Despite having owned over thirty Saabs, I'd always had a dream to own a Turbo X. To me, it represents the pinnacle of a modern Saab, a future classic, much like the 900 Turbo S has now become. It's a celebration of Saab innovation, bringing together their superior Turbo technology with a silky smooth V6 engine and an exceptionally intelligent AWD system Saab named cross-wheel-drive or XWD.

In the middle of last year, I found, what I thought looked like the perfect one. An unmolested, manual saloon with the entire options list thrown at it;

Convenience Plus Pack
Dual electric seats with driver’s 3-position memory, electric folding mirrors, auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors, rain sensor wipers

Business Plus Pack
DVD Satellite Navigation, 6.5" colour touch screen, TMC, voice control, Bluetooth phone integration system*, BOSE Surround Sound Audio

Performance Plus Pack
Bi-xenon cornering headlights, headlight pressure washers, 19” Turbo X alloy wheels

Premium Natural Leather
Sport interior trim with perforated seat bolsters and heated front seats

Added to that, it had just undergone a full refurbishment of the Haldex XWD system and came from a knowledgeable Saab family, sadly though, for the past 32 weeks, it's been one hell of a journey, as from the moment it arrived, it wouldn't start. A long story short, but the timing chain had failed and taken out some of the engine with it, so after sourcing another 2.8 engine, the team at Malcolm Miles set about rebuilding it all; new timing chain, water pump, followers, clutch, slave and endless ancillary hoses and gaskets, and finally, earlier this week, I got to drive it for the first time.

I've taken the opportunity to do a few, very subtle modifications, the suspension has been upgraded to Bilstien B8 shocks and Hirsch springs, it's had a Hirsch 3 piece grille, aluminium pedals and leather interior Hirsch handles. I have a feeling it's not running quite right yet and will require a few further snagging visits, but it's back home and it's survived.

I'll reserve a full review until I've had it back for a while, but needless to say, with this endless rain, wind and mud, the XWD system is feeling mighty reassuring.

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.