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Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Saleen announces plans to stop building vehicles by end of 2011
0 comments Posted by korekore at 12:58 PMRevstone Industries, the parent company of Saleen Performance Vehicles, announced today that it will no longer produce vehicles under the Saleen name, although it will continue to produce aftermarket parts through the Saleen Speedlab brand and honor warranties for all existing vehicles. The company cited the confusion and controversy with Steve Saleen’s company, SMS Supercars, as the main reason for stopping production of Saleen-branded vehicles.
In a letter to their customers and dealers, SPV said the following:
Over the past several years, we have witnessed a lot of confusion around the Saleen brand, due to a number of financial ups and downs and accompanying changes in ownership. The name itself has become the center of countless conversations and debates, detracting from the cars themselves, and from the culture of performance that they both embody and serve.
The statement continues…
Through our conversations with Ford Motor Company and one another, we have come to feel that those things have become overshadowed by questions surrounding the name. So we want to wipe the slate clean, and usher in a new era of American Muscle. We are confident that, in time, you will agree this was the right decision.
A representative for Saleen said that Revstone will continue to build performance Mustangs in the future, but the brand under which those vehicles will be produced is yet to be determined and will be announced at a later date.
[Source: Saleen Performance Vehicles]
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
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Wednesday, June 9, 2010
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010




It was pretty obvious to Saleen product planners during the late 1990s that horsepower and torque numbers were trending upwards, especially among the purveyors of supercars. And power figures that looked spectacular at that time might seem quite ordinary a few years down the road. So Saleen engineers have been planning for this day since they drew the first line on a computer screen for the original S7's 7-liter engine.
Engine & Drivetrain
Designed by Saleen engineers, the S7's engine and drivetrain incorporate the latest in modern racing technology. The new all-aluminum V8 engine casting was engineered and tooled by Saleen to displace seven liters. Redline is 6500 rpm. Space age materials and engineering are used throughout, including stainless steel valves, titanium retainers, beryllium exhaust valve seats, an aluminum throttle body, Saleendesigned aluminum CNC-machined cylinder heads and stainless steel exhaust system.
The four exhaust pipes from each bank of cylinders merge into a race-car-like high-efficiency collector. In addition, the exhaust incorporates dual catalysts per cylinder bank, EGR and those aforementioned twin wastegates. And because Saleen believes in power and clean air, the emission control system features dual, heated oxygen sensors per cylinder bank and a high-volume evaporative emission system along with those four catalysts. Oh, and for good measure and clean air, the system is OBD-II compliant.
A Saleen PowerFlashTM performance computer, recalibrated for 2005, handles engine management. The ignition system is integrated coil-on-plug.
A new-generation six-speed transaxle, with a unique Saleen bell housing, transfers power to the wheels. The clutch is an organic/metallic 8.0-inch, twin-plate unit with hydraulic actuation.
Chassis, Suspension & Brakes
The S7 chassis and suspension incorporate decades of Saleen's experience in racing, racecar construction and high-performance road car manufacturing. The Saleen S7 architecture begins with a space frame chassis to which honeycomb composite reinforcing is grafted. The body is structural, aerospace-quality, autoclave carbon fiber.
Suspension is via fully independent unequal-length double wishbones with coilover springs, lightweight aluminum dampers (shock absorbers) and stabilizer (anti-roll) bars front and rear. The uprights at each corner are CNC machined billet aluminum, flow-through designs that use air to help cool the bearings.
The brakes are among the largest of any production car with 15-inch vented discs up front and 14-inch vented discs at the rear.
The Saleen-designed forged alloy wheels feature center locking wheel nuts with automatic safety locks. Sizes are 19 x 9.5 inches up front and 20 x 12 inches at the rear.
Body Design
The S7's beautiful shape was "designed" by the wind. Optimal aerodynamics and top speed performance objectives were achieved with extensive wind tunnel work. Targets included a low coefficient of drag, optimum drag-to-lift ratio, and extreme down force. The S7 has "full tray" body sculpting underneath.
For the 2005 S7 Twin Turbo, the redesigned front and rear diffusers, along with the new rear spoiler, result in a 40 percent reduction in aero drag and a 60 percent increase in down force. Those of you who know anything about aero forces recognize the significance of that last statement. Typically, you would have to trade down force to reduce aero drag.
The mid-engine Saleen S7 has front and rear trunks and comes with Mulholland Brothers(R) custom-made, 3-piece, fitted luggage. In true supercar style, the doors open up and away from the body.

As much care has been given to the creature comforts of the Saleen S7 as to its performance. Great attention was given to seating position. The car features asymmetrical seating, with the driver position moved slightly more to the center than the passenger. This improves the driver's ergonomics and the side-to-side weight distribution.
To further improve driving comfort and ergonomics, the S7 Twin Turbo incorporates a revised pedal box. The clutch and throttle lever ratios pedals have been changed for lighter pedal efforts. In addition, the three pedals have been spaced farther apart without impinging upon the dead pedal.
Dual Personality
The Saleen S7 Twin Turbo was conceived to combine the performance of a track-only racecar with the driving pleasure of a road car. As a result, while the S7 would be at home on any racetrack, it is also a car that can be driven with pleasure on highways, Autobahnen and back roads.
Racing Successes
Unlike most exotic supercars, the racing version, the S7R, has already proven itself on the international motorsports stage. During the past three years, the racing version has won more than 50 poles, set fastest race lap over 50 times and has been victorious well over 40 times, winning seven GT Championships. This incredible record includes winning the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring and setting a new track record at the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Labels: Saleen
Friday, March 12, 2010



Saleen S7 race cars were sold prior to 2002, but the first Saleen S7 road car to be sold was a 2003 Lizstick Red chassis #018 that was delivered on June 6, 2002. Prior to 2005, the S7 was naturally-aspirated and produced 550 hp (410 kW). For the 2005 model year, the engine was equipped with two turbochargers and power output was increased to 750 hp (559 kW). The car was designed to be a Twin Turbo setup from the beginning, however.

The Saleen S7 has also been campaigned in racing events around the world. It has been met with some success in the IMSA's American Le Mans Series, where it competes in the GT-1 class. In all, it has won over 40 events around the globe; mostly in the American Le Mans and in the FIA GT championship. Saleen also introduced factory supported aftermarket packages for 850 and 1035bhp in early 2006. This option would add around $75,600 to the list price. In late 2006 there will be a third party top speed run for the 750bhp S7.

* Engine: OHV, Aluminum V8
* Bore & Stroke: 4.120 x 4.00 in (104.6 x 101.6 mm)
* Engine size: 7.0 L
* Power Output: 750 hp (559 kW) @ 6300 rpm
* Torque Output: 700 lbf·ft (949 N·m) @ 4800 rpm
* Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Suspension
* Front: Unequal-length double wishbones, lightweight aluminum dampers with coil-over springs, anti-roll bar
* Rear: Unequal length double wishbones, light-weight aluminum dampers with coil-over springs, anti-roll bar
Brakes
* Front: 15.0 in discs/6-pot calipers
* Rear: 14.0 in discs/6-pot calipers
Wheels
* Front: 19 in. x 9.5 in
* Back: 20 in. x 12.0 in
Tires
* Front: 275/30ZR19
* Back: 345/30ZR20
Chassis/Body
* Chassis: Lightweight 4130 Steel space frame-Aluminum Honeycomb Hybrid
* Body Panels: Carbon fiber
* Weight: 2950 lb (1250 kg)
* Ground clearance: 4.00 in (102 mm) (U.S. street-suspension configuration)
* Length: 187.95 in (4774 mm)
* Width: 78.35 in (1990 mm)
* Height: 40.98 in (1041 mm)
* Wheelbase: 106.30 in (2700 mm)
* Track (Front/Rear): 68.82 in (1748 mm) / 67.32 in (1710 mm)
* Weight distribution with one occupant: 40/60
* Fuel Tank: 19.0 US gallons (72 liters)
Performance
* Top speed: 248 mph (399 km/h)
* 0-60 mph: 2.8 seconds
Labels: Saleen