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Saleen pays homage to legendary mustangs with Heritage product line
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 November 15, 2007. • Two Heritage models boasting ‘Saleen built’ engines honor Mustang heritage
• H302 produces 390HP and is currently in production H302SC produces 580HP with production starting mid-December
• Heritage line vehicles represent a new interpretation of the Saleen Aesthetic
Irvine, CA (November 13, 2007) – Today at the retired El Toro Marine base Saleen Automotive took the wraps off of its 2008 MY product to show the world why Saleen is and will continue to be America’s premiere niche vehicle manufacturer. Among the new ’08 MY products is a model line that has been coded H and features two new vehicles, the H302 and the H302SC. The ‘H’ designator signifies Heritage say’s Marques McCammon, General Manager of Saleen Automotive. “These models honor some of 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. The evidence of this fact can be found in the hardware comprising the engine. Saleen started with 5 axis CNC ported cylinder heads, and then added a new forged crankshaft, forged connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, performance crankshafts, and high flow fuel injectors. The result is a 390 hp 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, 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 tuned specifically to the vehicles weight and horsepower profiles. The result is responsiveness and stability. “Many companies simply throw horsepower at a vehicle without adequate consideration to making the power usable. We look to find balance. 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 grabbed by 6 piston calipers. Control is augmented by the 4 wheel ABS and brake assisted traction control. Lateral stability is enhanced by a Generation 2 Watts Link system that is an option on the H302, and standard on the H302SC. Grip is provided by Pirelli wrapped 19” Forged aluminum Alloy wheels that are available in 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 matte black body graphics and the shaker hood which is featured on the H302. The supercharged model features a power bulge aluminum hood with functional cooling vents bringing 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 H302 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 and 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 promise,” comments, Saleen Inc President and CEO, Paul Wilbur.
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 facility is 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 as well as supercharging the new Ford F150 Harley Davidson pickup for Ford.
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source : Saleen Press
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