Saab family reunion in Kiel

Saturday afternoon. Kiel, near the Baltic Sea. Out of town, a pack of sports cars battling Hamburg traffic through the dense traffic. Maserati, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ferrari, a new Alpine A110 (!), A few Audi R8. On the opposite lane: Saab. A handsome number of 9-5 NG sedans, sports cars and 9-4x.

Saab 9-5 NG in Merlot Red and Viggen Blue
Saab 9-5 NG in Merlot Red and Viggen Blue

What's crazier? The Saabs that are on the way through the city center are definitely more exclusive. From the 9-4x there is only a low, 3-digit number worldwide. The 9-5 NG sports suit, of which only the pre-series vehicles exist, is considerably rarer. Honestly, a Porsche, Maserati or Lamborghini, on the other hand, is an off-the-shelf product. The Alpines don't. But it's still very new.

The Saab family meets

Everything started the day before. From lunchtime, the yard of the Saab center began to fill up. Vehicles from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, UK, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and other countries. Pilots wanted is something like a family reunion. An extended family, spread over many countries, meets every two years. Many participants are already in 3. Time. You know each other, you talk, you do not just talk about cars. Many acquaintances have created friendships and lasting contacts. Saab connects, and even newcomers quickly get in touch and are integrated.

In terms of vehicles, everything is represented, from the basic model to the fully equipped aero. Regardless of whether linear with diesel and halogen light, or V6 XWD. Almost all Saab are in a neat annual or almost new car condition. A highlight of Pilots wanted 2018 were certainly the two newly built 9-5s from the Lafrentz crew. Once in the classy "Merlotröd ”and once in the sporty“ Viggen blue ”. Both colors that unfortunately never existed in the series. And both 9-5 in new car condition. This aroused some desires among the fans. There were already serious inquiries for newly built vehicles during the event. Rebuilt, or better than ex works, is possible. Swedish individuality for a high 5-digit amount.

In the evening, the Saab family met at Gosch on the Kiellinie. The Saab Dinner took place in the most beautiful sunshine on the Kiel promenade. Also present were the delegations from Orio Germany and Switzerland. The former officially because it showed its presence with a stand. Second private and out of pure Saab passion on site. The mood was relaxed, there were nice conversations, and in the evening in the hotel we continued to celebrate with beer and other drinks and talked a lot about Saab...

After breakfast at the dealership, it was on Saturday on the track. Almost 120 kilometers, and I was co-pilot with Jochen in his 9-5 Aero XWD. A very well maintained Saab, one does not notice his 162.000 kilometers at all. The Drive-Sense works like the first day, the interior is almost new. So Saab driving is fun, even if the roadbook occasionally allowed interpretation options and we drove a few extra kilometers. The route was as always great, rural region, coast and city center alternated, it was not boring for a moment. Unfortunately, the meeting ended after the exit and then coffee and cake way too fast. Now we have to wait another two years for Pilot's wanted 2020.

And one more thing: The 9-4x fit well into the 9-5 family and made the event even more exciting. Maybe you should schedule them at upcoming meetings?

Saab family

I no longer drive a 9-5 NG, it has been sold and I met my ex-car and its new owner in Kiel. I think the Saab has come into good hands, everything fits. So we went back south in the 9-3 Aero, which also acted as a taxi for Max and Felix. your transatlanticist stayed for maintenance in Kiel and will be picked up in a few days. In the height of Hanover we overtake a beautiful, well-kept Saab 9-5 OG. As a greeting, there are turn signals left, turn signal right, it continues.

A few miles later I discover the 9-5 in the rearview mirror. He stalks, overtakes, and the pair in the 9-5 with Hanover plate waving excited. Both are happy as the snow kings. We wave back, have fun. Family reunion at Tempo 160 on the highway.

That too is Saab.

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mountain saab
mountain saab
5 years earlier

… Everything has been said about the cars, but who the hell does the Biomega SAAB bike belong to? Is probably just as rare as the 9-4x

Hans S.
Hans S.
5 years earlier

Great report, as always with Tom. I'll be back next time.

The blue of the cover picture, is that the Viggen blue? I would like to see it in full splendor, sure looks great!

I would like to have mine dark-green metallic, but do not trust me. With the original color glacier silver he looks great too.

Herbert Hürsch
Herbert Hürsch
5 years earlier
Reply to  Hans S.

I would not dare that either!

And it's not pink. Silver suits him very, very well. Just don't repaint without necessity! Just not ...

Cosmetics and foil maybe who needs it. For a good paint job without a speed camera, however, the vehicle must be completely dismantled and the body must be completely bare. Otherwise you have a two-tone car ...

This effort may well be worthwhile 30 to 40 years after the EZ. Previously, the losses * and the effort just too high, the benefits too low.

* No workshop in the world can do this without frictional losses. Clips break, threads are cured and the same more ...

Anddeu
Anddeu
5 years earlier

The bright orange also looks great on the 9-5. And “Lightning Blue” is still a great color!

Herbert Hürsch
Herbert Hürsch
5 years earlier

OUCH,

that must hurt! Tom seems to me hard. So freshly separated and then a reunion with this beauty.

Ken-Daniel S.
Ken-Daniel S.
5 years earlier

Thanks for the photos, I hope until 2020 comes into our fleet 9 5NG, then I can be there.

Eddi
Eddi
5 years earlier

We were there for the first time and it was great!
To meet a lot of SAAB crazy people, great cars, rarities, incredibly nice people, great organization and a nice program ... And get a working lightbar installed ...
A successful family reunion - many thanks to the Lafrentz family!

Heiko
Heiko
5 years earlier

Es war wirklich eine rund um gelungene Veranstaltung. Viele nette Leute, interessante Gespräche und tolle Saabs. Ich freue mich dabei gewesen zu sein und hoffe das es 2020 wieder klappt. Unser Heimflug wurde nur durch kurzzeitigen Spritmangel überschattet, so das wir die letzten km bis zur Tankstelle im Windschatten eines Buses fahren mussten.

Gebhard
Gebhard
5 years earlier
Reply to  Heiko

I hope that at least you had enough liquid on board .. 🙂

mac9-5
mac9-5
5 years earlier

Hello.
I also felt like I was in good hands with my “Mexican Swede” between all the chic 9-5 NG! 🙂

And we noticed the “interpretation possibilities” at the “Mühle” at the latest…. We were kindly allowed to hang on the beautiful “Blue” for the rest of the tour! 😉

Unfortunately, we didn't have any “friendly” contact with our favorite brand on the return journey (or on the outward journey either) - apparently not a single one was there. 🙁

Gebhard Ullrich
Gebhard Ullrich
5 years earlier

Thanks Tom for the report and for the beautiful pictures. The 9-5 NG is a beautiful car and for me the new cars built today still casually in the shade. Just great!