The Saleen S1 is finally moving closer to production, nearly nine years after it first appeared. Steve Saleen has revealed specifications for the long-awaited supercar, which will produce 450 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque while reaching 60 mph in 3.2 seconds.
Saleen S1 Finally Reveals Its Performance Specs
Saleen Automotive recently posted a new video on social media showcasing the S1 and its creator, Steve Saleen. The highly stylized production offers little technical information in the footage itself, but the video’s caption provides the key specifications.
The Saleen S1 will produce 450 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. Saleen claims a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.2 seconds.
The 450-horsepower figure is the same output Saleen announced when it first revealed the S1 nearly 10 years ago at the LA Auto Show. The torque figure has increased substantially, however, from the 350 lb-ft originally announced.
The additional torque also accompanies a quicker claimed acceleration time. Saleen’s current 3.2-second estimate is slightly faster than the original 3.5-second claim.
Saleen S1 Engine Details Remain Unclear
When the S1 was first revealed, Saleen said it would use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The company has not made clear whether that GM-derived engine remains part of the plan.
The original engine’s status is also unclear, and the higher torque figure raises questions about how the powertrain has changed from the specifications announced nearly a decade ago.
Saleen Opens S1 Reservations
Saleen has now opened reservations for the S1. Buyers can secure a place on the reservation list with a $1,000 fully refundable deposit.
When production eventually begins, the Saleen S1 will start at $160,000 before additional extras and selected options.
Saleen remains limited on specific details about the finished car, but the company describes the development process in technical terms.
“From laminar flow and crash testing to emissions analytics and shock valving, the Saleen 1 is a scientific triumph designed to perform at the highest level,” the company says.
Saleen also highlights its motorsports record, saying its vehicles have entered 383 races, secured 119 wins and earned 13 championships over the decades. The company says the S1 goes through “the same rigorous standards” as each of those racecars.
The Saleen S1 Is Not a Direct S7 Replacement
Despite carrying the Saleen name and following the S7, the S1 is not intended to directly replace the earlier supercar.
The Saleen S7 launched in 2000 with a 7.0-liter Ford V8 producing between 550 and 750 horsepower, depending on the specification. It also had an estimated top speed of 250 mph.
The S1 is considerably more modest, with its 450-horsepower output and $160,000 starting price positioning it as a different type of performance car. Rather than serving as a direct successor to the S7, the S1 looks more like a competitor to the McLaren Artura than the W1 that a modern S7 would face.
