Will they bring the Atlantic Blue and or Pearl White? Will we get Xenons/Bi-Xenons? Will we get optional 18" wheels? Power auto-down one press windows (at least driver and co-driver)? Will we get the rear wiper (heheheheee)?
Did anyone notice in their "AWD Demystified" link that they show power being shifted left to right on the front axle? Did Saab add a VCD-type system to do that or is the website simply misleading?
Also, under the "engine" link, I noticed that they don't ever use the term "boxer" to describe the engine layout.
And there is definitely a market for that. Almost weekly someone pops in to the WRX thread and says they would have bought one if the interior were nicer.
Ken - I noticed the side to side distribution of power as well. Maybe they've added a front LSD to the mix? The WRX already has one in the rear doesn't it?
At least the call the engine an H-4 and they give credit to Fuji Heavy Industries for manufacturing the car. Guess they're hoping nobody knows what FHI subsidiary builds automobiles. :rolleyes:
Now that details of the 9-2x are emerging, I think we can make some assumptions about the '05 WRX. For example:
* 17" wheels are optional on the 9-2x. I think we can assume they will remains so for the WRX. However, might they now be packaged with the Premium Package?
* Heated seats, heated mirrors and moonroof are optional on the 9-2x. Might we now see them as optional (ie: Premium Package) for the WRX wagon?
* The interior upgrades that the 9-2x got (new steering wheel, new center console, new door panels, etc), will they remain a 9-2x exclusive? I tend to think so. Why? The interior is where the driver/owner lives; and to keep that area as distinct as possible from the WRX I would think would be a major objective of Saab.
* The bigger issue is down the road. If the 9-2x is successful, which I'm pretty certain it will be; what does that mean? Will Saab then be pressured by GM to take the Legacy and "Saabify" it into the next 9-3? I really am not comfortable with Saab as being positioned as the superior Subaru. What does this do to Subaru's plans of making Subaru a premium brand? I do not want to see a Dodge (Subaru) / Chrysler (Saab) relationship develop. I do not want to see Saab put a ceiling on how far Subaru can go market-wise.
not seeing the post where that came up, but yes any horizontally opposed engine is referred to as a "boxer" engine or "flat" [# cylinders], like flat four. most BMW motorcycles still use the boxer twin. (it's crap!)
the boxer term comes from the pairs of cylinders that oppose each other. the pistons go in and out like a boxer throwing a straight punch.
I DOUBT IF THEY'LL TAKE LEGACY & REPLICATE........THAT WILL ALIENATE SAAB LOYAL CUSTOMERS WHICH SAAB THRIVE ON. BECASUE A SAABIFIED LEGACY WON'T PLEASE SAAB CUSTOMERS...
ISSUES WITH 9-2: 1. SUBARU IS RISKING ITS OWN WRX SALES.
2. SAAB IS RISKSING ITS CUSTOMER LOYALTY AS THIS COULD ALIENATE SAAB LOYAL CUSTOMERS....IMAGINE.....IMAGINE-WOULD SUBARU LOYALISTS BUY SUBARUFIED SUZUKI FOR E.G ?
If the 9-2 were available today and I was in the market for a WRX wagon, I would consider the 9-2.
Even though I don't have any experience with Saabs or know what their dealers are like, the AWP and the WRX thefts in this area would make me take a close look.
Starting to grow on me a bit....still looks pretty homely, though....rally version was neat, Bob.....amazing pix at Nabisco. Someone mentioned it probably would do well in Canada...to compete with the Echo Hatch, Aveo, Swift+ (& possible Mazda2, Nissan Micra and Honda Fit/Jazz, if they ever decide to enter our market). If I'm not mistaken, the 660cc minicars are even a class below the above-mentioned group. That being said, it would make a great commuter/city car/grocery getter. I think they'd have to beef up the bumpers (there don't even appear to be any) before it could come here but they've done a good job on the interior and fuel economy looks to be outstanding.
There is now a 9-2x thread here at Edmunds. I just posted over on the 9-3 & 9-5 forums to try and get some responses from Saab owners, on how they feel about the 9-2x; so far no responses.
If they start running the R2 in WRC, it may help them, but they'll lost some serious marketing oomph.
I wouldn't conclude anything about the 2005 WRX by looking at the Saab 9-2x. All those changes might remain exclusive.
The 9-3 is selling very well, I think Saab had a record year, so they won't be looking for too many changes any time soon. I doubt they'll even ask for the Legacy platform.
As for Saab having an identity...do they? They use a GM platform for the 9-3 (shared with the new Malibu). Now a 9-2x based on a Subaru that doesn't even have the ignition in the center, and pretty soon a GM truck clone.
I think they are thriving mostly on give-away lease deals.
Well it looks like many of the questions about the new Legacy may be answered before juice and I leave for Detroit. The car will be introduced to the press on 1/5, and we won't get there until 1/6 in the afternoon. Still, you can count on us to poke and prod...
Outback pics. Note the large trailers! They look to be Class II size, at least; and certainly the largest trailers (dual-axle boat and horse trailer) I've yet seen being pulled any Subaru!
Very sexy silhouette, no? They really show the best angle of the sedan in that drawing/picture.
Hey Bangle: THAT is how you do it, my friend! The trunk looks plenty roomy, too. No excuses. Makes every new BMW look positively ugly.
Pat: you sure? That Legacy 2.5 pic does not have one. The later pics it's hard to tell if that's a cassette, there is an opening about that size.
Notice the steering wheel? Not only is it 3 spokes, but it's nearly identical to the WRX STi! Also, it's the same one going into the Saab 9-2x! I love it!
So some have it, others don't. Something for Bob and I to check out closely on the US-spec models.
Even then, we can't be sure that what they have at the show will be final production trim. Remember the leather/PP Forester XT that debuted at Chicago? Never made it to the US (Canada, though).
As usual, you can count on Bob to zero in on the towing capacity :-) I think that boat trailer photo is misleading though. It looks to me like the photo at least implies that the wagon is capable of towing the very large boat in the immediate background. If it indeed can then I'm truly impressed!
Pat- I don’t care about the leather as much as the inability to get the moonroof with the manual XT!
Yeah, don't forget that we haven't seen the U.S./Canadian specs yet so who knows what we'll get!!
Elm, funny thing is that I hear that all the time. In Europe it's very common and you see it in magazines, newspapers and the web. My British co-workers are surprised when I inform them that it's taboo here. Their response is usually along the lines of "We don't get angry when someone says Brit. Isn't it the same thing?!?"
Comments
-juice
As they come, I'll post. How's that for starters?
$25k is a crazy price for a 9-3 Linear, is that right? What are they thinking? Outback Sport will look like a screaming bargain.
-juice
Over on nabisco there's a picture of the 9-2x with a moonroof! So there's hope for the WRX wagon!
Also, 16" wheels standard on all 9-2x models.
Bob
Outback Sport has 16s for a whole lot less cash.
-juice
Bob
Bob
Given Saab's tiny market share, I think very few people 9-2 buyers would go to a Subaru buyers to save themselves some bucks.
If anything, I bet a good number of 9-2 buyers are people who were shopping for a WRX but wanted more creature comfort or different styling.
Ken
Also, under the "engine" link, I noticed that they don't ever use the term "boxer" to describe the engine layout.
Ken
So there exists demand for a nicer WRX.
Moonroof is *tiny*, like the sedan's. :-(
-juice
Anybody see that pic of an R2 WRC rally car over at nabisco?
Bob
At least the call the engine an H-4 and they give credit to Fuji Heavy Industries for manufacturing the car. Guess they're hoping nobody knows what FHI subsidiary builds automobiles. :rolleyes:
-Ian
* 17" wheels are optional on the 9-2x. I think we can assume they will remains so for the WRX. However, might they now be packaged with the Premium Package?
* Heated seats, heated mirrors and moonroof are optional on the 9-2x. Might we now see them as optional (ie: Premium Package) for the WRX wagon?
* The interior upgrades that the 9-2x got (new steering wheel, new center console, new door panels, etc), will they remain a 9-2x exclusive? I tend to think so. Why? The interior is where the driver/owner lives; and to keep that area as distinct as possible from the WRX I would think would be a major objective of Saab.
* The bigger issue is down the road. If the 9-2x is successful, which I'm pretty certain it will be; what does that mean? Will Saab then be pressured by GM to take the Legacy and "Saabify" it into the next 9-3? I really am not comfortable with Saab as being positioned as the superior Subaru. What does this do to Subaru's plans of making Subaru a premium brand? I do not want to see a Dodge (Subaru) / Chrysler (Saab) relationship develop. I do not want to see Saab put a ceiling on how far Subaru can go market-wise.
Bob
aero is 2.5l turbo
i didn;t know that
wow, go to spec page........it says it is manufactured by FUji heavy
subaru better have plans for WRX
Watching the video of the 9-2X intro, I couldn't help but to wonder if there is anyone who doesn't know that it's just a WRX in disguise.
Ken
the boxer term comes from the pairs of cylinders that oppose each other. the pistons go in and out like a boxer throwing a straight punch.
-c
ISSUES WITH 9-2:
1. SUBARU IS RISKING ITS OWN WRX SALES.
2. SAAB IS RISKSING ITS CUSTOMER LOYALTY AS THIS COULD ALIENATE SAAB LOYAL CUSTOMERS....IMAGINE.....IMAGINE-WOULD SUBARU LOYALISTS BUY SUBARUFIED SUZUKI FOR E.G ?
KRISH
Even though I don't have any experience with Saabs or know what their dealers are like, the AWP and the WRX thefts in this area would make me take a close look.
-Dennis
Edit: MSRP to 30k?? Um, nevermind! :-)
Speaking of colors, I really think more colors need to be offered on the Impreza lineup. The current selections are pretty meager, to say the least.
Bob
Bob
I wouldn't conclude anything about the 2005 WRX by looking at the Saab 9-2x. All those changes might remain exclusive.
The 9-3 is selling very well, I think Saab had a record year, so they won't be looking for too many changes any time soon. I doubt they'll even ask for the Legacy platform.
As for Saab having an identity...do they? They use a GM platform for the 9-3 (shared with the new Malibu). Now a 9-2x based on a Subaru that doesn't even have the ignition in the center, and pretty soon a GM truck clone.
I think they are thriving mostly on give-away lease deals.
-juice
Look at the 2006 Baja (?). The 4th photos shows less cladding behing the rear wheel, which looks better than the one in the 5th photo. Not bad, eh?
Then check out the Legacy coupe pics. Some of those look like the M3! From other angles I see a hint of vintage Preludes. Nice!
-juice
Cheers Pat.
-juice
Bob
who created this ? subaru ?
Jon
Bob
http://pressinfo.vegasys.net/servlet/VSP?id=subaru&page=pics.- - - - - - - - - vsp&action=first&$dialog.CODECAT=B&$dialog.CODEGRP=P0- - - - - 018
Outback pics. Note the large trailers! They look to be Class II size, at least; and certainly the largest trailers (dual-axle boat and horse trailer) I've yet seen being pulled any Subaru!
http://pressinfo.vegasys.net/servlet/VSP?id=subaru&page=pics.- vsp&action=first&$dialog.CODECAT=C&$dialog.CODEGRP=P0- - - - - 019
click on image, then click on "» Högupplöst bild" for Hi-Res image
Bob
Cheers Pat.
.... a GPS?
-Dave
Hey Bangle: THAT is how you do it, my friend! The trunk looks plenty roomy, too. No excuses. Makes every new BMW look positively ugly.
Pat: you sure? That Legacy 2.5 pic does not have one. The later pics it's hard to tell if that's a cassette, there is an opening about that size.
Notice the steering wheel? Not only is it 3 spokes, but it's nearly identical to the WRX STi! Also, it's the same one going into the Saab 9-2x! I love it!
-juice
Cheers Pat.
Even then, we can't be sure that what they have at the show will be final production trim. Remember the leather/PP Forester XT that debuted at Chicago? Never made it to the US (Canada, though).
-juice
Looky what our "Japanese" friends decided to do to us....
It's a blown up pic of the original site pic:
http://members.shaw.ca/bloodtypeb4/espionage.JPG
What the heck is this... Temptation Island? :furious:
Looks nice though....
Here's the link to story.. in "Japanese" version...
http://accessory.subaru.co.jp/as2004/report/index.html
Go to Nabisco for the 'translation'.
Sorry... for using an offensive term which I wasn't aware of. Saving time writing full words led to some offensive observations...
My Bad...
Cheer Pat.
Pat- I don’t care about the leather as much as the inability to get the moonroof with the manual XT!
-Frank P
Elm, funny thing is that I hear that all the time. In Europe it's very common and you see it in magazines, newspapers and the web. My British co-workers are surprised when I inform them that it's taboo here. Their response is usually along the lines of "We don't get angry when someone says Brit. Isn't it the same thing?!?"
-Dennis
They actually offered to buy them back when people that owned those trailers found out they could not tow with their new Touared.
Subaru should be careful - I agree with Frank. They should not be implying it can tow that huge boat! Even that trailer looks enormous.
I very much doubt SoA would approve of those pics.
-juice