I have received a list of vehicles for which Hirsch Performance – Saab’s official tuning house – have received the OK to provide vehicle ECU upgrades.
To give you an idea of the process involved……
This list comes from an Executive Order issued by the California Air Resource Board. Each of the vehicle congiurations on this list had to be tested and certified in order to be given the tick by CARB. This is a lengthy and expensive process, especially with this number of vehicles involved.
If your car is on the list, then you should be able to access a Hirsch ECU upgrade (costs for which are as yet unknown) from your local Saab dealer if that dealer is one that’s been approved for Hirsch distribution.
Here’s the list (click).
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Congratulations to Hirsch for finally making it over the pond an into the US market. It’s been a long time coming, and is a breakthrough that’s well deserved.
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Conspicuously missing are 2009 & 2007 9-3 Aeros with the 2.8.
What’s up with that?
I have a question when and where might I buy this Hirsch upgrade for my 2009 SAAB 9.3 XWD? Is it really worth it? Does it improve gas mileage? Why don’t SAABs already come to the dealer fine-tuned???? LOL…Just saying…..sorry for all the questions. I live in Columbus Ohio USA. Our nearest authorized SAAB dealer is Midwestern Auto Group.
Your XWD car is damn slow comparing to FWD Saabs, Hirsch update is the must.
When they say 2008 9-3 2.8l does that include XWD or not, since the 9-5 specifically mentioned XWD.
My guess is that if they don’t specify AWD, then its FWD only.
Woohoo!!!
Wonder what the cost is? I do have my wife’s combi, but I don’t think she would like this. To bad they don’t do some of the older cars. I would consist one on my 05 Aero without the normal warranty.
No Turbo X!?!?!? Maybe if I debadge my car, they won’t notice. 😛
If you want to de-tune your Turbo X, then it is maybe a good Idea.
Turbo X: 280hp
9-3 2.8L + Hirsch : 275hp
😉
Also sad to see there’s no Turbo-X upgrade listed :(. While I suspect we’d be one of the buyer groups most likely to purchase an upgrade, there are ultimately probably too few of us (damn that exclusivity!).
This is a bummer. Maybe I am too much for structure, but getting Hirsch accessories that are available for the Turbo X and a non-Hirsch engine tune really bums me out.
Thanx Swade!
They should take up the 9-3x for the list as well. The 9-3x is underpowered with just the standard 210hp engine.
The 9-3 is, of course, due for an upgrade halfway through this model year (I think they’ll announce in Geneva) where I believe it will get the 2.0T Direct Injection engine from the Saab 9-5.
Hirsch have mentioned that they plan to add more 2011 models to the list, so I imagine it’ll be these upgraded 9-3’s that will be added. I think there’s a good chance the 9-3x will be a part of that.
Bottom line – I think all MY2011.5 Saab 9-3’s will get a Hirsch option on top of the more advanced engine.
Underpowered?
What do want to tow? A boat?
I upgraded half a year ago from 150 to 195 hp and feeling great with it.
OK, you get used to it. But you get used to 500 hp too.
Probably a missunderstanding. According to my knowlege the 9-3x is not available with a 150hp engine that can be upgraded to 195hp. The 9-3x is heavier than a normal 9-3, a) due to xwd b) due to additional reinforcements. Especially the 2010 models are heavy, the 2011 are also roughly 100kg lighter like the rest of the 9-3 line.
They should give journalists Aeros on 18 inch rims so they won’t whine about addition noise and less comfort comparing to Mercedes.. Also even handling should be better as SAAB engineer told in Evo review.
Another thing – saab should give hirsched cars without telling it. So reviews will be even better.
As an aside: Those Hirsch rims are probably the only ones I’d buy for a 9-5. As pretty as the OEM rims are, they’ve never appeared particularly “sporty” to me, and the Hirsch rims certain solve that problem. Add a small, tasteful rear spoiler, and it would look absolutely beautiful!
No Turbo-X!!! Bummer.
I think we’re all being a little hard on Hirsch for not having this or that. It has to cost big bucks to have each version of software approved and I am sure they targeted the cars that number the most. The Turbo X is nice and unique and Id love to have one, but with a small number produced I cant see how it’s economically smart to offer a upgrade in which less than 100 cars, IMHO, will be tuned.