www.QV500.com - Saleen S7 Part 1: S7
 

Up until the summer of 2000, Saleen had only been associated with factory sanctioned Mustang hot rods and race cars - very much like a Shelby for the 21st century. Enormously successful in production GT racing, Saleen's competition department have a CV second to none while their road car division produces hundreds of vehicles a year. The S7 though was a complete departure, a mid-engined 550bhp supercar blessed with heavy endurance racing overtones. A pre-production prototype was launched in August 2000, the first customer cars following in late 2001 after a multi championship winning year for the S7-R.

   

Constructed around a lightweight steel 4130 spaceframe reinforced with honeycomb composite panels, Saleen opted not to use a carbonfibre monocoque on account of the prodigious cost. There are unequal length double wishbones, lightweight aluminium dampers, coil over springs and through-flow uprights that direct air to the brakes. Brembo produced lightweight aluminium brakes with six-piston calipers and huge 15-inch ventilated discs at the front (14's at the rear), Saleen’s own seven-spoke wheels being fastened with centre-locking wheel nuts. Of 19-inch diameter at the front and 20 at the rear (9.5 and 13-inches wide respectively), these are shod with Pirelli’s P Zero Rossa tyres. There's just 100mm of ground clearance for the 41-inch high machine, the 1250kg weight being split 40/60 front/rear. Given their long association with Mustang's, it's unsurprising the S7 is powered by a twin camshaft Ford V8 tuned and developed by Saleen's engine maestro, Bill Talley. Incorporating forged pistons and EN40B billet steel connecting rods and crankshafts, these all-alloy 7-litre motors feature Saleen’s own CNC machined high-flow alloy heads and stainless steel valves with titanium retainers.

 
A displacement of 7011cc is achieved thanks to bore and stroke measurements of 104.8 x 101.6mm, the dry-sumped motor boasting an OBD-II compliant emission control system with dual heated oxygen sensors and a high-volume EVAP system making it 50-state legal in North America. Also present are hydraulic valve trains, a magnesium oval bore throttle body and intake manifold (the former mounted longitudinally). Producing 550bhp at 6400rpm, the engine is coupled to a six-speed gearbox (also longitudinally mounted) with a four-plate hydraulically-operated clutch.
   
This equates to a 202mph top speed while 0-60 requires just 3.8 seconds, 0-100 eight seconds flat. Designed in-house, the S7’s aggressive bodywork generates enough downforce to be driven upside down at 160mph. Fabricated almost entirely from carbon fibre, panels are bonded to the spaceframe for maximum rigidity, many featuring gaping vents and ducts. A roof-mounted intake feeds a pair of 80mm air meters with carbon fibre plenums, Saleen opting for much larger overhangs than most. Access to the cabin is by forward-tilting butterfly doors, the cockpit being designed to accomodate occupants right up to six feet eight inches. Once into the bucket seats, the driver is met by a quick-release three-spoke leather steering wheel fronting an instrument binnacle with central tach and 240mph speedo. Connolly leather is used throughout, aluminium surrounding the gear shift and centre console. Air-conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, a fully adjustable steering column, adjustable pedals and a set of fitted luggage is standard. Launched during August of 2000 at the Monterey Historic Races held every year in California, the S7 was designed from scratch in little more than ten months.
 
Saleen skipped the traditional prototype and clay model phases, instead going straight from CAD to complete car. Subsequently starring at ever major auto show it cared to attend, the S7 entered production late in 2001, the factory producing around 25 examples a year. To provide the best parts distribution, servicing and warranty work for owners across the world, Saleen have collaborated with Ray Mallock Ltd. to produce a facility in Wellingborough, England. Here European and Middle-Eastern owners can have their cars prepared by the same firm that originally ran works S7-R’s.