2005 Saleen S281-E Preview
What It Is
Saleen is one of the best-known creators of aftermarket performance Mustangs. For nearly two decades, the company has been tweaking America's favorite performance car to extract more power, better handling, and improved braking. Garishly outfitted with signature decals, scoops and spoilers, Saleen Mustangs have sold in small but reliable numbers, enough to allow the small company to perform its magic on a wide range of Ford products from the Focus to the Thunderbird. Accompanying the 2005 redesign of the Mustang is the 2005 Saleen S281, originally introduced at the California Auto Show last fall. Three versions of the Saleen S281 are available to consumers: the standard S281, the S281-SC, and the S281-E. Each Saleen Mustang gets modified styling front and rear, boosts in power, suspension modifications, upgraded braking components, and unique interior trim. For extreme performance, enthusiasts will want to pony up at least $65,000 for the new 2005 Saleen S281-E, which is available as a coupe or a convertible.
What's Under the Hood
"E" stands for Extreme, and with a 500-horsepower engine generating about 480 lb.-ft. of torque, this Saleen S281-E has no problem living up to its name. Only the 4.6-liter V8 motor's original block is retained during the modification - Saleen replaces everything else and re-assembles the engine in-house. The S281-E contains a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, and special aluminum cylinder heads with unique valve springs and performance camshafts. The result is an engine with a higher redline and more power. Then Saleen installs a twin-screw supercharger to blow the horsepower and torque ratings into the stratosphere. With all this firepower on board, Saleen claims that the S281-E will run to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and can blaze the quarter mile in 12.1 seconds at 117 mph. Other engine modifications include a Saleen PowerFlash performance engine management system, a variable design muffler system that reduces engine backpressure while creating an intoxicating wail at speed, and a free-flow air cleaner. A heavy-duty, close-ratio Saleen six-speed manual transmission manages the muscular mill, shunting power through a high-performance flywheel and clutch disc assembly to a custom-balanced driveshaft and Saleen MaxGrip limited-slip rear differential.
What It Looks Like
Huge and handsome 20-inch alloy wheels are stuffed into the wheel wells, wearing low-profile Pirelli P-Zero Rosso performance tires and covering 14-inch drilled brake rotors, which are the same size as those found on the Ford GT supercar. Suspension modifications include Saleen Racecraft springs, shocks and anti-roll bars. Additional S281-E upgrades include boxed rear lower control arms and a specific Panhard rod to better locate the solid rear axle during hard driving. A unique body kit visually differentiates the Saleen S281-E from lower-performance models, and it includes a front splitter and a special rear diffuser. Saleen HID headlights are included, but the dead giveaway that you're seeing a Saleen S281-E is the rear quarter window insert that effectively creates the look of a solid panel.
What's Inside
Inside, specially bolstered sport seats, high-grip racing-inspired pedals, a short-throw shift lever, a unique Saleen gauge cluster, special interior trim, and specific floor mats make the S281 different from a run-of-the-mill Mustang. Both the S281-SC and S281-E models have a twin gauge pod atop the dash that displays supercharger boost pressure and air temperature. Each Saleen S-281 is well equipped, leaving just two extra cost ptions for the 2005 Saleen S281-E: 19-inch wheels wearing Pirelli Corsa summer tires, and a Shaker 500 audio system with in-dash CD changer. When the 2005 Saleen S281-E arrives this summer, it will beat obvious competitors such as the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe, which boast of greater performance numbers, to market by a single driving season. Though it may be King of the Hill for just a short while, the Saleen S281-E will always be one of the hottest Mustangs built yet.
By Staff.
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"At Saleen we value our military servicemen and women as they defend our country at home and abroad. They repesent the true pride and strength of America and as America's premiere niche vehicle manufacturer, Saleen wants to salute them. So, as a way to say welcome home to our troops Saleen will build 24 special edition S281 Supercharged cars in Red, White and Blue (8 vehicles per color)"
ENGINE
281 CID (4.6L) 3-Valve SOHC V8, 465 HP @ 5800 RPM, 425 lb-ft TQ @ 4000 RPM, 3.55? x 3.54? Bore & Stroke, 39 lb/hr Fuel Injectors, 98 mm MAF, Port Matched Series VI Integrated Twin-Screw Supercharger, Dual-Stage Water-to-Air Intercooler System, Hi-Flow Inlet Tube, Air Box Cover & Filter, PowerFlash tm Performance Calibration, 2.5? Stainless Steel Center Exhaust System
DRIVETRAIN
5-Speed Manual Transmission, with 8.8? Differential, 3.31:1 Final Drive, RACECRAFT SUSPENSION, Linear-Rate, Coil Springs (F/R), Sway Bars, 1.38? with HD Bushings (F) .79? (R), Front Struts (N2), Rear Shocks (N2), Three-Link, Live Rear Axle with Panhard Rod
BRAKING SYSTEM
Power Assisted 4-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS, 12.4" Vented Front Disc Brake System, 11.8" Vented Rear Disc Brake
WHEELS & TIRES
20" Chrome Finished Alloy, High Performance Dunlop Tires, Tire Pressure Monitoring System
EXTERIOR
Injection Molded Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO), Front & Rear Fascias, Injection Molded TPO Side Skirts & Door Cladding, Front Grille, Integrated Front Turn Signals, Rear Center Body Panel, Rear Spoiler & End Caps, S281 Supercharged Graphics & Identification, RF Red Saleen Windshield Graphic, RF Red Saleen Bumper Insert, RF Red Serialized Front Bumper, Serialized Engine Bay Plaque, Championship Wreath Graphic
INTERIOR
Leather Performance Driving Seats with Red Stitching, 6-Way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat & Power Lumbar, 6-Gauge Instrument Cluster with 200 MPH Speedometer & MyColor Feature, Chrome Dash Vent Bezels, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel with Badge, Leather Shift Boot with Red Stitching, Leather-Wrapped Billet Shift Knob & Short-Throw Shifter, Performance Driving Pedals with Driver Foot Brace, Serialized Dash Plaque, S281 Floor Mats & Aluminum Door Sill Plates, Saleen Key Fob, One-Touch Up/Down Power Windows, AM/FM/CD Sound System, Two Power Outlets, Variable-Speed Windshield Wipers, Air Conditioning, Rear Window Defroster, Dual Power Side-View Mirrors, Saleen/Eagle One Detail Kit, Owner's Document Portfolio & Warranty Guide
SAFETY & SECURITY
Dual-Stage Airbags, Driver's Seat Position Sensor, Crash Severity Sensor, Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children (Latch) Safety Seats, Remote Keyless & Illuminated Entry System 3-Point Safety Belts for All Seating Positions, Side-Impact Door Beams
In addition to a great new commemorative product, active military personnel (Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard) purchasing a new '06 or '07 Saleen from dealer inventory will recieve a $500 cash incentive and a 1 Day performance driving school training (or $1000 cash) to acquaint them with how to handle their new Saleen.
By SALEEN Car News.
