Saab’s final salute before silence
Every now and then, a car resurfaces that reminds us why Saab mattered. Not in an abstract sense, but in sheet metal, turbo whine, and the stubborn refusal to conform. The 2011 Saab 9-5 Aero XWD now on Cars & Bids is one of those cars. Finished in Jet Black, equipped with Saab’s 300-hp turbocharged V6, Haldex XWD, and a Hirsch Performance ECU tune, it embodies Saab’s last great push before the lights went out in Trollhättan.
This auction also carries extra weight because of the platform. Cars & Bids isn’t just another auction site – it’s powered by Doug DeMuro, the internet’s most recognizable car reviewer, who already gave the 9-5NG one of its most-watched reviews years ago. His stamp of approval has introduced Saab oddities to millions of viewers, and now the 9-5NG returns in front of that same audience, but this time as a no-reserve offering.
Aero XWD: the peak of Saab engineering ambition
Launched under Spyker ownership in 2010, the second-generation 9-5 carried the weight of an entire brand on its shoulders.
Production was fragile, finances unstable, but the engineers refused to compromise. The Aero XWD sat at the very top of the range:
- Engine: 2.8-liter turbocharged V6, rated at 300 hp and 295 lb-ft.
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic.
- All-Wheel Drive: Haldex Gen 4 XWD, capable of sending up to 85% of torque rearward and vectoring power between rear wheels through an eLSD.
- Performance: Mid-6-second 0–60 mph times, effortless highway pull, and poise in the snow that no BMW or Mercedes of the era could match.
The Aero badge had long been Saab shorthand for engineering at full stretch — dating back to the 900 and 9000 — and this car carried that heritage into a modern, executive-class package.
Hirsch Performance: the finishing touch
The Cars & Bids listing confirms this example carries a Hirsch Performance ECU tune. For Saab enthusiasts, Hirsch was the official way to sharpen the driving experience without sacrificing factory reliability. The ECU map gave a crisper throttle response and a subtle boost in usable torque, perfectly matched to the Aero’s chassis and XWD system.
Unlike aftermarket “tunes,” Hirsch upgrades were warranty-approved and reflected Saab’s Scandinavian philosophy: balanced performance, not brute force.
Design that still stands apart
Even today, the 9-5NG looks striking. The “ice block” headlights, the wraparound glasshouse, and the concave rear light bar gave it presence that still feels futuristic. In Jet Black with 19-inch alloys and a panoramic roof, this auction car presents exactly as Saab intended: restrained elegance with a streak of defiance.
Inside, Saab’s cockpit DNA is intact. The ignition is on the center console, the Night Panel feature remains, and the dash subtly arcs toward the driver. This car also boasts heated leather seats, a head-up display, lane departure warning, Advanced Park Assist, and a Harman Kardon sound system. Few executive sedans of 2011 offered such a blend of Scandinavian clarity and high-tech amenities.
Service history and condition
Cars & Bids includes a Lemon Squad pre-purchase inspection, and while the report shows inevitable age-related wear, the car has been conscientiously maintained:
- 2025 (121k mi): Oil/filter change, TPMS sensor, wipers.
- 2024 (120k mi): New front rotors and pads, oil service.
- 2023 (115k mi): Alignment, new tires, A/C recharge, new spark plugs, ignition coils, manifold gasket, and seals.
- Earlier services include TPMS replacements and regular oil changes.
Flaws? Yes — the A/C is not blowing cold, there’s minor oil seepage, some exterior scratches, curb rash, and interior wear. But the bones are strong, and the service record is better documented than most Saabs of this vintage.
Extras included in the sale
This Aero comes with two key fobs, OEM manuals, a factory roof rack, Thule bicycle carriers, and both carpeted and all-weather mats. That alone signals long-term ownership and pride of care.
The seller has had the car since 2015, adding nearly 89,000 miles — a tenure long enough to suggest genuine attachment.
The rarity factor
Fewer than 9,000 examples of the second-generation 9-5 were ever built before production halted in March 2011. The Aero XWD V6 models represent only a fraction of that total. Add Hirsch tuning, and you’re looking at a car produced in the hundreds worldwide.
For context:
- Standard 2.0T 9-5s appear occasionally in classifieds.
- Aero XWDs surface rarely.
- Hirsch-equipped Aeros? Almost never — especially in North America.
This rarity, combined with Saab’s collapse, gives the car both collector intrigue and historical weight.
Doug DeMuro’s role
Doug’s own words on this auction capture the essence: “Here’s a cool car you don’t see every day! Just before Saab went out of business, they were able to produce a few of these ‘next-generation’ 9-5 sedans.”
For Saab fans, it’s almost poetic. The same reviewer who once highlighted the quirks of the 9-5NG to millions on YouTube is now amplifying its market presence through Cars & Bids. In effect, DeMuro is helping secure its legacy — giving the Aero XWD visibility far beyond Saab-only circles.
Why this auction matters
This isn’t just another used car changing hands. It’s a moment where Saab’s final flagship is reintroduced to a new generation of enthusiasts, with all the transparency and excitement of a no-reserve auction.
The bidding will tell us something important:
- How does the broader collector market currently value Saab’s last great sedan?
- Are we witnessing the early stages of 9-5NG appreciation?
- Or will this be another case of Saab undervaluation, where engineering brilliance goes unnoticed by all but the faithful?
A no-reserve auction that defines Saab’s legacy
The 2011 Saab 9-5 Aero XWD on Cars & Bids is more than a listing. It’s a milestone: a Hirsch-tuned, top-spec Aero presented to a massive audience at no reserve.
It represents everything Saab stood for: engineering integrity, Scandinavian design, and driver-first philosophy. And thanks to Doug DeMuro’s platform, its story is reaching enthusiasts far beyond the traditional Saab community.
For collectors, this is a chance not just to buy a car — but to preserve the closing chapter of Saab’s legacy.
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