Page 1 of 1 Launched in the summer of 2000, the S7 was the first standalone model created by Steve Saleen. Only the fifth mid-engined American production car, it was designed by Phil Frank and developed together with Ray Mallock Ltd. (RML) in the UK. The S7 derived its name from the seven-litre, small-block V8 fitted between the cockpit and the rear axle. Initially naturally aspirated, the Ford Windsor derived engine was also available with twin turbochargers from 2005 onwards. Production lasted through to 2009 with Saleen again focusing the altogether more lucrative enhancing of existing Ford products.
In addition to the production road car, RML also developed the S7-R competition version, which debuted towards the end of the 2001 season. Built to the global GTS / GT1 regulations, it was eligible to compete in the American Le Mans Series, FIA GT Championship and in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. From 2006, the development was entrusted to French specialists Oreca, who used the update S7 Twin Turbo as the basis for the second generation S7-R. Still powered by the naturally aspirated engine, it remained competitive for several more seasons. Among the most notable successes was a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010, when, ironically, series production had already ceased.
Towards the end of the 2010s, Steve Saleen had secured additional funding courtesy of a partnership with Chinese company Jiangsu Secco Automobile. This enabled him to create a further development of the S7. Celebrating the 2010 class win, it was dubbed the S7 LM. Instead of building brand new cars, Saleen offered the package as an upgrade for existing twin turbo cars. The LM package included a wind-tunnel honed body with a full-width wing, side skirts and under body channels. Crucially, the engine was also re-tuned, initially raising the power output to 1,300 bhp. Further work was done and by 2019, the S7 LM was rated at a startling 1,500 bhp using racing fuel. Saleen claimed a top speed of 480 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of just 2.2 seconds.
At the time of writing, it is believed that seven Saleen S7s have been upgraded to the LM package. Page 1 of 1
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S7-LM
Launched in the summer of 2000, the S7 was the first standalone model created by Steve Saleen. Only the fifth mid-engined American production car, it was designed by Phil Frank and developed together with Ray Mallock Ltd. (RML) in the UK. The S7 derived its name from the seven-litre, small-block V8 fitted between the cockpit and the rear axle. Initially naturally aspirated, the Ford Windsor derived engine was also available with twin turbochargers from 2005 onwards. Production lasted through to 2009 with Saleen again focusing the altogether more lucrative enhancing of existing Ford products.