Spied! Saleen developing all-new sports car

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We managed to get our hands on this photo that shows a clay model of what inside sources tell us is the initial design of an all-new car being considered for development by Saleen at its Irvine assembly plant. While representatives from Saleen would not officially comment as to what is in the photo, our best guess is that they are looking to put to use their knowledge and experience gained from the construction of the Ford GT for Ford. In fact, with the GT no longer in production, a car similar to the Ford GT might be exactly what Saleen is shooting for. After all, they have the facility in which the GT was built, the father of the Ford GT, Chris Theodore, is now Saleen's chief technology officer, and they gained a wealth of experience building a new car from scratch with the S7 program. Theodore has even hinted at the possibility of an all-new Saleen. "I have many ideas," he stated to TheCarConnection.com, "and some of them are inspired by the Ford GT. That car sold very well for around $150,000. So why not think in that direction when we talk about a new supercar? May be an S3 or an S5?" We can only hope.
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I can predict that some of you may be less than thrilled at this.

Sounds interesting. I would like information on what this car will go up against. Maybe the F430? But the shape looks pretty cool, even though I think that it looks a little familiar to things developed over in Europe.
 
Meh, we'll see if it looks better than the S7
 
....Is that real? :confused:
 
I don't think a car made out of clay would pass crash tests.
 
Casio
I don't think a car made out of clay would pass crash tests.
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I realize you're probably being sarcastic, but you do realize that's just a design model used for visualization purposes, right?

I cant' see much of it, but I'm tempted to say Gallardo mixed with GT.
 
It looks more like an F430 crossed with the S7 if you ask me, but you can see hints of every major sports car crafted in the past ten years.

...I just hope they make it "cheap" (like $150 or less cheap) and sure as hell plenty fast. Although, you do have to wonder; Will they stick with Ford power or will they finally dip into the 10X Better GM V8 lineup?
 
Hell, Yeah, I'd love to have a supercar that I could trade the rusty Nova in the backyard for...oh, wait, you meant $150,000! Sorry, hard to tell without that "K".

I'm joshing you and you know it. ;p

Saleen's a Ford guy, you know this, and they've got about as much chance of using GM mills as they do of stuffing a Cat C15 ACERT mill in there.
 
YSSMAN
IAlthough, you do have to wonder; Will they stick with Ford power or will they finally dip into the 10X Better GM V8 lineup?
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Seeing as how they work with a lot of Mustangs and other Ford products, and that they will probably be making use of the GT facilities, I would guess they are sticking with Ford power.
 
Can I have the lovely yellow car in that pic please? In all seriousness go for it Saleen. It would be awsome if they made another supercar.

Bee
....Is that real? :confused:
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Are you serious?

Casio
I don't think a car made out of clay would pass crash tests.
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It would do better than anything made in China.

Perfect Balance
It looks a lot like the Tommy Kaira ZZ II
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I think I just vomited, I hope it won't look that ugly. :yuck:
 
JCE3000GT
Can I have the lovely yellow car in that pic please? In all seriousness go for it Saleen. It would be awsome if they made another supercar.



Are you serious?



It would do better than anything made in China.



I think I just vomited, I hope it won't look that ugly. :yuck:
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From the side, it's nearly identical in terms of body shape. Especially the front bit.

 
Good call Perfecto, it does look alot like the TK ZZII, which is concerning since the ZZII is no way better looking than the S7.
 
That'd be awesome if it's the ZZII.
 
^ no, no it wouldn't.
 
Jim Prower
I realize you're probably being sarcastic, but you do realize that's just a design model used for visualization purposes, right?
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Damn I really wanted to drive around a clay car.

But just what the world needs, another stupidly expensive car that only a handful of people will ever own and even fewer will actually drive them. I'm starting to get board with supercars.
 
They should make cars out of clay, they'd be cheaper to fix panel damage, biodegradable, and if you got bored with a coupe you could just mould back doors onto it. I see no flaws in my idea.

Patent Pending.
 
Oh, where, oh, where, is that old SNL "Adobe" car bit when ya need it?
 
It looks like a blend of the McLaren F1 GTR, the Tommy Kaira ZZII, and even like the Hennessey Venom V10, from this angle somewhat. This speculation actually dropped my positive anticipation of a new car by Saleen...

Is it even speculative, or confirmed? That looks too much like the McLaren to be a Saleen product.
 
Casio
They should make cars out of clay, they'd be cheaper to fix panel damage, biodegradable, and if you got bored with a coupe you could just mould back doors onto it. I see no flaws in my idea.

Patent Pending.
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And you could just smooth out scratches with a wet sponge :dopey:
 
-> Hmm, I like the styling, it has a clean touch of the ZZ-II, the window sills of a Murcielago, and a overall shape of a very lean Gallardo. It doesn't have that over-designed cues of the S7. 👍

-> I think due to its size compared to the S7, it would be slotted below the S7 and compete with its styling moniker the Gallardo, maybe it will have the old non-turbo S7 engine. :)
 
Hmm, interesting. A Saleen to go head to head with the "low end" supercars would be pretty neat. Styling of the clay model looks solid, although I want to see the front and rear. I also wonder what engine they will cram in there...
 
Venom800tt
Hmm, interesting. A Saleen to go head to head with the "low end" supercars would be pretty neat. Styling of the clay model looks solid, although I want to see the front and rear. I also wonder what engine they will cram in there...
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What every American company likes to stick in their sports cars. V8's. :sly:
 
*McLaren*
What every American company likes to stick in their sports cars. V8's. :sly:
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Hey, we aren't the only ones who slap V8's in everything :sly:
*Venom points at the numerous low volume cars around the world that use Ford and Chevy small blocks*
 
Chevy and Ford V8's find there way into low volume cars all over the palce. I don't rate them as highly as Mellings AJP8.
 
Understandably so, but one can't fault the effortless power at a good price. Its really too easy to pick up an LS2/3 or LS7 these days, I could probably get one shipped to my dealer in less than a week for right around $13,000 (plus shipping, LS7).
 
They're cheaper to buy, they're good engines, don't get me wrong. But as an example (one you must have seen coming) the AJP8 was a phenonimal performer. In TVR trim it had mechanical issues, but that was because of the tune TVR had it at, Melling advised otherwise but was ignored and Melling has proved that the engine it'self is reliable, he likes his good name. The Ford and GM V8's are probably far more versatile, but imo, for a sportscar you don't need versatile when you've got just right, and thoes engines can be bought in Rochdale ;). I bet they'd cost twice as much to get to US spec though.
 
Dave A
They're cheaper to buy, they're good engines, don't get me wrong. But as an example (one you must have seen coming) the AJP8 was a phenonimal performer. In TVR trim it had mechanical issues, but that was because of the tune TVR had it at, Melling advised otherwise but was ignored and Melling has proved that the engine it'self is reliable, he likes his good name. The Ford and GM V8's are probably far more versatile, but imo, for a sportscar you don't need versatile when you've got just right, and thoes engines can be bought in Rochdale ;). I bet they'd cost twice as much to get to US spec though.
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This Melling guy...same guy who had a Ford in NASCAR during the '90s?
 
No, you're probably thinking of Harry Melling who ran a racing team. Al Melling is a rather high profile engine designer here in the UK who is trying to move onto bigger things, building his own sportscars.

He's done everything from f1 engines to engine designs that have found their way into Rolly Royces.
 
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