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| 2005 Saleen Extreme Mustang |
To view more full size pictures of this car goto our Mustang Image Gallery
To view specs of this car download the Spec Sheet (.pdf file)
Five hundred horsepower. Four hundred eighty poundfeet
of torque. Those are
serious performance numbers. And we’re not talking Saleen S7 supercar or some other
exotic. No, we’re talking 2005 Saleen S281 Extreme or E for short.
The S281 E represents the pinnacle of the S281 lineup, which also includes the 325bhp S281 3Valve and the 400bhp
S281 Supercharged muscle cars. With 500 snorting ponies and 480 tiretwisting lbft
of torque, the E will show its twin center
exhaust pipes to plenty of sports cars boasting much higher price tags: Porsche 911,
Maserati Coupe and BMW Z8 to name just three.
Like the S281 3Valve and SC models, the Extreme starts life on the same great
platform Ford has provided via the 2005 Mustang’s allnew architecture. But the cuttingedge
S281 E sets up residence in performance territory never explored by a
production Ford Mustang.
This newest member of the Saleen S281 performance trilogy is manufactured
with the latest in Saleen racebred
technology. At the heart of the S281 E is a unique
Saleenmanufactured, highrevving, 4.6liter powerplant built inhouse. The 281 cubicinch
V8 uses a special forged steel Saleen crankshaft, Saleen forged steel connecting
rods, Saleenpatented forged aluminum pistons and unique Saleen aluminum cylinder
heads featuring special valve springs and the latest Saleen performance camshafts.
In addition to the increased rpm available with the E engine, a Saleendesigned
Series VI integrated TwinScrew supercharger with twostage watertoair intercooling is
installed. This supercharger is so innovative that Saleen has several patents pending
on the design.
Essentially, the Saleen design integrates the previously separate intake manifold,
blower housing/assembly and intercooler into one compact unit that nestles neatly into
the valley between the heads. This allows for a much wider intake manifold.
Some other significant design features of the Saleen supercharger:
- It features an integrated bypass for lowspeed
running; when you are
driving at low speeds and don’t require boost, the bypass helps reduce
heat buildup in the engine. The Saleen design provides for optimal runner
length, resulting in more torque and better lowend
drivability.
- All bends are opened up to provide smooth airflow.
- It features long, beefy downdraft runners with minimal bends for
maximizing torque and horsepower. On the previous design, the air had
to make two 180degree
bends. The new design provides a straight,
direct shot into the cylinders and about a 50 percent increase in flow
compared to last year’s supercharger.
· The new design is much more maintenancefriendly.
It has only one
sealing surface; the previous supercharger had four. In addition, you only
have to remove the eight screws that bolt the air tube to the plenum for
access to all of the blower components. Previously, you had to remove
the supercharger assembly from the engine and then disassemble it.
A PowerFlash performance computer—a sophisticated Saleendesigned
engine
management control system—determines the precise fuel, air and spark requirement for
every running condition. It operates in conjunction with a newfor2005
engine knock
sensor system, allowing the engine to make use of premium fuel for maximum power
and torque while minimizing fuel consumption and engine detonation.
The engine is also fitted with a Saleen freeflow
air cleaner element.
The exhaust system is an innovative “variable design,” featuring twin mufflers
with vacuumactuated
valves that open above a specified back pressure. When these
valves open, a portion of the exhaust gases is routed through a second set of tail pipes
pointed at the ground.
This design offers numerous advantages. It allows the engine to be calibrated to
produce higher torque. Secondly, it provides a freeflowing
exhaust system, while still
providing the capability for passing mandated passby
noise regulations in the U.S.,
Canada and U.K. Thirdly, it makes for some lovely exhaust sounds at wideopen
throttle.
The exhaust side of the engine also features a full 21/
2inch
stainless steel
exhaust system, running from the exhaust manifold outlet to the tip of the exhaust pipes.
The S281 E V8 is coupled to a Saleen heavyduty
6speed
manual transmission
and a highperformance
flywheel/clutch disc assembly. Power is delivered to the rear
wheels via a Saleen custom balanced driveshaft and a performance differential
assembly featuring a Saleen MaxGrip, speedsensitive,
limitedslip
differential.
Big power numbers require big brakes. To handle 500 bhp and 480 lbft
of
torque, the E is fitted with 1piece,
14inch
front brake rotors, the same size brakes used
on the 200mph
Ford GT. A fourchannel
antilock
braking system and allspeed
traction control provide additional assistance during emergency maneuvers.
Naturally, the E features a complete Saleen Racecraft suspension system
including racinginspired
springs, shocks and antiroll
bars. In addition, the E receives
special Saleen boxed rear lower control arms and a Panhard rod specific to this model.
The Panhard rod provides precise lateral control of the E’s live rear axle, helping keep
the tires flat on the road for greater cornering power and more precise handling.
The E features a 20inch
alloy wheel at all four corners. Those up front are 9inches
wide; the rears are 10 inches. Standard on the Extreme are ultrahighperformance
Pirelli PZero
Rossos, 275/35ZR20s up front with 275/40ZR20s fitted to
the rears.
Visually, the E is distinguished from the other two S281 models by a unique aero
package, including a distinctive front splitter and a rear diffuser, plus a different rear
quarter window treatment. Lighting the way are standard Saleen HID headlamps.
The interior features a number of Saleen exclusives. A few of these include unique
Saleen gauges with black backgrounds, white numbers and easytoread
silver needles
with black inserts, satin aluminum trim, painted accents, Saleen door sill plates and
S281 floor mats. Each car also comes with an individualized Saleen VIN number
stamped in the chassis, on a dash plaque and on the front bumper. S281 SC and S281
E models also feature a Saleen twin gauge pod with readouts for boost and air
temperature.
More standard features than ever before include onetouch
up/down power
windows, power mirrors, keyless entry and power locks, a heated rear window, interval wipers, MP3 capability and a MyColor custom instrument panel. The industryfirst,
colorconfigurable
MyColor instrument panel offers the ultimate in personalization. S281 E
owners can mix and match lighting at the touch of a button to create more than 125
different color backgrounds to suit their personality, mood, outfit or whim.
Options include a summer performance tire package consisting of supersticky
Pirelli 285/35ZR19 Corsa tires all around, a Shaker 500 audio system with 500 watts of
output and a sixdisc
CD player. Incidentally, both the standard and optional E wheel
and tire packages are also available on the 3Valve
and Supercharged models.
Powered by a supercharged small block V8 producing 500 pavementshredding
horsepower and capable of generating performance figures of around 4.5 sec from 060
mph and quartermile
numbers of about 12.1 sec at 117 mph, comparisons with the
500bhp
Corvette Z06 model that Chevrolet will introduce later this year are inevitable.
The S281 E is scheduled for introduction in July of 2005, and the price will be
announced at that time.
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