Saab Review: Saab 9 5 2.3t Biopower Deer Performance
The Saab 9-5 Vector Biopower was in the production version too family suit and too little Saab. Therefore, some things have changed with the help of Hirsch Performance on Saab. First and foremost, it was about more driving pleasure, better handling and a little more pulling from medium speeds. In advance, the operation was successful.
Hirsch suspension for Saab 9-5
The standard suspension is not bad, but too much for comfort. The Hirsch suspension promises a remedy. With success. With the product from Switzerland, the Saab sports suit is a combination with sporty approaches. Now the Swede goes through the curves like on rails, driving pleasure and handling have noticeably won - without noticeable restrictions in comfort.
Deer exhaust system
The upgrade to a Hirsch exhaust system was more cosmetic in nature and due to the desire for more sound. It's one of those products that you don't have to have but that are fun when you have them. The sound becomes deeper, sportier. When accelerating, the Saab then plays the sports car - sorry sports combination. As with all Hirsch products, the quality is fabulous. Because the exhaust is made of stainless steel, you never have to worry about spare parts.
Deer Performance Upgrade
The most important detail is the Hirsch performance upgrade for the Saab 9-5 2.3t Biopower. In gasoline operation, our Swede then has 220 PS, in ethanol operation it is 230 PS. The maximum torque is E85 at 360 Nm. From 0-100 sprints the station wagon in 7.3 seconds instead of 9.5 seconds. That alone is not the whole truth.
Because dramatic, for a well-behaved family station wagon like our Saab 9-5, the performance increase in the medium speed range. You rub your eyes in amazement and think, yes, to sit in a completely different car. The intermediate sprint from 0-60 goes in a slim 5.8 seconds. The sprint from 80 to 120 is done in 7.9 seconds. A Porsche Cayman with 2.8 liters of displacement and 265 hp - and the Porsche is definitely not a station wagon - is not much faster with 7.6 seconds.
It gets really fun on the highway. The Saab is limited at speed 230, but what runs until then promotes the play instinct, as my friend Marco can confirm. The other day he was so busy with “games” that he simply overlooked the empty tank out of sheer childish joy. (Sorry Marco for the indiscretion 😉, we still had fun.)
It doesn't matter - performance is always there. Tempo 200 - step on the gas - turbo needle in the red area - off you go the fast troll. Playing with the pack of field workers driving company cars is particularly nice. Construction site end. The Saab clears the left lane, goes to the right and - gives turbo boost. The annoying, clinging Passat, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series that wanted to crawl into the cargo hold on the construction site disappear in the rearview mirror. 🙂
You can start the game over and over again. Because the armada of premium drivers never learns.
The Hirsch performance enhancement harmonizes particularly well with E85. Optimization probably saves the one or the other liter of alcohol in our tank. That's just the theory. Because in practice, the play instinct always wins and you enjoy the turbo boost.
Hirsch sports steering wheel and sports pedals
Do you need it? Not really. But the steering wheel from the house of Hirsch just makes more joy, the sports pedals look good and give the interior of the Saab 9-5 a bit more pep.
Hirsch Performance products are always recommended. Because it's not my first Saab with deer products, hopefully not my last. After 40.000 kilometers with the Saab 9 5 2.3t Biopower Anniversary, the result is therefore positive.
Although the 9-5 of the first series has detailed weaknesses in the processing. But he is a typical long-term car. On the 40.000 kilometers, there was not a single defect, the Saab is safe and long-distance fit. Whether with full load on vacation or just on the highway alone. A Saab 9-5 Biopower must inspect all 10.000 kilometers. No problem for us, because the 9-5 is used only on long distances and therefore not too many miles a year on the way. For frequent drivers annoying is the small tank and the low gas station density for E85.
A deer upgrade is a must for anyone who is not one of the quietest in the country. Only then will the Saab become a real turbo.
Text: tom@saabblog.net
More reviews:
Saab 9-3 TTiD4 Aero Sports Suit
40.000 kilometers with the Saab 9-5 Biopower
Saab tuning for the 9-5 BioPower
Hello Tom and dear SAAB community.
Last week, I also bought the 9-5 Biopower 2,3t described above last week. I have already called my local SAAB dealer (60km one way! And I have been driving 1989 SAAB and thus this route!). Hirsch tuning is ordered. I'm looking forward to it
Then I have to have my 9-5 Aero overtaken (timing chains). It doesn't work without SAAB ...
Hello Frank,
Congratulations to the 9-5 BioPower. With the deer tuning you have made the right decision. He will do you a lot, have fun!