I’ve already mentioned it in the forum but still I wanted to bring it to the front page in case some did not see it: June 20th 2011 marked the date when Hirsch Performance products could finally be pre-ordered through the US dealer network.
From what I’ve heared the first parts and software upgrade tools are on their way to the US now. For details please contact your local Saab dealer. If you want to check which products are available in your market you can also visit the Hirsch Performance homepage.
I already have, and will, spend a lot of money on the things they have to offer!!! Love it!!! 😀
Me too… 🙂
More good news!
I can’t wait! I hope a dealer near me decides to carry Hirsch. I am just holding my breath until I can Hirsch my car.
Why wait.. go to the best local dealer you have and ask for it. If they get questions about it.. they might become more interested in providing the service! The consumer has the power! 😉
Willing to Hirsch my 2010 9-5 Aero, but my Baton Rouge, Louisiana SAAB dealer says the Japanese earthquake/tsunami has delayed the launching of Hirsch in the US. They said to check back with them in early August. To their credit, it appears they looked into it for me, and two different employees called me back, but ultimately said to call back in three weeks and they’d check again. Anyone else encounter a delay due to the Japanese tragedy?
Great news. Now I just need the IE 9-3 I ordered 4 months ago to be built so I can tune it!
You have to speculate to accumulate. Nothing in life is free. 🙂
I’m pretty sure for a software upgrade you can get a 10 day trial period. If you are not happy the dealer will reset to the factory setting and refund the cost. You are just out the 30 minutes labor it takes upload and the software.
Right, you got the 10 day free trial period. You may have to pay for installation/deinstallation, but that is up to your dealer.
hmm, maybe Ill look into it. No rush though: Im happy with my SAAB as it is ….
The new 9-5 2.0T (and presumably 9-3 Griffin) is now chippable to 260hp as expected! This should be 100% reliable too, because GM has sold that engine before in that setup. A 9-5 with that spec would be a very high impact and efficient high speed transporter! Man, I wish I needed a car right now.
The figure is 260hp / 295 lb-ft. This 2.0T motor is known for being very upgradeable. In other vehicles it will do 340 lb-ft out of the box almost. Consider this GM upgrade for a related engine (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/gm-releases-turbo-upgrade-kit-for-solstice-gxp-sky-redline-and/) This would be a very “intelligent” car to buy and chip…. drool.
Hirsch remommends 98 octane , is this available in the USA ?
98 RON octane is the same as 91-93 octane in the USA. It is in every city or town in America. But many Europeans online believe it suggests their gasoline is higher octane. Kind of like 100 km/h sounds faster than 90 MPH, but isn’t 🙂
In many parts of the South, 90-octane gasoline is as high as you can get. 91-octane gasoline in my area (Texas Panhandle) is VERY scarce and anything above 91-octane simply doesn’t exist. I wish I knew if there was a reason for this and, if so, what that reason is.
I would not get excited yet. They have come out with fanfare and a brass band before but there is no mechanism for dealers yet. I made calls last week.
Exactly what is “pre-ordered” ?? You can go to who? How can a dealer take money if they don’t have the computer or the training? And they don’t.
Note that the US dealer page is blank.
The dealers got their info on the last dealer meeting.
As I said the first upgrade tools and parts are on the way to the US now. The dealer page will be updated as the dealers have their tools in hands.
There was no meeting from the dealers I spoke with.
There was a list you could sign up to be on and it came with a discount if you signed by the 15’th.
They indicated that it would be at best the end of summer before the equipment arrived and the training started.
THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE LAST LIST. I CALLED THE DEALERS ON IT AND THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROGRAM. 3 DEALERS THAT WERE ON A BOGUS LIST.
It was at the last dealer meeting.
When it comes to training it’s not a big deal. For the US those tunings are software only. And I don’t think a car mechanic needs some training to install rims, spoilers or an exhaust.
The point about a car being in production is that you need to look at expected sales and cerification costs. Not a problem in markets where Hirsch is available for many years but in new markets you have to make a decision how much of your back program you can offer.
That leads to the point of former SaabUSA/GM more or less blocking Hirsch from the US.
There is substance behind it, believe me.
I’m a little unhappy with the program myself. I have a 2009 9-3 Aero which is not eligible for upgrade (well, I already used VTuner, but there’s the other stuff) and tuning my six-month-old 9-5 voids the warranty?!
Still, this is progress and while it doesn’t help me now, it will help SAAB USA and perhaps when I buy the next car years from now.
I also have the NG 9-5… I know I’m biased but I think the LaCrosse is aging quickly. It’s looking far less similar to my car that I originally thought.
The interior on the Buick is terrible and I also like the 9-5’s looks better. However, I do applaud Buick – their line-up is much improved.
rallyho,
we know you are right,
please give us all a break,and read the comments policy.
I just got a call and the program is being formed. There are no details on IF the US program will have the trial period that the EU has.
IMHO, big mistake if they don’t since that is a heavy selling point regarding consumer confidence.