Saleens, Mustangs, and the New York Auto Show

We get a sneak peak at the new offerings from Saleen.

Every year around this time, the MM&FF staff pack up our notepads and camera gear, throw on a suit and tie, and hike it to the Javits Center in New York City for Press Day at the New York International Auto Show, which happens to be one of the most prestigious auto shows in the world. While last year saw an explosive unveiling of the GT500KR, this year Ford pulled wraps off of a hybrid taxi.

With Ford holding more of a pedestrian unveiling, it was up to Saleen to wow the Ford faithful, and the company did not disappoint. The cool thing about going to auto shows such as the one in New York is that we get the scoop on some really cool stuff. While Saleen unveiled the cars today at 11:00 AM, Editor Evan Smith, Tech Editor Mike Galimi, and myself were able to wrangle a sneak peek at the Saleen offerings, those being the “Raptor” concept and the new Dan Gurney edition Mustang.

With production ceasing on the street-going version of the S7 (Saleen will continue production of the S7 racecar), Saleen engineers decided to test the waters and see what the public thought about what could be the S7 replacement in the Saleen lineup. The “Raptor”, which if it does go into production will be given the moniker S5S (which would stand for Saleen, 5.0-liter, supercharged), is powered by a 5.0-liter Three-Valve engine running on E85 fuel and putting out roughly 650 horsepower. Backed by a 6-speed manual transmission, the Raptor, which is the car's working name and was designed by Dave Byron, would be capable of 200+ miles per hour, and would check in somewhere around $185,000. While the S7 was termed by the Saleen reps as a racecar with license plates, the Raptor was designed with GT-class competition in mind. While the Raptor is a show-designed car, Saleen engineers said that much of the design would carry over to production, if the car gets to that point, though less vents would be on the flanks of it.

Once we got done drooling over the Raptor, the cover was peeled off of the Dan Gurney Mustang parked right next to it. Coming on the heels of the successful Parnelli Jones edition, the Dan Gurney car is a compilation of Saleen and Gurney himself. The Gurney Mustang features the tried and true 4.6-liter Three-Valve, though it sports a Saleen supercharger and a 465 horsepower rating. If you thought the PJ car was a great handling Mustang, Saleen exceeded that benchmark with the Gurney Stang. The suspension showcases the Gen2 Watt’s link rear (the PJ  had the Gen1 Watt’s link), as well as upgraded brakes. For looks, a Stinger hood, as well as other body components, a larger and vintage-looking wheel/tire package, and visual styling cues reminiscent of those seen on Gurney’s racecar set the Stang apart. Slated to be priced in the mid-$50,000 range, only 300 Gurney cars will be made; 100 blue, 100 red, and 100 white.

Expect a full-on evaluation of the Dan Gurney Mustang in the near future, and for updated info, keep on checking www.musclemustangfastfords.com.

Now if I could only convince my wife to let me write out a check for a blue Gurney car…