Many car enthusiasts would argue that perhaps the only true supercar to have ever been made in America was the Saleen S7.

This carbon-fibered, mid-engined rocket ship was not only a very capable street car, but was also a very successful racing car, winning many races in the FIA GT Championship, not to mention impressive results at the Sebring 12-hour race and at the LeMans 24-hour race.

There truly has been no American car to have accomplished what this car did in its short life time, so what many had been wondering is, will there be a sequel?

Back in 2008, Saleen had shown its next supercar, and it was called the S5S Raptor(shown above). This was a lighter and smaller car than the S7, and would have been priced at a more accessible level so it could compete with cars like the Ferrari F430, rather than going head-to-head with the $1-million Enzo.

However, there was trouble brewing over at Saleen. Steve Saleen, the man who started the company and built its reputation was forced out by its new partners, so the company that bared his name was no longer being run by him.

Not the type to stand still, Mr. Saleen started a new company called SMS Supercars, and started from scratch, but rather than just modify the Ford Mustang (which is what he based most of his Saleen business on), this time he modified the Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger too.

While he could have been content running his new business, he wanted to win the rights to his name back and started a legal case to that effect. Just earlier this year, he got what he worked for. Mr. Saleen is back in control of the Saleen brand, and now he is talking about producing another supercar.

In a recent interview, Saleen mentioned that he is still “planning on doing something like that (S5S).” While he wouldn’t reveal much detail about his new supercar, he did say that when it arrives, it’ll probably have a new name.

Saleen will make a formal announcement regarding its future plans within the next three months, so we will have to wait and see what he has in store for us.

With his impressive reputation, we are sure his next supercar will be every bit as exciting as the S7. Can’t wait.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Fans of the original Transformers movie now have the opportunity to own the original Barricade Saleen Ford Mustang from the 2007 Hollywood blockbuster.

But that’s not all. The eBay auction is throwing in a “two for one deal” with a 2006 Ford Mustang GT designed to be like Bumblebee…except it’s not a Chevy Camaro. With the starting bid at $105,000 though, it’s not exactly a two for one. But given that the infamous “To Punish and Enslave” Barricade Mustang sold for $100,000 to Jim Ortte (who is selling it now) some could see the Bumblebee-themed GT as an added bonus.

Barricade was originally designed by Hasbro for Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg for the original Transformers movie, starting life off as a base 2005 Mustang GT before Steve Saleen converted it to a 2008 prototype. It is recognized by Saleen as one of the only non-serial numbered Saleen vehicles. This Barricade was one of three built for the movie and is known as camera car number 2.

Originally titled to Saleen himself, Barricade features a Jet Black exterior with Pearl White doors and is powered by a Saleen V8 engine mated to a five-speed transmission. On the outside is a Full Extreme body kit, 20-inch black Saleen wheels, carbon fiber lip and rear diffuser, Saleen gauge package, competition brakes and suspension, full Police LED light bar, front and rear strobes, specially-designed push bumper, Decepticon police badges, reflective police and 911 decals, Wilwood stunt brake line-lock kit, driver-side camera mount, underhood camera mount, and more.

The second vehicle is a custom 2006 Ford Mustang GT with a 4.6L V8 mated to an automatic transmission. It features 18-inch wheels, GPS, Yellow and Black stripes, yellow engine highlights, LED halo headlights, LED taillights, and other styling accessories.

Barricade can actually be driven so long as the included set of magnets are used to cover up the Police signage. The owner claims that Barricade functioned as a small business for him, being paid for many public appearances.

Offers are being accepted for either vehicle, or both.

GALLERY: Transformers Ford Mustangs

[Source: eBay]

Back in May 2007, Steve Saleen officially retired, but it was a short one. Less than a year later in March 2008, he found SMS Supercars and began launching his line of new vehicles.

For a while, Saleen, Inc. and SMS Supercars co-existed with no real issues – other than confusing the general public a tad – but when Saleen was sold to MJ Acquisitions in February 2009, Steve stepped in stating that the new owners didn’t have the right to use the Saleen name or brand. A few months later, Steve Saleen filed a lawsuit against them. It appears Steve Saleen has won that lawsuit or a settlement has been made.

Last year in March, Saleen Performance Vehicles announced it would stop producing Mustangs and focus on its parts line. But now Steve Saleen has reacquired the rights to use the Saleen name and SMS Supercars will be rebranded as Saleen with new vehicles being produced starting with the 2013 model year.

The SMS Super Cars website has already been rebranded with the Saleen logo.

[Source: Mustangs Daily]

Saleen Performance Vehicles announced that it will end production of their Saleen Mustang vehicles in order to focus on aftermarket parts. The final vehicle, a 2011 Saleen S302, will end a lineage that stretches back to 1983. Production will end in the third quarter of 2011.

Saleen was recognized as the last word in high performance Mustangs, with products being sold through Ford dealers and backed by a warranty. Their legendary bright paintwork and supercharged engines were the stuff of dreams for Mustang enthusiasts and we’re sad to see this era come to an end. Saleen also produced a supercar, the S7, from 2000 to 2009.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Back in 1993, Steve Saleen built a one-off Foxbody Ford Mustang for comedian and car guy Tim Allen. Dubbed the RRR ‘Casper’ it sported pearl white paint, MN12 Thunderbird front light assemblies, some trick wheels, a built driveline (including  a 576 horsepower 302 V8) and a six-point roll cage among other things.

Little has been seen or heard about the car since Allen took delivery, though now, it’s popped up for sale. The current vendor claims they’ve had the car since 1997, but it appears that this one-of-a-kind Mustang has been driven rather extensively (there’s notable wear on the steering wheel and upholstery) and wasn’t even cleaned before pictures were taken. Furthermore, it’s currently sporting standard 1993 Saleen wheels – what ever happened to the one-off phone dial style rims it originally came with?

The car is currently located in the Phoenix, Arizona area and the asking price is $85,000. That seems an awful lot for a Fox Mustang in this economic climate, even if is the RRR!

[Source: Hemmings Motor News]

The 2011 Mustang is receiving quite the attention these days thanks to a recently updated design and the new high-horsepower, fuel efficient 3.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8. With all things Ford Mustang, we knew it wouldn’t take long before Saleen SMS Supercars would produce its own version, specializing in high performance while accenting the newest Stang’s already good looks. Steve Saleen founded Saleen Autosport in 1983 and hasn’t looked back since, producing high performance, modified Mustangs with daily-driving as their main focus.

SMS Supercars is Steve Saleen’s vision of producing lifestyle performance automobiles – the complete package. From bumper to bumper, each SMS Supercar has been modified from the factory to personify its owner. Most recently is the new 302 Mustang release, carrying the 302-nomination thanks to the change in displacement for 2011′s V8.

Two versions of SMS Supercars’ 302 Mustang will be offered, one for the naturally aspirated enthusiast and one for the forced induction fan. The naturally aspirated version produces 440-hp from the factory 412-hp. Meanwhile the supercharged 302SC version will boost its way to 535-hp and 450 ft-lbs of torque.

Aesthetically the 302 Mustang receives its proprietary body kit, hood, heat-extracting grilles on the outside, while suspension upgrades gives the car a more aggressive stance on its 20-inch wheels and tires. Peeking behind the classy five-spoke wheels are SMS-branded brakes. Nowadays no custom vehicle is complete without interior upgrades. The SMS 302 Mustang sports Alcantara seats, 200-mph gauges, short-throw shifter and more.

For those that just want the nitty gritty tech specs, the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter does 0-60 mph in under 4.5 seconds while the 302SC blasts away at 4.3 seconds. Neither of these vehicles can be had without paying a premium however. The NA model is available with an MSRP of $54,990 and the 30SC sports a $64,990 price tag.

GALLERY: SMS Supercars 302 2011 Ford Mustang

The official press release is available after the break.

PRESS RELEASE

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:

PRESS RELEASE

2010 SALEEN S281: DYNAMIC IN FORM AND FUNCTION.

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Nov. 4, 2009 – Saleen Performance Vehicles today unveiled the first in its 2010 premiere line of high-performance cars, the 2010 Saleen S281. The introduction took place at the annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This is the second Saleen vehicle launched this year, following the 2010 435S introduced in August.

The S281, based on the 2010 Ford Mustang, displays a premium level of design consideration, both exterior and interior, with performance to match. It builds on the Saleen tradition of offering limited-edition, high-performance vehicles for enthusiasts who are looking for an exhilarating driving experience, with refined driveability for real-world road conditions.

“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’m proud of them and proud to be offering this car to our customers.”

The S281′s exterior design features carefully crafted sculptural detailing, with lines and forms that flow naturally and suggest suppleness, power and agility. It features an understated yet imposing grille and front fascia, and a refined treatment of the familiar Saleen extended rear fascia and trunk lid with a simple, elegant, integrated wing.

“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.”

The S281′s 4.6-liter V8 engine is equipped with a Saleen Series VI.5 twin-screw supercharger and dual-stage intercooler. It produces 485 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to the rear wheels through a short-throw, five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential with 3.73:1 final drive ratio.

The Saleen Racecraft suspension system is new, and includes specially tuned, single-rate front and rear springs; nitrogen-pressurized front struts and rear shocks with a wide range of damping adjustments; and a specially tuned front sway bar with performance pivot bushings.

The interior features new, leather sport seats with Ultra-Suede inserts, highlighted by chevron-like Ultra-Suede red tabs in the seatback bolsters, and unique treatments of the gauges, steering wheel, center console and shifter. There also are contrasting Saleen logos in the door panels, and Saleen logos in the door sill plates that illuminate when the door is opened.

Additional exterior highlights include unique, 20-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero Rosso high-performance tires, and Saleen S281 Supercharged fender badging.

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]

Saleen Performance Vehicles has released pictures of the 2010 S281 Mustang ahead of the car’s official unveiling at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.

The three  pictures, posted on Saleen’s Flickr and Facebook pages, provide a peek of the S281′s front and the rear, which a couple of Facebook commenters called an improvement on the 2010 Mustang’s original rear.

Full details will be released at the 2010 Saleen S281 Mustang’s unveiling Nov. 4 at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

We’ll be sure to bring you full details and photos from SEMA.

See AutoGuide’s live SEMA Coverage here!

Gallery: 2010 Saleen S281 Mustang

Saleen Performance Vehicles (SPV) has just released its version of the 2010 Mustang, the 435S. The release of this 435 horsepower pony car comes just days after Steve Saleen announced he is suing SPV and its owner MJ Acquisitions for using his name.

For those not up to date on the continuing Saleen saga, Steve Saleen sold his company to MJ Acquisitions roughly a year ago and then promptly went out and opened up his own pony-car tuning shop, SMS Supercars.

But back to the 435S.

SPV unveiled that car during the Special Vehicle Team (SVT) Owners Association’s annual Mustang Week event.

The “New Saleen” designed the 435S to deliver a lot of performance for a reasonable amount of money (although pricing has yet to be released).

The 435S gets its power from a Saleen Series VI twin-screw supercharger and two-stage intercooler and along with 435 horses it delivers 425 ft-lbs of torque through a five-speed manual transmission with a 3.73:1 rear end and a much-needed limited-slip differential.

To help out in the handling department the car gets a full Saleen Racecraft suspension adjustment with new shocks, a stiffer front sway bar and springs that help the car sit 1.5-inches lower than stock. A set of 18-inch wheels comes standard with both 19- and 20-inchers available.

As for the look of the car we have to say we’re impressed, as the (optional) new front splitter and rear spoiler give a race-ready look. Inside there are also a few changes with a short-shifter, Saleen logos on the headrests and new gauges that keep the Mustang’s MyColor setup.

“All in all, we believe the 435S is the right car at the right time,” said SPV CEO Mike Shields. “It’s a terrific performance value that we’re proud to offer. And this is just the first of many great Saleen vehicles we’ll be launching in the future.”

GALLERY: SPV 2010 Mustang 435S

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE:

Saleen Performance Vehicles today unveiled its first 2010 product, the Saleen 435S, based on the new 2010 Ford Mustang. The introduction took place as part of the Special Vehicle Team Owners Association’s annual “Mustang Week” event. The 435S is the first vehicle launched under Saleen’s new ownership, following the purchase of Saleen Inc. earlier this year.

This car continues the Saleen tradition of offering limited-edition, high-performance vehicles for enthusiasts who are looking for an exhilarating driving experience, with refined drivability for real-world road conditions.

The 435S is designed to provide affordable, high-value performance.

“In these difficult economic times we wanted our first vehicle to deliver a lot for an affordable price,” said Mike Shields, CEO of Saleen Performance Vehicles. “It was created much more for ‘go’ than for show. We focused on power and handling, and it’s a great platform to build on if a customer wants to take it farther later on.”

Heart of the car’s performance is its 4.6-liter, 3-valve SOHC V8 engine, complete with a Saleen Series VI twin-screw supercharger and two-stage intercooler. This engine produces a vigorous 435 horsepower and 425 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, and has a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio with limited-slip differential.

The car rides 1.5 inches lower than a Mustang GT, thanks to its Saleen Racecraft performance suspension. The system is designed to reduce body roll, provide nimble, precise handling and improve traction, while retaining the compliant ride of a good daily driver. The suspension package includes springs, a stiffer front stabilizer bar, and nitrogen-pressurized shock absorbers tuned exclusively for the 435S.

The vented brake rotors, front and rear, are slotted and cross-drilled for improved feel and stopping performance. Larger, 14-inch slotted front rotors with 4-piston calipers are available as an option.

The 435S has the Saleen-signature long, low, sleek looks and aggressive stance that have distinguished the company’s previous cars. Traditional Saleen styling cues include an understated trim panel between the taillights with “Saleen” in raised lettering, mesh covers over the fog lights in the grille, and the Saleen name and chevrons as graphic elements placed low on each side. An optional Aero Package includes a lightweight chin splitter and rear spoiler for improved aerodynamics.

Other exterior highlights include unique, 18-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels (19- and 20-inch wheels are available), and “435S” lettered on each side of the hood’s power dome.

Inside, the modifications are designed to enhance the driving experience and to express the car’s character. These include a new, short-throw shifter for quick, precise gear-changing performance, and new, driver-oriented gauges. These uniquely styled gauges retain Mustang’s MyColor™ capabilities that allow the owner to select from more than 125 custom colors for the instrument cluster. The car’s identity is highlighted by a Saleen logo embroidered on the headrests.

“All in all, we believe the 435S is the right car at the right time,” said Shields. “It’s a terrific performance value that we’re proud to offer. And this is just the first of many great Saleen vehicles we’ll be launching in the future.”

Steve Saleen to the rescue!

That’s right, Steve Saleen, the former owner of Mustang-tuner and manufacturer Saleen Inc. has announced that his new company SMS Supercars will honor the warranty on any Saleen product purchased before February 2nd, 2009. Now that’s standing behind your product!

“The ones who have been left out in the cold are the loyal customers of Saleen products,” said Steve Saleen in a statement. “While my new company, SMS Supercars, has no legal or moral obligation to take up any of the warranty claims against Saleen Inc. or MJ Acquisitions, Inc., I would like to make a bold statement on the right way to treat customers.”

The news comes roughly a month after Saleen Inc.’s new owner, MJ Acquisitions, announced that it would not support the warranties on Saleen vehicles and parts sold before the Feb. 2nd date.

We predicted in that story that the new Saleen Inc., wouldn’t be long for this world and that prophesy seems to be playing out. First MJ Acquisitions scared off all it’s customers (and infuriated the Mustang community) and now Steve Saleen has made a move that will likely see all current Saleen product owners driving their American muscle straight into his open arms.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Saleen’s new owner, MJ Acquisitions, will not be honoring any outstanding warranties on Saleen Inc. products, services, or vehicles.

That’s right, MJ Acquisitions recently sent a letter to all certified Saleen and Racecraft dealers stating that customers will have to pay for any repair costs because Saleen Inc. has ceased operations. It clearly states that, “MJ Acquisitions, Inc. is not responsible or obligated to cover warranties and/or any financial liabilities of Saleen, Inc.” The bad news applies to all Saleen products sold prior to February 2, 2009.

That’s bad news for the customers, but there is also bad news for the retailers. Saleen Inc. will also no longer be able to cover parts or labor on any vehicle with a Saleen warranty – including unsold vehicles currently sitting on showroom floors. This will certainly make those vehicles a lot harder to move.

MJ Acquisitions says in the letter that it feels sorry for the outcome and wants to reassure customers and retailers that the Saleen brand will continue.

Now, we can’t see the future, but it’s not a stretch to predict that Saleen might just fade away after this news. The Mustang community is a tight-knit one and trying to sell Saleen cars and car parts to that same customer base after this news could be damn-near impossible.

[Source: www.soec.org]