Saleen S302 Extreme 620HP

[HeilSvenska]

4.9L V8 Supercharged
620hp
600ft lb
0-60: < 4 sec
1/4 mile: < 12 sec

Price: (gasp) $79,995.
I'd get one.

Saleen put the E in Extreme with the 2008 S302E -620Hp “factory-backed” sports car rewrites the performance landscape. -Production starts in mid-December! Irvine, CA (November 13, 2007) –Saleen Automotive, North America’s premiere specialty vehicle manufacturer, today unveiled the latest in a very aggressive 2008 MY product line up. The new “Extreme” unveiled today, technically known as the Saleen S302E, now represents the most powerful Ford derived vehicle that Saleen has ever manufactured and a critical step in earning Saleen’s new respect for its products and its brand. The “Extreme”, along with 6 other models in Saleen’s 2008 model line up, made their world debut today on the runways of the retired El Toro airport runway in Southern California. The new S302E raises the bar for American performance cars while never sacrificing on style and control. New for 2008, the car affectionately known as the “Extreme” boasts a “Saleen built” 302 cubic inch engine augmented by a patented Saleen twin-screw, intercooled supercharger. The combination delivers an unprecedented 620 Hp and 600 lb-ft of neck snapping, tire incinerating torque. “We believe that we are in the process of creating a legendary new car. It’s thrilling” says Saleen President and CEO, Paul Wilbur. “It seemed to make sense that as we go into our 25th Anniversary as a manufacturer in North America that we make our best and most powerful car yet.” The hardware and engineering In the automotive history books, all great cars incorporate great hardware and the S302E is no different. The new Extreme features a litany of high quality performance parts that are a direct reflection of the companies race engineering heritage, combined with the best thinking in automotive OEM performance engineering. For starts, the unique motor in the “Extreme” features a forged crank, forged connecting rods, individually blueprinted pistons, a 5 axis CNC aluminum cylinder head, high flow fuel injectors, and high performance forged camshafts. All of these components have been orchestrated to mesh masterfully together, coupled to our best-in-class, patented Saleen twin screw supercharger. When married to a short throw, 6 speed manual transmission and a Max-grip rear differential, the Extreme screams to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds and clicks through the quarter mile in just under 12 seconds. “This place represents a kind of automotive “mecca” for me. We are making limited volume, performance vehicles for people who really love cars, by people who really love cars. I cannot think of a better place to put my 35 years of OEM engineering history to work,” says Vice Chairman and Chief Technical Officer Chris Theodore. Theodore is best known as being the father of the Ford GT while Vice President of Advance Product Development at Ford Motor Company. “Now I am helping build great Saleen cars in the same factory that I architected for the legendary Ford GT.’ “This is the best motor that we have ever done”, says Powertrain Engineering lead Rob Simons. “We have really benefited from having Chris (Theodore) around. He brings perspective and experience to the company unlike anything that we have known prior.” To get that kind of performance, the team had to get S302E’s power to the ground. This is accomplished with standard 20 inch, 5 spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero ‘Rosso’ tires. Since power is nothing without control, the Extreme also features a Saleen Racecraft suspension and an all new, second generation Watts Link system that is sure to help the driver maintain control through the corners. The chassis system is rounded out by upgraded 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control. This performance brake system features 15” vented, slotted rotors with 6 piston calipers in the front and 11.8” rear vented discs with single piston calipers in the rear. “This was an interesting challenge for me. Everything I learned from the past on the S7 race team was put into play for this year’s production models. The result is one that I am sure that the market is going to love,” says Chassis and Dynamics Team Lead, Derk Hartland. The strategy Most people associate exotic performance only with European made vehicles. We are committed to make Saleen synonymous with the best breeds in the world and to do so from a perspective that is fundamentally American. Saleen accomplished that in racing with the S7, and we like to think that the S7 has helped establish our pedigree. Now we are taking that experience and making it slightly more attainable in a way that is sure to pleasantly surprise our customers. That is the goal of the Extreme and the foundation of a plan that we call the Reawakening of Saleen. The Reawakening of Saleen is a focus on the fundamentals of the enthusiast customer, led by a solid commitment to great products. The strategy of the reawakening is a simple one… Under promise and over deliver. That is what you find in the Extreme and that is what you should expect from Saleen now and going forward. Production and pricing The new S302E is slated to begin production in early December with advanced orders being accepted as early as November 16th. “Producing only 100 Extreme units this year, the limited number production run will allow us to build the car and deliver the Extreme to a customer a few days after the customer places their order. Retailing for $79,995, we are confident that our buyers will be very hard pressed to find another vehicle with this performance, this level of balance, and a factory warranty for this price,” says McCammon. ‘Power in the hands of a few! That pretty much says it all. We will make great, powerful automobiles that will be available to a select few individuals. We are not trying to make volume vehicles for the masses and we recognize the difference. “Make no mistake, we manufacture dreams. That is what Saleen has always done and that is what we will continue to do,” says Saleen President and CEO Paul Wilbur. ABOUT SALEEN Since the company’s inception in 1984, Saleen has produced over 12,000 complete and EPA certified vehicles, more than any other specialty automobile manufacturer. In addition, Saleen has equipped more than 600,000 vehicles worldwide, further emphasizing their capabilities and commitment to excellence. A nine-time Manufacturers’ Champion in GT sports car racing, Saleen manufactured the American super car — the Saleen S7, as well as the S281 Mustang, S331 Sport Truck and the Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang. Saleen’s manufacturing facility is located in Troy, Michigan. The Michigan facility has just completed all paint and assembly of the Ford GT as a special project for Ford Motor Company and currently is providing paint and subassembly for the Dodge Viper SRT-10 as well as supercharging the new Ford F150 Harley Davidson pickup for Ford.

[79TA]

I love how the watt's link system on the PJ is now making it to the other Saleen Mustangs. This thing will run circles around in Roush in any obejctive performance test.

Too bad Saleen is most likely to pack up and move their entire operation to Troy Michigan.

[rave426]

Fun cars..........but Saleen Mustangs are the most overpriced metal heaps on the face on the planet. I saw one the 400+ supercharged one for almost 60K..........seriously........its a mustang........a tuned mustang at that.

At least the GT500 is factory and will have some type of worth in some years.

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by rave426 Fun cars..........but Saleen Mustangs are the most overpriced metal heaps on the face on the planet. I saw one the 400+ supercharged one for almost 60K..........seriously........its a mustang........a tuned mustang at that. At least the GT500 is factory and will have some type of worth in some years.

whats the difference from this track-tuned Saleen and the skyline GTR? I know which I'd rather drive on the track and street Both are about the same price

....
you do know that Saleen is considered a manufacturer, right? On top of that, spending time in a S197 Mustang GT, GT500, and S281, the S281 is in fact the nicest inside, outside, and performance.

[rave426]

My point is that you still have the same base quality of a normal mustang. Sure they may change out a few interior bits, but I doubt its too much.

I do know Saleen is seen as a manufacturer (although it did slip my mind)l, but I dont think a Saleen mustang will hold its value as well as a GT500.

Seriously Nth....would you pick an almost 60K 400+ Saleen mustang over a 400+hp M3 for a few K more (the saleen will be a bit faster, but speed doesnt make up the gap for the total package). I just dont see the worth in Saleen mustangs for the street (as a base track car it may be a good bargain...i guess). I can see if they only made like 2000 of them....but thats not the case.

Yes a track tuned saleen might be more rewarding on the track than the GTR, but for everyday driving I would take the GTR in a second.

P.S Porsches are over priced also.......I saw a Cayman S for damn near 70K+ (options) and almost $hit myself. Good car, but damn.....

[HeilSvenska]

I do know Saleen is seen as a manufacturer (although it did slip my mind)l, but I dont think a Saleen mustang will hold its value as well as a GT500.

Maybe. Probably because there's a big mainstream market for the GT500. Saleens, not so much. Better for the exclusivity.

I just dont see the worth in Saleen mustangs for the street (as a base track car it may be a good bargain...i guess). I can see if they only made like 2000 of them....but thats not the case.

How often do you seen one? And yes, the do make that little. There's lot more time that goes into a Saleen than you might think. They don't just slap a supercharger on and call it a day.

Yes a track tuned saleen might be more rewarding on the track than the GTR, but for everyday driving I would take the GTR in a second.

I probably couldn't stand the GT-R's cabin. Ford plastic can be fairly nasty, but that GT-R's cabin is so dreary and ugly.

[nthfinity]

Originally Posted by rave426 Seriously Nth....would you pick an almost 60K 400+ Saleen mustang over a 400+hp M3 for a few K more (the saleen will be a bit faster, but speed doesnt make up the gap for the total package). I just dont see the worth in Saleen mustangs for the street (as a base track car it may be a good bargain...i guess). I can see if they only made like 2000 of them....but thats not the case. Yes a track tuned saleen might be more rewarding on the track than the GTR, but for everyday driving I would take the GTR in a second.

The GTR still has some base quality issues with a 350 Z by what you are saying

That said, we aren't talking about the typical n/a or even typical S/C S281, the car in question has 620 ponies

The track tuned suspension on saleens 550's i've been in is just as comfortable as the GT, which is quit comfortable. I imagine this one is not much different. Additionally, Mustangs look far better then the ugly duckling skyline GTR.

On the street, both are poseurs, but the Saleen is champ

[rave426]

Originally Posted by nthfinity The GTR still has some base quality issues with a 350 Z by what you are saying That said, we aren't talking about the typical n/a or even typical S/C S281, the car in question has 620 ponies The track tuned suspension on saleens 550's i've been in is just as comfortable as the GT, which is quit comfortable. I imagine this one is not much different. Additionally, Mustangs look far better then the ugly duckling skyline GTR. On the street, both are poseurs, but the Saleen is champ

Well obviously I havnt been the GTR yet, but reviewers say the interior is just quality as the 997 Turbo..

Well I was just speaking about Saleen Mustangs in general, but yes the car in question is 80K. I just couldnt do it. Thats used GT3 territory (even with less hp, I think it would be just as entertaining to drive)...or for 15K less I could go for a barely used 3200LB Z06 and do some upgrades...

Granted I would like to drive the car, and a proper drive might sway my opinion on the Saleen....but 80K is an immense amount of money for a Mustang. Nevertheless at only 100 units the first year it will be a hot item!

[rave426]

How often do you seen one? And yes, the do make that little. There's lot more time that goes into a Saleen than you might think. They don't just slap a supercharger on and call it a day.

Well I am from Shreveport, LA which isnt all that large of a city and the Ford dealer always has 3 or 4 Saleens in stock, so I assumed they made quite a few??? Then again, maybe people in my town see the price and have the same thought I have.

[HeilSvenska]

Originally Posted by rave426 Well I am from Shreveport, LA which isnt all that large of a city and the Ford dealer always has 3 or 4 Saleens in stock, so I assumed they made quite a few??? Then again, maybe people in my town see the price and have the same thought I have.

Obviously, they wouldn't stock them unless there was a demand there. Or maybe the owner has good tastes.

[rave426]

^^ May have a point there

[Minacious]

80k!!

Hahahahahahahahaahah!!

[rave426]

^^^ See what I mean...When u see the price its almost like you have been shot by a SK.

ROFL

[yg60m]

It looks very good !!

[79TA]

Yea, they're pricey. So are BMW's and Porsches. Corvette owns them as far as performance per dollar goes since they're mustang based. Nevertheless, I look forward to seeing the new and improved models. Take my word for it: the Saleens with the watts links and soft compound tires are handling beasts! Quite frankly, the novelty of out-handling a guy in a bimmer of the same price would be worth the premium even if you could do it for much less in a Corvette.

Who buys a Saleen to resell anyway? Who's dumb enough to pay interest on a rapidly depreciating asset (new car) that they intend to sell in five years for half price at best? Anyway, most of the Saleen crowd likes to buy new and the cars have terrible resale value.