Over the past 10 years of creating Saab vs. Scepticism, it will have become very clear that I have a genuine love for all Saabs, but especially Aero models and any Saabs that have that special something. That can be a rare interior, sunroof, Harman / Kardon audio, air cooled seats or even just the perfect set of alloys, but there’s always one addition that ultimately rises one Saab above another, and that’s Hirsch Performance.

Saab vs. all began based around my dream Hirsch Saab, and that great love still inspires and motivates me today. I continue to do my best to keep creating great Saab Aero builds, to write about and share them with other Saabists, but there’s nothing quite like being inspired by other great Saabs from around the world and this 9-3 Aero XWD is one of those Saabs.

Based in Germany, this beauty was purchased back in 2017 by Jan and is his fifth Saab; previously two 9-3 and two 9-5’s. It’s a 2009 Sportcombi and already had a few Hirsch parts fitted including steering wheel, door handles and exhaust. But Jan had dreams to create a Saab of a much higher level, so he set about sourcing many more Hirsch parts together with others to overcome some of the known Saab V6 heat issues, he fitted a DO88 intercooler, radiator and pipes to overcome those and also a TUV approved remap which is now running at 325hp / 480nm torque, in Jan’s words “All the changes moved the car on to a higher level, most importantly the stuff around the engine - it is so fresh and powerful now, it is a really pleasure to drive and sit in.”

Since 2017 Jan has also added the full 4 piece Hirsch front grilles, a new dual Hirsch exhaust and diffuser, a set of exceptionally rare Hirsch 19” twin six spoke rims and full Hirsch suspension to his XWD. Inside the attention to detail continues, and adding to the original Hirsch specification, he’s lavished the Saab with a leather dashboard, glove box strip, door strips and gear surround all by Stephen Individual. 

It gets regularly serviced and the Haldex XWD gets treated to fresh oil every 10,000km to keep it all in perfect condition, it now has just under 100,000km on the clock and my respect goes out to Jan for such a perfect Saab Aero Hirsch. It’s always amazing to see other folk put such care in to keeping these great cars alive, they’re exceptionally special and we need more people like Jan in the world. Thanks for sharing.