dollars to develop a 100% new Saab platform.

Furthermore, all of GM's new global platforms are Saab (Opel) in origin. So... in some ways, all new global platform GM's are Saabs. :p
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2
I like the looks of it, and 230 horse power isn't bad. Cars pretty good over all.
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desmo9
Originally posted by mgescuro+Dec 10 2003, 08:38 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (mgescuro @ Dec 10 2003, 08:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-desmo9@Dec 10 2003, 10:36 AM
One more thing -- although the WRX is a fine car... right, wrong, or indifferent, this is the first time in history that Saab has released a car that is not genuinely a Saab (sheetmetal and engine). So no matter how good the 9-2 may be, it's presence is a little disconcerting. There's barely a person in this market who won't see a rebadged Subaru when looking at this.

To some, it won't matter, because it's a good car. To others, it will be a "Saab story".
Click to expand...
:unsure:
Yes WRX is a fina car, but 9-2X is defintely the first Saab that's not all "Saab."
But like I've said before, GM's not going to pump another couple billion dollars to develop a 100% new Saab platform.

Furthermore, all of GM's new global platforms are Saab (Opel) in origin. So... in some ways, all new global platform GM's are Saabs. :p [/b][/quote]
No offense, guy, but we keep going around and around about the difference between platform sharing and badge engineering. First 9-7 and now this. A platform can be shared, meaning the floorpan, basic criteria, and (sometimes) powertrain are common. But if the interior and all visible sheetmetal are totally unique between brands (with the possible exception of the roof ), only then do you have distinction...like Malibu versus 9-3. GM does not need to spend "billions" re-doing the platforms for each brand... but they'd better give Saab more than a fascia and redo the interior and sheetmetal or they'll dilute that brand into oblivion. Having now looked closer at the 9-2 on the Saab website, I'm going to be the voice of dissenting opinion and say it sucks. The car is good, technically, as the WRX is good...but a Saab that's such a close clone of a Subaru Impreza wagon is a sacrilege. The picture above does look sweet. But go to the website and look at other views...the front clip is the only Saab-like feature, but even it adds a bulky front overhang that makes the car appear patched together. Why would a Saab enthusiast choose this, really, when for a little more cash they can have a 9-3? And if others want a genuine version of this car, they can have a WRX for presumably less cash. If "Lutz-the-Czar" can't do any better than badge-engineering, he's not worthy of his paycheck. Do the cars right or not at all. First GTO, then the cloned Buick and Saturn vans, now this...and the 9-7 will be more of the same, I'm convinced. Those who just want to look to the tip of their nose and say "it's a nice car" had better look at the bigger picture if they want GM to succeed. The X-car philosophy was a mistake that cost GM dearly. It could be argued that this cost them over 10% of the market in the 80s and 90s. Just because you add another 130 horsepower and all-wheel drive and a competent chassis does not make the strategy any more correct now than it was 20 years ago.
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S
What ever you want to complain about, I still want one. I am sure I won't be the only one. This car will sell.
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desmo9
Yeah, a fair amount of folks wanted Cadillac Cimarrons too.

Isolated positive reception to the car, based on the strength of the Saab brand or the WRX's technical merits, doesn't mean squat. Even if these "quick fixes" raise revenue and market share in the short term, in the long run they can have the opposite effect.

I get the impression I'm talking to a fair amount of dimwits here when I read responses like that. This is why clinics don't work and have steered GM down the wrong path... Is that what we're about here? People counter an analysis with puddle-depth remarks like "I think it's cool"? Buy the car if it suits you.... The positioning of this car can be for people "too good" to drive a WRX... when the capitalist pig emerges and the yuppie quotient kicks in. They can show everyone how successful they are, and their logic of spending a couple grand more than an identically-equipped Subaru.
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S
Is dimwit how you get your point across? Trying to show how shallow and egotisticle you are? That's the point I gather from your previous post.

The strength of the Saab brand or the WRX's technical merits combined with a thouroghly SAAB visage makes this one a winner. Bitch all you want. It is mutually benificial. Saab gets a car it COULDN'T have had and Subaru gets to produce them at a profit AND by being used by a "luxury" brand with mostly cosmectic changes gain even more credibility.

Isolated positive response? In my opinion, you may be the one who is isolated.

I personally like the looks BETTER and it is supposed to cost the same. That is what MOST people decide on in one step or another. That is my decision. Who are you to say someone's opion is "puddel-depth". So we should all be driving a car on what you think is important? puddel-depth. Too shallow to realize that your concerns are just that, yours. Be a little deeper and realize you are only one little fish in this big pond of life. Don't feel inferior because someone wants a Saab instead of a WRX. It shouldn't mean anything to you anyway.
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desmo9
Sorry, but there wasn't much depth to your earlier analysis other than that you think it's a cool car. You later touched on why it might be a good short-term business case, and I acknowledge that it probably is. But why is it a good long-term business case for GM? That's an important question. You think it will help Subaru's image by having a near-luxury halo? OK. Now what about GM? GM only has a minority stake in Subaru. So how's the 9-2 help Saab and GM in the long-term? Expand on that knowledgeably and I'd be alot more receptive...so would alot of others who like to read and participate.

I think it's a refined X-car case, and I think I'm right in my analysis... but I may not be on all counts... I want dialogue to help drive the issue. Maybe someone will make a counterpoint that I haven't considered, and I'll feel better about GM's decision. GM has made alot of bad ones in recent years. Who are you to write my post off with a five-word blurb about my "complaining"? As in I'm a glass-half empty personality because I see GM screwing up? I see alot of things they're doing right, too... but this doesn't happen to be one of them. My hope is that some influential folks are on this forum and forming their viewpoints, too.

Lastly, you don't know who I am, how many shares of GM stock I own, or much else about me... so why do you think this "shouldn't mean anything" to me? And even if I owned no shares, every American is a stakeholder in GM -- and in the American auto industry. I think there have been a fair number of clueless nimrods running the show there in the past couple decades. Their blunders have been bad for the industry, bad for the U.S. economy, and have robbed we enthusiasts of the ability to take pride in our American automobile establishment. I want to see this trend reversed...THAT'S why this matters to me.
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mgescuro
Originally posted by desmo9@Dec 10 2003, 11:13 PM

No offense, guy, but we keep going around and around about the difference between platform sharing and badge engineering. First 9-7 and now this. A platform can be shared, meaning the floorpan, basic criteria, and (sometimes) powertrain are common. But if the interior and all visible sheetmetal are totally unique between brands (with the possible exception of the roof ), only then do you have distinction...like Malibu versus 9-3. GM does not need to spend "billions" re-doing the platforms for each brand... but they'd better give Saab more than a fascia and redo the interior and sheetmetal or they'll dilute that brand into oblivion. Having now looked closer at the 9-2 on the Saab website, I'm going to be the voice of dissenting opinion and say it sucks. The car is good, technically, as the WRX is good...but a Saab that's such a close clone of a Subaru Impreza wagon is a sacrilege. The picture above does look sweet. But go to the website and look at other views...the front clip is the only Saab-like feature, but even it adds a bulky front overhang that makes the car appear patched together. Why would a Saab enthusiast choose this, really, when for a little more cash they can have a 9-3? And if others want a genuine version of this car, they can have a WRX for presumably less cash. If "Lutz-the-Czar" can't do any better than badge-engineering, he's not worthy of his paycheck. Do the cars right or not at all. First GTO, then the cloned Buick and Saturn vans, now this...and the 9-7 will be more of the same, I'm convinced. Those who just want to look to the tip of their nose and say "it's a nice car" had better look at the bigger picture if they want GM to succeed. The X-car philosophy was a mistake that cost GM dearly. It could be argued that this cost them over 10% of the market in the 80s and 90s. Just because you add another 130 horsepower and all-wheel drive and a competent chassis does not make the strategy any more correct now than it was 20 years ago.
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Yup... we keep going around.. and around... and around...

First of all, it seems to me that you're expecting a 100% new Saab. It'll never happen ever. Get used to it.

Second of all, I do agree with you that simple rebadging is frustrating and the "cheap way out." However, I do NOT see you criticizing other companies for doing that. VW is just a guilty as GM, as is Toyota and Honda, not to mention Nissan and Ford and DCX. EVERYONE does it. Some do it better than others.

Third, I think there is a significant difference between the WRX and the 9-2X. The car simply looks GOOD.

Fourth, you say, "Why would a Saab enthusiat choose this." You think about that statement for a minute. How is Saab supposed to grow its consumer base if it CONTINUES to target it's EXISTING customer base!! Ask youself this question, "Why would someone WANT to buy the 9-2X. Does it offer the consumer a value proposition? What will the 9-2X do for me??!

If you want to talk about the "bigger picture," let's talk...
- Record setting sales w/ fewer variants than a year ago.
- Reaching out to younger buyers with the 9-2X, with a car platform that's proven and is fun to drive, and is priced less than the 9-3.
- Being FIRST TO MARKET in the fast-growing and emerging "premium small car segment." (Can you believe THAT from GM?)

The 9-2X provides a solid addition to the Saab family, no matter how you look at it.
I think you too are guilty for "not looking at the big picture." No one in their right mind is EVER going to argue a 120% increase in sales. No one can argue the numbers GM posted this past november!!

Also... I do agree with you on the vans. Crap. But I do have to ask, "What can you do to a van?" I have absolutely no problem with the GTO. It was a competent car in the first place, and it's "brother" isn't sold outside of the Australian market.
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mgescuro
Originally posted by desmo9@Dec 11 2003, 11:55 AM
Yeah, a fair amount of folks wanted Cadillac Cimarrons too.

Isolated positive reception to the car, based on the strength of the Saab brand or the WRX's technical merits, doesn't mean squat. Even if these "quick fixes" raise revenue and market share in the short term, in the long run they can have the opposite effect.

I get the impression I'm talking to a fair amount of dimwits here when I read responses like that. This is why clinics don't work and have steered GM down the wrong path... Is that what we're about here? People counter an analysis with puddle-depth remarks like "I think it's cool"? Buy the car if it suits you.... The positioning of this car can be for people "too good" to drive a WRX... when the capitalist pig emerges and the yuppie quotient kicks in. They can show everyone how successful they are, and their logic of spending a couple grand more than an identically-equipped Subaru.
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:eek:
Enough with the yuppie jokes already!
You want to know why I purchased a 9-5?
1) It's handling was superior to an A6.
2) It had more power than a 530i.
3) It had more room than an S-Type
4) It was sportier than an S80.
5) It was far better looking than a GS300.
6) It was more luxurious than Catera Sport. (CTS wasn't out yet.)
7) It was a better value than an E320.

It took an entire year to make this decision. And I'm quite glad I have the 9-5 Aero. So what if I or anyone else wants to live this "yuppie" lifestyle. Saab offers a far better value proposition in its market segment than any of the 7 autos listed above!! In addition, it has a lower TCO and and higher ROI. (ie - it was a FAR better value!) Don't expect me to counter with "puddle-depth" arguments. Cause you're not going to get one from me. :type:

As for the 9-2X, it's success will be driven by how well it will perform in the new "premium sport compact" segment. Seeing as the major competitors (BMW 1 and Mercedes A) have not entered the US market yet, we will have to wait and see. But I believe... badge-engineering / platform-sharing aside, the 9-2X provides credible competition to these cars and the Volvo S40.
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mgescuro
Originally posted by desmo9@Dec 11 2003, 01:32 PM
GM only has a minority stake in Subaru. So how's the 9-2 help Saab and GM in the long-term? Expand on that knowledgeably and I'd be alot more receptive...so would alot of others who like to read and participate.

I think it's a refined X-car case, and I think I'm right in my analysis... but I may not be on all counts... I want dialogue to help drive the issue. Maybe someone will make a counterpoint that I haven't considered, and I'll feel better about GM's decision. GM has made alot of bad ones in recent years. Who are you to write my post off with a five-word blurb about my "complaining"? As in I'm a glass-half empty personality because I see GM screwing up? I see alot of things they're doing right, too... but this doesn't happen to be one of them. My hope is that some influential folks are on this forum and forming their viewpoints, too.

Lastly, you don't know who I am, how many shares of GM stock I own, or much else about me... so why do you think this "shouldn't mean anything" to me? And even if I owned no shares, every American is a stakeholder in GM -- and in the American auto industry. I think there have been a fair number of clueless nimrods running the show there in the past couple decades. Their blunders have been bad for the industry, bad for the U.S. economy, and have robbed we enthusiasts of the ability to take pride in our American automobile establishment. I want to see this trend reversed...THAT'S why this matters to me.
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You have got to be kidding me!! "How does the 9-2 help Saab and GM in the long term?"

By adding a 9-2X, which doesn't compete with any other vehicle in the Saab lineup, Saab does a few things.
1) It expands its line-up, which should increase sales. It's sales are 120% higher than the previous years. And its overall sales are on target to reach historic highs.
2) By adding the 9-2X, you target new demographics and expand the customer base, which in turn translates to increased sales.
3) By adding a hatchback into the lineup, you cater to Saab enthusaist who reeled over the loss over the 9-3 hatchback last year and have the need for a vehicle with greater interior space.

How does it help GM in the long term?
1) It allows them to realize economies of scale.
2) Premium automobiles have a greater profit margin than 'economy" cars. Therefore, this translates into high profits.
3) It brings credibility to GM in Europe... that GM has the ability to create cars that people WANT to drive, and are EXCITING to drive, and provide an extension to the history of the brand name. (Remember, Europe is the market of the future. If they can't compete there, then GM is dead.)
4) A strengthened Saab with the addition of Cadillac and Alfa in Europe will provide credible competion to the German premium brands.

I think what we have seen, with the resurrection of Cadillac and Saab is, to paraphrase a Japanese admiral, the "awakening of a sleeping dragon." The problem with GM for the past 2 decades is that their cars were not desired by anyone. They had lost a certain spark to it. Not to mention the atrocious quality problems. but NOW... GM has the highest build quality of any US manufacturer. Their customer service numbers are right up there with Lexus. But their cars are still a big bore. Oh... but wait a minute... we've got NEW cars from GM!! H2, CTS, XLR, 9-3, Escalade!! These are teh cars that Maericans WANT. So what if they can't afford them? Everyone wants a 7-series, but only a handful ever buy them!! These are cars peopel WANT to drive. it brings excitement back into GM.
It is an uphill battle for GM. They are still fighting a perception problem, and that's to be expected. Rome wasn't built in a day. Or in GM's case, "Rome wasn't REbuilt in a day." Just wait and see.
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desmo9
:argue:
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mgescuro
Originally posted by desmo9@Dec 11 2003, 08:51 PM
- No, for the fifth time, no...not 100% new. But 40% new... all the stuff the owner can feel and see... all the sheetmetal and interior. Leave the floorpan, suspension geometry, and even the powertrain (sometimes) alone. That's good platform sharing. That's the approach Ford has taken with Volvo... no Volvo shares skin or interior with another brand... as it should be. The 9-2 is about 10% new. How you can go to the website, look at side views, and see anything but Impreza wagon is beyond me.

- China is the market of the future, not Europe. Where did that come from?

- Several of your arguments for the 9-2 were undoubtably shared by those in GM who made a case for the 9-2.

- Any beancounter would have made the case for the 9-2... GM can make some cash with little time to ROI, and if it fails -- if Saab fails -- they didn't lose much in the profit center. In the process, I for one feel they're selling this proud brand short.

- Relax on the yuppie thing. If you buy a unique Saab, as they've always been, you're buying something different. But I don't know what you call people who'll spend $3-4K more on a 9-2 than a WRX. (the BASE model, with the plain-jane Impreza powertrain, will base for what a WRX does). What, they feel like they're supporting GM or the Scandinavians versus the Japanese? Right. Fuji's getting theirs here.

- It's X-cars, reborn. Better quality, more powerful, but X-cars the same. This KILLED GM in the last two decades because brands became indistinguishable. Tell me how it's different now.
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As far as I'm concerned, the 9-2X is about 50% "new." The side panels are significantly different from WRX, as is the rear spoiler and the hood scoop, fron and rear fascia, bumpers, tailpipe, and hatch. The interior is similar to the WRX, but mildly differentiated. And I'm sure the seats are different as well. The only thing that really resembles the WRX is the rear quarter glass. No one on the raod is going to think "Subaru" when they see the 9-2X... except maybe you. Sure, it's not on the order of a Volvo or a Jaguar. But it's far better than a Ford and a Mercury.

China has been the "market of the future" for the past 20 friggin years. Sorry, that country is sooo damned backwards and riddled with pirates that it will NEVER be the market people think it's going to be ... NOT without major reforms across the board. And definitely while they treat Hong Kong like a slum. Europe/Euroland is the market of the future. And if you want to argue global economics or globalization, I'm more than happy to do that.

I don't understand why you can't see the tree from the forest. 9-2X is a significant brand extension for Saab. It reintroduces the hatchback into the Saab lineup. i also don't understand why you don't see the fact that GM, for once, now has First Mover Advantage in an upcoming market segment!!! I'm willing to bet that you're one of those people in the mid-90's who believed that GM shoudl just shut down operations.

I don't even know what pricing is for the 9-2X. All Saab did was give a range. Nor do I even know the prices for the WRX. What's wrong about buying a "premium" car? or even wanting to buy a premium car? Why do people but A4's over the Jetta? or A6 over the Passat? or te Phaeton over the A8? personally, I wouldn't be caught dead in a Subaru. but I'd be all smiles in a 9-2X. :lol: Looks like you need to go back to Business School and take a few marketing clases. Why do people buy Sony over a Toshiba? Same reason people are going to buy a 9-2X over the WRX.

I don't know about you.. but I certainly can distinguish between the brands. I can tell a Chevy from a Pontiac from a Cadillac. I don't believe this is another "X-Car" incident. BTW... don't you mean the J-Car? J cars were the Cavalier/Sunbird/Skylark/Cimmaron brands. X-Car was the Citation/Phoenix/SkyHawk(?) And GM10 was of course Lumina/Grand Prix/Regal. :lol:
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