Why the name “Troll R” was misunderstood for two decades
In Saab circles, Troll R has long existed in a grey zone between fact and assumption. It was often described as an unofficial factory experiment, a semi-mythical Trollhättan special, or a prototype that never reached series production.
That narrative collapses once original documentation, period road tests, and Hirsch correspondence are placed side by side.
Troll R was never a covert Saab factory modification. It was Hirsch Performance’s flagship, fully engineered conversion of the Saab 9-5 Aero – publicly sold, press-tested, priced, homologated, and legally registered.
The confusion was born not from secrecy, but from discretion.
Hirsch, Saab, and the origin of the Troll designation
Before Hirsch Performance became Saab’s official tuning partner, Hirsch Garage in St. Gallen was already modifying Saabs under the Carline name in the late 1990s. Their work was technically rigorous enough that Saab later provided formal support and engineering cooperation, leading to the establishment of Hirsch Performance AG.
This historical overlap explains two things that are often misunderstood today:
- Early Troll-designated cars sometimes predate formal Hirsch branding
- Later Troll R cars are explicitly identified as “by Hirsch Performance”
The name Troll refers to origin and philosophy – not factory ownership.
The 2002 reference that defines everything
By March 2002, the concept had matured into a clearly defined product. Contemporary press coverage introduced the Saab 9-5 Troll 2.3 R Evolution by Hirsch Performance as the most powerful road-going Saab available at the time.
The figures were unambiguous:
- 310 hp
- 440 Nm
- Top speed: 270 km/h
Equally important was what the article did not hide. Front-wheel drive torque steer was openly criticized, and the need for careful throttle modulation at high speed was clearly stated. This was not marketing copy – it was a technical evaluation of a car sold to customers, complete with pricing and consumption figures.
A prototype does not get a price tag. A myth does not come with a homologation pathway.
Hirsch’s engineering philosophy – revealed in one detail
One line from Hirsch’s own specification captures the Troll R approach better than any brochure:
The Troll R retained the stock downpipe, but used a sport catalyst and stainless cat-back exhaust.
That decision alone explains why Troll R cars have aged better than many period tuning projects. Hirsch optimized flow where it mattered while preserving emissions stability, cold-start behavior, and long-term durability. The goal was sustained Autobahn performance, not dyno heroics.
This was a systems upgrade, not a collection of parts.
The car currently offered on AutoScout24
The example now listed in Switzerland aligns precisely with what a genuine Troll R should look like – mechanically, visually, and on paper.
Registered in August 2002, this Saab 9-5 Aero carries the B235SP.1 engine with an officially recorded output of 225 kW (305 PS). The power figure is not anecdotal or estimated; it is explicitly entered in the Swiss registration documents, together with the note that the Hirsch Performance conversion is subject to ASTRA approval and must be carried in the vehicle.
That line alone separates this car from the vast majority of “Troll R” claims seen online.
How this Troll R presents itself today
Visually, the car remains intentionally restrained. There are no exaggerated body elements, no loud branding, no attempt to signal performance through excess. The subtle Hirsch spoiler lips, side skirts, and factory-correct stance are consistent with the original philosophy.
Inside, Hirsch touches appear where the driver interacts with the car: pedals, steering wheel, and trim details. Carbon-look dashboard elements and aluminum accents reinforce the sense that this was never meant to be a cosmetic exercise.
Under the hood, the story becomes clearer. The revised Garrett turbocharger, larger intercooler, Hirsch intake system, and Trionic 7 calibration form a cohesive whole. This is not a later reinterpretation of a Troll R – it is the configuration Hirsch documented and sold.
Condition and recent investment
Mileage stands at 257,881 km, a figure that matters less here than the way the car has been maintained.
Recent work includes:
- Refreshed front and rear brakes, including rebuilt Brembo calipers
- New water pump and valve cover gasket
- Replacement alternator
- Professionally revised original Garrett turbocharger
- All wheels refinished
- New Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires
- Cooling, intake, and vacuum lines replaced with do88 silicone hoses
Parts alone account for approximately CHF 8,900, with invoices to support the work. This is not a tired performance Saab held together by nostalgia.
Why CHF 14,500 is not the headline – but still matters
At CHF 14,500, this Troll R is priced below what similar documented Hirsch cars typically command when condition and legality are taken into account. The figure becomes even more interesting when placed against current prices for modified Aero models that lack any formal provenance.
What is offered here is not simply a fast Saab 9-5. It is a fully homologated Hirsch flagship, preserved in recognizable form and supported by documentation that closes the historical loop on what Troll R actually was.
Between factory restraint and Swiss precision
The Troll R story remained blurry for years because it sat between factory and aftermarket, between Saab restraint and Swiss precision. This car removes that ambiguity. It does not ask to be believed. It presents its case in paperwork, engineering, and period-correct detail.
And for once, it is not hiding in an archive or a museum – it is openly for sale, priced like a used car, waiting for someone who understands exactly what it represents.
A wolf in sheeps clothing.