First Drive: Saleen S331 is equal parts sport and truck
We recently had a chance to sample Saleen's newest offering, the S331 Sport Truck, in and around Newport Beach, California. A small fleet of these sport trucks looked right at home parked in front of the Harbor, directly in the shadows of the multi-million dollar yachts at the Balboa Bay Club. We even had an older couple chase us down in their customized BMW 7-series and place an order. We kid you not. The S331 is a new vehicle and new segment for this small manufacturer better known for its Mustangs and S7 supercar. Getting into trucks was a logical development for Saleen, as the dealerships that handle their products report that nearly three quarters of their sales are trucks. So when there appeared to be enough interest in a Saleen truck, they decided to build one. Notice we said "build one" and not "modify one."
Follow the jump for the rest of the Day 1 story. And don't forget to check out the gallery of high-res pics from Drew Phillips and the author.
Gallery: Saleen S331 Sport Truck First Drive
Manufacturers build, tuners modify. Steve Saleen, the man, is quite compelling when he explains that Saleen, the company, is a true manufacturer. Crash testing, emissions certification, EPA, NHTSA, et al. Other companies offering custom vehicles are usually tuners, offering bolt-on parts for an existing vehicle that have not gone through the whole process and are therefore less proven, and frequently less legal. Saleen spends millions of dollars every year certifying their products. The government cuts them no slack just because Saleen bases most of their current lineup on existing models like the Mustang or F-150. The S7 is unique, but so are the S281/Parnelli Jones Mustangs and S331 Sport Truck in the minds of the authorities. As soon as you change a bumper, an intake, an exhaust, the suspension/wheels/tires, you technically have a new vehicle that needs to be recertified. Most companies find loopholes, not Saleen. We point this out, of course, to explain why Steve can frequently be seen bristling when he hears someone refer to them as a tuner. Think Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop when you hear Steve say, "It's NOT a tuner."
We also point this out to explain why a Saleen product might cost a little more than its competitors. For that extra investment, you get a vehicle that is completely engineered by Saleen. Parts and assemblies may be built by other companies, but Saleen oversees the engineering and development of those parts. They also use their own considerable talents to develop changes that are built for high performance, that are built right. Forged wheels rather than cast. Low boost superchargers that are designed to minimize airflow friction by eliminating unnecessary turns in the pathway, allowing high horsepower gains without resorting to ungodly boost levels that can put additional strain on the engine internals. And how about this novel idea, building a sport truck that drives like a sports car, but actually increases its utility as a truck?
While many "sport trucks" over the years have sacrificed their payload and towing capacity for sporty handling, Saleen thought any truck not capable of holding half a ton in the bed wasn't a real truck. If you aren't going to be able to use the final product like a truck, why not get a real sports car instead? So the design directive to the engineering team on the S331 was to make it outperform a Mustang GT, while retaining the utility and towing capacity of the F-150. Think that sounds impossible? We thought so too, until we drove it.
Heading down PCH on a typically remarkable sunny day, we had a chance to feel the impressive ride quality, and a few brief opportunities to sample the 450 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque in these 5.4-liter supercharged trucks (The non-supercharged 3-valve versions are rated at 325/380, but we never had a chance to try those). It wasn't until a little later, when we hit the canyons around Orange County, however, that we really understood the Mustang comparison. You truly forget you're in a truck when you feel the handling of these things. There is virtually no body roll, despite the compliant ride. No float or bounce, no wheel hop or tail wagging either.
The only time you sense the truckiness is when you have to make a tight turn or when you have to pull into a parking spot. The turning radius on this truck is understandably large with its long wheelbase and 305/40-23s all around, but it really comes as a surprise when you've been able to clip apexes and maintain speeds that are so high through the twisties just moments earlier. When we stopped for lunch at Cook's Corner we were able to see that this truck draws attention everywhere it goes. For some posh nosh in Newport or pub grub with the bikers, it seemed equally well suited.
The morning ended back at the Club where Saleen had an even bigger surprise waiting for us. What better way to show off the utility of these trucks than to add a few accessories? While we had taken a break, the five trucks in our test fleet had payload added. And not just Home Depot stuff, these are sport trucks after all. No, Saleen had outfitted the S331s with the kind of toys they envision owners will have in their collections. A sport bike, Harley, and quad were put in the beds of three of the trucks, while the other two got trailers. All of the trucks have a built in trailer hitch behind the flip-up rear license plate. One of the trailers had a pair of Jet Skis, and the other, a 30-foot sport boat. With the Class-3 trailer package, the truck can tow 5,000 pounds. That goes up to 9,500 when you upgrade to the Class-4 with its airbag suspension.
We all had a chance to drive the weighted down trucks over to the Dunes and discovered they perform nearly as well with a load. We stopped by the harbor boat launch where we had a nice photo opp. We were then treated to dinner at The Cannery after an all-too-slow ride in a triple Viper-engined Donzai speedboat. Dinner over, it was time for bed, for Day 2 we hit the track at El Toro.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
akintz 1:00PM (3/30/2007)
Ya, I'd rock it.
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Jeff 1:19PM (3/30/2007)
Very cool, it'd make a great way to get around the new gas guzzler levy in Canada that exempts pickups. :)
Too bad it's a 4-speed automatic though...
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Josiah 2:51PM (3/30/2007)
I'll take one without the SALEEN stickers on the windshield.
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JEFF KASMAN 2:55PM (3/30/2007)
I have 3 available for sale:
Black s/c with painted wheels
Black s/c with chrome wheels
Redfire with chrome wheels
Jeff Kasman
Freedom Ford
Clearwater, Florida
727 797-2277 727 798-6693
www.saleensforsale.com
jeffkasman@msn.com
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DPC car videos 3:02PM (3/30/2007)
This truck looks awesome, Certainly a great alternative until the new SVT Lightning comes out from the factory. I just think the Saleen line is a bit overpriced , but not by much.
http://www.dpccars.com
DPCcars
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UH2L 3:43PM (3/30/2007)
What's the point of sport trucks? You start with an inherently poor handling, tall, unaerodynamic, heavy vehicle made to carry payloads, then you try to counteract its deficiencies to make it "sporty" by lowering it, adding power, bigger brakes, ground effects, and lots of cosmetic add-ons. So now it guzzles more gas than a real sports car and doesn't perform as well.
I'm not just picking on this one, (and it does look mean), but these vehicles are a waste. I understand that it's a free country and more choice is good, but why not buy an old work truck and a real sports car for the same price?
Atul
http://www.realitydriven.com
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Yago Bal 5:10PM (3/30/2007)
6#
You are right...
But they have a point: there's a country in the world were people have the habit of putting money on stupidity... giving Saleen a profit on trucks.
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Bryan 4:09PM (3/30/2007)
I like it..I want that metal look in mine!
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Yaroukh 4:20PM (3/30/2007)
#6: ... the same point as for 95% of Range Rovers.
People just buy what they like, regardless whether it makes sense or not. :)
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Bruno 5:43PM (3/30/2007)
You have a point that you might buy "an old work truck" and a sports car, but some of us have needs that bridge the two and we need ONE vehicle to handle them.
Example:
1. You make your living with your truck. You cannot afford breakdowns and downtime. You also need to project a professional image. You cannot make do with an old cheap work truck. You aren't using it to full capacity, but anything less than a pickup bed out back won't do.
2. You have to travel a lot on weekends. You need a machine that can handle highway speeds and also carry gear. Your sports car can't quite fit in all the stuff you have to carry with you.
3. Two vehicles means some duplication in insurance costs ($1,000/year) and depreciation. You'd also like to drive something that isn't going to go out of control or tip over into a ditch the first time you have to swerve to avoid a truck coming at you from the oncoming lane. (I witnessed just this occurance two days ago)
My problem with this type of vehicle is that I want the great handling and braking but can do w/o the extreme speed and flashy stuff if it would keep the price more reasonable. And trying to mod it from a base truck hurts resale and can have problems. I'll take the great styling and handling/braking, minus some of the flash, luxury, and brute power, please.
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Yago Bal 5:33PM (3/30/2007)
A Range Rover? :S
Are you aware of the rigidity of a Range Rover chassis??? The Range Rover was not intented to be fast, but to be luxurious, hence the power it has, and the amazing chassis to cope with it, either on the road or (and specially) off road... Power and chassis are perfectly fit, and it makes sense!
This Saleen has a chassis made of cheese, with 40's technology, a good paint job and a uselessly big engine, just because... I think there's no way to compare them.
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Drew Phillips 5:56PM (3/30/2007)
#6 - the point of this truck is that it performs BETTER than the stock truck (which I'm sure will be explained in part 2 of the "first drive" article) while keeping its functionality. Saleen was thinking the way you were - What's the point of sport trucks? You may have a better performing truck, but you lose its functionality. You might as well buy a sports car. Saleen wanted to do something different - provide a better handling, more powerful truck to customers that want to keep the functionality of a truck. In my opinion, they have done well.
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WhAT? 5:47PM (3/30/2007)
This isn't a new segment for Saleen. In 1989 Saleen built Ford Rangers into Saleen sport trucks.
http://www.saleen.com/history.htm
Haha, in the history section on the Saleen website I love how in 2005 "HID headlights are introduced by Saleen" makes it sound like HID was a Saleen invention.
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Drew Phillips 6:03PM (3/30/2007)
#11 - you will be able to buy a naturally aspirated version of the truck, as well as buy each of the parts seperately, so you can get the suspension and brake upgrades without the rest of the "flash". Because it's from Saleen and you can actually buy the truck and parts at a Ford dealer, the resale value probably won't be hurt that much.
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Yaroukh 8:38PM (3/30/2007)
#10: oh my... I was trying to remind you of the fact that people don't necessarily look for things that make 100% sense
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That One Person 8:25PM (3/30/2007)
#10...made of cheese? Have you ever driven an F-150? It may not drive like a Ferrari but it has a very stiff frame and rides quite well. And what kind of suspension technology would you like on a truck? IRS and coil overs? That kind of suspension cant handle what that truck is made to tow. And as for the engine, it was originally designed to...tow. Leaf springs and solid rear axles are a must on a pickup truck. Not this truck but they are necessary.
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Blake 5:13PM (4/05/2007)
I saw this on the freeway 2 weeks ago in so. cal. and was wondering what it was...I was really confused
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juslilslow 2:59PM (3/31/2007)
i agree with #6 and i understand where #15 is coming from. but, some may consider the size sport cars are today and choose the closest thing being a sporty pick-up. i would love to have a sports car but im 16 and only have a learners (lol) and i may want a sporty pick-up. i've noticed that sport cars are small, and the sport pick-up (that sounds weird, sport pick-up) looks more sterdy. so when choosing i may lean more towards the truck. but thats just me. and everyone wants to go fast so thats why when it comes to sport vechicles people dont care what it is whether its an elephant, car, or truck
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bathtub gin 10:39PM (3/31/2007)
Sport & Truck? Does that make it a sporck?
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JohnV 1:25PM (4/24/2007)
"We were then treated to dinner at The Cannery after an all-too-slow ride in a triple Viper-engined Donzai speedboat."
I think you mean a DONZI speedboat. http://www.donzimarine.com/
big-boy-toys.
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