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NEWS
US muscle-car specialist Saleen announces EV
Saleen, a name synonymous with big iron, has a surprise in store: it's working on an electric drive packageCalifornian fettler Saleen has long been dedicated to the art of getting more from where there’s already plenty, namely by overhauling and turbo- or supercharging big-name V8s to spectacular effect.
But this week, the company has announced its moving with the times with an EV in the works. No details as yet – founding CEO Steve Saleen has said to expect more information and scale models early in 2014.
“We recognise that electric cars are a trend, not a fad and expect this vehicle category to continue to increase as an automotive option for consumers,” said Saleen, in a release. “We intend to enter this market with an offering that is truly innovative and offers the styling and craftsmanship associated with the Saleen Automotive brand.”
What is likely, however, is something with a distinctly sporting bent – some pundits are suggesting something to fill the gap left by Tesla’s Roadster. Or perhaps not.
“I’m not prepared to give all the details of our electric vehicle project yet, but I can tell you that it’s unlike anything currently in the marketplace,” Saleen told US media. “Throw out your preconceived notions and expectations. This vehicle will be revolutionary in its aesthetics and mechanics. Stay tuned.”
One of the more highly regarded of the aftermarket transformers, Saleen has also made occasional forays into clean-sheet supercar design. Its current lineup of Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers makes for a page of big numbers. Using superchargers brought in or developed in-house, its Label series offers mods to the Challenger 5.7-litre hemi V8 delivering up to 535hp (393kW); the Camaro’s 6.2-litre V8 (up to 620hp or 456kW) and the Mustang’s 5.0-litre V8 (up to 700hp or 515kW).
It recently used the Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance event to debut its Trans Am-inspired Heritage Collection: the 470hp (346kW) George Follmer Mustang; the 485hp (356kW) Mark Donohue Camaro and the 495hp (364kW) Swede Savage Edition Challenger.
News of the pending EV is not to be mistaken for a complete change in direction, however. While introducing the new collection at Pebble Beach, Saleen and confirmed his company is working on a successor to its last foray into all-my-own-work product, the S7 supercar of the early 2000s (pictured). Placing a naturally aspirated but heavily modified, all-aluminium 7.0-litre Ford V8 amidships on a high-tech spaceframe chassis, it weighed just 1250kg – enough to shunt it from 0-100km/h in about 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed approaching 260km/h – figures well in excess of most big-name supercars of its day.
In 2005, as Volkswagen finally turned the long-vaunted revival of the Bugatti badge into a reality, Saleen upgraded the S7 with twin turbochargers, boosting output to 560kW/950Nm. The result was Bugatti performance numbers: 0-100km/h in about three seconds and a 400km/h top speed. It came at a cost – $US585K.
In 2008, as it wound down S7 production, the company rolled out the S5S Raptor concept. It remains to be seen whether that will become the platform for either the EV or the next-generation sportster.
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Written byJeremy Bass
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