Revealed ahead of the 2009 SEMA Show and then officially debuting at the aftermarket expo, it seems as though with all the hundreds of modified Camaros to cover, Saleen’s latest project flew under the radar. To remedy that, we thought we’d look back and give an update now that the new Saleen (Saleen Performance Vehicles) has released complete details on its 2010 S281 model.

The car features a Saleen Series VI.5 twin-screw supercharger and dual-stage intercooler mated to the factory 4.6-liter V8 engine to produce 485 hp and 460 ft-lbs of torque. All S281 models also feature a limited-slip differential. Additional modifications include a lowered suspension with new springs and shocks/struts, a sway bar, 7-spoke 20-inch wheels with Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires, a custom interior and aerodynamics kit.

“Our goal was to create the most visually enticing American sports car ever,” said David Byron, design director at Saleen Performance Vehicles. “Ford provided the perfect launching pad with the 2010 Mustang, which allowed our team to create a car that’s world class and authentically Saleen. We painstakingly toiled over every bend and break in the body and every stitch and fold in the interior.”

“For more than 25 years the Saleen name has stood for excellence in design, engineering, and driving dynamics,” said Mike Shields, CEO of Saleen Performance Vehicles. “The new S281 is an excellent example of what those words mean when we craft concepts into real cars. Our team has done a terrific job; I’mproud of them and proud to be offering this car to our customers.”

GALLERY: 2010 Saleen S281

See more details on the 2010 Saleen S281 after the jump:

Over the past year or so Steve Saleen’s new project, SMS Supercars has released high performance versions of the Camaro, Mustang and Challenger. This week at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show, SMS announces the introduction of SMS Superparts, a division of the company that will sell the parts individually through a distribution network.

“We are excited to launch our newest addition to the SMS Supercars family right here at SEMA, where it all happens,” said Steve Salleen. “To have a strictly SMS Superparts display was a conscious choice on my part. I wanted to underline the importance of the aftermarket business, the passion of the enthusiasts and the true Steve Saleen fans.”

Saleen also included a second announcement, the introduction of the SMS 296 supercharger for the 2005-10 Mustang. This new blower is expected to produce output of 475-hp, with higher output packages reaching all the way to 650-hp.

For photos of the new SMS 296 Supercharger installed on a 2010 Mustang, as well as a Sour Grape Green 2010 SMS 570X Challenger, check out the gallery below.

GALLERY: SMS Superparts Cars at SEMA

Official release after the jump:

There was no doubt that the focus of Ford’s SEMA Show booth was the all-new 2010 Mustang, with a total of nine modified Stangs, plus the all-new Cobra Jet model. Ford originally scheduled eight cars, but it looks like Galpin Auto Sports snuck in a second entry. The cars were built by tuner shops, race shops and even in-house, with most of the cars featuring parts available to the public – rather than one-off custom items made just for the SEMA Show. After all, the Mustang continues to be the most popular car to modify in the world.

First up is the 3dCarbon Mustang, which recreates the “Boy Racer” Mustang that the shop first built back in 2005, based on the previous generation car. Bright red with white stripes, this car takes take the Stang’s classic lines and add some wild sport compact-themed aerodynamics. Still, in person it was somewhat underwhelming. What is more impressive, however, are the rest of the car’s modifications with a complete Steeda suspension setup, a Brembo brake upgrade and NC Forged three-piece 22-inch wheels.

The only convertible of the bunch is from Galpin Auto Sports and as much as we mocked the Ford Vehicle Personalization Mustang when we first heard of this lineup of cars for SEMA, the Galpin car is our new whipping boy. It’s not all bad, with a pretty aggressive widebody conversion although as much as we like the wheels (a set of massive Forgiato rollers), they just don’t seem right on a Stang. The real travesty, however, is out back where an overly ornate rear diffuser just makes us nauseous. Under the hood there are 550 ponies thanks to a Ford Racing super pack, and as silly as those wheels might look, the rear 345 tires will be needed with all that power.

For more on Ford’s 2009 SEMA Show Mustangs and galleries of each car, follow the jump:

The truck isn’t even for sale yet, but Ford shipped one of its new Super Duty pickups to tool maker DeWALT, to build a custom work vehicle for the 2009 SEMA Show.  The simply massive truck gets special items like a winch, special cargo compartments on the outside of the truck’s bed and even a small crane designed to move heavy cargo (like a generator) into and out of the bed.

In looks more like something that might be in a Transformers movie – which makes it a perfect fit for the SEMA Show.

Along with all these custom goodies, the DeWALT concept also gets everything that will make the 2011 Super Duty the leader in the big truck class, including an all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 with a new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission with Ford’s SelectShift function so drivers can choose gears just like on a manual transmission. This new tranny also gets a Tow Haul option with integrated engine exhaust braking.

Another amazing feature is what Ford calls Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off), which allows auxiliary equipment like snowplows or salt spreaders to be powered through the transmission. Ford is the first company to bring this technology over from agricultural machines.

Of course, the Super Duty will also get a long list of Ford’s impressive truck technology, like Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Sway Control, Trailer Brake Control and, of course, Ford’s AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control.

In addition Ford will offer it’s exclusive Ford World Solutions program which now comes with a 4.2-inch LCD screen between the truck’s gauges, which will display relevant information to the driver about things like fuel-economy or the status of the fifth wheel hook-up.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Super Duty DeWALT Contractor Concept

Prior to its official SEMA Show debut, several photos of the Saleen S281 version of the 2010 Mustang have leaked onto the net. With all the controversy surrounding the Saleen brand as of late, it’s no surprise that this pony car won’t be displayed along with the stable of Stangs at Ford’s booth. Then again, with the Saleen name still carrying a lot of cache, the Mustang tuner doesn’t exactly need to piggy-back.

The S281 2010 Mustang is (arguably) the first full package to come from the new Saleen Performance Vehicles company. Several months back the “new Saleen” did roll out a 435S model, but in many ways it was more a collection of parts than a fully thought out vehicle. Even the company admitted that the 435S was more of a budget-minded performance vehicle.

As for the S281, it promises much more and we have to say the exterior styling is impressive – although we’ll take ours without the rear quarter window covers.

And as for the rest of the package, that info didn’t leak out with the pics, so we’ll have to wait for SEMA to find out more.

Be sure to check back for AutoGuide’s 2009 SEMA Show coverage starting November 3rd.

GALLERY: 2010 Saleen S281 Mustang

[Source: TheMustangSource]

Mid-sized sedans aren’t exactly the type of vehicle that spring to mind when you think of the SEMA Show, but Ford will be presenting three versions of its impressive new family car in Las Vegas next week. Each of the three vehicles represents a different part of the Fusion’s spectrum, with a hybrid offering, a high volume four-cylinder model and a powerful V6 Sport model.

Seemingly the least exciting, the 4-cylinder Fusion might just be the opposite. The Ford Fusion T4 by MRT (pictured above) gets a turbocharger to help pump out a lot more power, but still retains a reasonable level of fuel economy – along the lines of Ford’s own EcoBoost setup. MRT estimates the car should make anywhere from 275 to 300-hp. Other modifications include an intercooler, a special exhaust system, an H&R Springs suspension setup and a set of 20-inch wheels.

For a more dedicated approach to fuel economy (performance be damned) the folks at MJ Enterprises modified the Fusion Hybrid. The car is now even greener thanks to: a reduced body weight (with lighter products); a more aerodynamic body; heat-reflective paint and the removal of petroleum-based products.

Finally, Ford will showcase the efforts of Aaron Vaccar Signature Series, and owner Aaron Vaccar. This 3.5-liter V6 Fusion also gets a turbocharger for what will no doubt be an SHO matching amount of power.

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

GALLERY: Ford Fusion Show Cars for SEMA 2009

Official release after the jump:

Along with a simply massive display of 2010 Mustangs for this year’s SEMA Show, Ford will showcase the tuning expertise of four shops (and one in-house project) that have chosen the F-150 as their vehicle of choice. And just as the Mustang is the most customized overall vehicle in the $31.8 billion aftermarket industry, the F-Series of pickups is the most popular pickup to modify.

“The F-150 is the ultimate all-around ‘do everything’ truck, and it is available in 10 different distinct versions, everything from an XL work truck to a Platinum luxury edition to the latest edition – the SVT Raptor – for the ultimate off-road experience,” said Mark Grueber, Ford F-150 marketing manager. “People can personalize the F-150 to meet any need and do just about anything with it.”

Ford’s SEMA Design Manager Melvin Betancourt agrees and says much of the F-150’s success with tuners is due to its broad appeal. “Some people use the F-150 as a work truck. For others, it’s a luxury truck,” he said. “And everyone is always looking to create something that’s new that no one else has ever seen.”

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

See the full list of custom F-150 trucks after the jump:

The 2010 Mustang is here and its only fitting that the most customized car in the world will be the focus of attention at the 2009 SEMA Show. Ford will have eight Mustangs, modified by tuning and race shops on display. Plus, there are certain to be  numerous others at the show. Tuners like 3dCarbon and Galpin Auto Sports will showcase their creative sides, using the 2010 Mustang, while dedicated performance shops like Steeda Autosports and Paul’s High Performance will cater more to the performance traditionalists, focusing on making power and putting it to the ground.

Ford is also using the show to promote its 2010 Mustang Customizer, where alread one million people have visited to create their own custom Stang. Make your’s here:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/the2010mustang/

For a full list of the 2009 SEMA Show Mustangs, see after the jump:

Ford has once again reached out to resto-mod tuner shop Mobsteel to build a display car for the SEMA Show that kicks off next week. Specializing in rebuilding 1960s Lincoln Continentals, Ford noticed two of these cars at SEMA a few years back and had the Mobsteel crew build a custom Ford Flex for last year’s show. That car also won two awards at the show.

This year, Ford is (apparently) putting the focus on the high-powered Taurus and we can only hope Mobsteel’s SHO is as serious as the Lincolns they build.

The car will feature a modified body with a new front and rear end, as well as new side skirts. In addition, all the vehicle’s chrome has been removed and replaced with more subtle brushed aluminum. Shop owner Adam Genei says he liked the look of the new Taurus and that its design doesn’t require as much modification as the Flex did. Genei also said that once the vehicle is completed it will still have a, “certain level of sophistication,” which is rare for the often overdone SEMA show cars.

Along with the shop’s custom work, Mobsteel is working with several other companies (including Pirelli, MagnaFlow and Super Chips) to build the SHO.

We’ll be sure to bring you coverage of the car, as well as the other SEMA SHOw cars starting November 3rd.

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

[Source: LivingstonDaily]

I Legacy, the company responsible for the Lee Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang has just announced pricing o the completely custom pony car and it’s not easy to swallow. The coachbuilt creation, named after the man who first introduced the world to the Mustang 45 years ago, will start at $89,950 – more than even the Mustang GT500KR. And for the record, that price does not include the Ford Racing supercharger, which pums up the power to 400hp.

What the Iacocca Mustang offers is exclusivity, not just through its design but due to its rarity, with just 45 of the cars being built.

“The Iacocca Mustang embodies all the elements of a car that will be a future collectible,” said Keith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market magazine. “It is stunning in appearance, will be built in limited numbers and has top-flight performance. Further, given its true custom-built nature, it is being offered at a very reasonable price.”

The car sits lower than stock and has a completely redesigned front end with a slanted grille and recessed headlights. The wheels are 20-inch Iacocca Design models with center caps that feature a bold “I” in the middle. Other markings, including an Iacocca Design hood badge and Iacocca lettering on the rear, will help distinguish this car as a rarity – as will the special Iacocca silver paint.

Inside the choachwork continues with special leather seats, a new leather wrapped steering wheel with an “I” badge, Iacocca-lettering on the door sills and a numbered dash plaque.

As for performance, the 45 cars will be outfitted with a Ford Racing handling package and optional 14-inch Ford Racing brakes.

The Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang is offered exclusively through Galpin Ford.

GALLERY: Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang

Official release after the jump: