Saleen Upscales 2009 Model Line in Pinnacle Year

[Saleen Forums News]

by SOEC Staff


IRVINE, CA -- August 14, 2008 -- On the eve of a second Racecraft model launch and amidst a wave of rumors about the company's viability due to recent auctions at its California and Michigan, Saleen Inc. gives SOEC members a sneak peek at its 2009 Saleen lineup. This year includes fewer but more upscale offerings than in 2008, surely in part due to the abbreviated production year for 2009, a mere 8 or 9 months, as the 2010 Mustang is due out from Ford in March.

"The campaign for the year is titled 'the Pinnacle,' as we intend to solidify Saleen's position as the leader in exclusive performance vehicles," says Marques McCammon, General manager at Saleen Automotive. "My vision is to move the brand up with more exclusivity in every model, [with] fewer, more substantive offerings."

For 2009, Saleen introduces a new wheel, some new exterior details, and each model will have its own interior treatment; e.g., a 281 Supercharged will be visually different from a S302 Supercharged, and the S302E would be different still.

In addition to a offering a unique interior, the new S302 Supercharged will also be offering 580-horsepower in S-line dress.

A reduced number of H-line models for 2009 will be two special editions, including a continuation of the Gurney and a super Saleen that that is nicknamed the "WM" -- while we don't know yet what "WM" stands for, we're sure to find out soon enough.

More details on the 2009 Saleen lineup will be made available as each model is officially launched.

As part of Saleen's Woodward Dream Cruise festivities on August 15, expect to see a much-rumored RaceCraft Focus unveiled, to join the 420 S Mustang unveiled at Mustang Week in South Carolina last month. RaceCraft models, unlike their serial-numbered brethren, will be made available to all Ford dealers.

SOEC, founded in 1991, is the premiere organization for Saleen owners and enthusiasts, with thousands of members worldwide.

[Ponypinoy]

Nice!!! Waiting for 2010 Mustang!!!

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Ponypinoy

Nice!!! Waiting for 2010 Mustang!!!

As the weeks and months pass... seems there are more and more spy shots of the 2010 Ford Mustang hitting the net.


Mr. Saleen Forums News... Neat photo of the 2009 Saleens. The new wheels look nice! Do I nolonger spy the headrests with holes?

[05 Saleen]

I like the front end update. The grill looks better defined with the chrome line.

I also notice that the windshield SALEEN sticker looks a little different??? or is that just my imagination.

Peace.

[06saleenX]

love the new 7 spokes wonder if there lighter than the current ones?

def like the new windshield banner, not too sure of the grill but will have to see it in person

[Saleen Forums Admin]

Originally Posted by 06sallenX

love the new 7 spokes wonder if there lighter than the current ones?

def like the new windshield banner, not too sure of the grill but will have to see it in person

They may indeed be lighter according to one of the Irvine engineers I talked to today, but I think I can get exact weights next week now that I know who to go to next.

[fastautos]

WM = Widow Maker!!!

[Jim D.]

Sorry, but I still have no exact information on the wheel weight comparison, but the outlook is the new wheel is slightly lighter... probably by accident, but probably lighter.

What I did get confirmation of today is that the 3-Valve base model S281 will no longer be offered as part of the move to upscale the Saleen brand and distinguish it by price with the Racecraft model -- expect a fair chunk of change difference between the top-of-the-line Racecraft Mustang and the "entry-level" Saleen Mustang.

But with one brand or another, and one model or another, the company hopes to move more units by offering a little of something for everyone -- even us (cough) near-middle-aged guys who might want to haul people or (cough) kids in a 4-door sedan in the flavor of Focus or Fusion.

Expedition and Navigator superchargers are a pretty hot item right now for SpeedLab, and keep an eye out sometime in the future if you own an Explorer.

[Saleen Forums News]

Here are a few more photos with close-ups of the front grille, wheels and hood vent...

[Dave]

Looks great! Love those hood vents.

Being close to Saleen Inc has its privileges.

[Saleen Forums News]

A closeup of the grille...

[06saleenX]

kinda looks like the same grill just added a single trim piece

def not feeling the hood vents, i like the current ones better, those new ones are alittle overdone, maybe without the "SALEEN" emblem might be nicer
as there is enuff emblems on the car already, IMO

now the wheels i love, i never thought id like another wheel besides the current 7 spoke, but those look great

[Jim D.]

I had a nice chat with Saleen's Marques McCammon today... he said the grille accent piece and the windshield banner both would eventually be sold through Speedlab, but in the usual tradition, the 2009 models will need to roll-out for a while before those types of parts hit the "aftermarket." I would expect the same story to hold true for the wheels.

[DrumSTW3]

Heard it through the grapevine that Saleen is working on aftermarket for the Ford Flex. Does this mean a Saleen or Racecraft branded Flex... only time will tell

[bpmurr]

I'm not a fan of the chrome strip in the grill. As for the hood vents they look ok. The new wheels look really nice and the Saleen window graphics look much more classy.

[Dave]

First 2009 I've seen on EBay. Auction Number: 150291473270

Looks like the bumper number is body color.

[awayne]

Originally Posted by DrumSTW3

Heard it through the grapevine that Saleen is working on aftermarket for the Ford Flex. Does this mean a Saleen or Racecraft branded Flex... only time will tell

They are doing a roof that is sorta like the SkyVu that they have on the Saleen Mustang but it will be on the Flex:

[awayne]

Originally Posted by Dave

First 2009 I've seen on EBay. Auction Number: 150291473270

Looks like the bumper number is body color.

Its called the Black Graphics Group

[Dave]

More info on the '09s.

Along with the Limited Edition Dark Horse in Heritage trim as well as the extended 2009 Gurney production, the S-Line will have have four supercharged models.

- S281 SC Sport
- S281 SC
- S302 SC
- S302 E

Sport continues the mission of the 2008 Red Flag. Entry-level SC. Limited to one of three exterior hues, Black, Alloy, and Red. No vented hood, no wing, no quarter window trim. Chrome 7-Spokes Optional as well as the Watts-Link.

S281 SC is similar to last year. The rear wing is now a no-cost option, the new Speed wheels are standard, and interior trim is updated.

S302 SC builds on the S281 SC. Standard Watts, optional 15" brakes, and Saleen Push Button Start standard.

S302 E seems similar to last year. Except for new seat trim.

All models feature "refined" decal packages.

Visit you local Saleen Dealer for details and pricing.

[Jim D.]

Thanks for putting that together, Dave!

[Dave]

I think I like the blacked-out rear bumper on the S model.

[06saleenX]

hay i live right down the road from that dealer :)
nice to have someone close for service etc, is the red one and black one supercharged?
looks neked without the rear wing an quarter windows

[Dave]

I think I became a fan of the naked S/C cars.

I should move forward with posting the 2009 model info. For 2009 all Saleen Mustangs are supercharged. The "Sport" model is almost a continuation of the Red Flag Edition of 2008. The car features limited exterior color choices and limited optional content.

After the S281 Sport Coupe, things go back to normal.

[Dave]

Appears as if Shults Ford in Harmarville, PA still have the three serialized 2009 S281s from late 2008 inventoried.

2009 S281 S/C Speedster in Alloy
VIN: 1ZVHT85H395142749
09-0011 S281 S/C

2009 S281 S/C Coupe in Torch Red
VIN: 1ZVHT82H795107975
09-0010 S281 S/C

2009 S281 Sport Coupe in Black
VIN: 1ZVHT82H495107884
09-0009 S281 Sport

[06saleenX]

yah they move them around to the local mall, then various car shows etc
sad they just wont sell

[Dave]

Originally Posted by 06saleenX

...they move them around to the local mall

Did they display them in The Mills mall up the road?

[06saleenX]

yah it was sad to see the red one with hand marks up an down and all over it,
the gray vert is nice, a client of mines dad is GM at the wexford store.. so he drives them all on occasion

[Dave]

Originally Posted by 06saleenX

yah it was sad to see the red one with hand marks up an down and all over it...

Tonight I drove up to look these three Saleens over.

09-0009 S281 Sport
Condition: Needs a good bath, maybe a buff and polish. Probably needs a decal kit as well.
Options: Chrome Wheels

09-0010 S281 S/C
Condition: Needs a good bath, maybe a buff and polish.
Options: HIDs, Chrome Wheels, Wing Delete

09-0011 S281 S/C
Condition: Looks to be the best of the three as they sit.
Options: HIDs, Chrome Forged Wheels, Automatic

Will try and take photos in the near future.

[Dave]

Photos of the 2009 S281 S/Cs.

[Dave]

More photos of the 2009 S281 S/Cs.

[uneedav8]

Really don't get what the last minute changes were for. The small saleen graphic on the windshield, silver line on grill, hood vents and painting the black on the rear valence. That what happens when you get bored and mess with perfection. If I was to own on of these....I would change it back to the previous look.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by uneedav8

That what happens when you get bored and mess with perfection. If I was to own on of these....I would change it back to the previous look.

ASC/Saleen was winding down with the serialized cars. Enough changes to make the '09s different from the leftover 2008s and 2007s. Racecraft was the product being pushed in 2009.

The base GT chassis equipment also varied in 2009.

[06saleenX]

shame they let those sitting out in the rain/snow, and you pay for enclosed transport LOL

[Dave]

Originally Posted by 06saleenX

shame they let those sitting out in the rain/snow, and you pay for enclosed transport LOL

I believe Sturman & Larkin have a $10,000.00 discount on their 2008 S281 S/C coupe. Shults should have a similar discount to move these '09s.

[awayne]

Originally Posted by 06saleenX

shame they let those sitting out in the rain/snow, and you pay for enclosed transport LOL

And Saleen/ASC didn't even actually pay out that $1750 for the vehicles to be transported. So us the customers and dealers get (the short end of the stick) in the end.

[Jess Albright]

Does SMS pay the $1650 they charge per vehicle? The answer is no, some they pay $2400, some they might only pay $800. Its an average over all the vehicles.

Thank you
Jess

[awayne]

Originally Posted by Jess Albright

Does SMS pay the $1650 they charge per vehicle? The answer is no, some they pay $2400, some they might only pay $800. Its an average over all the vehicles.

Thank you
Jess

I guess I should have stated a bit more regarding the pricing. I know that Saleen paid around .55 per mile per vehicle for shipping when that is an average going rate for an open vehicle and not even one that has a $50k+ sticker price... That is what they allowed in the budget for shipping.

Now I don't know if that changed much when fuel went up or not and if the company that had the contract with Saleen even ended up getting paid in the end since they were on terms like everyone else. Atleast I got paid on pickup for a few cars that I shipped for them so I didn't have to worry about not getting my $$$ and I got paid more then the $.55 per mile that they had the budget allowance for.

As for SMS, I'm sure they don't pay it all out. As for what they pay I have no clue since I don't go to California so no reason for me to find out.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Dave

Photos of the 2009 S281 S/Cs.

S281 09-0010 went into a guardrail.

eBay: 121029493979