A Hirsch Prototype Unlike Any Other
When Saab and Hirsch Performance worked together on the final generation of high-performance models in 2010–2011, one particular Saab 9-5 NG stood above the rest. Built as an experimental platform for wind-tunnel testing and promotional photography, this 9-5 NG Aero Turbo6 carried every prototype component Hirsch ever developed for the car – from aerodynamic bodywork and diffuser to bespoke exhaust and the earliest versions of Hirsch engine software.
This was the original Hirsch 9-5NG, used in every official catalog and press photo. Nearly every component differs subtly from production parts that later reached customers. Its importance lies not just in performance, but in its role as the car that defined Hirsch’s visual and engineering language at the very end of Saab’s production era.
Years of Preservation in the Netherlands
As reported previously on SaabPlanet.com, the car spent several years in the Netherlands under Mark V. Kampen, one of Europe’s foremost Saab electronics specialists. Mark confirmed that the vehicle was the authentic 1-of-1 poster car from Hirsch Performance, equipped with all prototype hardware and the exact software developed for Rene Hirsch’s own Turbo6.
During Mark’s ownership, the car was treated as both an engineering artifact and a grand-touring machine. He maintained it meticulously and continued to drive it regularly across Europe – including repeated pilgrimages to Sweden. His technical background allowed him to keep the complex electronics, ECU calibrations, and Hirsch firmware fully functional.
Dyno tests conducted at AutoWeek showed that the car still produced 325 hp and 470 Nm of torque, essentially matching Hirsch’s original figures more than a decade later.
The Call of Sweden
In early 2025, while Mannes Bilservice in Sölvesborg was preparing its newly opened Saab showroom, Mark V. Kampen decided to part with the Hirsch 9-5NG. That decision set the stage for the car’s emotional return to Sweden.
Philip Salonen, co-owner of Mannes Bilservice, had long admired this particular car. He first saw it for sale back in 2018, when it was still owned by Velteck in the Netherlands. “I went to see it then,” he wrote on Instagram. “But I simply couldn’t afford it at the time.”
He made one request to Mark: if the day ever came to sell it, to call him first. That day arrived this year. Despite having recently sold his own SportCombi and planning to buy a house, Salonen didn’t hesitate for long.
“I couldn’t miss this car a second time,” he wrote. “A house will still be there next year — but this car, never again.”
“You Can’t Drive a House, But You Can Sleep in a Car”
Salonen’s humor captured what every Saab enthusiast understood instinctively. Passion doesn’t wait for convenience. “You can’t drive a house, but you can sleep in a car,” he joked, explaining his decision.
So at 2:00 AM on a Saturday morning, Philip and Oskar Persson set off for the Netherlands, with help from fellow Saab friend Stefan who provided transport when trains weren’t running. By sunrise, they were in Holland, closing the deal with Mark V. Kampen – a transaction sealed by mutual respect and shared enthusiasm.
The car, despite its early life as a press and Nürburgring test vehicle, remains in remarkable condition. Having never seen road salt, it is completely rust-free and shows 190,000 km on the odometer.
A New Home Among Kindred Spirits
Now the legendary 9-5NG Turbo6 Hirsch has joined the Mannes Bilservice Saab showroom in Sölvesborg – the same new space where Salonen and his team display unique restorations and rare Saab models. Parked among a pristine Saab 96, a 9-7X, and several 9000 Aeros, the Hirsch 9-5NG stands as the spiritual centerpiece of the collection.
The showroom, created in cooperation with Ola’s Prototyp Garage, is not a dealership but a living archive of Saab culture. Visitors can view cars that represent different eras — from two-stroke classics to the last generation of turbocharged innovation. For the Mannes team, adding the Hirsch prototype completes the circle between heritage and modernity.
A Car That Defined an Era
Every Saab tells a story, but few encapsulate the brand’s philosophy like this one. The 9-5NG Turbo6 Hirsch represents the very edge of Saab’s technical ambition before the company’s closure. It merges Swedish aerodynamics with Swiss precision, wrapped in understated elegance.
It’s also a tangible reminder of Hirsch Performance’s contribution to Saab’s identity — turning subtle Swedish sedans into refined performance machines without compromising comfort or character. The fact that this specific prototype served as the basis for every later Hirsch part makes it a true milestone in Saab history.
A Full-Circle Moment
The return of this 9-5NG Hirsch to Sweden feels almost poetic. Born from collaboration between Trollhättan and St. Gallen, preserved for years in the Netherlands, and now displayed once again under Swedish skies — it embodies Saab’s enduring resilience.
Mark V. Kampen’s stewardship ensured the car’s preservation; Philip Salonen’s determination brought it home. Together, their efforts have safeguarded an irreplaceable link in Saab’s lineage.
This isn’t a story about transactions – it’s about transmission: of passion, knowledge, and the unbroken chain of enthusiasts who keep the marque alive long after the factory gates closed.
I hope he will have alot of fun with that car as it is truely a joy to drive! :)