THe front is very Saab. They did a good job with it. The back half is too Impreza for me.

 

this is what I meant when I said, "why does SAAB need a WRX." its obviously not a typical SAAB shape and is easily confused for a WRX, because it is. the "SAAB" bumber/grill aren't going to fool anyone.

besides that, just like every other "badge engineering" GM job, the question is what's the point??

the SAAB better have a worlds better interior or something else to offer because otherwise those looking for a WRX will get a WRX and those looking at a SAAB won't be fooled by the 9-2x's thin vail.

I see the opportunity here for Subie to make more cash by building cars for GM, but the market the 9-2 and WRX are marketed to are generally low volume, enthusiasts who are well informed. I don't see Subie/GM moving many more WRX/9-2 than just Subie alone.

i guess my biggest beef is with badge engineering. i con't care if cars are sharing platforms if they both have a purpose and unique qualities, so as to cover different segments of the market. they don't have to be 100% unique. but it then again choosing two cars should not come down to brand A vs brand B like choosing Silver vs Red or something, because the cars are otherwise the same.

I've been desensetised by GM's badge engineering for the domestic makes, but now they are doing the same to the "premium" makes too. GM should definitely be more active in differentiating their premium cars.

I mean, do they really think we haven't seen a WRX before?

I'm going to stop this rant....

 

I think it looks a lot like the impreza wagon. the only thing that says saab is the front. from the hood scoop back, it is nearly a carbon copy of the impreza wagon.

but one main thing that i like is that it has body color door handles, all the other current ones afaik have black door handles which looks a lot worse to me.

 

They are not all going to have the WRX engine, there will be the base Impreza engine too, and I wouldn't call the Impreza an enthusiasts car

It isn't being marketed to the same corwd as the Impreza, and I think there are enough under the skin changes to make it a worthy 9-2. It's just too bad it looks like an Impraza. I think they would have been better making the Sedan and putting on no spoiler or a different one to make the car look more different/Saab like.

 

Yea, they did a good job with the front, but I guess there's no way to hide/change that back easily.

Tell you the truth, I liked the WRX's, but never liked its looks.. I think the Saab looks better, which is almost enough to pull my interest..


But in these genre, I'm waiting for the US to get the bigger mid sized Impreza sedan with a 270ish hp engine... The backseats of the WRX sedan and wagon could use a little more room.

 

the 2.5 RS is AWD, add a turbo kit and you're good to go. say the Impreza isn't your thing, but DON'T say its not an enthusiast's car. besides, this point is moot because, there are more WRX sold than plain 2.5 Imprezas. Chances are this will be true for the 9-2 as well.

EDIT: some figures.
OK, who is the 9-2 being marketed to and how is this segment different from the WRX?

oh yeah? what's different? I haven't seen the interior or the specs so maybe you have and you know more than I do, in which case please elaborate.