Maximum-Cars.com - 2001 Saleen S7 Information and High Resolution Images.

2001 model takes on most exclusive cars in the worl

The 2001 Saleen S7, the first true American supercar, is on the way. It is designed to compete with the fastest, quickest, best handling, and most luxurious sports cars in the world.

The exotic, high performance S7 was designed and engineered by Saleen, Inc., a specialty vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Irvine, California. The Saleen S7 is capable of over 200 miles per hour. Zero-to-60 time is under four seconds. With its extreme ground effects engineering, at 160 mph the car could be driven upside down and still stay attached to the road.

The S7 chassis and suspension are the result of Saleen’s years of racing, racecar building and high performance road car manufacturing experience. Famed British racing house Ray Mallock, Ltd. (RML) was enlisted to assist with the design and building of the chassis and packaging of the S7’s advanced suspension system. While the S7 would be at home on any racetrack, it is also a car that can be driven with pleasure on highways, autobahns and back roads.

The S7 engine and drive train are Saleen designed and incorporate modern racing motor technology and engineering. Based on a Ford-cast all aluminum block re-engineered by Saleen, the 7-liter motor generates 550 horsepower at 6400 rpm. The motor delivers 520 foot-pounds of torque at 4000 rpm. Space age materials and engineering are used throughout: magnesium throttle body and intake manifolds, stainless steel valves, titanium retainers, beryllium exhaust valve seats, and all-aluminum CNC-machined Saleen designed heads.

The S7’s shape was “designed” by the wind. Optimal aerodynamics and no compromise top speed performance objectives were achieved with extensive wind tunnel work. Longtime Saleen design consultant Phil Frank then personalized and refined the aesthetics of the S7. The autoclaved carbon fiber body panels incorporate advanced aerodynamics and include integrated split-channel airflow throughout the car, full underside air management, and advanced front tray and side skirt designs.

“The car, when seen in person, has an amazing presence,” says Steve Saleen, founder and president of Saleen, Inc. “It’s quite long and wide, yet only 41 inches high, adding to its exotic appearance. We wanted a ‘form-follows-function’ look, but one that was beautiful as well.”

As much care has been given to the creature comforts of the Saleen S7 as to its performance. Upholstery is covered with Connolly leathers and suedes. Air conditioning, power windows, adjustable pedals, and a 6-disc CD player are all standard. The Saleen S7 has two unique interior features. The first is a live video rear view “mirror” – there is a small video camera inconspicuously mounted in the rear of the car – and the second is a steering wheel that can be removed if desired to ease ingress and egress.

The mid-engine Saleen S7 has front and rear trunks and comes with fitted luggage. In true supercar style, the doors open up and away from the body.

The Saleen S7 is currently certified for sale in both the U.S. and United Kingdom. Designed and built at Saleen's Irvine, Calif., manufacturing facility, the S7 will be sold through select Saleen Certified Ford dealers and other newly added Saleen Certified dealers specializing in exotic automobiles. Worldwide volume is projected to be 300-400 cars over an estimated four-year production run.

The Saleen S7 officially went on sale at its introduction, August 19^th at the famed Monterey Historic Races. First vehicles will be delivered to customers in the second quarter of 2001. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Saleen S7 is $375,000.

Saleen, Inc., internationally known specialty vehicle manufacturer and racecar builder, has created the first true American supercar with the launch of the 2001 S7. The S7 is designed to compete with the most exclusive high performance cars in the world, while providing a distinctly American driving experience. Top speed, quickness, and racecar handling are combined with luxury and everyday road dynamics.

The S7 chassis and suspension is the result of Saleen’s years of racetrack and racecar experience. As part of their industry leading Niche Manufacturing process, which uses best-in-practice original equipment (O.E). support from around the world, famed British racing house Ray Mallock, Ltd. (RML), was enlisted to assist in developing the S7’s advanced chassis, suspension system and overall packaging.

The S7 architecture begins with a space frame chassis to which honeycomb composite reinforcing is grafted. Suspension is fully independent unequal length “A” arms. Distinctive CNC machined billet aluminum spider web-like uprights allow airflow to brakes and wheel bearings, which facilitates cooling and increases durability. Lightweight aluminum dampers with coil over springs are used on all four corners.

With a 106-inch wheelbase and 68.75-inch front track, the S7 has a relatively big footprint. This works to enhance stability. Overall the Saleen S7 is 188 inches long and 78.3 inches wide. The car is only 41 inches high, three inches lower than a Lamborghini Diablo, and tips the scales at about 2750 pounds, again besting the Diablo by 650 pounds.

Brakes are Saleen engineered/Brembo-supplied with 6-piston 15-inch ventilated discs in front and 14-inch for the rear. Wheels are center hub-mounted units specially engineered for the S7. The car is fitted with Pirelli P-Zero Rossa tires, with fronts being 275x30-19 and the rears 355x25-19.

The S7 fuel tank is in the center of the car, which allows for better overall packaging, increased safety and less handling deviation between full and light fuel loads.

In designing the S7, Saleen put drivability on a wide variety of road surfaces high on the list of objectives. And, while the S7 would be at home on any racetrack, it is also a car that can be driven with pleasure on highways, autobahns and back roads. The Saleen S7 hit its engineering target of providing best-in-class performance with great driving pleasure.

The Saleen S7 is certified for sale in both the United States and United Kingdom. Designed and built at Saleen's Irvine, California manufacturing facility, the S7 is sold in the U.S. through select Saleen Certified Ford dealers and other newly added Saleen Certified dealers specializing in exotic automobiles. Vehicles for Europe and the Middle East will be produced at a satellite facility in conjunction with RML located in England. Worldwide volume is projected to be 300-400 cars over the estimated four-year production run. Work has begun on a less-expensive, higher volume model that will help achieve sales goals.

The Saleen S7 went on sale at its introduction at the famed Monterey Historic Races on August 19, 2000. First vehicles will be delivered to customers in the second quarter of 2001. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $375,000.

The 2001 Saleen S7 is a proof of concept for what Saleen, Inc. has been building for 17 years. As a federally certified specialty vehicle manufacturer, Saleen has produced over 7000 vehicles – using and perfecting the efficient Niche Manufacturing process, which is now being studied and adopted by the world’s major automakers as they strive to quickly and economically bring small volume products to market.

Saleen, Inc. facilities include total research, design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. The company's line also includes the Saleen S281 Mustang, Saleen XP8 Explorer, the SR Widebody, Saleen Performance Parts, and Saleen Engineering and Certification Service.

The Saleen S7's 7-liter engine is a technical tour de force, producing 550 horsepower at 6400 rpm. Based on a Ford form factor, the Saleen-massaged all-aluminum V-8 follows traditional American cam-in-block design to produce significant horsepower and torque with high reliability. The engine generates 520 foot-pounds of torque at 4000 rpm, transferred to the rear wheels through a new generation six-speed transaxle.

Although the casting is based on a traditional Ford design, it was completely re-engineered by Saleen to be eight inches shorter than the block on which it was based. This Front Engine Accessory Drive (FEAD) system permits the use of a Saleen-designed, side-mounted water pump to help improve weight distribution and packaging.

Air flows into the engine through a carbon fiber induction system leading to a magnesium throttle body and intake manifolds. Induction is through a true downdraft port fuel injection system directly to the intake ports. Intake trumpets are matched to each cylinder.

The S7 engine uses materials and engineering from aerospace to reduce weight and improve reliability. The all-aluminum Saleen cylinder heads are created using Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) lathes. Beryllium exhaust valve seats allow more efficiency by transferring heat away from the cylinders. Stainless steel valves and titanium retainers are used for durability. Forged pistons reduce reciprocating weight while providing improved strength. Piston rods are made of the latest material, EN40B billet steel. Saleen designed its own crankshaft for the S7, using 4340 forged billet steel.

A Saleen dry sump oil delivery system ensures reduced friction while providing enhanced lubrication to the reciprocating parts. This allows for improved ground clearance and more importantly, in hard or sustained cornering, prevents oil starvation.

Engine placement in the S7 was a consideration as part of the complete engine design process. The mid-engine placement allows the engine to be tall. This design also provides advantageous placement for the induction and exhaust plenums. The camshaft is belt driven to provide more accurate valve placement and reduce noise compared to a chain drive.

The S7’s Saleen-designed muffler is enormous, reducing unwanted noise, and acting as part of the rear impact crumple zone. The exhaust exits through catalytic converters, as the S7 engine is designed to meet all Federal and California emission-control standards as a transitional low-emissions vehicle (TLEV). A Ford EEC V engine management system with direct ignition and OPD II helps the S7 meet the requirements.

There’s something about a supercar that’s different – sensuous lines, scoops and wings, an aerodynamic purposefulness that sets these cars apart. Supercar design traits must combine form and function in order to permit stable speeds in excess of 200 mph while also pleasing the eye. The all-new Saleen S7 meets both challenges.

Phil Frank, a long-time design consultant with Saleen, penned the S7’s body, using computer-aided drawing techniques. Saleen, Inc. and famed British racing house Ray Mallock, Ltd. used extensive work in a wind tunnel to add superior aerodynamics to the finished skin. The S7’s shape says “supercar” but the overall design is distinctive and not derivative of any other car.

The drag to lift ratio, center of gravity, co-efficient of drag and the downforce generated by the S7’s body were all considered as part of the refinements produced in the wind tunnel. Full underside aerodynamics help reduce turbulence below the body and improve overall stability at high speed. Traditional Saleen design signatures – like functional gills and fascia openings –provide cooling and are integrated to also provide superior airflow around, through and under the car. Example: Side scoops help cool the transmission while split radiators exhaust under the car and to the sides to create additional down force. The Saleen S7’s shape provides arguably the best overall aerodynamics of any production car ever built.

The team selected an autoclaved composite body over a space frame chassis with honeycomb reinforcement. By using the carbon-fiber composite, a significant weight reduction was possible while providing increased strength over steel.

“The carbon fiber body is so beautiful, we hated to paint it,” said Steve Saleen. “But the BASF paint we’ve selected provides smoothness and a beauty of its own.”

The body houses trunks front and rear and provides through the rear window a unique view of the engine – a feature mandated from the beginning to help define the S7’s supercar status. Steve Saleen describes it as, “American V8 under glass!”

The S7’s doors open up and away from the body, another distinctive feature designed into the car as part of its supercar pedigree. A unique and functional roof intake system feeds air to the engine, while a nose scoop supplies high volume flow-through cabin ventilation.

Electrically controlled side mirrors extend on pillars to provide optimum utility. Covered projector beam headlights meet worldwide regulations.

The S7, built by Saleen, internationally known specialty vehicle manufacturer, features blinding performance, attention-grabbing exterior design, and space-age aerodynamics. That same flair is evident in the S7’s interior, mixing luxury with functionality in the driver-friendly cockpit.

From its plush Connolly leather covered interior surfaces, to adjustable pedals and a removable steering wheel, driver comfort is a priority of the S7. The movable pedals and detachable steering wheel make the S7 more suitable for taller drivers than other supercars, and allow for easier entry and exit from the vehicle.

In the asymmetrical cockpit, the driver’s seat is subtly moved toward the center of the cabin, enough to increase the driver’s position and visibility. This enhanced seat position contributes to an improved center of gravity and better weight distribution.

Weight distribution is also a factor in the storage compartments. With a mid-chassis engine location, the S7 features a trunk in the front and rear of the vehicle. The S7 comes equipped with custom-fit luggage for use on long trips.

The culmination of the interior sophistication is a unique video rearview “mirror,” utilizing a rear-mounted video camera and liquid crystal display (LCD) located where a traditional rearview mirror would be, near the top-center of the windshield. The powered side mirrors are mounted on pillars.

Traditional creature comforts included on the S7 are power windows and locks, as well as air conditioning. An AM/FM audio system with 6-disc CD player is standard. The instrument panel features easy-to-read analog gauges and center-mounted tachometer. Interior accents are brushed aluminum with body-color highlights.

Story by Saleen Edited By Maximum-Cars.com