2005 Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo

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WHOA! This is a "fly" car man!
A twin turbo? DANG is it amazing or what?

Specifications

General Information
Price: $555,000
Miles Per Gallon: --/-- mpg
Curb Weight: 2950 lbs
Layout: Mid-Engine/RWD
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Engine
Type: Twin-Turbo V8
Displacement: 7000 cc
Horsepower: 750 bhp @ 6300 rpm
Torque: 700 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Redline: 6500 rpm
Performance
0-60 mph: 2.8 sec
0-100 mph: 6.0 sec
Quarter Mile: 10.7 sec @ 136 mph
Skidpad: 1.10g
Top Speed: --- mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: --- ft
Slalom Speed: 73.0 mph
Information

Source: Saleen

Saleen knows all about power. As in S281 Mustangs, N2O Focuses and the S7, America’s first (and still the only) mid-engine exotic supercar. When it went on sale in 2002, the S7 was the only street-legal car in the U.S. with more than 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The media and S7 owners have raved about the car since it first smoked the rear tires in anger. And it has been recognized by numerous automotive magazines as the fastest production car in the world. But during the past three years the automobile marketplace has witnessed an explosion of performance with models from manufacturers including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Chevrolet touting power numbers above the once magic 500 level.

Saleen is not an organization content to rest on yesterday’s 0-60 mph times or quarter-mile speeds. So for 2005 it’s “goodbye S7” and “all hail the S7 Twin Turbo!” This is the first major change to the S7 since its introduction, and it is a BIG change as in 750 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque, numbers the competition will be chasing for a long while we predict.

What’s New for 2005

It was pretty obvious to Saleen product planners during the late 1990s that horsepower and torque numbers were trending upwards, especially among the purveyors of supercars. And power figures that looked spectacular at that time might seem quite ordinary a few years down the road. So Saleen engineers have been planning for this day since they
drew the first line on a computer screen for the original S7’s 7-liter engine.

While there are a number of different roads Saleen’s engine designers could have traveled down to achieve those high-altitude horsepower and torque figures, for this second edition of the S7 they decided to think beyond atmospheric. And because this is Saleen, they added a double twist to a tried and true racing technique for boosting power and torque: twin turbos.

Aerodynamics has also come under scrutiny for 2005. Unless you place the new S7 Twin Turbo next to one of the original 2002 models, you probably won’t notice that the 2005 version has a different diffuser/rear spoiler package and reshaped front fenders to enhance the S7s already sleek, swoopy and aerodynamic contours. To complement the Twin Turbo’s enhanced straight-line performance envelope The S7 chassis has also undergone a fair amount of tweaking. Virtually every suspension pickup point has been changed, and the suspension geometry has been modified for less squat and dive during acceleration and braking.

Engine & Drivetrain

Designed by Saleen engineers, the S7's engine and drivetrain incorporate the latest in modern racing technology. The new all-aluminum V8 engine casting was engineered and tooled by Saleen to displace seven liters. Redline is 6500 rpm. Space age materials and engineering are used throughout, including stainless steel valves, titanium retainers, beryllium exhaust valve seats, an aluminum throttle body, Saleendesigned aluminum CNC-machined cylinder heads and stainless steel exhaust system. An exclusive Saleen-designed Front Engine Accessory Drive (FEAD) system results in an extremely compact engine, allowing for better packaging and overall weight distribution. The V8 incorporates a unique Saleen-designed side-mounted water pump, a belt-driven camshaft drive and a Saleen-engineered dry sump oil delivery system. The engine's mid-chassis placement optimizes weight distribution and center of gravity, making room for an unusually tall engine that allows for a very efficient induction system. Air enters a roof intake, passes through a 90-mm mass air meter and feeds into a carbon fiber plenum. From the plenum the air is routed to the twin ball bearing turbos, is pressurized to 5.5 psi max and then passes through an oval-bore throttle body into an aluminum intake manifold with eight individual runners.

To feed juice to this setup, the injection system includes dual electric fuel pumps and high-capacity, return-less, 52 lb/hr fuel injectors. Neatly engineered and integrated into the S7’s stainless steel, dual, high-flow exhaust system are two, twin-ball-bearing, water-cooled Saleen-Garrett turbos, featuring 44-mm wastegates. The four exhaust pipes from each bank of cylinders merge into a race-car-like high-efficiency collector. In addition, the exhaust incorporates dual catalysts per cylinder bank, EGR and those aforementioned twin wastegates. And because Saleen believes in power and clean air, the emission control system features dual, heated oxygen sensors per cylinder bank and a high-volume evaporative emission system along with those four catalysts. Oh, and for good measure and clean air, the system is OBD-II compliant.

When Saleen’s engineers originally laid out the architecture of the S7’s 7-liter V8, they purposely over designed all the major components because they knew the car would be raced, and they were also planning ahead for future increased street performance. So one of the few internal changes to the twin-turbo engine is a swap from hydraulic to solid lifters. This change allows the engine to rev higher and “harder.” Solid lifers don’t “pump up” and “float” like hydraulic lifters can at high rpm, and they also allow more aggressive cam profiles, which results in more horsepower at the top end. As with the previous hydraulic tappets, the valves are actuated by low-friction roller rockers.

As is typical with turbocharged engines, the compression ratio has been lowered. It drops from a very high 12.0:1 in the previous naturally aspirated V8 to a still high 11.0:1. And for increased durability, Saleen engineers also added oil squirters to cool the undersides of the pistons.

A Saleen PowerFlash™ performance computer, recalibrated for 2005, handles engine management. The ignition system is integrated coil-on-plug. A new-generation six-speed transaxle, with a unique Saleen bell housing, transfers power to the wheels. The clutch is an organic/metallic 8.0-inch, twin-plate unit with hydraulic actuation.

And if you need any more proof of how Saleen engineers sweat the details, the stroke of the already short-stroke shifter has been furthered shortened for improved shifting feel. Say that five times fast, once for each gear change!

Chassis, Suspension & Brakes

The S7 chassis and suspension incorporate decades of Saleen’s experience in racing, racecar construction and high-performance road car manufacturing. The Saleen S7 architecture begins with a space frame chassis to which honeycomb composite reinforcing is grafted. The body is structural, aerospace-quality, autoclave carbon fiber. Suspension is via fully independent unequal-length double wishbones with coilover springs, lightweight aluminum dampers (shock absorbers) and stabilizer (anti-roll) bars front and rear. The uprights at each corner are CNC machined billet aluminum, flow-through designs that use air to help cool the bearings.

A major improvement in ride is achieved for 2005 with the use of coil springs that are a dual-stage design. The first spring has a lower rate than the single springs fitted to the current S7, resulting in softer ride during normal street driving. But if you remember your history, you know that the S7 is a flat-bottom, downforce car. The faster you go, the more downforce the S7 develops. In the case of the S7’s new dual-stage springs, the second stiffer spring starts coming into play at around 100 mph when the car begins to develop serious downforce.

Chassis tuning also includes revised shock valving front and rear. Saleen-engineered Brembo-supplied lightweight aluminum six-piston mono-block calipers are fitted front and rear. The brakes are among the largest of any production car with 15-inch vented discs up front and 14-inch vented discs at the rear. The Saleen-designed forged alloy wheels feature center locking wheel nuts with automatic safety locks. Sizes are 19 x 9.5 inches up front and 20 x 12 inches at the rear.

Geometry changes, along with new tires, result in about a 30 percent increase in mechanical grip . . . which is substantial. In a seeming contradiction to current performance tire practice, the 2005 S7 Twin Turbo is fitted with “taller” tires, 275/35R19s up front and 335/30R20s at the rear, replacing the 275/30R19s and 345/25R20s fitted to the normally aspirated S7. While the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires have higher aspect ratios, they also lay tire patches that are nearly an inch wider up front and almost 1.5 inches wider at the rear.

Body Design

The S7’s beautiful shape was “designed” by the wind. Optimal aerodynamics and top speed performance objectives were achieved with extensive wind tunnel work. Targets included a low coefficient of drag, optimum drag-to-lift ratio, and extreme down force. The S7 has “full tray” body sculpting underneath.

Longtime Saleen design consultant, Phil Frank, and Steve Saleen then personalized and refined the aesthetics of the S7 to reflect modern supercar thinking. The gill-like ducting is, of course, fully functional. The autoclaved carbon fiber body panels incorporate advanced aerodynamics and include integrated split-channel airflow throughout the car, full underside air management, and advanced front tray and side skirt designs and an integrated full-body rear spoiler, replacing the wing used previously.

For the 2005 S7 Twin Turbo, the redesigned front and rear diffusers, along with the new rear spoiler, result in a 40 percent reduction in aero drag and a 60 percent increase in down force. Those of you who know anything about aero forces recognize the significance of that last statement. Typically, you would have to trade down force to reduce aero drag.

The mid-engine Saleen S7 has front and rear trunks and comes with Mulholland Brothers® custom-made, 3-piece, fitted luggage. In true supercar style, the doors open up and away from the body.

“When seen in person, the S7 has an amazing overall presence,” says Steve Saleen, founder and president of Saleen, Inc. “It’s quite long and wide, yet only 41.0 inches high, adding to its exotic appearance. We wanted to maintain a ‘form-followsfunction’ look, but one that was esthetically beautiful as well. I really feel we’ve achieved both.” Interior As much care has been given to the creature comforts of the Saleen S7 as to its performance. Great attention was given to seating position. The car features asymmetrical seating, with the driver position moved slightly more to the center than the passenger. This improves the driver’s ergonomics and the side-to-side weight distribution. Because the S7 features a custom fitted driver seating position with adjustable pedals and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, it comfortably accommodates tall drivers. While Shaquille O’Neal would have a tough time fitting behind the wheel of an S7, drivers as tall as 6 feet 6 inches can enjoy the S7 driving experience.

To further improve driving comfort and ergonomics, the S7 Twin Turbo incorporates a revised pedal box. The clutch and throttle lever ratios pedals have been changed for lighter pedal efforts. In addition, the three pedals have been spaced farther apart without impinging upon the dead pedal.

Seats and other interior surfaces are covered in elegant leather and suede. Air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless opening for the doors and both trunks, an electric-headed front windshield, variable intermittent windshield wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an AM/FM/CD/DVD/TV system are all standard. The Saleen S7 also has one unique interior feature: a video “rearview mirror” — there is a small video camera inconspicuously mounted in the rear of the car.

A navigation system and polished wheels are among the few available features.



PICTURES AND CREDIT - http://fast-autos.net/saleen/saleens7tt.html
 
What do you people estimate the top speed is? The NA S-7 went 220 mph. With the right gearing, I think it could go around 240 mph.
 
Can anyone say 'Enzo killer'? This car is beyond awsome! It's probably going to be the fastest production car ever made once production starts! I wonder if Saleen is targeting the McLaren F1's record...

It looks absolutely amazing in red too!
 
It's great and all, but I don't see it beating an Enzo round a track, I don't see it hitting 240Mph either, it probably won't be geared to go for it anyway, look at all the trouble VW-Audi are having trying to get the Veyron that fast, and Koenigsegg has tried and failed after claiming the CC8S would do it before deliveries were made. If there was going to be one production car that would beat that, I would've said the Speed 12, but Peter Wheeler cut the cars life short after it **** him up driving home from the factory one night.
 
Hiya! :D :embarrassed: :lol: Meow! (='.'=)

Now there is one of America's bes supercar that will show that the USA does indeed have a nuclear "car" weapon of its own! :embarrassed: But I find something strange the way it looks...I SWEAR that "look" on the car looks JUST EXACTLY like the poster I bought last winter(2004) AND I MEAN EXACTLY!!!! THE SAME THING! The poster does look expensive as my dad won't tell me how much he spend for it..... Looks like its about time the McCutie gets put in the graveyard :(
 
McLaren'sAngel
Hiya! :D :embarrassed: :lol: Meow! (='.'=)

Now there is one of America's bes supercar that will show that the USA does indeed have a nuclear "car" weapon of its own! :embarrassed: But I find something strange the way it looks...I SWEAR that "look" on the car looks JUST EXACTLY like the poster I bought last winter(2004) AND I MEAN EXACTLY!!!! THE SAME THING! The poster does look expensive as my dad won't tell me how much he spend for it..... Looks like its about time the McCutie gets put in the graveyard :(

I doubt the McLaren will ever be put in a graveyard. It did and proved so much for itself in the small decade it was alive.
 
Long live McLaren. Even if it gets beaten by some other sick bastard with four wheels and a motor, it's still a modern-day legend. So fear not.

For one thing, 550hp isn't for "sissies." Almost anything with at least more than 400hp means business. Even more so if it's STOCK with that power. This Twin Turbo Saleen S7 will miss out GT4, but this machine is actually getting my full congratulations and respect. I actually think this is perhaps the most exotic and most pure supercar out of the United States today, or maybe even in existance. This twin-turbo bad boy is really going to attract some attention now. All this thing has to do now is get into racing and give the Corvettes a run for their money at Sebring, Circuit De La Sarthe (Le Mans), Road Atlanta, my backyard, my closet, the city park, whereever there is GT competition. Hope to see you back on the track, Saleen S7! Don't let us down!
 
MrktMkr1986
You might be able to turbocharge the S7 in the game...

Hiya! :D :embarrassed: :lol: Meow! (='.'=)


I hope that would be possible! If it is....then I shuold be able to turbocharge the McLaren F1 Fina then! :grumpy: :embarrassed:

By the way, I find that the McLaren F1 and Saleen S7 isn't very well known to the majority of the streets of the US. Those two supercars are only known to those who do research on supercars or happen to find out becuase of records set such the the F1. It's too bad that supercars are so rare that it isn't well known at all, except Ferrari...EVERYONE seems to know ferrari products! :embarrassed:
 
McLaren'sAngel
Hiya! :D :embarrassed: :lol: Meow! (='.'=)


Hi! That cat design is pretty cool! :D

McLaren'sAngel
I hope that would be possible! If it is....then I shuold be able to turbocharge the McLaren F1 Fina then! :grumpy: :embarrassed:

By the way, I find that the McLaren F1 and Saleen S7 isn't very well known to the majority of the streets of the US. Those two supercars are only known to those who do research on supercars or happen to find out becuase of records set such the the F1. It's too bad that supercars are so rare that it isn't well known at all, except Ferrari...EVERYONE seems to know ferrari products! :embarrassed:

The F1 and the S7 aren't well known probably because most people can't afford one. Ferrari is so well known because it has a longer racing history than most other exotic car manufacturers.

And by the way, a turbocharged McLaren would be unstoppable on the track! :lol:
 
McLaren, let's face it. Pretty much only 10% to 25% of US citizens know exactly what a Saleen is, and 0-15% know what a McLaren is. But unfornately, these 15% only know the F1.

Here's a pretty good guess of Americans that know the rest.

2%-10%-F1 LM
5%-12%-F1 GTR
0%-3%-F1 GTR Longtail
0%-1%-F1 GT

Its no surprise. Americans usually don't tend to study supercars. Ferrari is probably the best known, with Lamborghini and Porsche in 2nd. But then again, most of these people, when they hear the word Ferrari, or Lamborghini, sometimes they think of just 1 car. They don't think of different models.


Americans and supercars just aren't that known to each other.
 
Yeah, I'd be willing to bet that at least 95% of Americans couldn't name a single Ferrari model if there life depended on it :guilty: :grumpy: That is definitely one thing that sucks about living in America.

"The good ol' US of A, where people know **** about cars" :indiff:
 
Hiya! :D :embarrassed: :lol: Meow! (='.'=)

Even though the majority will not know any of the Ferrari cars, they at least know one thing about Ferrari....EXPENSIVE!!!! I find that the world "EXPENSIVE" usually the first thing that comes into Americans head when they see a Ferrari.

I do wonder how they would look at the McLaren F1 and Saleen when they see one. Makes me wonder what they think about it.

"What car is that?"
"Is that a Ferrari?"

:embarrassed:
 
McLaren'sAngel
Hiya! :D :embarrassed: :lol: Meow! (='.'=)

Even though the majority will not know any of the Ferrari cars, they at least know one thing about Ferrari....EXPENSIVE!!!! I find that the world "EXPENSIVE" usually the first thing that comes into Americans head when they see a Ferrari.

I do wonder how they would look at the McLaren F1 and Saleen when they see one. Makes me wonder what they think about it.

"What car is that?"
"Is that a Ferrari?"

:embarrassed:

Well most Ferraris are expensive. Take this car on E-bay for example...
Ferrari 308. :sly:
 
That Ferrari is 22 grand...thats not expensive. I think people equate Ferrari with fast...Which just isn't true. hell, a WRX STi is faster than a Testarossa. For a 10th of the price too.
 
PublicSecrecy
That Ferrari is 22 grand...thats not expensive. I think people equate Ferrari with fast...Which just isn't true. hell, a WRX STi is faster than a Testarossa. For a 10th of the price too.

But it's over 25 years old and has a whopping 30,000 miles on it. I think about half the money goes to pay for the badge.
 
(Reserve not met)

That means it's really worth much more than what is says. I do occasionally see Ferrari Mondials sell for around 20 grand. Even if it is a Ferrari, it seems outrageous that anyone would pay that much for something 25 years old & with only 214 hp.
 
Buying a cheap Ferrari depends on luck.

After about 4 years after the model is out, price value drops. Its old, done, crap. (Sorry). But after about a decade, the price will drastically shoot up over the price of the original cost. Why? Rareity. The older a certain car becomes, the more value goes up. Most likely, in 50 years, a McLaren or hell, even a Ferrar Testarossa could soar for over $12,000,000. Why? Rareity.


Right now, Testarossa's are still around $60,000-$100,000. However, 308's can go for $30,000-$45,000. Give it 20 years, and the price may increase.

This doesn't go for all supercars. The Countach's price dropped 2 years after it came, yet it wasn't a huge drop, but after 1993, the price started rise.
 
Hiya! :D :embarrassed: :lol: Meow! (='.'=)

Can we also say that the demand for them can also cause the price to go higher? It's like IF there are enough people who are looking to buy that ferrari, wouldnt the price shoot up higher for that reason? And how about IF like...no one even wanted that car? :embarrassed:
 
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