Saleen Performance, Incorporated, commonly known as Saleen, is a 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. 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 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 small plant in Troy, Michigan where it builds the Ford GT supercar.
Current range
The current (2005) model range consists of:
- Saleen S7 - a 550 hp (410 kW) mid-engine super sports car
- Saleen S7 Twin Turbo - an upgraded S7 making 750 horsepower (559 kW)
- Saleen S7R - a racing version of the S7, intended for races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Saleen S281 - a 290 hp (216 kW) modified Ford Mustang
- Saleen S281 SC - a supercharged version of the S281
- Saleen S281 Extreme - a 445 hp (332 kW) modified Mustang
- Saleen N2O Focus - a Ford Focus modified with a nitrous oxide system
Literary and film references
- A Saleen S7 was driven by Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) in the film Bruce Almighty
- A silver Saleen S281 Speedster was Josh Hartnett’s ride in the film Hollywood Homicide
- A red Saleen S281 Extreme was featured in 2 Fast 2 Furious
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