Saleen H302SC + S302 Extreme

(from Saleen Press Release)

[QUOTE][CENTER][B]Saleen pays homage to legendary mustangs with Heritage product line[/B][/CENTER]


• Two Heritage models boasting ‘Saleen built’ engines honor Mustang heritage
• H302 produces 390HP and is currently in production H302SC produces 580HP with production starting mid-December
• Heritage line vehicles represent a new interpretation of the Saleen Aesthetic

Irvine, CA (November 13, 2007) – Today at the retired El Toro Marine base Saleen Automotive took the wraps off of its 2008 MY product to show the world why Saleen is and will continue to be America’s premiere niche vehicle manufacturer. Among the new ’08 MY products is a model line that has been coded H and features two new vehicles, the H302 and the H302SC. The ‘H’ designator signifies Heritage say’s Marques McCammon, General Manager of Saleen Automotive. “These models honor some of the great heritage of the Mustang in a way that is uniquely Saleen.”
The H line draws its inspiration from the late sixties Boss 302 Mustang and is a real compliment to the Ford family Heritage,” says Saleen Vice Chairman and Chief Technical Officer, Chris Theodore.

[B]The Hardware[/B]

Both vehicles feature an all new, Saleen built, 302 cubic inch engine that represents a marriage of race technology and production performance engineering. The evidence of this fact can be found in the hardware comprising the engine. Saleen started with 5 axis CNC ported cylinder heads, and then added a new forged crankshaft, forged connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, performance crankshafts, and high flow fuel injectors. The result is a 390 hp engine that provides the heart of the new H302. “The 302 engine is the best engine that we have ever done,” states Rob Simons, Saleen Powertrain Lead.

If the H302 has not harnessed enough horses for your taste, the engineering team at Saleen has added their patented twin-screw intercooled supercharger to serve as the core for the H302SC giving it a pavement pounding 580Hp and 525 lb-ft of torque. This engine when married to a smooth shifting, short throw, six speed manual transmission, gives the H302SC a performance profile comparable to any contemporary exotic but in a way that is truly American.

As with every Saleen, the new H line vehicles are more than just powertrains. Both vehicles feature custom Saleen Racecraft suspensions tuned specifically to the vehicles weight and horsepower profiles. The result is responsiveness and stability. “Many companies simply throw horsepower at a vehicle without adequate consideration to making the power usable. We look to find balance. That is the difference between Saleen as a manufacturer and the typical aftermarket tuner,” says Theodore.
Stopping power for the H302SC is delivered by standard 14” front vented slotted, rotors grabbed by 6 piston calipers. Control is augmented by the 4 wheel ABS and brake assisted traction control. Lateral stability is enhanced by a Generation 2 Watts Link system that is an option on the H302, and standard on the H302SC. Grip is provided by Pirelli wrapped 19” Forged aluminum Alloy wheels that are available in painted silver or chrome. On the H302SC customers can opt up for a 19” 7 spoke painted forged wheel. “The market has not driven a Saleen like our new Heritage line. They have great throttle response, they shift smoothly and they carve through the corners,” says Chassis and Dynamics Engineering Lead, Derk Hartland.

[B]Styling and Design[/B]

As with all Saleen vehicles the H line leaves nothing to be desired from a styling perspective. The H302 features eye popping aesthetics like the new front and rear fascias, rockers and heritage spoiler. The exterior package is rounded out by the matte black body graphics and the shaker hood which is featured on the H302. The supercharged model features a power bulge aluminum hood with functional cooling vents bringing function to form. On the inside, the unique seat trim features stone gray Alcantara accents and a laser etched shift knob.

[B]Production and pricing[/B]

The H302 began production in October and the H302SC is slated to begin production in early December. The naturally aspirated H302 production will be limited to 500 units and the supercharged car will be more exclusive at only 200 units. Both the H302 and the H302SC feature a manufacturer’s bumper to bumper warranty; 3 years and 36000 miles on the H302 and 12 months and 12,000 miles on the H302SC. “We tried to make sure that we kept the vehicles attainable while maintaining their exclusivity,” says McCammon. The base price of the H302 is set at $56,999 with the H302SC slightly higher at $74,999.

“Customers will be delighted with the Heritage line and all the new Saleen products. They will be delighted because we are committing ourselves to surpassing their expectations. It is a new day at Saleen Automotive. It’s something that we call the Reawakening and the principle is simple. Give more than you promise,” comments, Saleen Inc President and CEO, Paul Wilbur.

[B]ABOUT SALEEN[/B]

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[/QUOTE]

[B][I]
Specs:[/I][/B]
Price = $74,999
Engine = 4.9 liter V8
Aspiration = supercharger & intercooler
Torque = 525 lb-ft
HP = 580 hp
HP/Liter = 118.4 hp per liter

[SIZE="1"]Saleen H302SC #1[/SIZE]

(from Saleen Press Release)

[QUOTE][B][CENTER]Saleen put the E in Extreme with the 2008 S302E[/CENTER][/B]

• 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.”

[B]The hardware and engineering[/B]

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.

[B]The strategy[/B]

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.

[B]Production and pricing[/B]

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.

[B]ABOUT SALEEN[/B]

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.[/QUOTE]

[I][B]specs:[/B][/I]
Price = $79,995
Engine = 4.9 liter V8
Aspiration = supercharger & intercooler
Torque = 600 lb-ft
HP = 620 hp
HP/Liter = 126.5 hp per liter
1/4 mile = under 12 seconds
0-62 mph = under 4 seconds

[SIZE="1"]Saleen S302 Extreme #1[/SIZE]

Yay another Mustang.

Im sick of making new threads for mustangs, hence the two mustangs in a thread.

looks pretty good. there is one major mustang model they haven't released yet, though.
a RHD one

hawt... extremely

EDIT: calls for a kickin new avatar

very nice cars

look at the 5th picture in the 2nd post. the rear of the car resembles the rear os the S7 but with square rear headlights.
there are too many mustangs out there but these are really impressive