Subaru Shows Rendering of Upcoming B9X Sport Utility Crossover

This time it will be focusing on improving brand image to move the company upmarket. The first vehicle to be launched under

The B9X, a seven-seater 'crossover utility vehicle' - will be Subaru's first attempt at building a true sport utility vehicle. (Photo: Subaru of America)

this new theme is the B9X, a seven-seater 'crossover utility vehicle' - Subaru's first attempt at building a true sport utility vehicle. "This is a significant milestone for Subaru," stated Kunio Ishigami, Chairman, President and CEO of Subaru of America, Inc. "The Subaru B9X combines a bold new design with the trademark Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, and is our first seven- passenger vehicle."

At the vehicle's announcement in Miami, Florida, Subaru of America's Executive Vice President, Fred Adcock, said, "The B9X is intended to be the next step up for current Legacy or Outback owners looking to move up in size, flexibility, feature content and refinement. It is no coincidence that we are here in Miami, a market well-known for its trend setting style, with an all-new Subaru. This vehicle represents more than

The upcoming Saab 9-6X will be built on the Subaru B9X platform, similar to their Trailblazer/Envoy-based 9-7X (shown). (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

just a new style of Subaru. With its fun-to-drive handling and interior flexibility, this is also a Subaru that will appeal to a larger audience."

What prompted Subaru to jump on the sport ute bandwagon? Aside from producing the type of vehicle that the sport utility-hungry North American market craves, Subaru was also provided with an incentive by General Motors to aid in the production of its struggling Swedish arm's second sport utility vehicle. The B9X and the upcoming Saab 9-6X will be built at Subaru's U.S. facilities in Lafayette, Indiana, though they are said to feature unique interior and exterior design language. The yet-to-be-seen Saab will be the third platform-shared vehicle, following the Impreza-based 9-2x sports wagon and the Trailblazer/Envoy-based 9-7X.