Saleen Ford F-150 S331 Sport Truck, 2006

 

•  Saleen Ford F-150 S331 Sport Truck, 2006

Saleen the premier manufacturer of limited edition, high-performance vehicles, today marked a new paradigm in sport truck performance with its debut of the pre-production Supercharged Saleen Sport Truck S331, at the LA Auto Show.

Steve Saleen, president and CEO of Saleen, said, "We set out to produce the perfect high performance truck. The Saleen Sport Truck integrates higher horsepower, superior suspension, and aggressive styling with the best in functionality. Our sport trucks are the perfect answers for individuals whose lifestyles take them from the beach to the mountains to the country club, all in a day. They are also the perfect sport trucks for individuals who are passionate about what they drive - they're for individuals who require sports-car-like handling and performance, yet whose lives require the utility of a pick-up truck. These Saleen Sport Trucks are exceptionally versatile high performance vehicles."

Both Saleen Sport Truck models start in the Super Cab style and will feature a 5.4L, 3-valve SOHC V-8 engine, and are scheduled to be available at certified Saleen dealers in July as 2007 models.

Haulin' Attitude
The Saleen Supercharged Sport Truck packs a punch at 450 bhp @ 5200 RPM, and with 500 lb-ft of torque @ 4000 RPM which is due in part to the unique, patented, high-flow Saleen Series VI integrated twin-screw supercharger. Here, air is compressed through the twin screws and then runs through the dual-stage, water-to-air intercooler, which reduces the intake air temperature. With this cool, dense air, the Saleen Powerflash™ performance calibration system radically increases the power and performance.

In recognizing the trend of consumers wanting more choices, the Saleen Sport Truck will be offered as a normally aspirated, 3-Valve Sport Truck, which offers 325 bhp @ 5000 RPM, and with 400 lb-ft of torque at 4000 RPM.

Sounds Like Thunder
Every thought has gone into taking the Saleen Sport Trucks' performance to the extreme. Both the 3-Valve and Supercharged trucks are equipped with a unique integrated Saleen exhaust system with twin side pipes, which produce a unique appearance that enhances power, performance, and sound. Because of the increased horsepower and distinguishable Saleen sound, the engineers at Saleen have affectionately named the truck, "Thunder."

Saleen Racecraft Suspension
Designed to raise handling to new levels, Saleen Sport Trucks are equipped with Saleen Racecraft suspension. The front systems include N2 struts with linear-rate coil-over springs, a tubular anti-roll stabilizing bar and urethane pivot bushings throughout. Because it's all about performance, calibrations are specifically set to a high-performance level.

The rear Saleen Racecraft suspension consists of a live axle, leaf springs and N2 shocks. The overall Saleen suspension system reduces load transfer which improves handling under braking and hard cornering.

The truck's overall styling is complete with front and rear Saleen seven spoke, 23" forged wheels, on high-performance BFG 305/40 series tires. For responsive braking the Saleen Sport Truck comes equipped with power assisted 4-wheel ABS brakes. The front brakes have 15.0" slotted and vented disks with Saleen ABS 6-piston calipers, while the rear brakes are 13.7".

In total, the Saleen Racecraft suspension elevates performance without sacrificing the quality of the truck's ride, its load, or towing capacity.

A Real Looker
Great aerodynamics and exceptional styling are engineering feats that have been Saleen hallmarks for decades, and the aero and styling of the Saleen Sport Trucks are truly exceptional. The Saleen Sport Trucks' superior aerodynamics come from specially designed injection molded components made from Thermoplastic Olefins (TPO), built to withstand the demands of the truck. All Saleen front and rear fascias, side skirts are uniquely Saleen - built to be rugged and durable, yet stylish and performance enhancing.

The stylish Saleen front grille is also designed for improved aerodynamics. The Supercharged Saleen Sport Truck integrates a unique hood with exhaust venting grille. The Saleen Sport Truck also has side fender vents, rear spoiler, and attractive tailgate panel.

Interior Design
No longer just for utilitarian uses, the racing-derived, totally upgraded interior of the Saleen Sport Truck has double-stitched leather sport seating throughout. The exclusive interior also incorporates a jewel-like instrument panel, featuring a twin-gauge pod display, integrated silver panels and bezels, double-stitched leather console armrest, and Saleen race-style pedals.

Raising the bar, Saleen begin offering a number of Saleen Sport Truck options. These options further enable owners to uniquely personalize their Saleen Sport Trucks. Some of the Saleen options that will be available include: HID headlamps, bedliners, tonneaus, tow packages, motorcycle, bike and gun racks, sound and entertainment systems, GPS, ski racks, and heavy-duty toolbox, and as you'd expect, there will be nothing standard about the Saleen options.

Timeline
The 2007 Saleen Sport Truck is scheduled to be in full-scale production in both Irvine, California and Troy, Michigan facilities in July 2006, and will run true to the manufacturer's pedigree, which has been standard with every Saleen S281 Mustang and S7 supercar.

Each Saleen Sport Truck is fully-certified and carries a 3-year, 36,000 mile warranty through Saleen, and also possess the Saleen production bumper number, as well as an interior dash plaque.

Pricing
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 3-Valve Saleen Sport Truck with standard equipment is expected to start in the high $30,000's, and the Supercharged version is expected to start in the high $40,000's.

Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, 2005

Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, 2005

Saleen knows all about power. As in S281 Mustangs, N2O Focuses and the S7, America's first (and still the only) mid-engine exotic supercar. When it went on sale in 2002, the S7 was the only street-legal car in the U.S. with more than 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The media and S7 owners have raved about the car since it first smoked the rear tires in anger. And it has been recognized by numerous automotive magazines as the fastest production car in the world.

But during the past three years the automobile marketplace has witnessed an explosion of performance with models from manufacturers including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Chevrolet touting power numbers above the once magic 500 level.

What's New for 2005
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.
Interior
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.

Saleen S7, 2002

Saleen S7, 2002

The Saleen S7 is a high-performance sports car that was jointly designed by RML and Saleen, Incorporated and is currently being built at Saleen's headquarters factory in Irvine, California. It is constructed with a unique hybrid of a steel spaceframe and aluminum honeycomb panels encased with autoclave-cured carbon fiber bodywork. Engineering of the unique engine that is used in the S7 was headed by Billy Tally, Saleen's current Vice President of Advanced Engineering.


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
* 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