A Saab That Never Was: The Fictional 2011 Saab 9-2X Aero Sedan You Wish They Built

Our longtime reader and dedicated Saab enthusiast James Stevens reached out to us with a striking vision of a Saab that never made it to production—but perhaps should have. His concept, the 2011 Saab 9-2X Aero Sedan, reimagines the short-lived “Saabaru” as a sleek four-door sports sedan with full WRX STI underpinnings. The result is one of the most compelling fictional Saab concepts we’ve seen in years—and one that feels surprisingly plausible.

Saab 9-2X

When GM and Fuji Heavy Industries briefly joined forces in the early 2000s, the result was a peculiar crossbreed that came to be known as the Saab 9-2X. Based on the second-generation Subaru Impreza, it wore a redesigned front and rear to resemble the Saab design language of the era. The project was short-lived, but it left an undeniable mark. Known by enthusiasts as the “Saabaru,” this all-wheel-drive hatchback was the first Saab to feature Subaru underpinnings, and it sparked both curiosity and controversy among the Saab faithful.

Between 2005 and 2006, just 10,346 units were produced, making it one of the rarer modern Saabs. Offered in two trims—Linear and Aero—it included a range of powertrains from the naturally aspirated 2.5L flat-four to the turbocharged 2.0L WRX engine. More importantly, it marked Saab’s first foray into standard all-wheel drive, a feature that would later appear on other GM-backed Saab models.

But what if Saab had taken it one step further?

A Vision Beyond the Hatchback: The 2011 Saab 9-2X Aero Sedan

James Stevens, a longtime reader of saabplanet.com and passionate Saab enthusiast, took it upon himself to imagine a version that never saw the light of day: the 2011 Saab 9-2X Aero Sedan. His rendering is much more than a facelifted Impreza—it’s a full reinterpretation, one that blends Subaru’s STI performance pedigree with Saab’s Scandinavian design ethos.

“I always wondered what the 9-2X might’ve been like had Saab developed it further after the GM-Fuji split,” James notes. “A sedan would have aligned more with Saab’s traditional body styles, and pairing it with the WRX STI drivetrain seemed like a natural evolution.”

His fictional concept doesn’t stop at visuals. It comes fully spec’d.

Powertrain and Performance Specs

• Platform: Shared with 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
• Body Style: 4-door sedan
• Drive: Symmetrical AWD
• Engine: 2.5L Turbocharged Boxer 4-cylinder
• Transmission: 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic with paddle shifters
• Power: 305 hp @ 6000 rpm
• Torque: 290 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
• 0-60 mph: ~4.7 seconds
• Top Speed: ~160 mph

This setup mirrors the performance figures of the STI of the era but wraps it in a Saab-flavored shell that feels more executive than rally-inspired. The hood scoop remains, but is now integrated into a revised front fascia that echoes the 2010+ Saab 9-5 design language.

Trim Levels: Not Just an STI, But a Saabified Lineup

James took the idea further by imagining three distinct variants:

1. 9-2X Aero (Base)

• 265 hp Boxer Turbo
• AWD with torque vectoring
• Standard Saab leather interior with aircraft-style gauges
• Dual-zone climate, premium audio

2. 9-2X Aero STI

• Full WRX STI drivetrain
• Upgraded suspension and Brembo brakes
• STI aero package with Saab grille redesign
• Unique instrument cluster with Nordic blue backlighting

3. 9-2X Aero STI “Viggen Edition”

• 320 hp with upgraded boost
• Carbon fiber exterior accents
• Viggen-style wheels and graphics
• Available only in “Nordic Blue”
• Numbered plaque and bespoke interior stitching

This last version is perhaps the most tantalizing. A tribute to the high-performance Saabs of the past, especially the original Saab 9-3 Viggen, it blends cult Subaru engineering with a nod to Saab’s turbocharged heritage.

Visual Identity: Familiar Yet Distinctly Saab

James’ rendering blends the functional aggression of the WRX STI sedan with Saab’s minimalist, aircraft-inspired aesthetics. The front fascia is completely reworked with tri-bar grilles, angular headlights, and a sculpted hood. The rear features Saab 9-5-inspired taillights, dual exhausts, and a subtle trunk spoiler—or in the case of the STI version, a massive wing lifted straight from Subaru’s rally catalog.

The attention to detail continues with Saab badging, Viggen-style wheels, and redesigned side mirrors. It doesn’t just look like a rebranded Subaru—it looks like a proper Saab product that could’ve sat comfortably next to a 9-3 Aero on a showroom floor.

Why It Resonates with Enthusiasts

While the original 9-2X was largely a stopgap effort to broaden Saab’s North American portfolio, this sedan variant feels more intentional. The idea of combining a rally-bred AWD platform with Scandinavian refinement speaks to Saab’s long-standing reputation for practical performance.

Moreover, the notion of a “Viggen” STI edition adds emotional weight for fans who still revere the high-output Saabs of the past.

In a world where enthusiast sedans are increasingly rare, the 9-2X Aero Sedan STi would have filled a void—not just in Saab’s portfolio, but in the entire compact sports sedan market.

A Thank You to the Creator

We want to thank James Stevens for sharing this meticulously crafted concept with the SaabPlanet community. It’s this kind of imaginative work that keeps the Spirit of Saab alive, long after the factory doors in Trollhättan closed.

Got your own Saab fantasy concept? Share it with us at saabplanetcom (at) gmail.com and maybe you’ll see it featured next.