A closer look at Jarred Williams’ 2003 S281 Extreme #15.
2003 Saleen S281E
2003 S281E #15 manufactured in Irvine, CA
4.6 2V 445 HP Engine
Supercharged 6-Spd
Zinc Yellow
10,700 miles
Options
3.73:1 Gears
+ Extreme Options
Production
1 of 14 S281E vehicles
1 of 4 S281E coupes
1 of 1 S281E coupes in Zinc Yellow
Modifications
Cobra Tank
Focus Pumps
Kenne Bell Boost-a-pump
Siemens 60lb Injectors
SCT 90MM Mass Air Meter
Chicane Sport Intercooler
Bassani X-pipe
3.73 Gears
Raptor Shift-light
*** Editor’s Note *** Shorty after Campbell Ford finished rebuilding 08-0025E, we were asked to remove all discussion and photo evidence of this episode. Most material was lost through time.
IRVINE, CA — September 19, 2008 — SOEC/Saleen Forums News — Saleen’s 2009 lineup is getting a new limited edition Heritage-based “Dark Horse” model, and it’s promising to gallop its way to Southern California next week.
This new moniker will feature traditionally aggressive Saleen Heritage designs, including the new SuperShaker intake. Said to produce 620-horsepower and 600 pounds-feet of torque, the stout 302 should be able to breathe effortlessly with its shaker hood.
The Dark Horse will also feature unique interior stylings, and will be produced in a limited edition of only 25. Be sure to check back late next week for photos and details.
IRVINE, CA — August 14, 2008 — On the eve of a second Racecraft model launch and amidst a wave of rumors about the company’s viability due to recent auctions at its California and Michigan facilities, Saleen Inc. gives SOEC members a sneak peek at its 2009 Saleen lineup. This year includes fewer, but more upscale offerings than in 2008, surely in part due to the abbreviated production year for 2009, a mere 8 or 9 months, as the 2010 Mustang is due out from Ford in March.
“The campaign for the year is titled ‘the Pinnacle,’ as we intend to solidify Saleen’s position as the leader in exclusive performance vehicles,” says Marques McCammon, General manager at Saleen Automotive. “My vision is to move the brand up with more exclusivity in every model, [with] fewer, more substantive offerings.”
For 2009, Saleen introduces a new wheel, some new exterior details, and each model will have its own interior treatment; e.g., a 281 Supercharged will be visually different from a S302 Supercharged, and the S302E would be different still.
In addition to a offering a unique interior, the new S302 Supercharged will also be offering 580-horsepower in S-line dress.
A reduced number of H-line models for 2009 will be two special editions, including a continuation of the Gurney and a super Saleen that that is nicknamed the “WM” — while we don’t know yet what “WM” stands for, we’re sure to find out soon enough.
More details on the 2009 Saleen lineup will be made available as each model is officially launched.
As part of Saleen’s Woodward Dream Cruise festivities on August 15, expect to see a much-rumored RaceCraft Focus unveiled, to join the 420 S Mustang unveiled at Mustang Week in South Carolina last month. RaceCraft models, unlike their serial-numbered brethren, will be made available to all Ford dealers.
SOEC, founded in 1991, is the premiere organization for Saleen owners and enthusiasts, with thousands of members worldwide.
Saleen will offer a commemorative 25th-anniversary Mustang as its first product of the post-Steve Saleen era. The 25th Anniversary Sterling Edition Ford Mustang S302E has a supercharged, 5.0-liter, 620-hp, 600-lb-ft V8, plus custom 20-inch wheels, special suspension and brakes, 25th-anniversary interior and exterior badging and a parts catalog’s worth of extras.
It costs $100,000- if you can get one. Only 25 will be built, with deliveries beginning in March. Owners get a first-class trip to Troy, Michigan, for an executive-guided tour of the plant (where Dodge Vipers are painted and Ford GTs were built), a Saleen leather jacket, a custom car cover and a photo album documenting the car’s build.
Company founder Steve Saleen resigned last year (“Saleen Minus Saleen,” AW, May 28, 2007). Investment firm Hancock Park Associates bought it in 2003. HPA added Michigan-based American Specialty Cars to its stable in 2007 and merged the two specialty manufacturers.
DETROIT, MI (Jan. 17, 2008) – The phrase “Saving the best for last” just got an exclamation point. Just when it appeared all the North American International Auto Show reveals were complete, Saleen Automotive unveiled its 25th Anniversary Sterling Edition Ford Mustang.
“At Saleen, automotive passion is more than a catch phrase, it is a lifestyle,” said Saleen General Manager, Marques McCammon. “Showcasing our Sterling Edition Ford Mustang at today’s Sterling VIP Preview is a demonstration of the things that reflect the way our buyers live. They have a high sense of style, a love for all things performance and an affinity for the exclusive. That is the very theme of the VIP Preview event.”
The Sterling VIP Preview was a night full of announcements from Saleen. Among the more significant was the announced move of the Saleen World Headquarters from Irvine, California to Troy, Michigan. “This is a strategic move for the company,” said Saleen CEO, Paul Wilbur. “Our Troy facility has one of the most sophisticated low volume paint facilities in North America. When you combine that with the phenomenal automotive talent pool that is available in Michigan, it is a natural step.” The executive stated that Saleen will maintain an advanced engineering and administrative staff in the “Golden State” to support ongoing operations, but vision would be driven from Detroit.
No night with Saleen is complete without product and the Sterling VIP Preveiw was no exception. To commemorate 25 years of producing high performance specialty vehicles, Saleen unveiled the Sterling Edition S302E. This 25 unit limited edition version of the Saleen flagship car will deliver the patented blend of Saleen style, performance and exclusivity that can only be rivaled by Saleen’s own S7.
“The Sterling Edition S302E is the cream of the crop,” said Saleen General Manger, Marques McCammon. “Saleen is about details and we left none to chance when we created this car. From the hand painted graphics, to the 16 oz genuine sterling silver serialized dash plaque, this car has it all. This is the very definition of a 100-point car.”
Exterior
Each badge is brushed billet, milled with the 25th Anniversary wreath. The car rides on unique 20 inch forged aluminum alloy wheels with a state of the art DurabrightTM corrosion resistant coating. The hand painted gunsight exterior accent aims your attention from the rear of the car to the 25th Anniversary wreath that adorns the hood. The Saleen engineered front carbon wind splitter and rear air diffuser were designed to enhance the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The vehicles sub 4 second 0-60 performance is arrested by massive 15 inch cross-drilled vented rotors that are also unique to the “Sterling Edition”.
Interior
The interior of the car is wrapped in luxurious black Alcantara and leather, with silver accent stitching on the door inserts, dash and center console. To commemorate the 25th anniversary, a genuine sterling silver serialized medallion adorns the instrument panel. To insure that the driver can always stay connected, it includes a navigation system and iPod connector.
The car’s 620 horses are called into action at the simple push of a button by virtue of the console mounted push button starter, offered for the first time on an E car in this special edition model.
Lifestyle delivery
The “Sterling Edition” is packed with luxury and style that does not stop with the vehicle. In fact, the customer will be welcomed to the brand in a way that is genuine Saleen. “Every Sterling Edition S302E buyer will get the VIP Treatment,” says Saleen VP of Sales, Mitchell Gadd.
In an extreme lifestyle statement, Saleen announced that every buyer of the Sterling Edition will receive a first class round trip visit to the plant for a guided tour, dinner with Saleen executives, a photo album and portfolio of the car, letter of authenticity, a serialized car cover, and Saleen apparel. “Saleen is an experience and the Sterling Edition is a highlight of that experience,” said McCammon.
“We are anticipating a momentous year, beginning with our “Sterling Edition”. We are working on some very exciting projects and are prepared to deliver exceptional, innovative vehicles to the market,” said Chris Theodore, Saleen’s Vice Chairman and Chief Technical Officer.
Irvine, CA (November 14, 2007) – Saleen Automotive, North America’s premiere specialty vehicle manufacturer announces it’s very aggressive 2008 MY product line up. The “Extreme”, along with 6 other models in Saleen’s 2008 model line up, made its world debut on the runways of the retired El Toro Airport in Southern California.
The S302E raises the bar for American performance cars while never sacrificing style and control. New for 2008, the car affectionately known as the “Extreme” boasts a “Saleen built” 302 cubic inch engine augmented by a patented Saleen twin-screw, intercooled supercharger. The combination delivers an unprecedented 620 Hp and 600 lb-ft of neck snapping, tire incinerating torque.
“We believe that we are in the process of creating a legendary new car. It’s thrilling” says Saleen President and CEO, Paul Wilbur. “It seemed to make sense that as we go into our 25th Anniversary as a manufacturer in North America that we make our best and most powerful car yet.”
THE HARDWARE AND ENGINEERING
In the automotive history books, all great cars incorporate great hardware – the S302E is no different. The new “Extreme” features a litany of high quality performance parts that are a direct reflection of the companies’ race engineering heritage, combined with the best thinking in automotive OEM performance engineering.
The unique motor in the “Extreme” features a forged crank, forged connecting rods, individually blueprinted pistons, a 5 axis CNC aluminum cylinder head, high flow fuel injectors and high performance forged camshafts. All of these components have been orchestrated to mesh masterfully together, coupled to our best-in-class patented Saleen twin screw supercharger. When married to a short throw 6 speed manual transmission and a Max-grip rear differential, the “Extreme” screams to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds and clicks through the quarter mile in just under 12 seconds.
“This place represents a kind of automotive “mecca” for me. We are making limited volume performance vehicles for people who really love cars, by people who really love cars. I cannot think of a better place to put my 35 years of OEM engineering history to work,” says Vice Chairman and Chief Technical Officer
Chris Theodore. Theodore is best known as being the father of the Ford GT while Vice President of Advance Product Development at Ford Motor Company. “Now I am helping build great Saleen cars in the same factory that I architected for the legendary Ford GT.’
“This is the best motor that we have ever done’, says Powertrain Engineering Lead Rob Simons. “We have really benefited from having Chris (Theodore) around. He brings perspective and experience to the company unlike anything that we have known prior.”
To get that kind of performance, the team had to get S302E’s power to the ground. This is accomplished with standard 20 inch, 5 spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero ‘Russo’ tires. Since power is nothing without control, the “Extreme” also features a Saleen Racecraft suspension and an all new, second generation Watts Link system that is sure to help the driver maintain control through the corners. The chassis system is rounded out by upgraded 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control. This performance brake system features 15” vented, slotted rotors with 6 piston calipers in the front and 11.8” rear vented discs with single piston calipers in the rear.
“This was an interesting challenge for me. Everything I learned from the past on the S7 race team was put into play for this year’s production models. The result is one that I am sure that the market is going to love,” says Chassis and Dynamics Team Lead, Derk Hartland.
THE STRATEGY
Most people associate exotic performance only with European made vehicles. We are committed to make Saleen synonymous with the best breeds in the world, and to do so from a perspective that is fundamentally American.
Saleen has accomplished that in racing with the S7, and we like to think that the S7 has helped establish our pedigree. We are now taking that experience and making it slightly more attainable in a way that is sure to surprise our customers. That is the goal of the “Extreme” and the foundation of a plan that we call the Reawakening of Saleen.
The Reawakening of Saleen is a focus on the fundamentals of the enthusiast customer, led by a solid commitment to great products. The strategy of the reawakening is a simple one…under promise and over deliver. That is what you will find in the “Extreme”, and that is what you should expect from Saleen moving forward.
PRODUCTION AND PRICING
The new S302 E is slated to begin production in early December with advanced orders being accepted as early as November 16th.
“Unlike past Extreme models, the customer for the 2008 Extreme can expect to have their car built within days of placing an order,” says Marques McCammon, General Manager of Saleen Automotive. However, the 2008 Extreme production will be very limited to only a select number of enthusiasts and will retail for $79,995. “We are confident that our buyers will be very hard pressed to find another vehicle with this performance, this level of balance, and a factory warranty for this price, says McCammon.
Power in the hands of a few! That pretty much says it all. We will make great, powerful automobiles that will be available to a select few individuals. We are not trying to make volume vehicles for the masses and we recognize the difference.
“Make no mistake, we manufacture dreams. That is what Saleen has always done and that is what we will continue to do,” says Paul Wilbur, Saleen President and CEO.