Saab 9-2x compact hatch comes from Japan with sporty traits
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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CORONADO, Calif. -- Acres of asphalt cover a parking lot at California's Silver Strand State Beach, pitched on the Coronado sand strip separating tranquil water in San Diego Bay from turbulent Pacific surf.
Kites fly in the strong ocean breeze as surfers work their short boards off-shore, while on the beachside blacktop we're driving through a curlicue autocross course defined by orange plastic traffic cones to test the agility and four-wheeling traction capacity of the latest sport compact cars to wear the badge of Sweden's automaker Saab.
Yes, you read that right: Saab, that stanch advocate of cars with turbo-charged engines directing all torque to the front wheels for steering as well as gripping in order to plow steadily through arctic snow and ice, has a new model with the engine sending all power to all of the wheels through an all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction system.
The new Saab is called 9-2x, with the 'x' denoting the AWD traction mode.
Conformed as a five-door hatchback, Saab's new entry-level product is packaged as a fun-to-drive AWD vehicle with optional turbo power.
But before assuming that Saab's factories in Trollhattan, Sweden, have converted assembly lines to produce AWD mechanisms, you should understand that the newest Saab actually comes together in Japan.
With Saab organized now beneath the corporate umbrella of General Motors, it seems that products and technologies from other companies linked to GM may be leverage through joint ventures for economic efficiency.
With 9-2x, Saab collaborated with GM's partner in Japan, Fuji Heavy Industries, and its automotive division, Subaru.
Vehicles from Subaru carry always-engaged AWD equipment that operates quite simply, as muscle from the engine moves directly through an intelligent transfer case to whichever wheels can maintain a bite of traction, with scant loss of energy or reduction in fuel efficiency in the process.
Structural and mechanical systems for the 9-2x are derived from Subaru's Impreza series and a turbo-charged engine comes out of the souped-up Impreza WRX rally car.
But styling of the package carries distinctive design cues of Saab with a curvy face containing the Saab three-slot grille sandwiched between horizontal headlamp clusters wrapping around front corners.
All windswept lines flow over a sharply raked windshield. Wheels push to edges of the platform with little overhang apparent, and a thick air dam guards the prow.
The top model shows smooth lines on the hood interrupted by a bulging hood scoop that feeds more air into the inter-cooler of a turbo-charged engine.
Roofline for all 9-2x issues extends to the tail to shelter wrap-around windows of the rear hatchback bay.
There are two doors on each side for riders and a broad top-hinged hatch door at the tail opening to the cargo area.
In the cabin, Saab adds a pair of sport bucket seats up front and a back bench with seatback divided 60/40 and foldable to expand the rear compartment to 61 cubic feet.
The cargo bay was designed to transport equipment of an active lifestyle such as surfboards, skis, mountain bikes or backpacking gear.
There are two versions of 9-2x, labeled in the lingo of Saab as Linear and Aero, each with a different powertrain.
Entry issue 9-2x Linear uses a Subaru 2.5-liter engine with four cylinders opposed horizontally and set perpendicular to the drive line, then linked with equal-length drive shafts so pairs of cylinders act like boxers jabbing at one another in counterbalanced movements that negate the typical engine's vibrations.
This plant produces 165 hp at 5600 rpm plus 166 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm, with all of that power sent through a four-speed automatic transaxle with electronic controls or a tight-shifting manual five-speed.
The 9-2x Aero fires up a 2.0-liter horizontal-four plant with turbo-charger and inter-cooler boost to score strong muscle and torque from rather modest displacement.
It makes 227 hp at 5500 rpm and torque numbers of 217 lb-ft of at 4000 rpm
And it too ties to the manual or automatic shifter.
Both Linear and Aero models employ a symmetrical AWD system, but the mechanism differs by type of transmission.
With a five-speed manual, the AWD system has a viscous-coupling locking center differential (VCD) to distribute engine power equally between front and rear wheels.
Wheel slippage on slippery pavement may prompt the device to redirect some of the power to wheels not slipping, and it's possible to send all of the torque to the front or rear, depending on traction circumstances.
With the automatic four-speed transaxle, 9-2x Linear trim adds electronic controls to run a continuously variable transfer clutch and split torque between front and rear wheels, although never more than 50 percent to either end.
And for Aero with the turbo-charged engine and automatic transaxle, variable torque distribution (VTD) applies to the AWD system with a planetary center differential controlled electronically by a continuously variable hydraulic clutch to allot the engine's torque.
This version usually splits the power with 80 percent on front wheels, but it can vary the balance up to 50/50.
The Aero 9-2x also totes a viscous limited-slip differential at the rear.
Steering mechanism for all is a rack and pinion system with power boost for light but responsive control and an excellent on-center touch.
Brakes consist of a disc at every wheel -- ventilated up front and solid in the rear -- with power assistance plus the link to an anti-lock brakes system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD).
Passive safety equipment extends to frontal and side-impact air bags for both front seats.
Running the autocross course at Silver Strand State Beach quickly demonstrates the sporty handling traits of each version of 9-2x. And the Aero's aggressive turbo throttle generates lickety-split scores on a timer's clock.
Standard gear for Linear includes aluminum 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, power controls for windows and mirrors and door locks, plus an audio kit with CD player. Aero adds deluxe paraphernalia like foglamps, aluminum pedals, sport buckets and a six-disc in-dash CD changer.
The MSRP figures for 9-2x look good too -- as low as $22,990 for Linear, or $26,950 for Aero.
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| 2005 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact 5-door hatchback |
| Model Options: |
Compact 5-door hatchback |
| Wheelbase: |
99.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
175.6 inches |
| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.5-L H4, DOHC 2.0-L H4 TC/IC |
| Transmission: |
2.5-L: Manual/5 opt. Auto/4, 2.0-L: Manual/5 opt. Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Manual/5: AWD VCD ,Auto/4: AWD e-VCD/VTD |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc ABS/EBD |
| Airbags: |
2(front) 2(side) |
| Gas Mileage: |
2.5-L M/5: 22/29 mpg, 2.5-L A/4: 23/29 mpg, 2.0-L M/5: 20/26 mpg, 2.0-L A/4: 19/25 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
9-2x Linear: $22,990, 9-2x Aero: $26,950 |
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