by Wallace Wyss –
A few years ago Steve Saleen had a mid-engined sports car. He got mad at me when I said the English firm fabricating it claimed they designed it. This time, with his new sports car, the Saleen S1, I think the Chinese are given credit for the building.
Apparently there was a reveal at the L.A. Auto Show. It is still a prototype, but some reporters are praising its ready-to-sell look. It is not a large car, compared in size by some to the Porsche 718 Cayman. Curb weight will be under 2,700 lbs. The chassis is an aluminum tub bodied in carbon fiber.
The engine is a turbo charged four-cylinder, which alone makes me not want to call it a “supercar.”
The 2.5 liter engine is rated at 450 horsepower with 350 pound-feet of torque which ought to get it up to 170 mph. Apparently Saleen, who has raced at LeMans, still believes in manual trannies so a six speed will be standard though a “paddle shifted automatic” is projected as an option. Saleen claims a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds.
The car had a previous existence in Germany in 2008 when it was the Artega GTm a VW V6-powered Hendrik Fisker designed car. That company failed. So why was it redesigned? Well, methinks Saleen would not like Fisker being interviewed about the design so he had it restyled so he can call it his own.
Making the car will be Saleen’s partner Jiangsu Saleen Automotive Technology Group, who will make it in China. One price tag one newspaper projected was $100,000, but it remains to be seen what the price will be when it reaches the showrooms.
If the car succeeds, it will join the automakers in theInland Empire which include Karma, who are making, coincidentally the old Fisker-designed electric car. Saleen has offices in Corona, CA, near Ontario, CA. He is experienced in mid-engine cars having assembled all 4000-plus of the ’05-06 Ford GTs for Ford.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR: Wallace Wyss is the co-host of Autotalk, a weekly auto show broadcast by KUCR-FM Riverside, CA.
Steve Saleen with the Saleen S1
Well, you know what they say about size, and it does matter. this car no matter how quick / fast must have at least an eight cylinder in it. Sorta like making the gt 40 kit cars back in the day, a VW 4BANGER, REALLY., and back then there were some very strong 2100cc that would do the quarter in 10-11 secs.
A nice looking car (the Saleen) regardless, but still a four SMH. Buy the way, don’t tell anyone but I’d like to have one.
This comment is all about perception, and so is the car..