Steve Saleen ponies up, Celebrates Anniversaries with Unveiling of SMS 460

[Saleen Forums News]

Steve Saleen ponies-up, celebrates 25 years in the business
and 45 years of Mustangs with 2010 SMS 460 Mustang,
new owners club

Breaking news by SMS Superclub --

Orange County, California. (April 17, 2009) -- Steve Saleen, his name being synonymous with fast Mustangs, would not be Steve if he kept his hands off Ford’s newest pony. On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the launch of the original Mustang in 1964, and in reflection on his 25 year association with America’s iconic sports car, Steve celebrates with Mustang aficionados and SMS Superclub members from around the world in launching first sketches of the 2010 SMS 460 and SMS 460X Mustangs at the 45th Anniversary Celebrations in Birmingham, Alabama. The festivities will continue all weekend, including at the Fabulous Fords Forever at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California on Sunday with more than 1,000 Mustangs participating, including more than 50 Saleen owners and their vehicles.

Instantly recognizable as Steve Saleen’s work, the new SMS 460 Mustangs feature a host of visual and technical highlights that set them apart from the crowd. “I previewed many of the features of my newest Mustang with the 25th anniversary car I showed last year,” says SMS Supercars CEO and President Steve Saleen. The front fascia treatment, the SMS Red Butterfly Air Induction Hood™, the front and side splitters, the rear fascia and diffuser with the high downforce rear wing showed the way Steve Saleen is looking at Mustangs today. “You have to go with the times. While the Mustang remains an icon, Ford has done a very good job with the 2010 model. I wanted to interpret it using my signature to create the latest Steve Saleen version of this American favorite.” The SMS 460 Mustang offers a 4.6 liter V8 engine featuring a minimum 470 hp and 427 ft-lb of torque, while the even more powerful SMS 460X Mustang engine with all new internal and headwork delivers 655 hp and 600 ft-lb out of the enlarged 5.0 liter V8. Both use the new (patent pending) SMS 296 Supercharger presented last week at the New York International Auto Show. Transmission options are a 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual on the 460 or a 6-speed SMST manual on the top of the line 460X.

Performance for both cars is expectedly striking. The 460 Mustang accelerates from 0 to 60 in the low 4 seconds, while the 460X manages the same in the lower 4’s. In addition to engine output, handling, roadholding and braking play an equally important role. The 2010 SMS 460 Mustangs feature Steve’s signature Watt’s linkage suspension with all-new geometry. New SMS brakes front and rear deliver impressive stopping power to match the jaw-dropping performance.

The interior with all-new Alcantara and leather SMS performance seats features the patented Signature Series chevron stripes. Dash and interior panels are covered in hand-stitched high-quality leather. Multiple seat chevron and SMS unique exterior colors are available.

More details about Steve Saleen’s latest Mustang will be revealed in the spring of 2009, deliveries are expected to start mid-summer. Customers interested in buying a SMS 460 and SMS 460X Mustang can either contact SMS Supercars directly at www.smssupercars.com or by calling (714) 400 2121.

SMS Supercars
SMS Supercars is a niche manufacturer of lifestyle ultra-high performance vehicles, technical performance parts, lifestyle accessories and apparel. SMS Supercars designs, engineers, tests, certifies, manufactures and assembles all of their own products and vehicles.

SMS Superclub
SMS Superclub is the officially-recognized organization of owners and enthusiasts of the new Supercars by SMS. Website launching Spring 2009.

[Light02atl]

and for the low low price of $85k+...it can be mine? lol :)

[Meikol02]

Where's the cool Red-butterfly hood? It gets mentioned but is not in the artist rendering...

I am glad to see the numbers are up on the X version well above the new GT500 numbers of 540 HP.

[05 Saleen]

Thumbs up from me!

Nice subtle, yet distinctive look.

Nice job guys at SMS!

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Meikol02

Where's the cool Red-butterfly hood?

Mounted on the sides on the hood. Like the SMS 570.

Hard to pick-up if you're looking for them there... since it was introduced as a center mount on the SMS 25.

[Meikol02]

Originally Posted by Dave

Mounted on the sides on the hood. Like the SMS 570.

Hard to pick-up if you're looking for them there... since it was introduced as a center mount on the SMS 25.

I thought about that, but then seconded guessed myself because of the SMS 25.

[uneedav8]

Glad there will be a 2010 Saleen Mustang....

[ctann]

So what does the "460" signify? For me, it brings to mind the truck-engine I had in my first F250, but not something I usually associate with Mustangs!

Oh yeah - love the fact that the sketch is of a *yellow* Mustang! By far the best choice...

Chris.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by uneedav8

Glad there will be a 2010 Saleen Mustang....

I understand the comment and where it's coming from, but for the passerby's... the above vehicle is the SMS 460 Mustang by Steve Saleen and his new company. Note made in case "Saleen-the-company" designs and debuts a Saleen Mustang in the next year to 18 months.

Originally Posted by ctann

So what does the "460" signify? For me, it brings to mind the truck-engine...

I never asked, but I think it's just their new naming method. Think about the SMS 570. Dodge with a 5.7 Liter motor. SMS 460. Ford with a 4.6 Liter motor. I would think though... that a Ford featuring a 5.0 Liter would be the SMS 500, but that's not the case. Or so it seems.

My guess.

[jvilla112]

nice! I want one.

[Light02atl]

Does anyone know if SMS will be selling parts, rather than just complete cars? We are picking up a 2010 gt and will be looking for some new styling cues in the near future. Id love to have some SMS body parts!!

[uneedav8]

Originally Posted by Dave

I understand the comment and where it's coming from, but for the passerby's... the above vehicle is the SMS 460 Mustang by Steve Saleen and his new company. Note made in case "Saleen-the-company" designs and debuts a Saleen Mustang in the next year to 18 months.

I am glad to see that Phil Frank comes through again and keeps the family resemblance. It will be interesting to see what Saleen the company comes out with in terms of styling.

[Saleenlvr]

Yes, we are selling aftermarket. Coming Soon!

Originally Posted by Light02atl

Does anyone know if SMS will be selling parts, rather than just complete cars? We are picking up a 2010 gt and will be looking for some new styling cues in the near future. Id love to have some SMS body parts!!

[Saleenlvr]

Yes, because it's a 4.6

Originally Posted by Dave

I understand the comment and where it's coming from, but for the passerby's... the above vehicle is the SMS 460 Mustang by Steve Saleen and his new company. Note made in case "Saleen-the-company" designs and debuts a Saleen Mustang in the next year to 18 months.




I never asked, but I think it's just their new naming method. Think about the SMS 570. Dodge with a 5.7 Liter motor. SMS 460. Ford with a 4.6 Liter motor. I would think though... that a Ford featuring a 5.0 Liter would be the SMS 500, but that's not the case. Or so it seems.

My guess.

[WILHELM]

When can we expect a real photo of the car? Also is their any word on price of these things? Also just out of curiosity, my local Ford dealer Fritts Ford is a certified Saleen dealer I was just wondering if SMS plans to make this dealer a certified SMS dealer or are those things still not certain?

[Dave]

Originally Posted by uneedav8

I am glad to see that Phil Frank comes through again and keeps the family resemblance.

Mr. Frank did a real nice concept. He and SS pulled it off well. When I look at the drawing, you have some idea as to what it is... even though its not.

Character features with some new stuff introduced.

[Saleenlvr]

I don't have a dealers list and I am not in the office, so I can't answer your question about Fritts tonight. If you want, you can call them and inquire. If they are not planning on being a participating dealer, customer inquiry can change that. I am not sure when we will release an actual photo, we have not begun production on the Mustang yet. I do not have a price point yet. We are keeping our customers up to date as we move ahead. Stay tuned!!

Originally Posted by WILHELM

When can we expect a real photo of the car? Also is their any word on price of these things? Also just out of curiosity, my local Ford dealer Fritts Ford is a certified Saleen dealer I was just wondering if SMS plans to make this dealer a certified SMS dealer or are those things still not certain?

[WILHELM]

Is there any updates on this vehicle?

[Saleenlvr]

The SMS 460 and 460X models will range in the $60,000’s and $70,000’s respectively.We are now taking pre order deposits of this vehicle so that customers are able to secure themselves with a low production number for the new SMS Mustang! The horsepower ratings will range from 470 to over 650!

[WILHELM]

Anything happen recently? Production has started? Future photo release date?

[uneedav8]

What are the chances of us seeing this car at the knott's ford show?

[Dave]

Originally Posted by uneedav8

What are the chances of us seeing this car at the knott's ford show?

The new SMS Mustang is ready. So, good chance.

[05 Mineral Grey S281]

Dave you seem to have a handle on what is going on at SMS, I am a East Coast owner (NY) and knowing the history of SS making a big splash in the NY Auto Show, will there be an appearance in NY?

[Dave]

Following the weekend of April 17th... the 2010 460s will display during the Knott Berry Farm event.

[Barricade]

When I first read about the 460 it rated its HP at 460.
So I naturally figured thats where the name came from.

Now I see they have it at 470....but I swear it was 460!!

Now the 460X is listed at 655hp.

[Dave]

Great question!

The SMS model numbering system plays off of the factory engine size.

Ford 4.6 Liter is an SMS 460.
Chrysler 5.7 Liter is an SMS 570.
GM 6.2 Liter is an SMS 620.

[uneedav8]

Won't the SMS 460 have a short life since the current mustangs will soon be the 2011 model? At least SMS 500 sounds just as cool....

[Dave]

Originally Posted by uneedav8

Won't the SMS 460 have a short life since the current mustangs will soon be the 2011 model?

Yes. The 460 will be a limited production vehicle, since FMC introduces their new V8 with the fast approaching 2011 GT.

[redflagsc]

what are the major differences with this new 5.0? Will it's 4v head be compatible with the regular 4.6 set up? I'm slowly buildiing a new shortblock w/ 302 stroker kit from buysaleen.com. I highly doubt it would work, what do you think?

[Dave]

Originally Posted by redflagsc

what are the major differences with this new 5.0? Will it's 4v head be compatible with the regular 4.6 set up? I'm slowly buildiing a new shortblock w/ 302 stroker kit from buysaleen.com. I highly doubt it would work, what do you think?

The 302 in the 2010 SMS 460 Mustang is a stroked 281. Not unlike the 2007 PJ and 2008-09 H302 / S302.

From my understanding, the new 5-Liter (302) from FMC and offered in the 2011 Mustang GT, is a completely new engine and dissimilar to the 4.6 2-valve, 3-valve and 4-valve we've seen for the past 15+ years.

[ctann]

Originally Posted by Dave

The 302 in the 2010 SMS 460 Mustang is a stroked 281. Not unlike the 2007 PJ and 2008-09 H302 / S302.

My understanding was that the 302 was only in the 460X. Do they have a 460X ready to show as well?

Chris.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by ctann

Do they have a 460X ready to show as well?

I believe so. Displaying for Knott's 2010. Or for those in the Michigan area... Campbell Ford will give you a tour of the 460X.

[uneedav8]

Pics???

[Dave]

Originally Posted by uneedav8

Pics???

Introducing the 2011 SMS 302.

Go here for more on the 2011 SMS Mustang:
http://saleenforums.soec.org/showthread.php?t=7440

[uneedav8]

Dave, thanks for posting those pictures....do you know why they did not keep the naming consistent with the other cars by going with SMS 500 .....liters instead of cubes?

[Dave]

Originally Posted by uneedav8

Dave, thanks for posting those pictures....do you know why they did not keep the naming consistent with the other cars by going with SMS 500 .....liters instead of cubes?

I do not know. Maybe it came down to a heritage or marketing decision.