Purchasers of new Saleen supercharged vehicles from existing dealer inventory will have the opportunity to attend a High Performance Driving School at Skip Barber
Program slated to run up till April 1, 2008
Troy, Michigan (February 5, 2008) – Saleen Automotive, America’s premiere automotive lifestyle brand, today announced the official kick-off it’s National “Drive Like a Pro Event”. The new program, which Saleen successfully piloted over the recent holiday season, offers consumers who purchase a new vehicle from dealer inventory the opportunity to attend the famed Skip Barber High Performance Driving School to improve their skills behind the wheel of powerful performance vehicles.
“We think that this new promotion is both fun and responsible,” says Saleen Automotive General Manager, Marques McCammon. “Our vehicles are extremely powerful and designed carefully to draw out the very best in their owners, so it is only fitting that we teach our owners how to draw the best out of their Saleen.”
The Skip Barber High Performance Driving School features a line-up of premium sports cars in a highoctane mix of racetrack, autocross, and paddock-based exercises. Working with some of the industry’s most seasoned professionals, students:
learn the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and behavior
experience vehicle slides & recoveries
practice lane-toss & accident avoidance exercises
compare the handling characteristics of front, mid, and rear-engine sports cars
complete lead-follow sessions on the race track
“Not only will new Saleen owners get to experience great instruction in learning how improve their driving skills, they will also be able to spend time on some of the greatest tracks in the U.S.” said McCammon.
“This is a great partnership for Skip Barber and Saleen” said Stu Upson, Skip Barber Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Saleen is an exceptional company and we are really excited about the opportunity to be a part of their extended family.”
The program will only be offered to purchasers of a new Saleen supercharged vehicle from a Saleen certified dealers existing inventory. The current program will initially be in effect until April 1, 2008 but will continue as long as our customers see the value in learning to “Drive Like a Pro”.
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.
12-23-07: Having founded the Saleen Locating Service back in 1991, Greg Wackett has gained an intimate understanding about the appeal of Saleen vehicles and the individuals who are drawn to them. In that same year he helped to co-found the Saleen Owners & Enthusiasts Club, www.soec.org. His inspiration and enthusiasm for this manqué dates even further back, to when Steve Saleen first introduced his unique Mustangs to the public in 1984 – an exciting new brand which brought exclusivity and performance to a handful of enthusiasts.
As more and more of these serialized vehicles were produced, it became apparent there was a need to facilitate the market of previously-owned Saleens. Greg’s passion for these vehicles inspired extended discussions with Liz Saleen, then company matriarch and director of Team Saleen. They explored ideas about how to distribute a list of available cars to those who were potentially interested in them.
It became apparent that it was important to also track the market and provide a mechanism to help establish values of used vehicles – yet Saleen had no staffing resources to provide such services. So with Saleen’s encouragement and blessing came the birth of the Saleen Locating Service. Over the years and through grassroots efforts, hundreds of these lists where either mailed, faxed or e-mailed, and have been regarded as the “must have” resource for every collector in the hobby.
The basic mission is simple: to provide an exclusive venue for Saleen enthusiasts to trade authentic Saleen vehicles, parts and collectibles, and to offer an authoritative and historical resource for vehicle specifications and other literature – a resource for Saleen enthusiasts, by Saleen enthusiasts.
But the Saleen Locating Service goes well beyond that. They were instrumental in getting the limited-production Saleen vehicles listed in the NADA Guides publications to help track and provide authoritative pricing information – an essential aspect of the collector car hobby. There is also an archive of Saleen pricing guides, press information, and other historical literature.
Having personally owned and traded well over a dozen Saleen vehicles, Greg and his wife currently own four, plus two pedal cars, it’s an understatement to say that he is passionate about this hobby. Over the years he has given hundreds of hours of his time to such effects as the Saleen/Allen RRR SPEEDLAB racing team, contributing to “The Saleen Book” by Brad Bowling and worked shows, corporate open houses and other Saleen events across the U.S.
Greg has recently announced the launch of www.saleenls.com, an online outlet of the Saleen Locating Service. Now, enthusiasts can use this online venue to pursue their own enthusiasm for everything Saleen, and to help share with new owners about what it means when they say “Power in the Hands of the Few.”
DETROIT, MI (December 12, 2007) –Saleen Automotive, America’s premier niche automotive manufacturer salutes the American military with the production of twenty-four limited edition AF (American Flag) supercharged S281 vehicles. As part of the American themed promotion, Saleen will also implement a nationwide holiday incentive program for all active military personnel.
The supercharged AF S281 celebrates our American heritage with a patriotic color pallet (8 red, 8 white, 8 blue vehicles), unique graphics package, a 465 hp supercharged engine, tuned suspension and 20 inch wheels and tires starting at $49,995.
“We wanted to take time during the holiday season to honor the men and women that serve our country at home and abroad,” said Marques McCammon, General Manager of Saleen Automotive. “Our armed forces represent the best of the American spirit and we want to honor that spirit in our vehicles.”
The program was developed when Saleen began receiving emails from soldiers returning from Iraq stating that they had purchased a Saleen to reward themselves. In keeping with Saleen’s strong American heritage, the American Flag vehicles will be dedicated to the men and women who fight for our country everyday.
The twenty-four limited edition supercharged AF S281 vehicles will begin hitting select Saleen certified dealerships nationwide the week of December 25.
In addition to the vehicle, Saleen is offering all active military personnel a holiday incentive. The program kicked off on Dec. 1 and continues through to Jan. 31, 2008. It consists of a $500 military “bonus bucks” cash rebate to be applied to any new and unused 2006 or 2007 Saleen car or truck currently in a Saleen certified dealer’s inventory. It also includes a one day voucher to the Skip Barber Performance Driving School. This program is only available to active military personnel with a valid military ID and drivers license.
“We know that our gesture is no match for the sacrifice they make on our behalf, but we want to be sure that they know we appreciate and honor them,” said Paul Wilbur, President CEO of Saleen.
ABOUT SALEEN
Since the company’s inception in 1984, Saleen has produced over 12,000 complete and EPA certified vehicles, more than any other specialty automobile manufacturer. In addition, Saleen has equipped more than 600,000 vehicles worldwide, further emphasizing their capabilities and commitment to excellence.
A nine-time Manufacturers’ Champion in GT sports car racing, Saleen manufactured the American super car — the Saleen S7, as well as the S281 Mustang, S331 Sport Truck and the Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang. Saleen’s manufacturing facilities are located in Troy, Michigan. The Michigan facility has just completed all paint and assembly of the Ford GT as a special project for Ford Motor Company and currently is providing paint and subassembly for the Dodge Viper SRT-10.
Update 01/22/2008: Photos of The Saleen Store packing up.
The Saleen Store at Spectrum Center has closed for renovation and temporarily relocated to corporate at 76 Fairbanks in Irvine. Rumor is they’re working on a new layout in the store to accommodate more parts sales staff.
Until the temporary hours are set, it might be prudent to call ahead during regular business hours if you want to come to corporate to make a purchase at 949-597-4900.
Torque.TV, the digital television network for motorheads, hit the track with legendary driver, and former Indianapolis 500 winner Danny Sullivan. “Driving with Danny” is an original series available only on Torque.TV.
New York (PRWEB) November 27, 2007
“To hit the race track with a car driven by Danny, is truly an eye opening event you won’t forget”
Torque.TV, the digital television network for motorheads, hit the track with legendary driver, and former Indianapolis 500 winner Danny Sullivan. “Driving with Danny” is an original series available only on Torque.TV.
Torque.TV heads to the scorching hot Southern California desert home of the “Fastest Track in the West–Willow Springs” so Danny can tear it up in two of the most coveted supercars in the world–an Aston Martin Vanquish and 750hp Saleen S7. Two different cars with two different missions, and Danny gives you a taste of both.
“To hit the race track with a car driven by Danny, is truly an eye opening event you won’t forget,” said Gregory Stacy, VP of programming. “We decided to buckle up our beautiful, cohost Michelle Lintel (star of SciFi Channel’s “The Black Scorpion”) and have her ride along with Danny for a true driving experience.”
“When approached by Torque.TV about Driving with Danny, I jumped at the opportunity to evaluate vehicles that I’d normally not the have the chance to drive,” said Danny Sullivan. “To be involved with broadband TV and all of this new technology at this early stage is very exciting to me.”
“Driving With Danny” goes beyond the traditional magazine road test of hard facts and numbers, and gives the viewer an insight to the personality and purpose of each car from a true driver’s perspective.
“We are extremely thrilled to have Danny involved with this production. The driving skills, knowledge and talent he brings to the table are priceless,” said Jesse Raiford, CEO.
“Driving With Danny” premieres November 27, 2007 on Torque.TV
About Torque.TV
Torque.TV, launched October 2007, is the next generation of car, truck, and motorcycle television, brought to you by the nation’s leading producers of vehicle entertainment. The Torque.TV team has proven experience in television programming, ad sales, and delivery of niche content. Based in New York, with productions facilities in Los Angeles, CA, and Nashville, TN, Torque.TV offers full screen, high-quality, video entertainment for vehicle lovers around the globe.
For More info, log on to Torque.TV to get twisted.
Press Contact:
Jarrod Holland or Danielle Gunnels
JAH Communications
910-395-4829
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.
Irvine, CA (November 14, 2007) –Saleen Automotive took the wraps off of its 2008 MY product during an exclusive press event held on the runway of the retired the El Toro Marine base. The new product launch is designed to show the world why Saleen is and will continue to be America’s premiere niche vehicle manufacturer.
Among the new 2008 MY products is a model line that has been coded H and features two new vehicles, the H302 producing 390HP and the H302SC with 580HP. The Heritage line vehicles represent a new interpretation of the Saleen aesthetic. Both models include Saleen built engines and honor the traditional Mustang heritage.
“The ‘H’ designator signifies Heritage,” say’s Marques McCammon, General Manager of Saleen Automotive. “These models honor some the great heritage of the Mustang in a way that is uniquely Saleen.”
The H line draws its inspiration from the late sixties Boss 302 Mustang and is a real compliment to the Ford family Heritage,” says Saleen Vice Chairman and Chief Technical Officer, Chris Theodore.
THE HARDWARE
Both vehicles feature an all new, Saleen built, 302 cubic inch engine that represents a marriage of race technology and production performance engineering.
Saleen started with 5 axis CNC ported cylinder heads then added a new forged crankshaft, forged connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, performance crankshafts and high flow fuel injectors. The result is a 390Hp engine that provides the heart of the new H302.
“The 302 engine is the best engine that we have ever done,” states Rob Simons, Saleen Powertrain Lead.
If the H302 has not harnessed enough horses for your taste, the engineering team at Saleen has added their patented twin screw intercooled supercharger to
serve as the core for the H302SC giving it a pavement pounding 580Hp and 525 lb-ft of torque.
This engine, when married to a smooth shifting short throw and six speed manual transmission, gives the H302SC a performance profile comparable to any contemporary exotic, but in a way that is truly American.
As with every Saleen, the new H line vehicles are more than just powertrains. Both vehicles feature custom Saleen Racecraft suspensions tune specifically to the vehicles weight and horsepower profiles giving them responsiveness and stability.
“Many companies simply throw horsepower at a vehicle without adequate consideration to making the power usable. We look to find balance, and that is the difference between Saleen as a manufacturer and the typical aftermarket tuner,” says Theodore.
Stopping power for the H302SC is delivered by standard 14” front vented slotted rotors grabber by 6 piston calipers. Control is augmented by the 4 wheel ABS and brake assisted traction control. Lateral stability is enhanced by a Gen 2 Watts Link system that is option on the H302 and standard on the H302SC. Grip is provided by Pirelli wrapped 19” Forged aluminum Alloy wheels that are available in bright painted silver or chrome. On the H302SC customers can opt up for a 19” 7 spoke painted forged wheel.
“The market has not driven a Saleen like our new Heritage line. They have great throttle response, they shift smoothly and they carve through the corners,” says Chassis and Dynamics Engineering Lead, Derk Hartland.
STYLING AND DESIGN
As with all Saleen vehicles, the H line leaves nothing to be desired from a styling perspective. The H302 features eye popping aesthetics like the new front and rear fascias, rockers and heritage spoiler. The exterior package is rounded out by the matt black body graphics and the shaker hood which is featured on the H302. On the supercharged model a power bulge aluminum hood with functional cooling vents brings function to form. On the inside, the unique seat trim features stone gray Alcantara accents and a laser etched shift knob.
PRODUCTION AND PRICING
The H302 began production in October and the H302SC is slated to begin production in early December. The naturally aspirated car’s production will be limited to 500 units and the supercharged car will be more exclusive at only 200 units. Both the H302 and the H302SC feature a manufacturer’s bumper to bumper warranty: 3 years and 36000 miles on the H302, 12 months and 12,000 miles on the H302SC.
“We tried to make sure that we kept the vehicles attainable while maintaining their exclusivity,” says McCammon. The base price of the H302 is set at $56,999 with the H302SC slightly higher at $74,999.
“Customers will be delighted with the Heritage line and all the new Saleen products. They will be delighted because we are committing ourselves to surpassing their expectations. It is a new day at Saleen Automotive. It’s something that we call the Reawakening and the principle is simple. Give more than you promised,” comments, Saleen Inc President and CEO, Paul Wilbur.
