Saleen Performance, Incorporated, commonly known as Saleen, is an American manufacturer of high performance sports cars and high performance parts based in Irvine, California. The company was founded in 1983 by Steve Saleen, a former Formula Atlantic race car driver.
Saleen manufactures limited edition, high-performance vehicles. Saleen is an automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and the last American small car manufacturer bearing OEM status. Most of Saleen's vehicles are modified versions of existing mass produced sports cars such as the Ford Mustang. Saleen has produced over 8,000 modified Mustangs since its inception. It also produces modified versions of the Ford Focus and other Ford models.
Saleen's flagship car is the Saleen S7, introduced in 2000. The S7 is a mid-engine, high performance supercar that was first priced at just under US$400,000. The S7 won four different GT championships in 2001 and has broken records at the prestigious 24-Hour Le Mans race. The S7 is Saleen’s first production car not based on an existing design.
The parts and gear branch of the company markets car parts and accessories such as custom wheels, exhaust systems, brakes, and other high performance parts.
Saleen also operates a plant (Saleen Special Vehicles) in Troy, Michigan where it builds the Ford GT supercar for Ford Motor Company.
As of mid-2005, Saleen discontinued manufacture of the "Nitrous-ready" S121 Saleen N2O Focus.
Current range
The current (2006) model range consists of:
- Saleen S7 - a 575hp (559 kW) mid-engine supercar
- Saleen S7TT - A 750hp twin Turbo version of the standard S7
- Saleen S7R - a racing version of the S7, intended for races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Saleen S281 3-valve - a 330hp modified Ford Mustang
- Saleen S281 SC - a 435hp supercharged version of the S281
- Saleen S281 Extreme - a 550hp modified Mustang including a Saleen-built V8 engine replacing the Ford Engine
- Saleen S281 Scenic Roof - available in 3-valve, SC, and Extreme editions, this Mustang has a glass roof panel
- Saleen N2O Focus - a Ford Focus prepared for use with nitrous oxide systems. If the system appears to have been used, the Ford warranty is instantly voided.
- Saleen S331 - a 450hp performance truck based upon the Ford F-150
Literary and media references
- A Saleen S7 was driven by Jim Carrey (as Bruce Nolan) in the film Bruce Almighty
- A Saleen S7 appears in the 50 Cent music video Candy Shop.
- A silver Saleen S281 Speedster was Josh Hartnett’s ride in the film Hollywood Homicide
- A red Saleen S281 Extreme was featured in the film 2 Fast 2 Furious
- A Saleen S281 in police trim has been spotted on the set for the upcoming Transformers film. However, the character does not appear to be Prowl (an Autobot who traditionally takes the alternate form of a law enforcement vehicle), as the police emblems are Decepticon symbols and the motto emblazoned on it is the sinister 'To Punish And Enslave'.
- In addition to the police-themed S281, a Saleen-modified Chevrolet Camaro concept car has also been spotted on the Transformers movie set, allegedly believed to become fan-favorite Bumblebee.
- It has been rumored that a Saleen S4 may be in development.
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