When the ownership of Saleen changed hands, some wondered what the fate of the prominent Ford-based performance company would hold. With the quick 435S release, people wondered more. The simple message Saleen wanted to portray with the 435S - we are here and we want to build cars.
Ford enthusiast continued to wait, though promise was a few S281 renderings away. At SEMA today there was a sigh of relief in the Las Vegas Convention Center as the S281 was revealed, and that is because this car is really, and I mean really, outstanding.
The brilliant “Octane Red” Saleen paint is the first aspect of the car you notice. Is it red? Is it orange? It depends on the light, but no one really knows.
Beneath the paint is the refined, but classic S197 Saleen styling. The rear quarter panels are extended past the rear taillights, though a slightly less aggressive, but cleaner look. The rear bumper houses two tailpipes on each side.
From the side, subtle side skirts plus the extended front and rear bumpers give the S281 a lowered look from stock. The S281 badge and quarter window covers complete the side body trimmings.
The front end styling is what you gain back in the aggressive styling. The raised hood resembles the 2009 Cobra Jet with a cleaner line. The front grill is completely redesigned along with the front bumper that house a pair of attractive side markers where one would expect fog lamps.
Ford has gone great lengths in making the Mustang interior more attractive and Saleen has accented it with further upgrades. The leather seats are accented with ultra-suede inserts and custom custom embroidery to mate the two. ‘MyColor’ is incorporated through the side doors and lights custom Saleen emblems. Some of the interior plastic come refinished in piano black. The steering wheel, shifter, and gauges also get custom Saleen accents. A custom gauge pod in the middle of the dash house a boost gauge and intercooler temperature gauge.
For go fast parts, Saleen adds one of their V1.5 twin screw superchargers, 39-lb injectors, water to air intercooler, and a exhaust system to bump the 3-valve to 485 horsepower and 460 lb/ft. The supercharger is designed to allow the Saleen strut bar to pass right through it to help stiffen the front shock towers. Additional suspension upgrades include sway bars and a full coilover kit that features both dampening and ride height adjustability - I would love to see the Saleen slammed down! The brakes are upgraded 14” slotted rotors with 4 piston calipers.
We can’t wait to see the Saleen out in the day light for future analysis and hopefully an up coming road test....
POWERTRAIN
• 281 cid (4.6L) 3-valve SOHC V8 engine
− 485 hp @ 6000 rpm
− 460 lb.-ft. torque @ 4250 rpm
• Saleen Series VI.5 integrated twin-screw supercharger
• Saleen dual-stage water-to-air intercooler system
• Saleen 39 lb. fuel injectors
• Hi-flow inlet tube and air box cover
• Saleen performance air filter
• 5-speed, short-throw manual transmission
• 8.8-inch limited-slip differential, 3.73:1/3.31:1 final drive
(coupe/convertible)
• Saleen Performance Exhaust System with stainless steel
chrome tips
optional
• Saleen Performance Cooling Package
• Saleen 3.73 Maxgrip differential
SUSPENSION SYSTEM
• Saleen Racecraft specific-rate front and rear springs
• Saleen Racecraft nitrogen-pressurized front strut and
rear shocks, wide-range adjustable damping
• Saleen Racecraft front sway bar and performance
bushings
optional
• Saleen Racecraft front strut tower brace
BRAKING SYSTEM
• Power-assisted, 4-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS
and traction control
− 14 in. slotted front rotors with 4-piston calipers
optional
• 15 in. slotted front rotors with 6-piston calipers,
11.8 in. slotted rear rotors
WHEELS & TIRES
• Saleen 20-inch, 7-spoke Speed Star silver wheels
(20x9 front, 20x10 rear) with Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires
(275/35ZR20 front, 275/40ZR20 rear)
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Saleen valve stem caps
optional
• Saleen 7-Spoke Speed Star chrome wheels
(20x9 front, 20x10 rear)
• Saleen 5-spoke forged chrome wheels
(20x9 front, 20x10 rear)
• High-performance Pirelli P-Zero Rosso
305/35ZR20 rear tires
INTERIOR
• Saleen leather sport seats, front and rear, with Ultra-
Suede inserts and custom-embroidered head restraints
• Saleen short-throw shifter with leather-wrapped,
comfort-grip aluminum shift knob
• Unique, Saleen black-faced gauges, including
200 mph speedometer
• Saleen twin-gauge pod (boost pressure and
air inlet temperature)
• Custom center console finish in Piano Black
• Saleen serialized console plaque
• Saleen steering wheel badge
• Saleen performance pedals
• Saleen leather door inserts
• Saleen S281 custom-embroidered floor mats
• Saleen illuminated door sill plates
• MyColor™ ambient lighting (door pockets,
cupholders, footwells)
• Ford SYNC® voice-activated communications
and entertainment system
• Shaker 500 audio system with AM/FM stereo, in-dash
6 CD changer, MP3 capability, 8 speakers
• Saleen “Eagle One” detail kit with embroidered
Saleen bag
• Saleen key fob
• Saleen owner’s document portfolio and warranty guide
optional
• Saleen S281 custom-embroidered trunk mat
Paint Color Choices
• Black
• Performance White
• Torch Red
• Grabber Blue
• Sterling Grey Metallic
• Brilliant Silver Metallic
• Kona Blue Metallic
• Red Candy Metallic with tinted clearcoat (added cost)
• Sunset Gold Metallic
optional
• Igniter Orange custom factory paint
• Octane Red custom factory paint
• Silver Shield custom factory paint
• Motor City Blue custom factory paint
• Lights Outs Yellow custom factory paint
SAFETY & SECURITY
• Advance Trac® with Electronic Stability Control®
• Dual-stage front airbags
• Driver/front passenger side-impact airbags
• Driver’s seat position sensor/crash severity sensor
• Remote keyless entry / illuminated entry
• LATCH (Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children) System
• SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system
• SOS post-crash alert system
EXTERIOR
• Saleen S281 Supercharged fender badging
• Saleen chevron graphics (color specific to vehicle color)
• Saleen Design Super-Flo hood
• Saleen Design injection-molded front fascia, grille, side
skirts, rear fascia, rear diffuser, decklid appliqué, spoiler
and end caps
• Saleen championship wreath decal
• Saleen serialized engine bay plaque / bumper
number decal
• Saleen body-color mirror caps
• Saleen windshield graphic
optional
• Saleen Design injection-molded quarter window covers
DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES
Vehicle weight 3,401 lb.
Weight distribution (f/r) 54/46
Wheelbase 107.1 in.
Track (f/r) 62.8 in./63.9 in.
Length 190.1 in.
Width 73.9 in.
Height 53.1 in.
Trunk Space 13.4 cu. ft.
Fuel Capacity 16 gal.
* Specifications, standard equipment and options subject to change.
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