SMS 570X Challenger

It’s difficult to discern what aspect of the Steve Saleen’s 570X is most significant.  Not only does the Challenger seem to be Saleen’s latest automotive muse, but the SMS 570X is impressive if only because it produces a ridiculous 700 horsepower.  The real story, however,  is the supercharger, which Saleen promises will be available not only for other cars from Chrysler, but Ford and GM as well.

One of the baddest ‘Stangs Ford has engineered to date, the new ‘09 Saleen Dark Horse has made finally made its fearsome debut. With Speedlab’s SuperShaker ram-air system mated with the Saleen Port Matched Series VI Integrated Screw type supercharger the Dark Horse tears it up on the track, putting out a whopping 620-hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. Aesthetically, the 2009 Saleen Dark Horse gets the Sleepy Hollow treatment with an intimidating Flat Back exterior package, fender identification badge, Saleen serialized engine plaque, and an endless array of interior extras.

Bottom line: it’ll put some hair on your chest.

View gallery after the jump

Saleen S5S

Best known for its upscale versions of the Ford Mustang, Saleen’s S5S is an impressive departure from the American automaker who is taking aim (based on the prototype) at all of its Italian competition.  It’s fast, it’s pretty and in terms of supercars, it’s cheap.  Now they just have to build it.

The S5S Raptor is the latest supercar concept to come from the designers at Saleen and it is sure to stop most auto enthusiasts in their tracks at this years New York Auto Show. The first thought that comes to mind is that Saleen must have lured over some Hot Wheels designers to come work in their design department. The look of the S5S Raptor has toy written all over it, but this conceptual gem is a toy aimed at a completely different crowd.  Plus, instead of arriving in a cardboard and plastic box for about $3 this super toy would run up to $185,000.  …I think the kid in me just fainted.

Following in the lead of some Le Mans racing teams and some other rare concept supercars the Saleen S5S Raptor runs on ethanol fuel. The bio-fuel allows them to avoid the high-octane blends while giving the supercar a slightly Green flavor. And if the S5S Raptor makes it into production in the two years Saleen said it would take I am sure the well connected supercar aficionado on the East Coast would be able to truck in that ever elusive bio-fuel.

The S5S Raptor is driven by a 5.0 liter twin-screw supercharged engine producing 650-hp and 630-ft lbs of torque. That is sufficient power to give the Raptor a top speed of 200 mph and a 0-to-60 time of 3.2 seconds. As the Official Press Release says below the S5S Raptor is “mean and clean” with its road prowess and clean burning ethanol fuel.

There are sure to be complaints and comparisons on the S5S Raptors design elements as many critical observers of the supercar class typically do. So here is your chance to be heard as Saleen is looking for the media and general publics response to their S5S Raptor Concept to determine if it will make it into production. The vote coming out of these offices is a firm “yes,” but then again the one yes-vote is the best these offices can do. The 185,000 dollar votes it would take to own one is not quite in our possession yet.

Check out the Full Gallery of photos, video and the official Saleen Press Release for more details on the S5S Raptor Concept.