No Lightning? No Problem: Saleen S331 in production
This just in from our friends at Fast-Autos.net: production on the Saleen S331 sport truck is well underway at Saleen's irvine, CA production facility, and they were able to get inside for an up-close look at the process (check out the photos after the jump).
Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January, the S331 comes in two flavors: regular and supercharged. Both editions use Ford's 5.4L SOHC 3-valve V8 for motivation and come in the Super Cab body style
The normally-aspirated version is good for 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, while customers who step up to the supercharged edition are rewarded with 450 horses and a Dodge Ram SRT-10-matching 500 lb-ft of torque. A Saleen exhaust, Racecraft suspension, 23" wheels, and six-piston brakes round out the mechanical improvements. Visually, the trucks are dressed in a sharp-looking Saleen body kit that emphatically reinforces their sporting nature. Inside, a new instrument cluster, upgraded leather sport seating embroidered with the Saleen logo and a host of other available options give the S331 a custom feel. Look for prices in the high $30Ks for the normally aspirated version. The supercharged S331 will retail in the upper $40Ks.
(Additional photos after the jump)
[Source: Drew Phillips/Fast-Autos.net]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ken 8:08AM (9/12/2006)
Ok, let's hear it: "Why would ANYONE want to waste their time/money on a fast/gas-guzzling/high center of gravity vehicle like this truck?" Come on truck/SUV bashers let's hear from you (again).
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lach 8:46AM (9/12/2006)
truck/SUV lovers retort:
Depending on where you live, its not always smart, and sometimes, extemely unpractical to drive an exotic, lowered, rear wheel drive sports car more than two or three months of the year. The rest of the time you want something thats big, sturdy and safe...not to mention a car that actually comes with some semblance of storage space for when Ive got shit to carry around with me (quite often)....while I agree that I'd rather have a garage full of exotic sports cars and drive them all year long...I dont live in miami or hawaii or austin etc.... so thats just not a realistic option. If I've gotta drive around in a truck...why not make it a pimped out saleen?
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Richard Warren 10:39AM (9/12/2006)
Cool!
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Tri-Bob 9:15AM (9/12/2006)
Ken, I think the main point is, people who can't afford this are all of a sudden environventalists and bash these vehicles. I would love to see some of these people win the lottery, I would gaurantee they would have at least 1 exotic car and then make some donation to Green Peace to make themselves feel better.
Back on task, I like it. It also seems relatively cheap for a Saleen. Don't the fully optioned pick-ups go for mid 30's anyway?
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Kit 9:35AM (9/12/2006)
thanks for this information
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Shawn 9:47AM (9/12/2006)
Tri-Bob, $30K is on top of the vehicle cost
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Robert Gift 10:10AM (9/12/2006)
Can someonexplain the "No Lightning".
I don't get it.
What a wasteful gas guzzler - like my Ford Expedition.
(But my Ex is a 4WD medical emergency vehicle.)
Tryin' to be cool using absurd "normally-aspirated"
instead of supercharged?
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jordan 10:17AM (9/12/2006)
Re: Robert Gift
"No Lightning" is referring to the fact that there isn't an SVT Lightning in production at the moment, so Saleen has picked up the slack.
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Shawn 10:19AM (9/12/2006)
Robert Gift, I hope you're not asking what "Lightning" is. Ford Lightning is a SVT truck that stopped production in 2004. Supposedly it is coming back.
Why is N/A engine "absurd?"
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HemiDakota 10:41AM (9/12/2006)
#1 not everyone drives a Kia Rio like you. [humor]
If you have the money enjoy living while you can.
Though, the money is better spent with the Dodge SRT10 Ram for performance.
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rwdmtparkingonly 10:46AM (9/12/2006)
My guess at why Ford won’t make the Lightening:
Light trucks (i.e. 1500/150 series) are part of the CAFE truck weighted average that big auto makers must meet, or pay penalties. Saleen is exempt from CAFE as a small manufacturer, so they can make a "Lightening" without worrying about hurting their CAFE average. DCX can make the Ram SRT 10 because they have the truck classified PT Cruiser to offset it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_Average_Fuel_Economy
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Laz 6:45PM (9/12/2006)
How much? For a truck?
Hmmm, not appealing to truck lovers (no 4x4, clearance or Rhino-liner) and not appealing to sports car fans (gas guzzling, high centre of grav.) - good luck selling them.
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Corey W. 11:44AM (9/12/2006)
"1. Ok, let's hear it: "Why would ANYONE want to waste their time/money on a fast/gas-guzzling/high center of gravity vehicle like this truck?" Come on truck/SUV bashers let's hear from you (again)."
Because it's something they want and can afford it, just because you don't understand the concept doesn't mean it's not a good product. For example, the idea of a two wheel drive truck is crazy to me, but that's just my opinion, I don't judge others by it.
I just wish GM wasn't so conservative in this area, but I guess they have other things to focus on then 500HP sport trucks.
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JB 11:52AM (9/12/2006)
Ford has curtailed most of SVT's activities, except for the Shelby Mustang. The problem is really plant complexity and (probably) warranty costs. Ford already makes a lot of versions of the F150, and the Lightning didn't help. Plus, there didn't seem to be a lot of press about the SRT10 vs Lightning lately. Also, figure most of the Lightnings are going to be beat on pretty much all the time. Ford is already getting dinged on Powerstroke warranty costs for F-series.
Also, I've heard the SRT10 is going away this year too. I've seen several sitting on dealer lots, I'm sure the dealers are anxious to move them on. Even people who are in this market seem to be staying away, or they already have one.
Finally, Roush has a package for the F150, but I don't think it has the power of the Saleen package - sounds like some magazine should do a comparo on them.
I'm not against these vehicles at all, I like the Lightning, especially in sleeper silver. I recall how mean the 454SS Chevy truck looked when it first came out - nice and clean looking, no rubbermaid plastic do-dads, it was a Grand National pickup (black was the only color it should have been available in).
I'd rather have the Saleen mechanicals without the body mods, sleepers are much better to drive, and more likely to be in the parking lot where you left it, too.
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DPC car videos 2:39PM (9/12/2006)
40K is not bad for a supercharged 450 horsepower truck, it much cheaper then the Dodge truck with 50 more horsepower.
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Dubbedinenglish 2:40PM (9/12/2006)
Actually the Lightning was the better truck to but over the SRT-10, the SRT-10 (when comparing, MSRP vs MSRP) was 13k more than the lightning. For that price here are the performance specs for the two trucks:
SRT-10
0-30 2.1
0-40 2.9
0-50 3.9
0-60 4.9
1/4 Mile, Sec @ Mph 13.3 @ 106.9
Braking, 60-0, Ft 124.9
Lateral Acceleration, G 0.87
Speed Through 600-Ft Slalom, Mph 61.9
Track Lapping (Wet Surface)(Min) 1:13.4
Epa Fuel Economy, City/Hwy 9/13
Towing capacity, lb N/A
Base Price $45,000
2004 SVT Lightning:
Acceleration
0-30 1.9
0-40 2.8
0-50 3.8
0-60 5.1
1/4 mile 13.6 @ 102.0
Braking, 60-0, 122.9 ft
Lateral Acceleration, .86 g's
Speed Through 600-Ft Slalom 61.5 mph
Track Lapping (Wet Surface)(Min) 1:13.9
Epa Fuel Economy, City/Hwy 13/16
Towing capacity, lb 5000
Base Price $32,615
You can see that the SRT-10 only marginally beats the lightning except in braking, and towing capacity where the SRT-10 has none at all.
Also you should factor in the cost of tuning the vehicles, which for the Lightning is extremely easy to do so. Within $600 you can have the lightning (a la chip and pulley) signifigantly faster than the SRT-10.....Hands down the better truck to buy (if that is what you want) is the Lightning.
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jeff 10:32AM (4/08/2007)
I have to agree the whole muscle truck thing is overrated. I have a 2002 dodge ram 1500 4.7 liter 235 horsepower. I wouldnt recommend a full size truck but to someone who needs it for work. Coming from a Dodge truck owner the ford is prob more practical of the 2, base models i mean.
Gm seems to be stepping up to the plate finally
maybe they will get back to making strong trucks.
Out of the two trucks looks id go for srt/10. For practicality the ford.
For long haul dont buy a dodge.
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Lee Clarke 11:10PM (5/22/2007)
I've had a Saleen S331SC, for a few weeks, and 1,150 miles.
This truck is a blast and it draws favorable attention everywhere I go.
Fit and finish are excellent and it is a very comfortable ride.
I love it.
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