Saleen S7

Saleen S7 is a sports car that was jointly designed by Saleen, Inc. and RML and is currently being built by Ford, Incorporated in their headquarters factory in Irvine, California . It is constructed with a unique hybrid of a steel spaceframe and aluminum honeycomb panels encased with autoclave-cured carbon fiber bodywork.The media and S7 owners have raved about the car since it first smoked the rear tires in anger. And it has been recognized by numerous automotive magazines as the fastest production car in the world.

But during the past three years the automobile marketplace has witnessed an explosion of performance with models from manufacturers including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Chevrolet touting power numbers above the once magic 500 level. This is the first major change to the S7 since its introduction, and it is a BIG change as in 750 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque, numbers the competition will be chasing for a long while we predict.

The Saleen S7 has also been campaigned in racing events around the world. It has been met with some success in the IMSA's American Le Mans Series , where it competes in the GTS class. In all, it has won over 40 events around the globe; mostly in the American Le Mans and in the FIA GT championship.

Saleen S7 Data
Base Price	$555,000
Power	750 hp
Zero to 60 mph	2.8 s
Zero to 100 mph	6.0 s
Top speed	200.0 mph / 321.9 kph

History

Saleen S7 race cars were sold prior to 2002, but the first Saleen S7 road car is a 2003 Lizstick Red chassis #018 that was delivered on June 6 , 2002 . Prior to 2005 , the S7 was naturally-aspirated and produced 550 hp (410 kW). For the 2005 model year, the engine was equipped with two turbochargers and power output was increased to 750 hp (559 kW). During the 2005 model year, a specially modified version of the twin-turbocharged S7 with 1000 hp (746 kW) became available.

While there are a number of different roads Saleen?s engine designers could have traveled down to achieve those high-altitude horsepower and torque figures, for this second edition of the S7 they decided to think beyond atmospheric. And because this is Saleen, they added a double twist to a tried and true racing technique for boosting power and torque: twin turbos.Aerodynamics has also come under scrutiny for 2005. Unless you place the new S7 Twin Turbo next to one of the original 2002 models, you probably won?t notice that the 2005 version has a different diffuser/rear spoiler package and reshaped front fenders to enhance the S7s already sleek, swoopy and aerodynamic contours.

Technology

Designed by Saleen engineers, the S7's engine and drivetrain incorporate the latest in modern racing technology. The new all-aluminum V8 engine casting was engineered and tooled by Saleen to displace seven liters. Redline is 6500 rpm. Space age materials and engineering are used throughout, including stainless steel valves, titanium retainers, beryllium exhaust valve seats, an aluminum throttle body, Saleendesigned aluminum CNC-machined cylinder heads and stainless steel exhaust system.

An exclusive Saleen-designed Front Engine Accessory Drive (FEAD) system results in an extremely compact engine, allowing for better packaging and overall weight distribution. The V8 incorporates a unique Saleen-designed side-mounted water pump, a belt-driven camshaft drive and a Saleen-engineered dry sump oil delivery system. uspension is via fully independent unequal-length double wishbones with coilover springs, lightweight aluminum dampers (shock absorbers) and stabilizer (anti-roll) bars front and rear. The uprights at each corner are CNC machined billet aluminum, flow-through designs that use air to help cool the bearings.

A major improvement in ride is achieved for 2005 with the use of coil springs that are a dual-stage design. The first spring has a lower rate than the single springs fitted to the current S7, resulting in softer ride during normal street driving. But if you remember your history, you know that the S7 is a flat-bottom, downforce car. The faster you go, the more downforce the S7 develops. In the case of the S7?s new dual-stage springs, the second stiffer spring starts coming into play at around 100 mph when the car begins to develop serious downforce.

Saleen official website